Follow our Light Trail across Derby

Giant polar bear at Derby Market Place

The Christmas Lights Switch On will mark the start of the city’s dazzling Festive Derby Light Trail, a display brought to you by the Cathedral Quarter and St Peter’s Quarter Business Improvement District (BIDs) and Derby City Council. Exploring the city centre and find your picture-perfect moment at every turn as the trail leads from St Peter’s Cross to Irongate.

Begin your journey beneath the brand-new Festive Derby archway at St Peter's Cross, before taking a stroll to Critical Hits to spot the festive Gonk.

Head into Derby Market Hall, walk through the snowflake archway and spot the magnificent, illuminated Stag overlooking from upstairs. You can snap a selfie with the polar bear overlooking the Cathedral Quarter Ice Rink and the Nordic Bar, walk through the light-up presents on the Market Place. Finally, head towards Derby Cathedral under a shimmering ceiling of light. The trail runs until New Year’s Eve.

After all that walking why not enjoy a festive drink in the cosy tipis of our Nordic Bar and then, when you have had time to rest, take a whizz around the ice rink with family and friends. Afterwards you can enjoy food from a variety of food stalls on the Market Place, including loaded fries, grilled sausages, donuts and crepes. Join us at Derby Market Hall, do some Christmas shopping with our fantastic local independent traders, sample some top-notch street food and enjoy free live music.

You can find a map of the trail in the Festive Guide below, which will be available from late November, and pick up an activity sheet from the ice rink or Nordic bar for little ones to fill in along the way.