50:50 Derby
By Visit Derby
Created March 26, 2026
Last updated May 6, 2026
A Celebration of Culture, Creativity & Community
6 June 2026
Derby comes alive with 50:50 - a bold, city-wide celebration of music, art, dance, and community. Inspired by the cultural connection with Osnabrück, this free festival transforms the city into a dynamic, immersive experience. Expect live music, high-energy performances, hands-on workshops, and vibrant street spectacles at every turn. With global traditions, creative activities, and family-friendly fun, including fairground rides - there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Spiral Arts
Spiral Arts is a bold Derby collective of visual artist educators, turning ideas into vibrant, hands-on community art. From creative workshops to eye-catching projects, they spark imagination, build skills and bring people together through art that’s inclusive, expressive and full of life.
Surtal Arts
Surtal Arts is a vibrant Derby-based collective bringing the colour, rhythm and energy of South Asian dance and music to life. Blending tradition with a modern twist, they light up stages with bold performances, dynamic workshops and feel-good cultural experiences that celebrate diversity and get audiences moving.
Derby Choral Union
Derby Choral Union is a powerhouse choir with over 150 years of history, delivering bold, full-scale choral performances in the heart of Derby. Bringing together passionate voices and professional musicians, they perform everything from classical giants to modern works with rich sound and serious impact.
Furthest from the Sea
Furthest From The Sea is a Derby-based arts collective and festival championing the city’s independent creative scene. Showcasing music, dance, theatre, comedy and more, they create bold, grassroots events that put local talent front and centre and bring the community together through live performance.
Baby People
Baby People is a Derby-based music and arts organisation and the UK’s first dedicated Hip Hop school, using music, dance and culture to inspire and engage young people. Through workshops, education and creative projects, they empower expression, build confidence and open pathways into the arts in a hands-on, high-energy environment.
Trinity Warriors
Trinity Warriors Dance Academy is a Derby-based dance crew bringing high-energy street, commercial and performance dance to the stage. Known for sharp routines, strong teamwork and powerful stage presence, they train hard and perform even harder - showcasing raw talent, attitude and passion in every performance.
Nadia Jane Performing Arts
Nadia Jane Performing Arts is a Derby-based dance and performance school offering high-energy training in dance, drama and stage performance. Led by Nadia Jane, the school focuses on building confidence, technique and creativity in a fun, supportive environment. Students regularly take part in performances and showcases, developing real stage experience while growing as strong, confident performers.
Carl North
Carl North is a Derbyshire musician delivering feel-good soul, blues and Americana with infectious live energy. A regular on the local scene and host of the Dubrek Open Mic, he’s played major festivals including Glastonbury and Y Not, with BBC radio play and UK-wide touring under his belt. Currently fronting Derby band Lucille, he’s gearing up for new releases and local shows.
Lady of the Loom
Lady of the Loom (Babbling Vagabonds) is a wandering storyteller, weaving tiny tales from a backpack full of curious objects. Whimsical and imaginative, her performances bring stories to life in the most unexpected ways.
Deep Down Brass
Deep Down Brass are a high-energy brass and drums group from the Midlands, reimagining popular hits with their own bold, brassy twist. Known for their vibrant sound and interactive live shows, they bring a fresh, feel-good party atmosphere to every stage.
Peashooter
Peashooter are a refreshing three-piece covers band, playing a hand-picked selection of the finest popular music. With a tight sound and feel-good energy, they deliver crowd-pleasing sets that keep audiences hooked.
Peashooter
Peashooter are a refreshing three-piece covers band, playing a hand-picked selection of the finest popular music. With a tight sound and feel-good energy, they deliver crowd-pleasing sets that keep audiences hooked.
Lucille
Lucille are a Derby-based soul-infused Americana band, blending rich, rootsy sound with heartfelt songwriting. Known for their electrifying live performances, they bring warmth, grit, and energy to every stage.
Romy
Romy is a Nottingham-based singer-songwriter creating original music that blends pop, pop-punk, and indie influences. She’s an emerging artist in the UK scene, known for her raw, expressive style and growing presence through live performances and releases.
Herron Brothers
The Herron Brothers are a Derby-based indie-folk duo known for their rich harmonies, heartfelt songwriting, and stripped-back, authentic sound. Blending clever storytelling with warm acoustic arrangements, they deliver honest, melodic songs that feel personal, relatable, and distinctly homegrown.
Scott Walker
Scott Walker’s Doodle Jam is an interactive, playful art experience where creativity takes centre stage. Blending live drawing, collaboration, and spontaneous visual storytelling, it transforms participants into co-creators of a constantly evolving artwork. Fun, chaotic, and imagination-led, it turns everyday spaces into living sketchbooks.
