Magical evening of celebration and light will launch Festive Derby 2025

Derby market place with christmas lights and a crowd

An evening of festive family fun will kick off Derby’s 2025 Christmas celebrations. The Christmas Lights Switch On will take place on Thu 27 Nov, in partnership with Smooth Radio and the popular city lantern parade by Surtal Arts.

The festivities begin with the main stage show, hosted by Smooth Radio, taking place outside Riverside Chambers, across the road from QUAD and the Council House, starting at 5pm. The show will culminate with the official Christmas Lights Switch On at 6:30pm, illuminating the city for the festive season.

The spectacular Surtal Arts’ Season of Light Lantern Parade will return, with the theme Light, Peace and Friendship, celebrating Derby's diversity and bringing communities together. This cultural spectacle will see hundreds of vibrant lanterns light up the streets, accompanied by dance and music performances.

The procession, which is free and open to all, will set off at 5pm from St Peter’s Cross, travel down St Peter’s St and Albert St, through Osnabruck Square, and past the Council House before arriving at the stage at Riverside Chambers.

You can get ready by creating your own lantern at one of the free lantern-making workshops, some of which will be held at Derby Market Hall on Wednesday 29 October and Saturday 22 November at 1pm, and at Chapel Street Arts Centre on Thursday 30 October at 10am. Details of all the Season of Light events and workshops are on the Surtal Arts website.

The early evening event ties in perfectly with Love Sadler Gate’s annual Sadler Gate Night Market, where the historic street will be brimming with over 60 artisan stalls, and the wonderful independent shops will also be open late. Derby Market Hall will be open too, with food, drink, shopping and free live entertainment.

Make sure to check out the fabulous Nordic Bar and Cathedral Quarter Ice Rink, which will be opening exclusively for the Switch On event before their official opening on Saturday 29 November.

Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council and Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, said:

I’m so excited to launch this year’s Festive Derby celebrations! By aligning the Christmas Lights Switch On and Season of Light Lantern Parade with the Sadler Gate Night Market, we’re creating an unforgettable evening to start the festive season in style.

Having the wonderful Derby Market Hall open too will be the cherry on top! We can’t wait to welcome everyone into the city centre for a magical festive evening of celebration and light.

The Switch On will also illuminate the city’s dazzling Festive Derby Light Trail, a display brought to you by the Cathedral Quarter and St Peter’s Quarter Business Improvement District (BIDs) and Derby City Council. Exploring the city centre and find your picture-perfect moment at every turn as the trail leads from St Peter’s Cross to Irongate. The trail begins under the Rudolph reindeer arch (complete with his red nose!) at St Peter’s Cross.

In Osnabruck Square, you can sit among twinkling gonks, reindeer, and a polar bear, before heading into Derby Market Hall, walking beneath the towering golden star. You can snap a selfie with the giant teddy bear overlooking the Cathedral Quarter Ice Rink, before walking through the light-up presents on the Market Place. Finally, head towards Derby Cathedral under a shimmering ceiling of light. The trail runs until New Year’s Eve.

While you’re in the Market Hall, do some Christmas shopping with our fantastic local independent traders, sample some top-notch street food and enjoy free live music.

Brad Worley, manager for both the Cathedral Quarter and St Peters Quarter Business Improvement District BIDs, said:

There is so much to enjoy in Derby this Christmas. We always work hard to create a family-friendly Christmas atmosphere in Derby, and this year is no exception. All these events are a great way to get into the Christmas spirit.

Parking charges at selected car parks will be capped at £3 on 27 November, so you’ll pay no more than £3 no matter how long you stay. These are:

Surface car parks

  • Abbey Street
  • Abbey Street East
  • Darwin Place
  • Little City
  • Wilmot Street

On street parking

  • Cathedral Road
  • Derwent Street (Blue Badge parking)
  • Exeter Place
  • Phoenix Street
  • Queen Street
  • St Mary’s Gate
  • Stuart Street

The Derbion offers an evening parking rate of £2.50 from 5pm onwards.