Hold on to your hats – we’re excited to reveal the full line-up for this year’s Darley Park Weekender taking place from Friday 21 – Sunday 23 August 2026!
Nineties pop divas Natalie and Nicole Appleton, iconic singer Chesney Hawkes, and Katrina – of Katrina and the Waves, will all hit the stage in Derby this summer. They will be joined by DJ Mark Angels and local bands.
Together with the amazing headliners already announced – Billy Ocean, Marti Pellow and JLS – it will be a star-studded line-up not to be missed!
On Friday, Britain’s Caribbean King of Pop Billy Ocean will kick off the weekend with his distinct sound which conquered the global charts with hits like Love Really Hurts Without You and Red Light Spells Danger.
Very special guest Marti Pellow, best known as the iconic lead singer of Wet Wet Wet, brings his acclaimed solo career and established status as a leading man in musical theatre to the stage.
Joining the line up for Friday night is Katrina, formerly of Katrina and The Waves with a set of pure pop melodies and a toe tapping beats. Katrina and The Waves’ 1985 anthem, Walking on Sunshine earned a Grammy nomination and became a multi-generational hit. Following a string of eighties hits, the band achieved a record-breaking Eurovision victory in 1997 with Love Shine a Light.
Since the band parted ways, Katrina has hosted on BBC Radio 2, written two travel guides, and released four solo albums. She continues to tour worldwide with her long-standing band.
On Saturday, boyband royalty JLS, aka Aston Merrygold, Oritsé Williams, JB Gill, and Marvin Humes, are heading to Derby following a 16-date tour in 2025, which saw them perform to sold-out arenas across the UK, including two landmark nights at London’s 20,000-capacity O2 Arena.
Joining them will be Appleton. It’s been over 20 years since Natalie and Nicole Appleton performed as a duo, and nearly five years since they last toured with their band All Saints. Appleton will perform with their band, delivering a pop masterclass featuring their signature Appleton hits plus a couple of All Saints classics and a fun cover or two.
After playing The Darley Park Weekender in 2024, fan favourite Chesney Hawkes will return to Darley Park, and this time he’s bringing his band. Chesney became one of the biggest pop stars of his era with his irresistible mega-hit The One and Only which is officially one of the top 20 most successful songs of the nineties. His song writing style mixes classic ‘kick the doors down pop/rock bangers’ with a heartfelt, candid style of songwriting.
Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council and Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, said:
The Darley Park Weekender is a true highlight of our summer calendar, and this year’s line-up is arguably our most exciting yet. Bringing global icons like Billy Ocean and JLS to the beautiful Darley Park, alongside local talent like The Public Eye, shows exactly why Derby is a vibrant destination for culture and music. I can’t wait for what promises to be an unforgettable weekend of entertainment.
Derby-born indie/alt-rock band The Public Eye will kick off Saturday night’s line-up, representing the city’s rising talent with their raw, evolving sound.
That’s not all – DJ Mark Angels and local band Cassette Roulette will be appearing on both Friday and Saturday night. Mark will be taking to the decks, bringing his unique energy and floor filling tracks, while Cassette Roulette will be playing music that people want to get up and dance to.
Get ready for two electrifying nights of incredible music, spectacular visuals, and non-stop entertainment! Grab your friends and prepare to dance the night away at the ultimate party destination.
On Sunday, the Darley Park Concert will return, marking the grand finale of The Darley Park Weekender. This summer tradition invites families and friends to the beautiful surroundings of Darley Park for an unforgettable evening of music. At the heart of the performance will be Derby’s own award-winning orchestra, Sinfonia Viva.
The Darley Park Weekender takes place from Friday 21 - Sunday 23 August 2026. Snap up your Friday or Saturday tickets before 31 March to get them for £42. Derby city residents can get tickets for just £37 until 28 February. From 1 April, tickets will be £47, and then £52 if bought on the day. Don't forget – you can save £10 when you book for both Friday and Saturday night! Under 18s are £22 and under 5s free.
Upgrade your weekend for £77 to enjoy exclusive access to the Darley Garden, featuring a private VIP bar and dedicated toilets. Grab them now as they’re selling fast!
Tickets for the Darley Park Concert are on sale now and you can get the best prices by booking in advance. Tickets are £6, or £3 for under 16s, if you book before Friday 31 July. Advance tickets booked after that date will be £8, or £5 for under 16s. Tickets bought on the gate will be £11, or £6 for under 16s. VIP Darley Garden experience tickets are available for £30
Full timings for the weekend will be released soon – check the Derby LIVE website for details.