What&#x27;s On: Summer 2024

Rosliston Forestry Centre

PlayMobile

Mon 19 Aug – 10am to 12pm

Test your skill levels at giant games. Art and craft activities, space hopper races and bouncy castle. Suitable for under 16s.

SportMobile

Wed 21 Aug – 2 to 4pm

Have a go at a variety of sports as well as the giant inflatable human table football arena and mountain bike challenge. Suitable for under 16s.

Severn Trent Reservoirs FREE

Rural Olympics

Tue 30 Jul - 11am to 4pm at Tittesworth Reservoir

Wed 31 Jul - 11am to 4pm at Carsington Reservoir

A day of friendly competition in the Rural Olympic races. Challenge family and friends to a sack race, egg and spoon race, or pair up and take each other on in a three-legged race. Or why not test your skills with a game of giant connect four, giant Jenga or badminton?

Swadlincote Snowsports Centre

Summer Camp

Every Tue, Wed & Fri – 9am to 4pm

2 hours of skiing, snowtubing, toboggan and viper slide. Includes hot lunch. Ages 8-15.

Book here.

Thornbridge Hall

Summer of Sport

Thu 25 Jul to Tue 03 Sep – 10am to 5pm

Kids can get involved in Olympic themed activities like the Olympic trail. How fast can you run? How high can you jump? How long can you balance on one leg? We want to see!

Thornbridge Olympics

Sun 25 Aug – 10am to 4pm

Family fun and games, inflatables, entertainment, competitions and a range of food and drink vendors.

Book here (pre-book online to save 20%)

ATTRACTIONS (by location)

Bluebells Farm

Bluebells American Adventure

Wed 24 Jul to Sun 08 Sep

Lasso practicing, cactus toss, tin can shooting, gold panning, Wild West shoot out and cow wrangling. Finish the day with a 4 o’clock foam party. Every entry includes a free return visit.

Book here

Cathedral Quarter, Derby FREE

Street Circus

Sat 10 Aug – 11am to 4pm

Join us on the Market Place for jaw-dropping performances, mesmerising acts, and endless fun for the whole family. From daring acrobatics to hilarious characters, there’s something for everyone to enjoy! Find out more

The Gruffalo Meet and Greet

Sat 17 Aug – at intervals 11am to 3pm

At St Peter’s Church. Free but booking is recommended through Ticket Tailor.

Crich Tramway

Dinosaur Day

Sat 27 Jul

Meet the fierce carnivores T- Rex and Spinosaurus and see the herbivore compound with Triceratops and Brontosaurus. There will be baby dinosaurs and the chance to dig for a fossil in our fossil workshop. Walk our dinosaur trail through the woodland walk to identify our dinosaur footprints and earn a sticker.

Discovery Week

Mon 12 to Fri 16 Aug

More info nearer the time.

Woodland Week

Mon 19 to Fri 23 Aug

More info nearer the time.

Teddy Bears Picnic

Sun 25 & Mon 26 Aug

Bring your own teddy bear and picnic – the first 300 children who bring a teddy will receive a free badge. Teddy bear trail, picnic show with Amy Zing, music on the bandstand, make bear masks and keep an eye out for Mr Bear.

Find out more (tickets valid for one year)

Derby River Boat Trips

Causey Bridge to Phoenix Green

Until Oct

Take a 45-minute cruise down the River Derwent to Darley Abbey and back. Learn about the River, the wildlife, Derby’s place in history and the exciting plans for its future via onboard audio commentary. Activities and challenges for children of all ages. Refreshments available.

Tickets: £8 Book

Heights of Abraham

Punch and Judy Shows

Sat 20 Jul to Sun 01 Sep – 11.30am, 1.30pm & 3.30pm

Our Punch and Judy Anniversary Special shows promise to be a real extravaganza, infused with fresh and hilarious twists that will have everyone in stitches.

MAZE 52

Maize Maze Mania

From Thu 01 Aug

A newly-designed mega maze, a brand new musical mini maze, a play area, giant sand pit, straw bale mountain, family games, café and pick your own sunflowers and wildflowers.

Matlock Farm Park

Dinosaur Fun Day

Sat 27 Jul – shows at 10.30, 11.45, 1.15, 2.30 & 3.45

Learn about Rita the great T-Rex and several baby dinosaurs at small outdoor shows throughout the day, see them wander the park to get up close for photos and let the kids join in some dig site fun. The Snow Sisters

Sun 04 Aug

Five show times throughout the day to sing with Anna and Elsa plus meet and greets.

Circus Skills, Stilt-walking & Bubble Fun

Sat 10 Aug

Come and join in with a variety of activities throughout the day! Have a go at a range of guided circus skills in workshops, meet fabulous stilt-walkers and enjoy the delights of HUGE bubbles.

