50:50 Derby
By Visit Derby
Created March 26, 2026
Last updated May 29, 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.
Route 65
Led by East Midlands songwriter Phil Baggaley, and featuring vocalists Kelsey Shaw & Nina Blaszczyk, they bring you some of the best new country music from the UK.
FOLK3D
Traditional Dance teams brighten up the spaces with wonderful dancing, whilst the Maypole comes back out for June with displays, and have-a-go workshops.
Artcore - Pottery Workshops (1), Exhibition / Photo Booth (2), Chalk Mural (3)
1.Throwing open the doors to Craftcore, join in with pottery workshops through the day, creating pieces reflecting twinning.
2.The “Faces and Places of Derby and Osnabrück” photography exhibition sits alongside a community-led live photo booth installation.
3. Watch the creation, and join in with a piece of street artwork celebrating community, friendship, and the bond between Derby and Osnabruck
Spiral Arts - Well Dressing
A Derbyshire tradition, creating a picture from flowers, seeds and more, pressed into clay. See a display, and have a go at your own.
Surtal Arts - 1. Silk Painting, 2. Dhol Drumming, 3. Journeys – Performance & Workshops
1. Silk Painting - Donna Fox
Drop-in workshop with Derby artist Donna Fox and Surtal Arts. Inspired by Derby’s landmarks and memories, create your own silk artwork to take home and contribute to a community banner for city-wide events.
2. Dhol Drumming – Dholi Amo
High-energy live Dhol performance starting at Osnabruck Square and leading into the Market Hall, setting the vibe for a vibrant music and dance celebration.
3. Journeys – Performance & Workshops
A cross-cultural show celebrating Derby’s railway heritage, blending Bharatanatyam (Priya Sundar’s troupe) and Afro dance (Changu’s troupe), with live mridangam and DJ. Stick around after for taster workshops in both dance styles.
Derby Choral Union
Led by Musical Director Paul Provost, and joined by MD of Osnabrück's Marienkantorei, Carsten Zündorf, Derby’s longest running voluntary choir sing a medley of classical pieces from Handel, Bach and more.
Furthest from the Sea
A Cathedral Green takeover with a celebration of some of the city's best creatives. Chill in the story tent, hunt down some poetry, roll up your sleeves and make some music, and get messy with arts and crafts!
Baby People
A vibrant, high-energy live music take over, with a strong focus on hip hop, DJ performance, and live music - showcasing artists at various stages of their creative careers.
Trinity Warriors
See the world famous Trinity Warriors’ Next Generation group, performing a Break Dance showcase, and maybe even getting you involved.
Nadia Jane Performing Arts
Performances will showcase a dynamic mix of dance styles including Street and Contemporary, highlighting the versatility and talent of their elite teams.
Carl North
Drawing deeply from the rich wells of Americana, Blues, Country & Soul, Carl’s sound is like a well-poured pint - refreshing yet familiar.
Lady of the Loom (Babbling Vagabonds)
A larger than life puppet, and companion, walk amongst the audience, bringing joy with a turn of the head and a blink of the eyes.
Deep Down Brass
With two roaming bands on the streets, you’ll find brassy pop hits, and German Oompah – and a mix of Hawaiian shirts and Lederhosen!
Peashooter
Fantastic musicians, playing a hand picked selection of the finest popular music.
Peashooter
Fantastic musicians, playing a hand picked selection of the finest popular music.
Lucille
Recently returned from Osnabruck, they bring classic soul into the modern spotlight. Commanding vocals and gritty melodic guitar work weave around grooving drums.
Romy
A BBC Introducing artist since the age of 12, and only 17, she brings raw honesty, strong hooks and serious potential. Blending Indie Folk and Pop, her song lyrics are heartfelt and her music is emotionally driven.
Herron Brothers
Brothers Paul and Steven Herron bring their full band to the stage to play catchy pop music – if you like Crowded House, The Strokes, The Beatles, REM… you’ll love them.
Scott Walker
A specially commissioned canvas – with a twin version being sent to Osnabruck - bringing images and themes from Derby and Osnabruck together for you to colour in through the day.
Scott Walker
A specially commissioned canvas – with a twin version being sent to Osnabruck - bringing images and themes from Derby and Osnabruck together for you to colour in through the day.
Willow Bay
An indie-folk band known for their melodic harmonies and heartfelt songwriting. They released their debut EP this year, and appeared at Maiwoche in Osnabruck.
Marseille
A young indie rock band with wide-ranging influences from the '90s Madchester scene, Merseybeat of the '60s, and the psychedelia movement of that era.
Rambling On (Fair Play)
Carrying rucksacks that swing open into small puppet sets, the wanderers will amuse with buffoonery and then amaze and enthral with puppetry, physical theatre and storytelling.
A La Puppet Carte ((Thingumajig Theatre)
A duet of pop up puppet stages built onto the back of electric tricycles. Each mobile stage has a show full of surprises, fun and a heart-warming story of friendship and a sense of home.
Sid Bowfin
Our virtuoso violinist combines madcap comedy with superb musicianship. Watch Sid turn classical performance on its head with his hilarious spontaneous comedic antics.
Jamie Thompson
One half of Scribble Victory, Jamie has been back to Osnabruck this year, with the band, but appears here with vocals, guitar and a set of catchy songs.
Here's what's taking place throughout the city:
OSNABRUCK SQUARE
- Ay-Up-Me-Duck hook-a-duck stall - Catch a Duck to win a discount voucher, or token for the fairground rides… get in quick to also grab a special duck as a memento!
- 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 presents silk painting, Dhol drumming and performances celebrating Bharatanatyam and Afro dance, plus, dance workshops.
- Screen printing (People of Print / Dept Store Co) - From an open call, 50 poster designs will be selected for exhibition on Sadler Gate, and two chosen for you to print yourselves to take away.
- Postcard making (SmallPrint Company) - Create a unique crafted postcard using collage, illustration, typing or letterpress. Based on the themes of friendship, peace, love and pride.
- 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): Working from their distinctive mobile greenhouse you’ll find workshops, stories and sessions that embody the themes of Friendship, Peace, Love, Pride, and Sanctuary through nature-based activities.
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...
Take a glimpse of the don't miss partner events lined up for 50:50:
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Share your twinning memory
The ‘Voices of Friendship’ archive will celebrate 50 years of the twinning link between Derby and Osnabrück.
This will create a lasting record of the exchange of hospitality, friendship, laughter, and shared connections between generations of people in both towns, told in their own words.
Help us celebrate - contribute your twinning memories and experiences here! Use the QR code below:
https://derby.arena.axiell.com/50-50-derby
We'd love to hear about the people you met, experiences you shared and any standout moments or lasting impressions.
Your memories will join with others to be kept in the archive and will be published online for future generations to enjoy.
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