Content
Fab Five
January to March 2026 Events
Popular Places and Attractions
Eating and Drinking
January to March 2026 / English
Derby GuideWhat's On
Kick Off 2026 in Style
Derby’s new year is packed with energy! Our “What’s On” guide has the hottest events to make the first three months unforgettable. From live music and theatre to family fun, there’s something for everyone. We’re especially looking forward to Wright of Derby: From the Shadows returning from the National Gallery later in the year, alongside a host of other unmissable experiences.
Explore our interactive guide to see what’s on in Derby - click any event for full details and start planning your 2026 adventures today!
The Tourism Team at VisitDerby
Tourist Information
Derby Sales and Information Centre
19 Chapel Street,
Derby, DE1 3GU.
Image Credit: Graham Whitmore
Image Credit: AVIT
Don't Miss A Beat
Top things to do and authentic experiences you can't miss in Derby
UK Ghost Story Festival 2026
27 Feb 2026 - 1 Mar 2026
Derby QUAD & Cinema, Market Place, Cathedral Quarter, Derby DE1 3AS
The UK Ghost Story Festival returns for 2026, with a new weekend and an exciting new home!
Derby Book Festival 2026
22 May 2026 - 31 May 2026, 13 Nov 2026 - 15 Nov 2026
Various Derby venues,
Derby Book Festival will returns in 2026 with Summer and Autumn editions.
Wright of Derby: From the Shadows
13 Jun 2026 - 1 Nov 2026
Derby Museum & Art Gallery, The Strand, Derby DE1 1BS
Explore Wright of Derby’s ‘candlelight’ paintings – drama, discovery & sublime art in From the Shadows.
Derby Caribbean Carnival 2026
19 Jul 2026
Derby City Centre & Osmaston Park,
Feel the rhythm! Derby Caribbean Carnival hits the streets with colour, culture and big Carnival vibes.
The Darley Park Weekender 2026
21 Aug 2026 - 23 Aug 2026
Darley Park, DE22 1EN
Derby’s summer highlight returns for 2026, bringing a star-studded line-up to the Darley Park Weekender stage.
Discover Derby Market Hall in 2026
Make visiting Derby Market Hall your new year’s resolution and receive a warm welcome this winter and early spring.
With new traders recently announced, you’ll find an even bigger selection of independent traders to choose from on your next visit. Shop local produce from our new greengrocer and deli counter, pick-up crafting supplies at our haberdashery, or shop quality tools, plants and supplies at our new gardening stall. We’ve also welcomed a range of service businesses recently, including a tailor and beauty salon.
Make us your new meet-up spot for socialising with friends and family in the new year, with an array of street food traders, bars, cafés and an on-site distillery to enjoy. Watching your diet in 2026? Chow down on a range of healthier options at Derby Market Hall, including soups, jacket potatoes, salads, rice bowls and vegan options from our traders.
Our 2026 calendar is already filling up with an amazing schedule of events. Experience our new monthly Farmers’ Market (launching in January 2026), vintage and memorabilia fairs, artisan markets and a craft beer, wines and spirits festival. You’ll also find regular events throughout the week and live entertainment every weekend.
Seasonal Highlights
Derby is a lively city of events. From January to March, you can enjoy a great mix of festivals, celebrations, exhibitions and cultural events. Find below a small selection of great events, there’s lots more, see visitderby.co.uk/whats-on
Dracula’s Bazaar
27 Feb 2026 - 1 Mar 2026
Derby QUAD & Cinema, Market Place, Cathedral Quarter, Derby DE1 3AS
Derby Dracula Presents… Dracula’s Bazaar! Join us at QUAD, Derby, for a weekend of alternative delights.
Vampire Games Day II – Vampire Themed Roleplaying Games
21 Feb 2026
Derby Museum & Art Gallery, The Strand, Derby DE1 1BS
Dive into vampire-themed RPGs at The Museum on The Wardwick with Mythic Echoes!
Joseph Wright of Derby: Life on Paper
14 Mar 2026 - 17 May 2026
Derby Museum & Art Gallery, The Strand, Derby DE1 1BS
An exhibition exploring the life and work of one of Britain’s best loved artists.
The James Bond Concert Spectacular
22 Mar 2026
Vaillant Live, 2 Colyear Street, Derby DE1 1LA
Experience the iconic music of James Bond performed live in a spectacular, cinematic concert event!