The BIG Bubble Man

Sat 17 Aug

Megaslam Wrestling

Sat 24 Aug

2024 Peak District Highland Games

Sun 25 Aug

The country’s leading strongmen and mighty strongwomen compete in this hugely popular Peak District and Derbyshire annual event! Enjoy a full and unique day out starting with the athletes’ parade and a series of events. There’s the Greater Manchester Piper Band and Scottish Dancing too! Pre-booked tickets only.

Superhero Bank Holiday Fun Day

Mon 26 Aug – 10:30, 11:45am, 1:15, 2:30 & 3:45pm

The Neighbourhood Spider, The Bat and Girl of Steel will be with us throughout the day to perform some superhero training sessions for your young superhero wannabes!

Find out more and book

Midland Railway

Victorian Trains to the Seaside

Sat 24 to Mon 26 Aug

Step back in time to experience travel as it would have been over 100 years ago with a vintage train ride to Swanwick. I-spy competition for children. Visitors in Victorian costume travel at half price. At Swanwick, the beach will be open and Deeley’s Victorian Tearooms will be serving drinks, snacks and cream teas.

Tickets: £16 adult; £8.50 child; under 3s free Find out more and book

National Forest Adventure Farm

Farmarama

Until Mon 02 Sep

The ultimate beach party with gigantic paddling pools and a huge sand area to make the farm the best beach going. Seaside shows, super sand art, the huge maize maze and the fabulous foam party! Includes access to the rest of the farm, the indoor soft play and the outdoor adventure zones.

Twycross Zoo

Animal Bricktacular

Until Sun 01 Sep – 10am to 6pm

As well as all the usual zoo fun, discover 40 life-size sculptures crafted from over 2 million bricks. Also includes and interactive Brick Builder Zone. Don’t forget to check out the splash pad and the Gruffalo Discovery Land. Find out more and book

White Post Farm

Summer Nights

Fri 30 Aug – 5.30 to 8pm

Marshmallow toasting, BBQ, live music, face painting and the chance to meet our adorable animals up close!

Tickets: £10.50 Find out more and book

KIDS’ ACTIVITIES (by location)

Libraries

Our Derbyshire libraries are running a HUGE number of events – check out your local library’s full summer list here.

Croft Farm Art Barn

Paint a Pot

Weekends until Sun 01 Sep – 11am to 3pm plus booked sessions on Thu & Fri

Children and adults of all artistic abilities welcome. Hot and cold drinks available. Free parking. Book on Facebook, @croftfarmartbarn or croftfarmartbarn@gmail.com

Cromford Mills

Comic Con

Sun 11 Aug – 10am to 4pm

Special guests, vehicles, collectibles, photo opportunities, toys, stalls, games and activities. Find out more and book

Dancing Digits Summer Classes

Findern Village Hall

Wed 07 Aug – 9.40am (1-3yrs); 10.30am (3-6yrs)

Sat 31 Aug – 9.40am (1-3yrs); 10.30am (3-6yrs)

Movement + music makes maths fun!

Decadent Dahlias

Create An Eco-Vase

Jul & Aug – by appointment

Cut your own locally-grown flowers straight from the garden and become a florist for a day. Book via Facebook or Instagram

£5 per case plus £1 per stem

Denby Pottery Village

Craft Studio

Daily – 10am to 4pm

Paint your own piece of Denby or a fun pottery shape; capture your baby’s prints; or join pottery workshops. Shops and eateries too.

Derbion

Summer Takeover

Every Friday – 10am to 4pm

26/07 Sand Art Workshop

02/08 Paint a Pot

09/08 Design your own Squishie

16/08 Slime Workshop

23/08 Windchime Workshop

30/08 Fun Clay

As Derbion’s Charity of the Year, Umbrella Derby and Derbyshire will be on the lower mall every Friday with a different craft workshop.

£5 per person (no booking required)

Derbyshire Toy Libraries

Buy It Now

Sat 03 Aug

Virtual Toy Auctions

Thu 08 Aug

Toy Hire Find out more Stay and Play Belper (continues most weeks of summer)

Elvaston Castle – The Gothic Hall

Play at the Castle with Imagine Avenue

Mon 29 Jul – 10 to 11.30am

Role play pop up in a spectacular location. Ticket includes hot drink and cake from Wyatt’s Café.

Infinite Wellbeing

My First Cinema

Every Friday starting 26 Jul – 1.30pm

Free family-friendly movie afternoon

Superhero Day

Sun 28 Jul – 10.30am to 12pm

Make masks and capes, party games, Spiderman visit. £10.

Make-It Mondays

Every Monday

Craft activities suitable for all ages included in the usual £5 role play entry fee.

Wild Science Wednesdays

Every Wednesday – 1.30 to 3pm

31 Jul – Curious Concoctions, 14 Aug – Reactive Rainbows, 21 Aug – Edible Experiments & 28 Aug – All Things STEM. £10.

Pirate Day

Thu 15 Aug – 1am to 3pm

Come in your best fancy dress for games, crafts and fun. £5 per family.

