Join us in Derby on Saturday 30 November, as the city is lit up for the festive season. The official launch of Festive Derby will bring a fun-packed programme of events to the city centre, including the unveiling of the new Festive Derby Light Trail.
From 4pm you can enjoy free live music from local acts and family entertainment ahead of the Christmas Lights Switch-On, which takes place at 5:45pm, in partnership with Smooth Radio.
But you don’t have to wait until then – from 11am you can be one of the first to hit the ice on the Cathedral Quarter Ice Rink (booking required, as spaces are limited on this date) or watch a performance from the professional ice skaters. Catch the cheeky elves, grumpy Grinch, Gingerbread Men, and the Ice King and Queen on their walkabouts across the Cathedral Quarter, provided by the Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement District. And don't forget to step into the giant snow globe for a festive photo with your friends.
There will be tasty treats to indulge in, including authentic German sausages, Yorkshire pudding wraps, loaded fries, donuts and crepes, plus fairground rides for the children. Catch the first performance of Winter Fairy tales by AVP Theatre at 11am in our Nordic Bar, followed by a mixture of songs by the choir Sing for your Supper at 2pm and the musician Emzae at 3pm who will be performing song covers and some of her own material.
An exciting stage show, presented by Smooth Radio’s East Midlands breakfast show presenter Gareth Evans and Emma Caldwell, kicks off at 4pm. Situated in Corporation Street, outside the Council House, the unmissable action starts with a performance by amazing choir from The Invisible Friends, a Derby-based charity raising awareness of invisible disabilities.
They’ll be followed by music from local indie rock/alternative band The Public Eye playing their own unique and cutthroat sound and the fantastic Cassette Roulette will be joining us playing the perfect mix of old favourites and modern classics, while the dragon dancers Dragon Dance from DANS Dance Company and Dhol Frequency Drummers and Bollywood Dancers from Surtal Arts will also take to the stage following Derby Lantern Parade. And don’t miss our pantomime stars from Cinderella, and Santa, who will be making an appearance to help with the big moment!
The Lantern Parade, which is the climax of Surtal Arts’ Season of Light, will start from St Peter’s Church at 4pm. This year’s parade theme is ‘Nature-World of Flowers’ which reflects a key message behind Derby Season of Light of climate action. The dazzling spectacle will see families, children and young people from schools and the community unite to light up the night with vibrant floral lanterns as they parade through the city streets.
They will be joined in the multi-cultural parade by two illuminated stilt walkers wearing costumes inspired by the Elephant Hawk and Oleander Hawk moths, to highlight the role of these insects as nighttime pollinators, who will weave their way to the Light Switch-On.
Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council, said:
We’re so excited to kick off Derby’s festive celebrations with our Christmas Lights Switch-On. There’ll be so much to see and do in the city centre, and don’t miss the fantastic stage show before the big switch-on.
It will also be the launch of the magical new Light Trail, created with our partners the Cathedral Quarter BID, plus the return of the Cathedral Quarter Ice Rink and Nordic Bar. Join us for what promises to be a super event!
Following the Christmas Lights Switch-On, why not grab a drink in our cosy Nordic Bar, with a selection of cocktails, mocktails and mulled wine and then join in Cassette Roulette getting the tipis rocking from 7:30pm.
The programme of events can be found on the Derby LIVE website. The stage show will also be attended by a BSL interpreter. Don’t forget to let us know you’re coming on the Facebook event page, where we’ll also be posting updates.
This year Festive Derby is bigger than ever and features events and attractions brought to you by Derby City Council, The Cathedral Quarter BID, St Peter’s Quarter BID and a range of other city partners.
The Cathedral Quarter Ice Rink and the tipis of the Nordic Bar return to the Market Place, while you can keep little ones entertained with Family Festivities at Markeaton Park. There will also be a host of other shows, events and entertainment for all ages, including Fairy Tale: An Adventure with Lockheart and Hawkins at QUAD, Chicken Licken at Derby Theatre and the spectacular panto Cinderella at Derby Arena.
Add on fantastic festive shopping and a wealth of places to eat and drink and you’ve got the recipe for the perfect Christmas experience. Find out everything that the city has to offer on the Festive Derby website.
Please note: The Cathedral Quarter Ice Rink will be closed to the general public from 4pm until 7pm on 30 Nov.