Publication date: December 8, 2023
Girl on an ice rink in Derby.
There’s Christmas magic in the air in Derby with plenty of activities for all the family to enjoy, from a festive train journey to engaging theater performances and an engaging reading challenge.
As the weather gets colder and budgets drop, we’re all looking for ways to keep everyone happy over Christmas, so we’ve included some favorite free activities too. In addition, the city’s network of Warm Welcome Centers will be open in the run-up to Christmas for anyone who needs somewhere warm to go with a hot drink and a meal. For information about the Welcome Center location nearest you, visit the Community in Action webpage.
You can also get support with the cost of living in our online centre, full of advice and support.
- Get your skates on!
The Cathedral Quarter Ice Rink has returned to Derby Market Place for the festive season. Great choice for the family – great fun and exercise too! Adults and children of all abilities can enjoy touring on the ice in our hourly sessions, with prices including ski rentals. New for this year are figure skating aids which can be borrowed for free for those who want extra support on the ice.Open until Sunday 31 December, tickets from £8.50, book via the Derby LIVE website.
- Nordic Express
Take the free Nordic Express train, which takes a scenic route through the Market Place to the Cornmarket and back. Take a holiday cruise and get the best seat to see the city lights. Take the Nordic Express train outside the QUAD building in Market Place.Open every weekend in December, Friday 22nd December and Tuesday 26th to Friday 29th December.
- Winter mini reading challenge
Ready, set, read! The Little Winter Challenge is back with more free fun activities to keep the kids busy during the colder months. It’s a great way to encourage young people to foster a love of reading, and Derby’s warm and welcoming libraries have a great range of books to choose from.To take part in the Little Winter Challenge, children simply read three or more books – and these can be any book they choose. Every time they finish a book, they add it to their profile on their challenge website and leave a short review of the book.
Start reading now, and the challenge runs until February 19, 2024.
- Panto – Mother Goose
Coronation Street’s Todd Boyce stars alongside award-winning Dame Morgan Brind in this action-packed pantomime Mother Goose, guaranteed to have the whole family laughing.It wouldn’t be Christmas without a trip to the panto, so come and watch the stunning sets, stunning special effects and amazing costumes, as panto mayhem unfolds at the Derby Arena! Tickets are available until Sunday 31 December, starting at £19 with concessions and family tickets available.
Find out more on the Derby LIVE website
- Naughty Meg and the Christmas Elves
The Babbling Vagabonds make a festive return this Christmas with the buzzing story of Naughty Meg and the Christmas Elves.Meg was born into a storm, and has always caused chaos. The most naughty girl in the world turned my mother and father into talkative wrecks, the neighbors hide their children from her cruel clutches, and even the wasps give this tornado of problems a wide berth. One fateful day, the elves disturbed Christmas – and war was declared.
From Thursday 14th to Thursday 30th December at Derby Museum and Art Gallery, children, grandparents, siblings, parents and friends will take part in this fun family show.
Ticket prices start from £15, book on the Derby LIVE webpage.
- Enjoy the festive atmosphere at Market Place
Enjoy a festive experience at Derby Market Place. Come out of the cold and immerse yourself in the inviting warmth and pleasant aromas of the Nordic Bar. Indulge in a variety of hot and cold beverages, delicious food options, and be entertained with an array of music, theater and comedy. Bring your family and friends for an unforgettable experience!Visit the Derby LIVE website for opening times and the programme.
- Follow the trail of our mischievous elves
Discover the delightful elves in Derby City’s festive shop window with this fun, free activity to keep little ones entertained. Collect clues to solve the puzzle and post your free entry in the mailbox outside the Nordic Bar in Market Place to be entered into a draw for our special prizes.Download your map on the Festive Derby webpage.
- Take a walk in the park
Derby boasts a range of fantastic parks and open spaces right on our doorstep. Most neighborhood parks have a small play area for younger children, with swings and sawmills. Meanwhile, our larger parks cater for all ages, with a wide range of activities and equipment suitable for toddlers and even teenagers, ensuring they can burn off some energy while having fun.For an adrenaline rush, explore the BMX trails at Alvaston, Osmaston, Chaddesden or Sinfin Moor Parks. Additionally, explore equipment such as outdoor gyms, mazes, zip wires or sand pits. Don’t miss the fantastic free play area at Markeaton Park, and while you’re there, visit the Craft Village for a unique gift and indulge in delicious cuisine at the Craft Village and Orangery. Visit the Markeaton Park website for more details, including opening hours.
If you’re looking for inspiration for park walks, explore the trails and nature walks featured on the Derby Parks website.
- Take part in Derby’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme
Derby City Council is working in partnership with Community Action Derby to provide free places in holiday clubs over the holidays, from 2 to 5 January. The program provides activities and food for children aged 5 to 16 who are eligible for free school meals related benefits in Derby. There are over 20 providers offering a range of activities in all sections across the city.Holiday clubs will provide the opportunity to experience new and enriching activities including gardening, animation and music production, as well as sporting and physical activities such as street dancing, circus skills and self-defence. Excursions will include visits to pantomime, ice skating, bowling and laser tag.
Children will also be provided with a healthy meal and have the opportunity to learn about healthy food and nutrition. Families can find out about all the activities and service providers in Derby by visiting the Derby HAF webpage.
- Ride your bike
If you’ve always wanted to try track cycling, now is the time. Derby Arena offers cycling training sessions for anyone aged 9 and over, and these sessions are the perfect opportunity to try out this exciting sport!Bike balance sessions are also available in the arena on Mondays and Fridays, from 12pm to 1pm. See the Derby Arena website for details and to book your session.
If you prefer the outdoors, there are some great bike routes in Derby for a free family bike ride. Cycle Derby has details of the routes on its website.
For new bike owners, Cycle Derby offers 50-minute learn-to-ride sessions at Markeaton Park on 27 and 28 December and 3 and 4 January. There are 50-minute sessions throughout the day from 10am to 2:30pm, find out more on the Cycle Derby webpage.