Two of the city’s favourite festive attractions will return to Derby’s Market Place this year. The Cathedral Quarter Ice Rink and the Nordic Bar will be back in their established home for Festive Derby 2024.
The Cathedral Quarter Ice Rink and Nordic Bar will open on Saturday 30 November, as Festive Derby is officially launched at our Christmas Lights Switch-On event, with media partner Smooth Radio. The event will see a fun-packed programme of events in the city centre, with the Christmas Lights Switch-On and stage show taking place in Corporation Street, outside the Council House.
The undercover ice rink has been a popular attraction for the last few years, while the eye-catching tipis of the Nordic Bar proved a hit when they were introduced next to the ice rink in 2023. As well as a bar, the cosy tipis will have a programme of free entertainment throughout the festive season.
The ice rink and festive tipis were due to be located at Cathedral Green this year, to accommodate the demolition of the former Assembly Rooms. Following a decision to reorder key milestones in the transformation of the city’s Cultural Heart, they will now be back in the same location as last year, on the Market Place.
Councillor Nadine Peatfield, leader of Derby City Council, said:
One of the positive outcomes of our recent amendment to the Assembly Rooms demolition plans is that we get to welcome the Cathedral Quarter Ice Rink and Nordic Bar back to the Market Place, enhancing the Festive Derby experience for visitors while supporting local businesses and our cultural partners.
“We’re working with our partners to ensure Cathedral Green and the surrounding area continues to be an important part of Festive Derby and we’re all excited to reveal the full programme of events very soon."
The decision to reorder the redevelopment of Cultural Heart was made following feedback received through the Council’s scrutiny process.
Instead of the Council undertaking demolition of the former Assembly Rooms and adjoining car park this autumn, followed by the site standing vacant for a short time, the demolition and construction of the new site will take place consecutively. These changes will not affect the overall strategic programme for the redevelopment.