Anime-A-Go-Go
Derby QUAD & Cinema, Market Place, Cathedral Quarter, Derby DE1 3AS
Derby Quad dives into four classic 80s/90s anime films - all on the big screen in one epic day.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
18 Jan 2026
Derby Theatre, 15 Theatre Walk, St Peter's Quarter, Derby DE1 2NF
When 15-year-old Christopher finds his neighbour’s dog killed, he launches into a Sherlock-style quest for the truth.
Burns Night Supper and Dance
24 Jan 2026
Morley Hayes Hotel, Main Road, Morley DE7 6DG
Honour Scotland’s Bard, Robert Burns, with a Highland bagpiper and the traditional address to a haggis.
Derby Comedy Club
Until Nov 2026
Derby Conference Centre, London Road, Alvaston, Derby DE24 8UX
Welcome to the ever-popular Derby Comedy Club - your monthly home for big laughs and top-tier comedy!
Honey Cabaret presents Cirque du Soirée
7 Feb 2026
Derby Theatre, 15 Theatre Walk, St Peter's Quarter, Derby DE1 2NF
A top-class cabaret show with standout national and international acts in circus, comedy, burlesque, magic, and song.
The Music Of Taylor Swift By Candlelight
20 Feb 2026
Derby Cathedral, 18-19 Iron Gate, Derby DE1 3GP
Swifties, get ready to sing, swap bracelets, share the love, and Shake It Off! Taylor Swift by Candlelight is magical!
Pancakes and Pandemonium: Derby Shrovetide 180 Years ago with Ian Collis
22 Feb 2026
Derby Museum & Art Gallery, The Strand, Derby DE1 1BS
Shrove Tuesday now means pancakes, but in Georgian and Victorian times it was a key day for feasting, fun and games.
Derby Uncovered – Walk: Weird Derby
28 Feb 2026
Derby QUAD & Cinema, Market Place, Cathedral Quarter, Derby DE1 3AS
Join a 90-minute walk exploring Derby’s weird history - falling frogs, roaming ghouls, mummified cats and more.
Top Secret – The Magic of Science
1 Mar 2026
Derby Theatre, 15 Theatre Walk, St Peter's Quarter, Derby DE1 2NF
Top Secret is a fast-paced, colourful family science show packed with magic, mystery, suspense and plenty of mess!
Glitch
5 Mar 2026 - 7 Mar 2026
Derby Theatre, 15 Theatre Walk, St Peter's Quarter, Derby DE1 2NF
Glitch – the true story of Pam Stubbs and the biggest miscarriage of justice in English legal history.
He Will Rock You: Freddie Mercury Tribute Night
6 Mar 2026
Derby Conference Centre, London Road, Alvaston, Derby DE24 8UX
Celebrate Freddie’s magic with live vocals, signature moves and rock anthems at Derby Conference Centre.
London Symphonic Rock Orchestra
17 Mar 2026
Derby Arena, Royal Way, Pride Park, Derby DE24 8JB
London Symphonic Rock Orchestra rocks iconic hits from AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Metallica & more - reimagined spectacularly!
Madama Butterfly
17 Mar 2026
Vaillant Live, 2 Colyear Street, Derby DE1 1LA
Experience Puccini’s Madama Butterfly with live orchestra by Dnipro Opera – a tragic, timeless tale of love.
The Dubliners Encore - Official Stage Show
18 Mar 2026
Derby Arena, Royal Way, Pride Park, Derby DE24 8JB
Celebrate The Dubliners with a lively show that gets you singing and dancing long after the lights fade.
There’s a Snake in My School
19 Mar 2026 - 20 Mar 2026
Derby Theatre, 15 Theatre Walk, St Peter's Quarter, Derby DE1 2NF
A hilariously mischievous new musical packed with mayhem and songs, based on David Walliams’ No.1 bestseller.
Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger’s Drift
24 Mar 2026 - 28 Mar 2026
Derby Theatre, 15 Theatre Walk, St Peter's Quarter, Derby DE1 2NF
Murder hits the countryside in the world-premiere stage adaptation of the hit TV favourite Midsomer Murders.
Vitamin String Quartet
28 Mar 2026
Derby Cathedral, 18-19 Iron Gate, Derby DE1 3GP
VSQ fuses classical and pop with stunning covers, earning global acclaim and over 2 billion streams.
Murder Trial Tonight IV - Death of a Landlord
21 Mar 2026
Vaillant Live, 2 Colyear Street, Derby DE1 1LA
Step inside this immersive true-crime experience and deliver the verdict yourself.
