Festivity at Bolsover Castle: Full Line-Up Announced!

Photo credit: English Heritage

We’re delighted to kick off the Festivity series in the stunning surroundings of Bolsover Castle, and now, we’re excited to reveal the full line-up for this unforgettable weekend of creativity, community and celebration.

Join us as we transform the grounds into a vibrant tented village filled with live performances, workshops, storytelling, and more, all showcasing the incredible talent Derbyshire has to offer in one of Derbyshire’s most stunning locations.

🎶 Live Music

• Saturday 31st May – Paul Johnstone
• Sunday 1st June – Matt Hill

🎨 Digital Exhibition

Explore work from 11 brilliant Derbyshire visual artists in our digital exhibition, including:

• Bernie Rutter & Vitor
• Paul Johnstone
• Small Print
• Ray Gumbley
• Nikki Dennett
• Rebecca Morledge
• Stephanie Sian Coley
• John Bullock
• Helen Swift
• Mark Knight
• Alice Marshall (Film)

✍️ Spoken Word

Curated by our partners at Derby Poetry Festival, the spoken word stage will feature a powerful programme of poets and performers (full line-up coming soon!).

📖 Storytelling

Experience the magic of live storytelling with artists curated by Adverse Camber, bringing tales to life for audiences of all ages.

🖐️ Workshops

Get creative with hands-on activities led by Small Print, offering fun and engaging print-based workshops for all ages in our tented village.

Stephen Munn, Director of Arts Derbyshire, said:
“Bolsover Castle is a stunning setting to begin the Festivity journey. We are fortunate to be partnered with Visit Bolsover, English Heritage and the National Trust in the delivery of this inaugural event. We can’t wait to see it filled with music, stories, creativity, and community spirit. It’s the perfect start to our grand showcasing tour of Derbyshire”

Joel Wileman, Bolsover Castle Supervisor for English Heritage said:
“We’re incredibly excited for Festivity to be joining the Festival of the Arts programme this year. Bolsover Castle was built as a palace to entertain, throw lavish celebrations and immerse one’s self in art, literature and performance. With an engaging and varied selection of performers and workshops, Festivity will bring even more colour and creativity to our already bustling event programme and help us to utilise Bolsover Castle in the way it was intended.”

Entry to the event is included with admission to Bolsover Castle. If you are a local resident, then you can gain admission for free with code BOL0106CD when you book. Proof of address must be presented at the entrance on the day. There is free parking throughout Bolsover town centre.

Bring your friends, family and curiosity and we’ll bring the inspiration.

Let the Festivity begin!

Find out more about the Festivity events to be held this summer across Derbyshire:

• Bolsover Castle, 31 May to 1 June
• King George V Park, Staveley, 21 to 22 June
• Erewash Museum, 5 to 6 July ⚠️ CHANGE OF VENUE! Now to be held in Victoria Park, Ilkeston
• Tapton Lock, 6 to 7 September
• Melbourne Festival, 20 to 21 September