The Ultimate Festive Fun Day!

Christmas wreath

Fri 15 Dec 2017

In Derby has the perfect festive fun day for all the family with an array of shows, events and attractions to suit all ages!


It would begin with Family Festivities, which has returned to Markeaton Park after the success of the first event last year. This season, each of the first three weekends in December are themed and it guarantees to be a fantastic Christmas experience for all the family. The final workshop weekend is taking place on Saturday 16 – Sunday 17 December.


Throughout the festivities, a Giant Ferris wheel will be located on the park for the first time, offering visitors a unique view of the picturesque surroundings. Traditional fairground rides will be found in the Craft Village as well as an elf trail for families to follow and explore. Seasonal food will be served in The Orangery café and the Craft Village, and a licensed bar will be available for those who’d like to enjoy some festive mulled wine.


Entry to the Family Festivities at Markeaton Park is free and some activities and rides will have charges, but there are also plenty of FREE activities to enjoy. Visit inderby.org.uk/festive for further details and view the full Family Festivities programme online.

The Cathedral Quarter 3aaa Ice Rink and Christmas Arts and Craft Fair is the perfect next stop for a slice of festive fun. Now open for its 8th Year in Derby’s Market Place, it will be running until Sunday 31 December 2017. Tickets are priced between £6.50 and £8.50, with concessions up to £7.50. As well as the Cathedral Quarter 3aaa Christmas Ice Rink, the Market Place will also feature other attractions such as live music, food and Christmas gift fairs.


After all of that festive exercise and activity, it would be time to sit down! Fortunately at Derby Arena, Derby LIVE and Derby-based producers Little Wolf Entertainment are staging the dazzling, star-studded, family pantomime, Beauty and the Beast. Derby Arena has been transformed into a magical theatre space, with spectacular pyrotechnics and amazing special effects. Bringing together sensational sets and costumes, hilarious comedy, fabulous music and dazzling dance routines, the talented cast features Derby's very own Gwen Taylor as the Enchantress, and Ben Faulks (CBeebies' Mr Bloom) as Idle Jacques. Beauty and the Beast is running until 31 December 2017. Tickets are priced from £14.75 with concessions, group, and family tickets available, so go on, ‘Be our guest’!


For families with younger children, the Guildhall Theatre is playing host to the family Christmas adventure - Prince Stroppy Pants and the Christmas Caper. Buxton based Babbling Vagabonds will be returning to Derby LIVE’s Guildhall Theatre this Christmas, until Thursday 28 December, with their fantastic new family show, suitable for all ages.


Once upon a time there lived a King, who had a son. The Prince was the bossiest, stroppiest, snottiest Prince that ever did live. He’s so spoiled and fussy that everyone calls him Prince Stroppy Pants. One day the King promises his son anything his heart desires if the Prince will become more King-like. “I want Father Christmas’ Magical Sleigh and I WANT IT NOW!!!!” At once, the King sets off to fetch Santa’s sleigh. When the King’s Steward proclaims himself Lord Protector in the King’s absence, cancels Christmas and throws Prince Stroppy Pants in the deepest, darkest Royal Dungeon he knows that it’s down to him to escape and find the missing King.


Audiences will follow the Prince along his perilous journey through swamps and dark, dark forests full of weird creatures to the North Pole on his quest to find his father. Will he succeed on his Christmas mission? Tickets are priced at £10 - £13.50, with concessions, family tickets and group rates available.


For more information on all of the events and activities happening in Derby over the festive season, please click here