Explore Further Afield
On Derby’s doorstep is the stunning Peak District and Derbyshire. There is always a great selection of events, whatever time of year you visit. Find out more at visitderby.co.uk/whats-on
Exhibition: Teeth by Lucy Stevens
12 Jan 2026 - 28 Jun 2026
Creswell Crags Museum & Heritage Centre, Crags Road, Welbeck, Worksop S80 3LH
A vibrant exhibition of colourful mixed-media paintings inspired by the mammal teeth collection at Creswell Crags.
500 Years of the Chatsworth Garden and Landscape
16 Jan 2026
Chatsworth, Bakewell, Derbyshire DE45 1PP
Explore 500 years of Chatsworth’s gardens in an illustrated talk with Head of Gardens Steve Porter.
February Half Term at Hardwick
14 Feb 2026 - 22 Feb 2026
Hardwick Hall, Doe Lea, Chesterfield S44 5QJ
Enjoy a ‘love’ly half-term exploring Elizabethan Valentine themes with outdoor play and crafts.
Ashbourne Royal Shrovetide Football
17 Feb 2026 - 18 Feb 2026
Ashbourne, Derbyshire
Played in Ashbourne on Shrove Tuesday & Wednesday, this historic game is one of football’s oldest traditions.
Silk, Stitches and Status at Calke Abbey
12 Jan 2026 - 25 Feb 2026
Calke Abbey, Ticknall, Derbyshire DE73 7LE
Discover the hidden stories in Calke Abbey’s clothing collection on this fascinating new tour.
Chatsworth in Song
6 Mar 2026
Chatsworth, Bakewell, Derbyshire DE45 1PP
Explore Chatsworth’s estate wildlife revealed by a recent bio-acoustic survey.
Makers Market - Mother's Day Weekend
13 Mar 2026 - 15 Mar 2026
Thornbridge Hall, Baslow Road, Ashford-in-the Water DE45 1NZ
Celebrate the creativity of local and independent makers at Thornbridge Estate.
House of Stories: Tales from the Chatsworth Library
21 Mar 2026 - 4 Oct 2026
Chatsworth, Bakewell, Derbyshire DE45 1PP
See four centuries of the Devonshire family’s treasured books in Chatsworth’s 2026 exhibition.
The Roaches & Lud's Church - Dog Friendly - Peak District
28 Mar 2026
Roaches Tea Rooms & Restaurant ,
Dog-friendly guided walk of Hen Cloud, Lud’s Church & The Roaches with stunning views.
Popular Places and Attractions
Derby is a vibrant city with lots of events throughout the year. Many events take place within our award winning attractions. There are always lots of things to see and do, particularly around celebrations and holidays. Here are a few of our attractions where there is always something to see and do.
Artcore
8 Albert Street, Osnabruck Square, Derby DE1 2DS
Join our events, a calendar crammed with exhibitions, workshops, training programmes, art residencies and celebrations.
Bluebells
Brunswood Farm, Locko Road, Derby DE21 7AR
Meet the animals, enjoy indoor and outdoor play and taste delicious artisan ice cream on the fabulous farm park.
Derby Cathedral
Derby Cathedral, 18-19 Iron Gate, Derby DE1 3GP
A fascinating place to visit and a venue for musical and cultural excellence in the heart of the city.
Derby Market Hall
Market Place, Derby DE1 2DB
A treasure trove of unique finds and delicious treats, perfect for a day of shopping, dining and entertainment.
Derby Museum & Art Gallery
Derby Museum & Art Gallery, The Strand, Derby DE1 1BS
Lots of treasures to explore and lots of activities for families to enjoy together at Derby Museums.
Electric Daisy
1 - 4 Bold Lane, Derby DE1 3NT
A vibrant space where people connect, culture blooms, and nature takes the spotlight with great events happening.
Great Northern Classics
274 – 278 Osmaston Road, Derby DE24 8AE
Great Northern Classics is a centre of excellence for classic vehicle enthusiasts.
Museum of Making at Derby Silk Mill (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Silk Mill Lane, Derby DE1 3AF
Explore Derby’s 300-year history of making and enjoy events and activities for families to enjoy together.
Pickford's House
41 Friar Gate, Derby DE1 1DA
Come and experience our unique museum in the show home of the Enlightenment architect Joseph Pickford.
Eating and Drinking
Indulge in a culinary adventure in Derby's vibrant food and drink scene. From cosy cafes and traditional pubs to award-winning restaurants and international cuisines.