Fairy Tea Party

Wed 28 Aug – 3pm

Wand making, potion making, fairy door painting, story time read by Infinite Fairy. Fairy dance before fairy afternoon tea. £18.

Doodle Day

Sun 01 Sep – 10am to 12pm

Explore loads of different ways to doodle! Free.

Animal Afternoon

Sun 01 Sep – 3.30pm

An hour of animal crafts followed by an hours of meeting some special animal guests. £18. Find out more

Kilburn Village Hall

Summer Baby Club

Wed throughout the holidays – 10am to 11.30am

Drop-in play sessions with baby crash pad, crafts, toddler toys, home corner, books, puzzles and more. 0-3 year olds. Small donation welcome. Find out more

Pavilion Gardens, Buxton

Inflatable Fun in the Octagon Hall

Weekdays Mon 29 Jul to Fri 23 Aug – sessions times: 9.30 to 11.30am, 12 to 2pm and 2.30 – 4.30pm.

Suitable for 2-10 years. Booking essential. £6 plus booking fee.

QUAD

Summer of Play

Until Sun 01 Sep

Experience Passage to PlayLAND by John Whall and an exhibition by Tracey Meek plus the interactive activity space – Play and Display – which focuses on elements of play and playfulness to explore ideas of sharing, care and discovery.

Sette Coffee

Pizza Making Class

Thu 01, 08 & 15 Aug – 7pm

Create your own stone baked pizza in the courtyard. Price includes pizza and drink. Big groups and kids welcome.

£14.95 per person

Message on Facebook to book.

Sticky Fingers, Ashbourne

Painting Pottery Studio

Mon to Sat – 10am to 5pm

Sun – 10.30am to 4pm

Pottery painting studio, gift shop and coffee shop. Call 01335 418001 to reserve a table.

The Old Farm Bus

Summer Club

Mon 29 Jul, 05, 12 & 19 Aug – 9am to 2pm

Forest school activities, foraging, art, creative writing, games and having a great old time on the farm! For ages 5-10.

£20

Book theoldfarmbus@gmail.com

Thornbridge Hall and Gardens

Kid’s Lego Printing Workshop

Wed 07 & Tue 27 Aug – 10.15 to 11.45am

Join Chesterfield-based printmaker Dave Elsom and let their imaginations run wild in this workshop where kids can use Lego to create a superhero printing plate which is then used to put their unique designs onto card and paper!

Tickets: £20 per child & 1 accompanying adult (includes garden access) Book here

Three Bears Cookery at St Matthew’s Church, Darley Abbey

Summer Holiday Workshops

Fri 02 Aug – 10am to 12.30pm

Raspberry and White Chocolate Cupcakes

Fri 09 Aug – 10am to 12.30pm

Chocolate Dipped Shortbreads

Suitable for age 2+. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Craft activities and juice available whilst the bakes are in the oven.

Tickets: £18 per child (10% sibling discount)

Find out more once details are available here

Twistin Tots

Teddy Bear's Picnic

Mon 12 Aug – 10am to 12pm

Bring your teddies for the Teddy Bear's picnic. Prizes for biggest teddy, smallest teddy and best dressed teddy. Raffle, tea/coffee and snacks. £5 per family.

Twistin Tots Summer Picnic

Tue 20 Aug – 10am to 12pm

Twistin Tots outside. Bring a picnic and play afterwards. £5 per family.

Find out more and book

Waterstones, Derby

Sat 27 Jul to Fri 02 Aug: Ancient Egypt

Take on the hieroglyph challenge along with free colouring and activities throughout the week in-store. Storytime on Tu 30 at 11am.

Sat 03 Aug to Fri 09 Aug: The Olympics

Celebrate the Summer Olympics with a free Olympics quiz along with colouring and activities. Storytime on 06 Aug at 11am.

Sat 10 Aug to Fri 16 Aug: Gardening

Discover your green fingers with free gardening-themed activities in-store. Storytime on 13 Aug at 11am.

Sat 17 Aug to Fri 23 Aug: The Gruffalo

Free Julia Donaldson activities. Meet the Gruffalo on 17 Aug inside St Peter’s Church. Storytime on 20 Aug at 11am.

Sat 24 Aug to Fri 30 Aug: The Sea

Explore the wonders of the sea with free sea-themed activities. Storytime on 27 Aug at 11am.

Sat 31 Aug to Fri 06 Sep: Jungle

Free jungle colouring and activities. Storytime on 03 Sep at 11am.

Wellspring Church

Holiday Club

Mon 02 to Wed 04 Sep

Full times and details TBC but likely to include pottery, woodwork and stonemasonry for school-aged children.

