What's on in Derby: November and December 2026

November 2026

Ongoing until 3 January: Field to Fashion

24 April 2026 to 3 January 2027, during museum opening hours | Exhibition | Museum of Making, Silk Mill Lane, Derby DE1 3AF | Free; donations welcome.

Follow British wool from sheep farming to clothing, with fleece to touch and stories of local knitwear maker John Smedley. The exhibition brings together work by students, artists, designers and makers.

14 November: Lantern-making workshop

Saturday 14 November, 10am to 2.30pm | Family craft workshop, ages 5+ | Derby Market Hall, Tenant Street, Derby DE1 2DB | £5; under-7s must be accompanied.

Make a willow-and-tissue lantern for Derby's Heroes-themed parade. The workshop uses biodegradable materials and bamboo sticks. Bring or obtain an LED light separately; no lanterns are released into the air.

From 21 November: Portrait Award exhibition

21 November 2026 to 21 February 2027, during gallery opening hours | Contemporary portrait painting | Derby Museum and Art Gallery, 1 The Strand, Derby DE1 1BS | Free; donations welcome.

The Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer Portrait Award brings together varied approaches to painting people, from traditional techniques to contemporary ideas. The exhibition is organised by the National Portrait Gallery, London.

25 November: Canvas-making for beginners

Wednesday 25 November, 10am to 3.30pm | Practical workshop, adults 18+ | Museum of Making, Silk Mill Lane, Derby | £65; materials, tools and equipment included.

Build a wooden frame, stretch canvas and prime it for painting with artist and technician Tayler Fisher. Dress for workshop activity; steel toe-capped boots are requested if you have them, with some available to borrow.

From 26 November: Cathedral Quarter Ice Rink

Thursday 26 November to Thursday 31 December, book a timed session | Covered real-ice skating | Derby Market Place | Advertised tickets £11 to £13, including skate hire; sessions approximately 45 minutes.

The city-centre rink has general skating and separate toddler sessions. Under-12s need an adult supervising on the ice; ages 12 to 14 need a parent or guardian watching from the side. Free skate aids are available on a first-come basis.

From 27 November: The Railway Children

Selected performances from Friday 27 November 2026 to Saturday 2 January 2027 | Family theatre, age guidance 5+ | Derby Theatre, 15 Theatre Walk, Derby DE1 2NF | Standard tickets £22.50 to £38; special performance prices vary.

Derby Theatre's adaptation brings a story of family, adventure and steam trains to its Main House. The calendar includes BSL, captioned, audio-described, relaxed and dementia-friendly performances; choose a date suited to your visit.

28 November: Derby's Ethical Christmas Market

Saturday 28 November, 10am to 8pm | Seasonal shopping | Derby Market Hall, Tenant Street, Derby | Free entry.

Browse jewellery, pottery, decorations and hand-painted vinyl records while supporting ethical trade. The market offers an alternative way to choose gifts from independent sellers.

28 November: Derby Lantern Parade

Saturday 28 November, 5.30pm to 6.30pm | Free community parade | Starts at St Peter's Church Square, St Peter's Street, Derby DE1 1SN.

Surtal Arts invites everyone to carry a lantern and celebrate their heroes, with drumming and dance along the route. Use LED lights rather than real flames and avoid glass. People who need to borrow a lantern are asked to visit the registration point from 4.30pm.

From 28 November: Cathedral Quarter Santa's Grotto

Selected sessions from Saturday 28 November to Thursday 24 December | Santa visit for ages 0 to 12 | Derby Market Hall, Tenant Street, Derby | £5; advance booking essential.

Meet Santa and his elves, take family photographs and receive a small gift and festive trail. Bookings use 15-minute sessions, with visit lengths varying. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and larger groups may need to take turns in the small grotto.

December 2026

From 4 December: Snow White

Selected performances from Friday 4 to Thursday 31 December | Family pantomime | Derby Arena | £23 to £38, depending on performance and seat.

Morgan Brind returns as the Dame alongside Evie Pickerill in Derby LIVE and Little Wolf Entertainment's pantomime. The programme runs approximately two and a half hours and includes access performances. Use the public-performance calendar, which also lists separate school shows.

5 December: Sugarplum Christmas Market

Saturday 5 December, 10am to 6pm | Sweet treats, gifts and activities | Derby Market Hall, Tenant Street, Derby | Free entry.

Meet independent bakers and makers selling chocolate, cakes, fudge and seasonal gifts. The event also advertises entertainment and a sweet-themed children's craft workshop for ages 4 to 10.

From 5 December: The Owl and the Pussycat

Selected performances from Saturday 5 December 2026 to Saturday 9 January 2027 | Studio theatre, age guidance 3+ | Derby Theatre, Theatre Walk, Derby | £15.

Owl and Pussycat set sail on an adventure inspired by Edward Lear's poem. The production uses integrated BSL, creative captions and integrated audio description, with morning and afternoon performances in the Studio.