It can sometimes be tricky working out what to do in your local area, whether you’re new to the county or have been saying ‘ey up me duck’ for decades. Here at KLG Rutland, we want the people of Derby and Derbyshire to make the most out of our great county, so we’ve put together a comprehensive guide of all the yearly events in Derbyshire that you won’t want to miss.

There’s live entertainment like music and comedy to get tickets to, insightful exhibitions you won’t find anywhere else and stunning walks through the Peak District national park or on the beautiful grounds of some of the county’s National Trust properties. Every free day is the perfect opportunity to get out there and explore the area, making the most of what is on your doorstep.


January

New Year’s Day Hunts

Traditional hunts take place in various locations across Derbyshire, attracting spectators who enjoy the pageantry and festivities associated with these events.

February

Winter Ale Festival

Derby has a rich history in the world of beer and ale, and the Winter Ale Festival is a continuation of this. Held at the Derby Roundhouse, this festival celebrates a variety of ales, ciders and perries, providing a cosy atmosphere during the winter months.

Derby Fake Festival

Derby Fake Festival, held in Markeaton Park, is a music festival that brings together lots of tribute bands playing songs from some of the biggest artists ever. To give you a flavour, Derby Fake Festival 2024 featured tributes for Green Day, Guns n Roses, Kasabian, Pink and The Police.

March

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Held everywhere on the 17th March, St Patrick’s Day in the City is a chance to have a good time. There’s a vibrant celebration of Irish culture, with a parade through Derby city centre, featuring music, dance and traditional food.

Derby Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival

The Derby Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival is a celebration of the arts with various performances, exhibitions, and workshops held in the historic Cathedral Quarter of Derby.

April

County Cricket Season Begins

In early April, Derbyshire CCC will begin their cricket season. They host games at The County Ground in Derby and Queen’s Park in Chesterfield, and their Twenty20 nights are an occasion for all. KLG Rutland also sponsors The Blaze, who are the East Midlands women’s cricket team, playing fixtures in Derby, Nottingham, Leicester and Loughborough.

Matlock Bath Grand Pavilion Events

The Grand Pavilion in Matlock Bath hosts various events throughout the year, including music concerts, theatre productions and community events, and April is as good a time as any to see what they have to offer and explore the sights of Matlock Bath.

May

Chatsworth International Horse Trials

The Chatsworth International Horse Trials are a sight to behold. This exciting equestrian event is held annually at the picturesque Chatsworth House, attracting riders and spectators from around the world.

Belper Arts Trail

An annual event showcasing the work of local artists in various venues around Belper, including galleries, shops and cafes. You can expect around 170 artists, makers and creatives all over the town centre in over 50 venues displaying their talents.

Ashbourne Arts Festival

The Ashbourne Arts Festival is a month-long festival featuring a range of artistic events, including music, theatre, visual arts, and literary events in Ashbourne. Don’t forget to also catch the annual Shrovetide Football event in Ashbourne, held during Shrovetide which can change each year.

June

Derbyshire County Show

An agricultural show featuring livestock displays, equestrian events, local produce, crafts and family-friendly entertainment. The Derbyshire County Show has been going since 1860 and is a great way to interact with the county.

Download Festival

Download music festival is a huge rock and metal festival that takes place at Donington Park in Castle Donington, on the border with Leicestershire. Over 75,000 rock fans descend on the race track every June to see the biggest names in rock, with the likes of AC/DC, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Slipknot and many more having played in the past.

July

Y Not Festival

If the rock of Download isn’t your bag, then maybe Y Not Festival is the one for you. This popular music festival is held in Pikehall in the stunning Peak District, featuring a mix of well-known and emerging artists across various genres. Previous big-name acts include Noel Gallagher, Madness, Courteeners, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Snoop Dogg and The 1975.

Derby CAMRA Beer Festival

Every July, Derby CAMRA hosts their annual beer festival, which in 2024 celebrates its 50th anniversary. There’s always a wide variety of beers available throughout a number of venues in the city, including the Brunswick Inn and Alexandra Hotel.

Buxton International Festival

If you’ve not yet visited wonderful Buxton, the Buxton International Festival in July is a great time to go. This renowned festival of opera, music and literature is held in the beautiful spa town, and features a mix of performances, talks, and workshops.

Bakewell Festival

The Bakewell Country Festival is a traditional agricultural and horticultural show held in Bakewell, showcasing livestock, crafts and local food and drink. The event is run by Bakewell Agricultural & Horticultural Society.

August

Football Is Back

In early August, two-time English Champions Derby County begin their season at Pride Park in the City. Elsewhere in Derbyshire, the likes of Chesterfield FC, Belper Town, Ilkeston Town, Matlock Town, Buxton FC and Mickleover Sports offer a chance to watch football in different settings.

September

Chatsworth Country Fair

A major event at Chatsworth House at the end of August or early September with a wide range of attractions including cooking demonstrations, animal displays and vintage vehicle exhibitions.

Matlock Bath Illuminations

Starting in late September, this event features decorated boats parading along the River Derwent, along with fireworks and family entertainment. It’s a great event to take the kids too and is a wonderful sight to enjoy.

October

Derby Folk Festival

A three-day event celebrating folk music, dance, and arts, held in venues across Derby city centre, with some gigs taking place in the Old Bell Hotel on Sadler Gate. Weekend and individual concert tickets are available for folk-music lovers in the county.

Derby Poetry Festival

If you’re into poetry then don’t miss the Derby Poetry Festival in October. The four-day event is focussed on developing poets in the area and is growing every year.

November

Derby Film Festival

Based in The Quad in Derby city centre, Derby film festival is the event for movie-lovers in the area. Featuring special screenings and guests from the world of film.

Chatsworth Christmas Market

Held in the wondrous grounds of Chatsworth House, the Chatsworth Christmas Market is one of the most popular winter events in the county. The market features festive stalls, live music and seasonal food and drink, all with the amazing House and Grounds for company.

December

Carols by Candlelight at Derby Cathedral

For a traditional Christmas evening, attend a Carols by Candlelight event at Derby Cathedral. This series of traditional carol services create a festive atmosphere with candlelight and music and run throughout December.

Panto at Derby Arena

Each year, Derby Arena puts on a pantomine at Derby Arena, providing a night of fun for all the family. Often featuring well-known names from the world of showbiz, these pantos just get better every year!


You should now be fully equipped with knowledge of all the Derbyshire events taking place throughout the year, from family activities to art exhibitions, festivals and different types of natural beauty hotspots. Hopefully you will have many unforgettable days within Derby and the wider county, whether you discover nature or take part in one of various activities at a Derbyshire venue.

Meanwhile, KLG Rutland is here for all your Derbyshire home improvement needs, specialising in our amazing glazing products – windows, doors and conservatories. Visit our Derbyshire showroom or reach out to us via the contact page to find out more.

Feel free to also read our similar article which details all the annual Nottingham events.