MARKETS, FAIRS & FETES (by date)

Alfreton Artisan Market FREE

Sat 27 Jul & 31 Aug – 10am to 3pm

Ada Belfield Centre Summer Fayre FREE

Sun 28 Jul – 2 to 4pm

Fun and games, entertainment, food and drink.

Denby Pottery Village Fete FREE

Sun 28 Jul – 10am to 4pm

Fun & games, animals, entertainment, food & drink and more - a great day out for the whole family! Find out more

Golding Grande & Medway Summer Fete

Thu 01 Aug – 10am to 12.30pm

Raffle, tombola, bric-a-brac, facepainting, BBQ, cakes and much more.

Belper Pride

Sat 03 Aug – Parade through the town starting at 12pm at Belper’s Market Place.

Sun 04 Aug – Pride Fun Dog Show in the Memorial Gardens with judging starting at 2pm.

Cromford Steam Rally

Sat 03 & Sun 04 Aug – from 9am

In addition to the wide range of steam engine and vehicle displays there will be a fairground, children's entertainment, brass bands, market stalls, singers, crafts and stalls.

Tickets: £15 adult; £12 11-15 yrs; under 11s free Find out more

Matlock Bath Pirate Mutiny FREE

Sat 03 & Sun 04 Aug

Pirate market, music, river boats, food and drink and a funfair. Find out more

Derbyshire Shire Horse Association Show Day

Sun 04 Aug from 10.30am

At Farnah House Farm, Wirksworth Road, Duffield DE56 4AQ. Working demonstrations, in-hand classes, a ridden class, a working blacksmith, raffle, stalls and refreshments. Supporting Ashgate Hospice.

Tickets: £5 adult; £1 child

Ashbourne Summer Fun Day FREE

Sat 10 Aug 12 to 3pm

More info to follow….

Wellspring Church, Wirksworth Family Fun Day FREE

Wed 14 Aug 10 to 3pm

Craft, Barmy Bella, food, songs and games

Ashbourne Show

Sat 17 Aug – 9am to 5pm

The Ashbourne Show is the perfect family day out with the traditional showing of horses, cattle, sheep & more alongside a busy arena with family shows and numerous trade and family stands.

Tickets: £17 adults (£14 advance); £5 5-15 yrs

Markeaton Park Food & Drink Festival FREE

Sat 17 & Sun 18 Aug – 10.30am to 4.30pm

An array of food vendors, musicians, craftsmen and artisans.

Electric Daisy Summer Family Fun Day FREE

Sun 18 Aug – 10am to 2pm

Held by Derbyshire Perinatal Mental Health Service. Includes animal handling, balloon twisting, mud kitchen, nature activities, sensory experiences, music, scavenger hunt, support and advice. Free pizza for the first 200 families.

Matlock Summer Food & Drink Festival FREE

Sat 24 & Sun 25 Aug – 10.30am to 4.30pm

Tasty treats, live music, craft stalls, and activities for kids.

Oak Fest 24 at The Royal Oak

Sun 25 Aug – 1pm to late

Live bands all day, BBQ, bouncy castle, ice cream and a cider bar.

Tickets: £10 age 12+

The Hanging Gate, Shottle FREE

Mon 26 Aug – 12 – 5pm

Kids’ Fun Day. Outdoor games, Derbyshire Fire Service, facepainting, pick and mix, full food menu.

Chatsworth Country Fair

Fri 30 Aug to Sun 01 Sep

Three days of thrilling entertainment, inspirational cooking masterclasses, food, shopping and plenty of activities, including a vintage fun fair, children's climbing wall, bungee trampoline and much more.

Tickets: from £26; under 16s; parking free.

MUSEUMS AND HISTORY (by venue)

Belper North Mill

Mill Games at The Belper River Gardens FREE

Thu 15, 22 & 29 Aug - 2 to 4pm

Mill Games at the River Gardens! Join the Strutt's North Mill team for an afternoon of fun and games, including hoop-la, splat the rat, mouse hunt and more.

Clocking On

Sun 25 Aug – 2pm

Fun family-friendly tour where you can find out what the children of Belper were doing at the Mills 200 years ago.

Tickets: £6.50 adults; £2.50 children (3-16)

Cromford Mills FREE

Vikings of Middle England

Sat 03 & Sun 04 Aug – 10am to 4pm

Experience what life was like over 1,000 years ago with Viking camps, demonstrations, weapons display, battle skirmishes and family activities. Find out more

Derby Museum and Art Gallery

All sessions are drop-ins and suitable for families. Children must be supervised. £3 suggested donation. Animate activities will form part of an exhibition on 13 to 15 Sep.

Animate – Cave painting workshop

Thu 01 Aug – 10.30am to 12.30pm

Recreate some of the world's oldest works of art using your hands, spices and paint to create a community collage of cave prints.

