Content
Fab Five
October to December 2025 Events
Popular Places and Attractions
Eating and Drinking
October to December 2025 / English
Derby GuideWhat's On
Image Credit: OLSON Creative
Light Up Your Winter
From crisp autumn adventures to magical winter moments, Derby is your ultimate destination. Kick off the season with thrilling Halloween festivities and dazzling fireworks, then enjoy a vibrant calendar packed with live gigs, theatre, comedy, and festive celebrations.
Lace up your ice skates, cosy up in our festive tipis, and bask in the season’s sparkle. Whether you're planning unforgettable nights out or cherished family days, Derby brings your winter to life like nowhere else.
Explore our interactive guide to see what’s on in Derby - just click any event for all the details!
The Tourism Team at VisitDerby
Tourist Information
Derby Sales and Information Centre
19 Chapel Street,
Derby, DE1 3GU.
Don't Miss A Beat
Top things to do and authentic experiences you can't miss in Derby
Derby Season of Light 2025
17 Oct 2025 - 5 Dec 2025
Various Derby locations,
Derby Season of Light 2025 is back! Oct–Dec celebrate Derby’s dazzling creativity and diversity.
Assemble: Derby’s Making Festival 2025
25 Oct 2025
Museum of Making at Derby Silk Mill, Silk Mill Lane, Derby DE1 3AF
A vibrant festival celebrating creativity, innovation, and the art of making at Derby’s Museum of Making.
Derby Book Festival 2025
14 Nov 2025 - 18 Nov 2025
Various Derby venues,
Derby Book Festival returns this autumn with author talks, workshops and stories to inspire.
The Sadler Gate Night Market 2025
27 Nov 2025
Sadler Gate, Derby DE1 3NQ
Ditch the Bah Humbug and come along to our annual Night Market!
Christmas Lights Switch On & Festive Derby Opening
27 Nov 2025
Derby City Centre,
Join us in Derby city centre as we switch on the Christmas lights and kick off Festive Derby in style!
Experience Autumn at Derby Market Hall
Discover the warmth of the seasons at Derby's beautifully restored Grade II-listed Victorian Market Hall. Beneath a magnificent glass roof, a vibrant community of independent traders awaits, offering everything from fresh local produce to vintage fashion and unique gifts.
Food lovers can journey around the world at the diverse street food court and bars, with cuisines from Japanese to Caribbean. For a unique experience, visit The Spirit Run, Derby’s first city-centre distillery and bar, where you can watch copper stills in action while enjoying handcrafted cocktails and local spirits. The team also hosts gin experiences and brunch events, perfect for a pre-Christmas outing.
This autumn and winter, the Market Hall is alive with free weekly live music, themed markets, and performances. Join us for Diwali celebrations in October, or prepare for a frightfully fun time at our special Halloween live music show and alternative and Gothic Markets. You can also find the perfect gift at our Autumn Book and Craft Market.
Whether you're looking for a quick bite, a unique gift, or a full evening of entertainment, a warm welcome awaits you.
Seasonal Highlights
Derby is a lively city of events. From October to December, 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
Space Safari Drone Show
18 Oct 2025
Derbyshire County Cricket Club, The OurCoop County Ground, Nottingham Road, Derby DE21 6DA
Derby’s first drone light show! Lumina Drones light up the skies at Central Co-op County Ground this October.
Bluebells School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
11 Oct 2025 - 12 Oct 2025, 18 Oct 2025 - 19 Oct 2025, 25 Oct 2025 - 31 Oct 2025
Bluebells, Brunswood Farm, Locko Road, Derby DE21 7AR
Get ready for a spellbinding Halloween at Bluebells School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!
Frankenstein Day
1 Nov 2025
Derby QUAD & Cinema, Market Place, Cathedral Quarter, Derby DE1 3AS
Celebrate Mary Shelley’s classic and Guillermo del Toro’s new adaptation with a full day of screenings!
Cathedral Quarter Ice Rink 2025
29 Nov 2025 - 31 Dec 2025
Derby Market Place, Derby DE1 3AH
Get your skates on and glide onto this year’s ice rink in the city centre, with views of the Nordic Bar!
Tracey Meek: A Celebration in Colour
Until 11 Jan 2026
Derby QUAD & Cinema, Market Place, Cathedral Quarter, Derby DE1 3AS
A vibrant retrospective celebrating the life and work of British multimedia artist Tracey Meek.
Human Natures Exhibition
27 Sep 2025 - 24 Feb 2026
Derby Museum & Art Gallery, The Strand, Derby DE1 1BS
Explore a world of chickens, cats, loo roll, bin bags, precious stones and fine old coats.
ABBA Sensation - Tribute Act
18 Oct 2025
The Derby Conference Centre, London Road, Alvaston, Derby DE24 8UX
DCC presents ABBA Sensation – a top UK tribute band bringing ABBA's iconic sound back to life with stunning detail.
