Family Festive Fun at Markeaton Park 2021

Family Festivities 2021

Wed 24 Nov 2021

Christmas in the park for all of the family with a free elf trail, festive food, music and much more!

Celebrate in style this year with Family Festivities, an event for all the family with live music, walkabout acts, and festive food. Family Festivities will be at Markeaton Park in the Craft Village and in other park locations on Sat 4 and Sun 5 Dec 2021, 11am - 3pm. 

Family Festivities at Markeaton Park will provide the whole family with the opportunity to buy cards, gifts, decorations and much more in the wonderfully unique Markeaton Park Craft Units, alongside the indoor craft indoor market in the community centre.

As we know animals are an important part of any family, so bring them along to the Pet Grotto, where they can meet Santa, have a photo and receive a gift. Booking is required in advance as places are limited, book your dog a place here.  

Enjoy festive food from The Orangery, play a game of festive mini-golf in the Mundy Play Centre (charges apply), take a walk in the park, see our festive walkabout characters or come and post your letter to Father Christmas at the Markeaton North Pole post box.

The Deputy Mayor and Mayoress of Derby will be attending the event at 12noon, following his participation in the Santa Run around the park.

There will be a free Elf Trail competition, encouraging families to explore around Markeaton Park and find the amazing wood-carved elf houses!

The programme is free, Join our Facebook Event for all updates 

Events to enjoy at Family Festivities 

Music Programme 

Throughout each day enjoy listening to some festive live performances whilst wandering around the craft village units and enjoying the yuletide experience. 

Elf Trail 

Pick up your copy of the elf trail map from The Orangery Café or Download your Elf trail map, below. Follow the numbers around the park to find the elf houses! Keep a lookout for the new wooden art sculptures whilst you're in Markeaton Park. Collect all the letters, rearrange them into a Christmas word and then enter the FREE prize draw at the bottom of this web page or place in the Craft Village post box on the events days. 

The competition entry is now closed. 

Walkabout Characters 

It’s Christmas and for our Ugly Sisters Holly and Ivy, that means only one thing – SHOPPING! Join them on the 4th and 5th December at Markeaton Park as they partake in some festive gift buying for the people they care most about – themselves! While poor Cinderella is left holding the bags, literally.
Interactive walkabout Christmas themed entertainment between 11am and 3pm, presented by Dan Webber and Fancy Entertainment. 

Letters to Father Christmas 

Download your Father Christmas letter to complete before you arrive, see below or you can then post your letters to Father Christmas at our North Pole post box in Markeaton Park Craft Village. 

 Craft Units 

  • The Studio Gift Shop

  • Paint a Pot

  • Jumping Clay 

Fancy a bit of crafting this Christmas at Jumping Clay you could either Create your own Xmas Pud magnet with Jumping Clay, these are pre-bookable sessions due to limited space available. Timings are 11-11:30 & 12-12:30 (both days) this activity is great but we recommend from age 2 upwards.

Or

Create your own 3D Xmas Pud shelf ornament with Jumping Clay, these are pre-bookable sessions due to limited space available. Timings are 1.30-2.30pm (both days) this activity is great for children above the age of 5.

Please note that these sessions are based on a table of 4 people from one household. Each table must include 1 adult.

Book your Jumpin Clay activity tickets here 

  •  Susan Hill Jewellery

Visit Susan Hill Jewellery in her studio shop to view and buy her handmade jewellery or commission a special individual piece, together with other local artists' handmade work and a selection of unique gifts. You can also book a place on a Jewellery & Silversmithing Workshop, either to treat yourself or the perfect gift for a friend or loved one!

  •  Derbyshire Fine Foods

Festive Hampers made to order, or ready for you to take away - the perfect gift! 

Derby Santa Run 

This Christmas, join us as we dash through Markeaton Park as we bring you - the Derby Santa Run!
Taking place on Sunday 5 December, this festive event is perfect for the whole family… whether you want to hop, skip, dance or run the route “yule” be sure to have lots of fantastic festive fun. As a gift from us to you this Christmas, everyone who signs up to take part will also receive their very own Santa suit (under-3s are free but do not receive a suit) before they start the run; while you’ll also receive a finishers medal and goody bag once you’ve crossed the finish line.

And to get all the family involved, the event is also open to your ‘Santa Paws’, so bring your pooches along too*. To help make the event 'pawsome' for the four-legged friends taking part, there's also the opportunity to purchase a Festive Dog Bandanna when booking - because we wouldn't want the pooches to feel left out!

This event is organised by Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People, Derby and Burton Hospitals Charity and Chesterfield Royal.

The route: Markeaton Park is set to be filled with Santas who are invited to take on either the 2.5km route (one lap) or the 5km route (two laps) as they help spread the Christmas cheer.

Running waves on the day:  Wave 1: The run starts at 11am      Wave 2: The run starts at 1pm

Ticket prices:
Adult (14-years-old and above): £12.50 (prices include the Santa suit – one size fits all)
Under-14s: £5 (prices include the Santa suit – suit sizes are 5-8 years old and 9-14 years old)
Doggy Bandana: £2.50

Book your Santa Run place here 

Festive Mini Golf 

Come and join us for some festive fun and have a game of mini golf in the Mundy Play Centre. Great fun for all the family.
We are open Saturday 4 & Sunday 5 December 2021 11am – 3pm.
2 x 9 hole course’s - Red course and a blue course.
Only £3.00 for 9 holes or £5.50 for 18.
No need to pre-book

The Orange Cafe 

The Orangery Café will be open offering a range of festive food and drinks for you to enjoy. Why not keep yourself warm with some hot soup? Try a festive Panini? Or how about a Christmas cupcake or muffin or one of our many other tasty treats.

Famous Trains Model Railway 

Why not visit the Derby based national model railway charity Famous Trains, they will be open on Saturday 4 & Sunday 5 December 11am-4pm
£2.50 per adult, £1 per child or £5 per family (includes 2 adults and children age 15 and under)

Please see the Famous Trains website for more details. 

Christmas Tree 

Make sure to visit Markeaton Park Craft Village and take a photo in front of the giant Christmas tree which will be festively decorated.

Derbyshire Police 

Derbyshire Police will be there offering Bike marking and information on crime prevention. 

Derbyshire Adult Learning Services 

Join Derby Adult Learning Services this Christmas with their FREE guided language walks.

4th December – A walk in Spanish with a Christmas theme 11AM – 1PM (Adults only 19+, Course number CZPK H60796)

5th December – A walk in Italian with a Christmas theme 11AM – 1PM (Adults only 19+, Course number CZPK H70797)

When booking please quote the walk course number you wish to attend. 

Book your adult learning guided walk place here. 

Cycle Derby 

Drop-in sessions with Cycle Derby in the Mundy Play Centre on the hour between 11am, 12pm & 1pm on 4 & 5 December.

There will be balance bikes, first pedal bikes and bikes for older riders – to expend some energy on our skills course (best time record) or just developing their bike handling, bike riding skills. 

Cost £2.00 per person or  £5.00 for a family of three. 

Sustrans 

Sustrans offer sustainable travel support in Derby. Join them on Saturday 4 December in the Mundy Play Centre for their FREE Dr. Bike sessions offering free bike repairs services. 

Join us and show your pictures on the Family Festivities Facebook event

The programme is subject to change, all updates will be available on the Family Festivities Facebook event

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