Animate – Wild animal mosaic

Thu 01 Aug – 1.30 to 3.30pm

Create works of art designed to be walked on, inspired by the Roman technique and wild animals featured in our Gallery.

Displaced: From the Nile to the Derwent

Thu 08 & 29 Aug – 10.30am to 12.30pm & 1.30 to 3.30pm

Join our facilitators to make and create your own body adornment, embedded with detail, decoration and personalised to your own identity and style.

Silly Still Lifes

Thu 15 Aug – 10.30am to 12.30pm & 1.30 to 3.30pm

Taking inspiration from portraits around the museum, create your own still life using props and dressing up. Then draw and sketch your own masterpiece.

Animate – Henri Matisse Collages

Thu 22 Aug – 10.30am to 12.30pm & 1.30 – 3.30pm

Create brightly-coloured collages using cut-out shapes of wildlife and man-made structures to produce Matisse-style works of art.

Derby Museum of Making

All sessions are drop-ins and suitable for families. Children must be supervised. £3 suggested donation. Animate activities will form part of an exhibition on 13 to 15 Sep.

Summer Activities

Wed 31 Jul – 10.30am to 12.30pm & 1.30 to 3.30pm

Taking inspiration from our current exhibition ‘The Derby Yaadaañ project’, join our facilitators to

create your own portrait of how you live, work and play.

Play @ the Musuem

Wed 07 Aug – 10.30am to 12.30pm & 1.30 to 3.30pm

It’s the national day of play and all children have a right to play. Come and join our facilitators as we take inspiration from Science Technology Engineering Art and Mechanics to play, make and create.

Animate – Story Telling workshop

Wed 14 Aug – 10.30am to 12.30pm

Work with a theatre company learning about storytelling, before creating your own stories inspired by our animal friends.

Animate – Song-writing workshop

Wed 14 Aug – 1.30 – 3.30pm

Work with a professional musician to develop a new song about working animals and the Industrial Revolution. This song will be the theme tune to an upcoming exhibition at Derby Museum.

Summer Activities

Wed 21 Aug – 10.30am to 12.30pm & 1.30 to 3.30pm

Taking inspiration from our collections and exhibition, explore shape, line and pattern and spend time making and creating your own surface designs.

Animate – Pointillism workshop

Wed 28 Aug – 10.30am to 12.30pm & 1.30 to 3.30pm

Use French Artist Seurat’s technique to create eye-tricking works of art inspired by working animals and industrialisation. Find out more

Erewash Museum

Summer Programme

Wed to Sat – 11am to 4pm

Different activities and prices (some are free) each day of each themed week alongside the outdoor Beach.

24 to 27 Jul – Wild About Erewash Musuem

31 Jul to 03 Aug – Sports Week

07 to 10 Aug – Science and Space Week

14 to 17 Aug – Festival and Circus Week

21 to 24 Aug – Film Week

28 to 31 Aug – Big Art Week including Celebration of Summer on 30 Aug

Ilam Park

Festival of Archaeology

Suggested donations in brackets

Until Sun 28 Jul – 10am to 3pm Pick up a trail sheet and go history hunting (£2)

Tue 23 Jul – drop in 11am to 2pm Make your own Roman Pot (£3)

Wed 31 Jul – drop in 11am to 2pm Make your own Viking Shield (£3) Find out more

Pickford’s House, Derby

All sessions are drop-ins and suitable for families. Children must be supervised. £3 suggested donation. Animate activities will form part of an exhibition on 13 to 15 Sep.

1940s Re-enactment

Sat 03 Aug – 10am to 3pm

Meet the Local Defence Volunteers. Learn about the Second World War in this 1940s re-enactment presented in partnership with The Derbyshire Living History Society. Drop in event. Free

Play @ the Museum

Tue 06 Aug – 10.30am to 12.30pm & 1.30 to 3.30pm

As our reimagined view of Pickford’s House takes shape, enjoy the summer and look at how families and children played, inspired by our fabulous collections.

Animate – Mask Making

Tue 13 Aug – 10.30am to 12.30pm & 1.30 – 3.30pm

Create your own animal mask inspired by domesticated and farmyard animals. These will then be scanned to form part of the Animate exhibition.

Summer Activities

Tue 13, 20 & 27 Aug – 10.30am to 12.30pm & 1.30 – 3.30pm

As our reimagined view of Pickford’s House takes shape, enjoy the summer and get creative, inspired by home, family and community.

The National Stone Centre

Mary Anning Maquette FREE

Until 31 Jul – 10am to 4pm

Exhibition including the model of the bronze statue in place at Lyme Regis, where Mary was born. Other artefacts, lots of information and activities such as a spotter’s trail, fossil digging and fossil panning. Free exhibition but some activities are chargeable.

