Yule Love Derby this Christmas!

Prepare to immerse yourself in the delights of the season as Festive Derby returns! Derby’s celebrations promise a wealth of family fun, exciting events, shopping, and dining. Highlights include the much-loved Cathedral Quarter Ice Rink, the inviting Nordic Bar, and a range of seasonal delights within the beautifully refurbished Derby Market Hall.

The festivities officially launch on Thu 27 Nov, starting with the Christmas Light Switch-On, presented in partnership with Smooth Radio, and a vibrant Lantern Parade led by Surtal Arts. Enjoy the celebratory atmosphere with live entertainment provided throughout the city centre by Derby LIVE and the Cathedral Quarter and St Peter’s Quarter BIDs.

The main stage show, hosted by Smooth Radio, kicks off the evening outside Riverside Chambers, across the road from QUAD and the Council House, starting at 5pm. The show will culminate with the official Christmas Lights Switch On at 6:30pm, illuminating the city for the festive season.

The early evening event ties in perfectly with Love Sadler Gate’s annual Sadler Gate Night Market, where the historic street will be brimming with over 60 artisan stalls, and the wonderful independent shops will also be open late. Derby Market Hall will be open too, with food, drink, shopping and free live entertainment.

Make sure to experience the Nordic Bar and Cathedral Quarter Ice Rink, which will offer an exclusive preview during the Switch On event before their official opening on Sat 29 Nov.

The bar will offer a delicious selection of cocktails and festive drinks alongside a packed programme of free entertainment, including live music, children’s activities and more. It's the ideal spot to relax with family and friends after a spin on the ice.

The Switch On will also illuminate the city’s Festive Derby Light Trail, a dazzling display brought to you by the Cathedral Quarter and St Peter’s Quarter Business Improvement District (BIDs) and Derby City Council Follow the trail from St Peter’s Cross to Irongate, taking in the revamped Osnabruck Square and Derby Market Hall, and discover picture-perfect moments at every turn.

The Victorian Market Hall will be bursting with festive cheer as it welcomes Father Christmas and his elves for the festive season. Families can meet Santa at The Cathedral Quarter Santa’s Grotto, sponsored by the Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement District (BID) from Saturday 29 November. Each child will receive a special gift and families can take their own photographs with Santa and his elves.

The Market Hall will also host speciality pop-up markets and free festive live entertainment – find all the details on the Derby Market Hall website.

Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council and Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, said:

Festive Derby just gets better and better each year and what’s more exciting than celebrating the countdown to Christmas with our official start to the festive season? From the excitement of the Christmas Light Switch-On and the beautiful Lantern Parade, to the return of the Cathedral Quarter Ice Rink and the refurbished Derby Market Hall, there truly is something for everyone to enjoy.

These celebrations showcase the very best of Derby’s retail, culture, and community spirit. I encourage all our residents and visitors to come out, support our local businesses, and experience the joy and warmth of the festive season here in Derby.

There’s so much for families to enjoy across the city, with the free Family Festivities at Markeaton Park on Sat 6 Dec and Sun 7 Dec, featuring live music, festive activities, market and walkabout characters. Embark on a magical adventure for all the whole family with The Snowman Experience at Derbion, and meet Paddington when he visits the St Peters Quarter at Potters House Church. Children can also have Breakfast with Santa at the Museum of Making.

Over at Pickford’s House, as night falls, dare you enter for Dracula by Night – A Gothic Christmas? Or try something a little less scary with Let’s Make It...Christmas Wreaths, to create a traditional festive wreath for your door or table.

And don’t miss festive music and entertainment and walkabout characters, brought to you by Derby LIVE and the Cathedral Quarter and St Peters Quarter BIDs, which will be bringing Christmas cheer to the city centre’s streets.

Brad Worley, manager for both the Cathedral Quarter and St Peters Quarter BIDs, said: “There is so much to enjoy in Derby this Christmas. We always work hard to create a family-friendly Christmas atmosphere in Derby, and this year is no exception. All these events are a great way to get into the Christmas spirit.”

Families can also catch a range of fantastic shows. At Derby Theatre, enjoy a toe-tapping, laugh-out-loud re-telling of a children’s classic, Tortoise and the Hare, from the creators of the 2024 sell-out production of Chicken Licken. You can also see a magical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ iconic Oliver Twist, plus Count Arthur Strong as Charles Dickens in A Christmas Carol.

Merry Elwin the Adventurous Elf, a co-production between The Lost Boys and Derby LIVE, be enchanting audiences of all ages at Chapel Street Arts Centre. The brand new festive tale follows a spirited Christmas Elf from the North Pole on a globe-trekking adventure of a lifetime.

Over at Vaillant Live, you can enjoy Elf The Musical, a live theatre spectacular inspired by the blockbuster movie, the ultimate feel-good Christmas concert spectacular Step Into Christmas, or celebrate Christmas in style with Bongo’s Bingo Christmas Cracker Special! You can also catch a selection of classic Christmas films – and more – with QUADmas at QUAD.

Of course, Christmas wouldn’t be complete without Derby Arena’s smash hit pantomime Dick Whittington at Derby Arena, with Coronation Street’s Wendi Peters joining Derby’s favourite pantomime dame Morgan Brind for the purr-fect family treat.

Get into the spirit of giving and get your Christmas shopping done while supporting local artists and makers with Festive Markets at Derby Market Hall, plus Artcore, St Peter’s Quarter Christmas Market, Banks Mill Open Studios and Let’s Make Christmas at the Museum & Art Gallery and the Museum of Making shops. Head over to the Cathedral Quarter for boutique shopping, St Peter’s Quarter for independent retailers and cafes or Derbion to find national brands during late night shopping and some delicious festive dining.

The Bustler Winter Feastival will kick off the festive eating and drinking on Sat 22 Nov. Expect winter warmers, mulled favourites and plenty of cosy vibes – perfect for foodies, families and friends.

If all that’s not enough, Derby Cathedral, St Werburgh’s and St Peter’s Church have a fantastic line up of Christmas carol concerts, special services and events. The Cathedral’s programme includes Derby Cathedral Choir and Sinfonia Viva present: Handel's Messiah and an unforgettable evening of Christmas hits, Bublé Christmas by Candlelight.

Derby city centre is easy to reach by public transport and the bus station is just across the road from the Market Place festivities. If you’re travelling by car, there are lots of parking options including Chapel Street and Bold Lane multi-storey car parks and several surface car parks, such as Darwin Place.

There’s so much to see and do, so pick up a copy of the Festive Derby Guide or check out the Festive Derby website for the full line up of events.