Derby Dream Fest

Description

Derby Dream Fest is coming to Derby Market Hall!

Dream Fest is a city wide youth arts festival inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream, proudly delivered as part of the Derby Promise, an initiative by Derby City Council in collaboration with local schools, arts organisations, and community partners.

The festival opens on Friday 11th July with a dynamic Schools Takeover Day at Derby’s Market Hall, followed by a vibrant public programme on Saturday 12th July, offering a rich mix of live performances, interactive workshops, and creative activities for families and the wider community.

Centred around Derby’s Market Hall and nearby venues, Dream Fest features a series of in-school Shakespeare workshops, culminating in performances from over 350 children and young people across primary, secondary, nursery, and SEND settings.

The programme also includes a digital creative offer, recorded school performances, and the CANVAS Dream Showcase, celebrating the voices and talents of young people from diverse backgrounds. Across both days, attendees can participate in high quality sessions spanning visual art, music, dance, theatre, and careers in the creative industries, delivered by professional artists and industry experts.

The festival’s final day will see Derby’s city centre come alive with public performances, drop-in creative spaces, and bookable family friendly workshops, creating an inclusive, inspiring celebration of imagination, expression, and opportunity for the city’s young people.

Fri 11 Jul, 8am - 5pm

Schools takeover day

Sat 13 Jul, 10am - 6pm

Families are invited to join us for a packed day of drama, storytelling and dreams, for our young people from across the city.

Stop by and enjoy:

• professional dramatic performances
• walkabout performers
• break-dancers
• theatre and music acts
• workshops
• hands-on arts activities
• and much more!