Wirksworth Heritage Centre

Galactic Creations

Thu 01 Aug – 1.30 to 3pm

Create a planet using craft materials and then recreate your planet in a virtual solar system! 8 yrs+

Tickets: £4 child

Wonder Beneath our Feet

Thu 08 Aug – 1.30 to 3pm

A workshop that explores rocks and fossils for young, inquisitive explorers. Make a fossil to take home. 8-12 yrs.

Tickets: £4 child

Pop Bottle Rockets and Stunt Planes

Thu 15 Aug – 2 to 3.30pm

Create a water rocket from a plastic bottle and watch it fly. 8-12 yrs.

Tickets: £4 child

MUSIC, THEATRE & FILM (by venue)

Belper River Gardens

Larks in the Park

Every Sun until 03 Sep – 2 to 4pm

A different band or choir each week.

Buxton Opera House

In the Night Garden Live

Wed 14 Aug – 1 and 4pm, Thu 15 Aug – 10am and 1pm

All your favourite characters brought to life with full-size costumes, magical puppets, and enchanting music. This show lasts just under an hour and your little ones will be amazed when they see a very special visit from the amazing flying Pinky Ponk.

Tickets: £16.50 - £22 (children £2 off)

Mr Toad

Fri 30 and Sat 31 Aug – 7.30 – 8.30pm

Wise Owl Theatre brings the high-spirited and downright ludicrous tale of Mr. Toad to the stage. Age 4+.

Tickets: £18.50 - £20.50

Clumber Park

Outdoor Theatre with the HandleBards: The Comedy of Errors

Sat Jul 27 – 7 to 9pm Clumber Park

Sun Jul 28 – 6 to 8pm Cromford Mills

Join the troupe for a bicycle-powered production of Shakespeare’s ‘The Comedy of Errors’ like you’ve never seen before. Doors open an hour before, so bring along a picnic!

Tickets: £19.50 (£16.50 early bird) adult; £12.50 12-21 yrs; £5 5-12 yrs

Crich Tramway

Treasure Island

Fri 30 Aug to Tue 03 Sep

Set sail with young Jim Hawkins for Treasure Island! The crew is ready, the anchor is raised, and the map is in hand, what could possibly go wrong? A rollicking, raucous, rum-soaked adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s much-loved story.

Darley Park

The Darley Park Concert

Sun 01 Sep – 6pm

A spectacular evening of captivating classical music followed by a dazzling display of fireworks. This is part of the Darley Park Weekender which also includes the 80s Mixtape (Fri) and Ultimate 90s (Sat).

Tickets (advance): £5 adults; £2 ages 1-15 Book here

Hardwick Hall

Adventure Cinema

Fri 09 Aug – 3pm Finding Nemo

Sat 10 Aug – 1.30pm Frozen Sing-a-long

Sun 11 Aug – 11am The Gruffalo & Stick Man

Sun 11 Aug – 3pm Sing

Outdoor cinema showings suitable for all the family. Ticket prices vary.

Mansfield Palace Theatre

In the Night Garden Live

Wed 24 to Thu 25 Jul – 10am, 1pm and 4pm

See above

Tickets: £17.50 - £24

The Tiger Who Came to Tea

Tue 30 Jul – 2pm & 4.30pm; Wed 31 Jul – 11am & 2pm

Direct from the West End, the Olivier Award nominated smash hit show, The Tiger Who Came to Tea returns on tour. Suitable for ages 3+

Tickets: £16

Markeaton Park Craft Village

Romeo & Juliet

Wed 24 to Sat 27 Jul – 7.30 to 9.30pm

A modern presentation of Shakespeare’s tragic masterpiece will be performed by Derby Shakespeare Theatre Company.

Tickets: £15

Wonka (PG)

Fri 02 Aug – 9pm

Armed with nothing but a hatful of dreams, young chocolatier Willy Wonka manages to change the world, one delectable bite at a time.

Barbie (12A)

Sat 03 Aug – 9pm

Barbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in the colourful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. However, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among humans.

Tickets: £16

Matlock Hall Leys Park

Bands in the Park

Sun 04 Aug – 2 to 4pm Steel City Concert Band

Sun 20 Aug – 2 to 4pm Liquid Brass

QUAD, Derby

KidsQUAD Movie Makers

Tue 06 to Thu 08 Aug – 10.30am to 3pm

Working with filmmaker Chris Bevan you’ll get to write a script and work together to bring your film ideas into reality as well as receive coaching and acting tips from our amazing Movie Makers team! Then you can invite your friends and family to see your work on the big screen in our cinema on Sat 07 Sep at 10.30am! Please bring a packed lunch each day. Ages 7-11 (without grown-ups!)