Scott Walker
Scott Walker’s Doodle Jam is an interactive, playful art experience where creativity takes centre stage. Blending live drawing, collaboration, and spontaneous visual storytelling, it transforms participants into co-creators of a constantly evolving artwork. Fun, chaotic, and imagination-led, it turns everyday spaces into living sketchbooks.
Willow Bay
Willow Bay is a collective of musicians crafting warm, atmospheric soundscapes rooted in indie, folk, and modern acoustic pop. Their music blends intimate storytelling with rich harmonies and textured instrumentation, creating a sound that feels both cinematic and deeply personal.
Marseille
Marseille are a high-energy indie rock band known for their swaggering live performances and atmospheric, guitar-driven sound. Blending nostalgic indie influences with a fresh, modern edge, their music pairs dynamic vocals with rich layers of guitar to create a bold, festival-ready vibe that’s quickly gaining attention on the UK scene.
Rambling On
Rambling On by Fair Play is a quirky walkabout street show following two eccentric travellers and their not-so-reliable map. Blending physical theatre, puppetry, and playful comedy, their backpacks transform into miniature stages for inventive, crowd-pleasing storytelling.
A La Puppet Carte
A La Puppet Carte by Thingumajig Theatre is a delightful street show featuring pop-up puppet theatres on electric trikes, bringing magical, bite-sized stories to life. Blending charming puppetry, humour, and gentle audience interaction, it’s a playful, imaginative experience perfect for all ages.
Sid Bowfin
Sid Bowfin combines virtuoso violin with madcap comedy to create a lively, unpredictable street performance. Blending skilled musicianship with spontaneous humour and audience interaction, he puts a playful twist on classical favourites for a show that’s engaging, funny, and full of energy.
Jamie Thompson
Jamie Thompson is a singer and guitarist, best known as one half of Derbyshire acoustic duo Scribble Victory. His sound fuses upbeat acoustic-pop and folk-pop with tight vocal harmonies, driving guitar rhythms, and an infectious, feel-good energy built for sing-alongs and lively crowds.
Here's what's taking place throughout the city:
OSNABRUCK SQUARE
- Ay-Up-Me-Duck hook-a-duck stall
- Spiral Arts well dressing workshop & display
- Artcore activities, exhibitions, photobooth, pottery workshops & chalk mural at the Obelisk
- Walkabout performances: Deep Down Brass, Babbling Vagabonds (Lady of the Loom)
- Dhol drummers procession start (to Derby Market Hall)
- FOLK3D traditional dance & “have-a-go” maypole
DERBY MARKET HALL
- Surtal Arts performances and Bhangra & Cossack workshops
- Screen printing (People of Print / Dept Store Co)
- Postcard making (SmallPrint Company)
- Flag making workshop (Surtal Arts)
- Derby Choral Union performance
- FOLK3D dance displays & maypole
- Sid Bowfin street show
- Trinity Warriors performance and workshops
- Performances from Nadia Jane Performing Arts and Jamie Thompson
MARKET PLACE
- Stage Bus live music: Route 65, The Herron Brothers, Willow Bay, Lucille, Peashooter, Marseille
- Traditional fairground rides (carousel, chair-o-planes, Ferris wheel)
- Dhol drummers procession start (to Derby Market Hall)
- Down to Earth / Electric Daisy (Tree Avenue): workshops & storytelling
WATERFALL
- Performances: Nadia Jane Performing Arts, Sid Bowfin, Deep Down Brass
CATHEDRAL GREEN
- Stage Bus live music: Romy, Peashooter (acoustic), Jamie Thompson, Will Brown, The Herron Brothers (acoustic), Carl North
- Furthest From The Sea: craft workshops & activities
- Scott Walker: Derby-Osnabrück doodle art workshop
- Performances: Lady of the Loom, Deep Down Brass, traditional dance
THE SPOT
- Baby People music showcase (DJs, rap artists & more)
- Performance: Nadia Jane Performing Arts
STREET WALKABOUT PERFORMANCES
- Babbling Vagabonds (Lady of the Loom): Osnabrück Square, Cathedral Green, Sadler Gate
- Deep Down Brass: Osnabrück Square - Market Hall, Waterfall - Sadler Gate, Cathedral Green
- FOLK3D traditional dance: Osnabrück Square, Market Hall, Cathedral Green
- Rambling On: Cornmarket, Sadler Gate, St Peters Street
- A La Puppet Carte: St Peters Street, Sadler Gate
- Sid Bowfin: Market Hall, Waterfall
Together, these activities will transform Derby into a lively celebration of creativity, culture, and community, filled with colour, music, and unforgettable moments around every corner.
Check back for updates and keep an eye below for all the latest events taking place throughout the day...
Take a glimpse of the don't miss partner events lined up for 50:50:
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