Torchlight Pumpkin Picking
11 Oct 2025, 18 Oct 2025, 24 Oct 2025 - 25 Oct 2025
Bluebells, Brunswood Farm, Locko Road, Derby DE21 7AR
Join Bluebells for a truly enchanting evening of pumpkin picking under the stars!
Dead & Breakfast – The Monster Mash – All Night Movie Marathon
25 Oct 2025
Derby QUAD & Cinema, Market Place, Cathedral Quarter, Derby DE1 3AS
Join Derby Quad for an all night Monster Mash as Dead And Breakfast returns for another Dusk til Dawn marathon.
Sweet and Sour
25 Oct 2025
Derby Arena, Royal Way, Pride Park, Derby DE24 8JB
Sweet & Sour: An electrifying Olivia Rodrigo vs Sabrina Carpenter tribute packed with pop anthems & heartbreak hits!
Pink by Vicky Jackson
25 Oct 2025
Bustler Derby, The Chocolate Factory, Siddalls Road, Derby DE1 2QD
Vicky Jackson brings the UK’s #1 Pink tribute to Derby’s Chocolate Factory. An unmissable night of hits!
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
28 Oct 2025 - 1 Nov 2025
Derby Theatre, 15 Theatre Walk, St Peter's Quarter, Derby DE1 2NF
Join the celebration - because everybody should be talking about Jamie!
Halloween on Sadler Gate
30 Oct 2025
Sadler Gate, Derby DE1 3NQ
Dress to impress! The Sadler Gate spooktacular Halloween event is back for another year of fangtastic fun!
Gothic Market
31 Oct 2025
Derby Market Hall, Market Place, Derby DE1 2DB
Join us at our Gothic Market at Derby Market Hall this Halloween!
A Cloud of Bats Halloween Party
31 Oct 2025
Derby Museum & Art Gallery, The Strand, Derby DE1 1BS
A Cloud of Bats: Halloween Party at Derby Museums. Drinks, music & spooky fun to kick off the Halloween weekender!
Rebecca Ferguson
31 Oct 2025
Derby Cathedral, 18-19 Iron Gate, Derby DE1 3GP
Rebecca Ferguson brings you an intimate acoustic session like never before up close, raw, and personal.
Fireworks & Funfair
8 Nov 2025
Derbyshire County Cricket Club, The OurCoop County Ground, Nottingham Road, Derby DE21 6DA
Derby’s biggest Fireworks Night lights up The County Ground on Sat 8 Nov 2025!
Jason Manford
14 Nov 2025
Vaillant Live, 2 Colyear Street, Derby DE1 1LA
Comedy star Jason Manford brings his latest show A Manford All Seasons to Vaillant Live.
Bustler's Winter Feastival
22 Nov 2025
Bustler Derby, The Chocolate Factory, Siddalls Road, Derby DE1 2QD
Expect winter warmers, mulled favourites and plenty of cosy vibes – perfect for foodies, families and friends.
The Snowman™ at Derbion
22 Nov 2025 - 24 Dec 2025
Derbion, London Road, Derby DE1 2PQ
Experience the magic of The Snowman™ this festive season at Derbion!
Derby Lantern Parade
27 Nov 2025
St Peter's Church Yard, Derby
Light up Derby! Families, schools & communities unite for the dazzling Derby Lantern Parade.
Derby's Ethical Christmas Market
28 Nov 2026
Derby Market Hall, Market Place, Derby DE1 2DB
Come and shop ethically for Christmas at Derby's Ethical Christmas Market.
Santa’s Enchanted Christmas 2025
29 Nov 2025 - 24 Dec 2025
Bluebells, Brunswood Farm, Locko Road, Derby DE21 7AR
Meet reindeer, make a bear, visit our Elves, and get a gift from the magical chimney.
Nordic Bar 2025
29 Nov 2025 - 31 Dec 2025
Derby Market Place, Derby DE1 3AH
Come in from the cold into the Nordic Bar, hosted in three festive tipis.
Dick Whittington
5 Dec 2025 - 31 Dec 2025
Derby Arena, Royal Way, Pride Park, Derby DE24 8JB
Join Dick Whittington this Christmas on his quest for fame, fortune & streets paved with gold... or are they?
Count Arthur Strong is Charles Dickens in ‘A Christmas Carol’
6 Dec 2025
Derby Theatre, 15 Theatre Walk, St Peter's Quarter, Derby DE1 2NF
Arthur presents Dickens’ tale and his own take on the ultimate festive classic, A Christmas Carol.
Tortoise and the Hare
6 Dec 2025 - 3 Jan 2026
Derby Theatre, 15 Theatre Walk, St Peter's Quarter, Derby DE1 2NF
Shell-abrate Christmas 2025 with a fun, festive retelling of Tortoise and the Hare at Derby Theatre!