The Spice Lounge
10 Friar Gate, Cathedral Quarter, Derby DE1 1BU
The Spice Lounge offers a stimulating range of Bangladeshi and Southern Asian dishes with a creative twist to appeal to…
Houseboat
89 - 91 St Peters Street, Derby DE1 2AB
Authentic Kerala flavours, enjoy South Indian dishes in a cosy houseboat-inspired setting.
Hickory's Smokehouse Derby
166 Swarkestone Road , Derbyshire DE73 5UE
Discover the flavours & hospitality of the Southern States in this family-friendly restaurant.
Cast Iron Bar & Grill
Breadsall Priory Marriott Hotel & Country Club, Moor Road, Morley, Derby DE7 6DL
If you find yourself in Derby, make sure to pay a visit to Cast Iron Bar & Grill situated in the recently refurbished…
Bistrot Pierre
18 Friar Gate, Cathedral Quarter, Derby DE1 1BX
Offering the charm and warmth of a Parisian restaurant, unwind and indulge in French-inspired dishes.
BEAR Derbion
Derbion, Level 2, Derby DE1 2PL
BEAR Derbion is a snug little haven that you can use to escape all that retail hustle. Come and make yourself at home.
Lotus Indian Kitchen
Mercia Marina, Findern Lane, Willington, Derby DE65 6DW
Experience dining at the first Indian tapas restaurant in Derby, a restaurant which helped change the face of dining in…
Eating and Drinking
The Engine Room
Riverlights, Morledge, Derby DE1 2BB
The Engine Room is a bold new addition to Derby city centre, serving inventive dishes in a stylish industrial-chic…
The River Kitchen
Museum of Making, Silk Mill Lane, Derby DE1 3AF
The River Kitchen is all about community. Their delicious food is locally sourced, homemade, always within season and…
The Pepperpot
Nightingale Quarter, London Road, Derby DE1 2UH
Exceptional dishes using the finest locally sourced produce. Awarded AA Rosette for Culinary Excellence 2024-2025.
BEAR Derby Irongate
7 Iron Gate, Derby, DE1 3FJ
Offering all-day dining from a locally-sourced menu, including an abundance of fresh seasonal treats.
The Elephant and Peacock
Derby Road, Milford, Belper DE56 0QW
Daily Telegraph Top 20 Best Options for a Sunday Lunch in the UK Marketing Derby Food & Drink Awards Best out of Town…
Compamigos: Eat Drink share
Mercia Marina, Findern Lane, Willington, Derby DE65 6DW
Compamigos at Mercia Marina offers global tapas and vibrant cocktails in a cosy, social setting.
Café 42
Derby Arena, Royal Way, Pride Park, , Derby DE24 8JB
A range of delicious and nutritious food and hot and cold drinks are available at the Arena. Whether you're calling in…
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Experiences
Unlock a world of unforgettable experiences, plan your next thrilling adventure in Derby and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Image Credit: Graham Commons
Letterpress Workshops
The Smallprint Co, 2-3 Friary Street, Derby DE1 1JF
Learn the intricacies of letterpress printing, typography, and bookbinding at our heritage print and design studio.
Spa Treatments at Breadsall Priory
Delta Hotels by Marriott Breadsall Priory Country Club, Moor Road, Morley, Derby DE7 6DL
Relax on a spa day and enjoy access to a leisure centre with gym, classes, pool and jacuzzi.
The Escape Room Guys
1-5 Iron Gate, Derby DE1 3FJ
Try a range of immersive escape rooms, perfect for team-building and family outings.
Derby After Dark - Ghost Walks & Vigils
Various locations, Derby
Derby has plenty of spooky experiences waiting for you.... if you dare!
Introduction to Track Cycling at Derby Arena
Available Sundays
Derby Arena, Royal Way, Pride Park, Derby DE24 8JB
This could be your first go at track cycling and can be a one-off taster session just for fun or to see if it’s for you…
Sip n Paint
Mosaic at the Mills, Darley Abbey Mills, Unit 2, The Saw Mill, Darley Abbey,
Guided painting session with drinks – art, mindfulness, and fun for all.
Afternoon Tea at Breadsall Priory
Delta Hotels by Marriott Breadsall Priory Country Club, Moor Road, Morley, Derby DE7 6DL
Spoil someone special with a quintessentially British afternoon tea experience, surrounded by serene and rolling…
All details correct at time of going to print, October 2025.
All details correct at time of going to print, October 2025.
