New year, new adventures! 2025 is finally here, and what better time to explore Derby than now? Whether you’ve lived here all your life or made a move to the city for University, be sure to fill your calendar with these exciting events happening in Derby this year.
Derby Book Festival
Taking place in various venues around the city, Derby Book Festival is back in 2025 for its 10th anniversary. The event will showcase a variety of books and authors — including Poet Laureate Simon Armitage — providing the perfect opportunity to discover some new favourites and listen to some insightful conversations. There will be two iterations of the festival: in summer, from the 23rd of May to the 1st of June, and in autumn, from the 14th to the 16th of November. You can visit the Derby Book Festival website for more information on tickets and updates on the programme.
Lockheart and Hawkins’ Museum of Curiosities
Thursday to Sunday at the QUAD gallery, you can visit the Museum of Curiosities to experience a Victorian Steampunk take on fairytales. Through the use of digital magic, participation, stories and, most importantly, the enchanted periscope, you can witness new worlds and take a visit to fairytale realms. The exhibition is open until the 16th of February and is both family-friendly and free of charge!
Bustler Spring Weekender
This is one for the foodies! On the 29th and 30th of March (which happens to be Mother’s Day weekend), Bustler Market is hosting an event filled with the UK’s best street food vendors, fresh flower stalls, bakeries, live entertainment, the Makers Market and more. The weekend is child and dog-friendly and will be a great chance to eat some good food and relax with your family or friends. Tickets are available to purchase for £5 on the Bustler Market website, and under 12s go free.
UK Ghost Story Festival
Did you know that Derby is often referred to as the UK’s most haunted city? Well, from the 21st to the 23rd of February at the Museum of Making, the UK Ghost Story Festival will be visiting to celebrate all things supernatural. The event will include interviews with authors such as Rosie Andrews and Mark Norman, writing workshops, panels and, of course, lots of opportunities to buy some books! Tickets and weekend passes, as well as pre-order links to the featured books, are available to purchase on the Museum of Making website.
Derby 10K
Fancy a challenge? At Pride Park Stadium on the 6th of April, the annual Derby 10K race will be taking place. Those taking part will be running around the city and raising money for charities close to their hearts. And, if running isn’t your thing, you can pick a spot on the route and cheer people on as they pass you! To take part, you will need to book your space on the Derby County Community Trust website, where more details on the race can also be found.