The Lost Boys and Derby LIVE present Merry Elwin The Adventurous Elf
11 – 23 Dec 2025
Chapel Street Arts Centre, 19 Chapel St, Derby DE1 3GU
A magical festive show following Merry Elwin the Elf on a globe-trotting Christmas adventure.
The Christmas Orchestra
16 Dec 2025
Derby Cathedral, 18-19 Iron Gate, Derby DE1 3GP
The Christmas Orchestra returns with a spellbinding concert experience to light up your festive season!
Elf the Musical
16 Dec 2025 - 17 Dec 2025
Vaillant Live, 2 Colyear Street, Derby DE1 1LA
Buddy the Elf joins Vaillant Live to spread festive cheer and holiday magic in Derby!
Seniors British Open 2025
26 Dec 2025 - 28 Dec 2025
Vaillant Live, 2 Colyear Street, Derby DE1 1LA
The Seniors British Open comes to Vaillant Live, Derby for the first time 26-28 December. Legends. Drama. Snooker.
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
Matlock Bath Illuminations
6 Sep 2025 - 26 Oct 2025
Matlock Bath, Derbyshire DE4 3NR
Matlock Bath Illuminations is a dazzling family event with a parade of illuminated boats on the River Derwent.
Fright Fiesta
11 Oct 2025 - 1 Nov 2025
Gulliver's Kingdom, Temple Walk, Matlock Bath, Derbyshire DE4 3PG
Join Gulliver’s Fright Fiesta this Halloween - spooky vibes, costumes, colour & music!
Halloween Fun at Crich Tramway Village
25 Oct 2025 - 31 Oct 2025
National Tramway Museum, Cromford Road, Crich , Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 5DP
Enjoy spooky family fun with tram stories, face painting, Halloween crafts, a show, and a trick-or-treat woodland trail!
Chatsworth Bonfire and Fireworks
31 Oct 2025 - 1 Nov 2025
Chatsworth, Bakewell, Derbyshire DE45 1PP
An evening of family entertainment complete with a bonfire, firework displays, and seasonal food and drink.
Tramlight at Crich Tramway Village
8 Nov 2025 - 9 Nov 2025
National Tramway Museum, Cromford Road, Crich , Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 5DP
Experience the magic of Crich Tramway Village after dark with enchanting tram rides by Tramlight!
Christmas at Chatsworth
8 Nov 2025 - 4 Jan 2026
Chatsworth, Bakewell, Derbyshire DE45 1PP
Experience Christmas magic at Chatsworth with a festive house, garden light trail, and seasonal farmyard fun!
Christmas Artisan Markets at Haddon Hall
12 Nov 2025 - 14 Dec 2025
Haddon Hall, Bakewell, Derbyshire DE45 1LA
Discover Christmas magic at Haddon Hall’s Mercatum - an artisan market you can’t miss this festive season!
Lights of Abraham - A Winter Lights Trail
21 Nov 2025 - 30 Dec 2025
Heights of Abraham, Matlock Bath, Derbyshire DE4 3NT
This winter, see the Heights of Abraham shine with their dazzling light trail, 21 Nov – 30 Dec!
Festive Fun at Bolsover Castle
29 Nov 2025 - 21 Dec 2025
Bolsover Castle, English Heritage, Castle Street, Bolsover, Derbyshire S44 6PR
Bolsover Castle hosts a festive weekend packed with storytelling, music, and holiday cheer!
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
Derby’s vibrant international centre for contemporary art and creativity, gallery, artist studios, shop, and café.
Bluebells
Bluebells, Brunswood Farm, Locko Road, Derby DE21 7AR
A fun-filled family day out, Bluebell Dairy offers hands-on animal experiences, exciting events and countryside charm.
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
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
Welcome to Great Northern Classics A landmark destination where classic motor culture meets modern hospitality.
Museum of Making at Derby Silk Mill
Museum of Making at Derby Silk Mill, 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
Offering a stimulating range of Bangladeshi and Southern Asian dishes with a creative twist to appeal to the western…
Houseboat
89 - 91 St Peters Street, Derby DE1 2AB
Authentic Kerala flavours, enjoy South Indian dishes in a cosy houseboat-inspired setting.
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.
Hickory's Smokehouse Derby
166 Swarkestone Road , Derbyshire DE73 5UE
Discover the flavours & hospitality of the Southern States in this family-friendly restaurant.
Lotus Indian Kitchen
Mercia Marina, Findern Lane, Willington, Derby DE65 6DW
The first Indian tapas restaurant in Derby, bringing a casual, relaxed tapas vibe of Indian food.
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.
The Elephant and Peacock
Derby Road, Milford, Belper DE56 0QW
The city's first Indian Gastropub. A warm and inviting space where tradition meets comfort.
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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.
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…
All details correct at time of going to print, October 2025.
All details correct at time of going to print, October 2025.