Tickets: £80 (contact the box office if eligible for free school meals to discuss support)

Book here or DerbyshireNorth@sparksarts.co.uk

Sparks Film Club

The Grand Pavilion, Matlock Bath

Mon 29 Jul to Fri 02 Aug – 10am to 4pm

Action packed film and animation summer camp. Learn new skills and make new friends as you shoot your own film to be proud of. Ages 5-18.

Sudbury Hall

Babbling Vagabonds live show: Here Be Dragons!

Sat 27 and Sun 28 Jul – 11am & 2pm

This exciting production features two performers who lead the audience on an action-packed journey to the secret Monster Menders Camp. Follow a tale of a daring village vet who undertakes a quest to defeat a dragon. Suitable for 5+.

Tickets: £9 adult; £8 child

Flying the Nest Workshop

Thu 01 and Fri 02 Aug – 11am, 1pm and 3pm (Thu only)

Join HandMade Theatre at The Children's Country House at Sudbury for a creative workshop inspired by their show Flying The Nest. Participate in a range of fun activities all inspired by British birds including story-telling, puppetry and willow weaving. Suitable for children aged 3-10 and their adults.

Tickets: £10 per child

Flying the Nest Theatre Production

Sat 03 and Sun 04 Aug – 11am, 1pm & 3pm

Welcome to hatchling college, an eggciting place to learn all about native birds and how to be a good birder. Sit in a giant willow nest and get involved in this interactive show suitable for the whole family to enjoy. Filled with a fantastic mix of puppetry, facts, and fun, this humorous show brings to life bird characters in a new and engaging way. Suitable for 5+.

Tickets: £9 adult; £8 child

The Ritz Cinema, Belper

Inside Out 2

From Fri 26 Jul

Despicable Me

From Fri 09 Aug

The Winding Wheel Chesterfield

Peppa Pig’s Fun Day Out

Sat 27 Jul – 1pm & 4pm; Sun 28 Jul – 10am & 1pm

Join Peppa, along with her family and friends as they go to the zoo and also the beach for a special party. Duration 1hr20, inc. interval.

Tickets: £19.20 - £21.20

Thornbridge Hall and Gardens

Babbling Vagabonds live show: Here Be Dragons!

Sat 10 Aug – 11am to 12pm

Those fabulous funsters, babbling vagabonds are back. After huge success last summer, Here Be Dragons! invites all the family on an Outdoor Adventure. Discover the secretive Monster Menders – the bold, brave and oh-so-slightly silly vets for the very peculiar.

Suitable for 3-11yrs (and families)

Tickets: £12 adults; £9 3-16 yrs; £4 under 4s (includes garden access)

Book and see other events here

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES (by location)

Chatsworth Park

Children’s Nocturnal Walk

Fri 09 & Sat 10 Aug – 8.45 to 10pm

Learn about the animals you might see on your walk and why they come out at night. Listen for owls, spot moths, look for badgers and use bat detectors to locate different bat species.

Tickets: £8.50 per person

Chatsworth Kitchen and Cutting Garden

Children’s Botanical Smells and Stinks Workshop

13-14 & 20-22 Aug – 10.30 to 11.45am

Using your nose to discover plants and their smells. Learn which are only fragrant at night and why, how plants use scent to send signals, and find out which plants smell nice and which plants stink! Create your own fragrance using plants from the garden.

Tickets: £6.50 child; £2.50 adult

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust

Note that Nature Tots continues as usual

Family Wildflower Hunt FREE

Wed 31 Jul – 10am to 3pm

Carsington Visitor Centre. 4yrs+. No need to book.

Plant Pot Making Event FREE

Wed 07 Aug – 10am to 3pm

Carsington Visitor Centre. 4yrs+. No need to book.

Family Seed Bomb Making Event FREE

Wed 14 Aug – 10am to 3pm

Carsington Visitor Centre. 4yrs+. No need to book.

Marvellous Minibeast Hunt FREE

Wed 21 Aug – 10am to 3pm

Carsington Visitor Centre. 4yrs+. No need to book.

Family Bat Walk

Fri 23 & 30 Aug – 7 to 9pm

Wildlife Discovery Room at Carsington. 4yrs+. Booking essential via Eventbrite. £7 per person.

Find out more and book

Electric Daisy

Gardening 101

Sun 11 Aug – 10am Harvest Time

Hands-on sessions led by Steven Howard and an opportunity to connect with fellow garden enthusiasts. Book via Eventbrite.

Tickets: £20 adults

Ilam Park

Animalympics

Thu 25 Jul to Sun 01 Sep – 9.30am to 4pm

A range of play stations will be dotted about the park, each one inspired by an animal and a sport. Try the grasshopper longjump, woodland animal assault course, ant weightlifting and much more! You can also borrow sports equipment, nature bags and art materials as well as making a medal in the second hand bookshop. Wild Kid Wednesdays

Wed 24 Jul, 07 Aug & 21 Aug

Discover the Geology and History of Ilam

02 Aug - 10am to 1pm With an experienced guide, learn about the age of the rocks and how the landscape was formed millions of years ago when the area was underwater. 3 mile walk over fields and occasional rocky terrain. Perfect for families with children aged 8+.

All the above events are free once you've paid admission. Find out more

Rosliston Forestry Centre

Dragonfly Walk

Tue 30 Jul, 13 & 27 Aug – 11am to 1pm (if not raining)

Join a guided walk to spot adult dragonflies after they have emerged from the pond. Part of an exciting new project to help survey pond life. Suitable for 8+. Donations welcome

Wildlife Watch – Dens & S’more

Tue 06 & 20 Aug – 2 to 4pm

Fantastic family fun building dens in the woods, learn how to safely and sustainably light a campfire then cook the delicious treat of S’mores. £5 per person (under 3s free)

Booking essential 01283 535039 or rosliston@southderbyshire.gov.uk

Wildlife Watch – Pond Dipping

Tue 27 Aug – 30 min. sessions at 11, 11.40am, 12.40, 1.20, 2, 2.40 & 3.20pm

Join us onsite to see what creatures lurk beneath the waters of the lake. £3 per child

Booking recommended 01283 535039 or rosliston@southderbyshire.gov.uk or book here

Shipley Country Park FREE

Insect Show

Sun 04 Aug – 11am to 4pm

Meet at the visitor centre. Join a bug-tastic insect show with insect-related displays including live specimens. Then do a guided insect search. Parking charges apply.

Waingroves Community Woodland Trust

Moth and Bat Night

Sat 17 Aug

An evening of moth trapping and bat detecting in the woodland glade, including a woodland bat walk. Bring a torch. Find out more

Woodland Connections

Family Gruffalo Session

Mon 05 Aug – 10.30am to 12.30pm

Gruffalo-themed activities down at the campfire.

Family Campfire Chill & Chat

Tue 06 Aug – 12.30 to 2.30pm

Join us around the campfire for a cuppa and chat or join our monthly volunteer session, Fettle, Kettle & Cake, to help out in the woods. Families welcome for these school holiday sessions.

Kids' Adventure Days

Mon 12 to Fri 16 Aug

Mon – Fire, Tue – Water, Wed – Nature crafts, Thu – Nature explorers. Drop-off sessions for children aged 5+.

Fri – Family forest school

Family Stays at Shining Cliff Hostel

August 2024

Have hours of fun exploring the woodland, streams and crags with a fantastic fire pit for campfire memories. Book your own room Sun - Tue for just £20 per person.

SUPPORT & WELLBEING (by date)

Bridge the Gap

Nurture in Nature Parent Wellbeing Sessions

First Fri of each month – 12 to 1.30pm

Time outside in the community gardens (DE24 8WJ). Creative activities, wellbeing support and someone to listen. Welcome to bring lunch or hot drink. Book online.

Tickets: £5

Creative Drop-In Sessions FREE

Tue 30 Jul, 13 Aug, 03 Sep - 10 to 11.30am

A friendly and relaxed space for families to get creative and talk to the Bridge the Gap team. No need to book.

Transition into Secondary School

Tue 13 Aug - 10 to 11.30am - Bridge the Gap

Child only workshop - £12.50

Coping with Big Emotions

Thu 15 Aug - 4 to 5pm - Bridge the Gap

Adult and child workshop - £15

Worry Warriors

Fri 16 Aug - 10 to 11.30am - Bridge the Gap

Child only workshop - £15

Self-Esteem Superstars

Fri 16 Aug - 4 to 5.30pm - Bridge the Gap

Child only workshop - £15

Embracing Secondary School

Wed 21 Aug - 4.30 to 5.30pm - Bridge the Gap

Adult and child workshop - £15

Introducing Emotions - new course info morning FREE

Thu 22 Aug - 9.30 to 11.30am - The Becket Family Hub

Find out more about and sign up to a new free course starting in September for parents and under 2s which gently introduces emotions through creativity, play and stories.

Strategies for Transition

Thu 22 Aug - 3 to 4.30pm - Bridge the Gap

Child only workshop - £15

Feeling Thermometers

Tue 27 Aug - 4.30 to 5.30pm - Bridge the Gap

Adult and child workshop - £8.50

Sensory Relief

Thu 22 Aug - 3 to 4pm - Bridge the Gap

Child only workshop - £10

SEN-Fit

Holiday Clubs

Wed 24 Jul to Wed 21 Aug – 9am to 1pm

Engaging sessions for SEND children aged 6 to 16 promoting independence and social skills through various activities. Includes lunch. Held in Heanor, Borrowash and Spondon. Most children can attend free as part of the HAF scheme. To book, email info@sen-fit.co.uk

TRAILS (by date)

National Memorial Arboretum FREE

Daily – 10am to 5pm

Stick Man Trail. Pay to park