Derby, Derbyshire
Derby Festive Markets 2026
2026 Dates Not Yet Announced
When we checked on 11 October 2026, the council had not published dates for 2026. We check again regularly and add them as soon as they are out. Please don't plan a trip around last year's dates.
| Where | Derby Market Hall and the Market Place in the Cathedral Quarter DE1 2DB Open in Maps |
|---|---|
| Entry | Free to enter |
| Organiser | Derby City Council. Official page |
Derby Festive Markets: Quick Answers
When is Derby Festive Markets in 2026?
The 2026 dates had not been announced when we checked on 11 October 2026.
Where is Derby Festive Markets?
Derby Market Hall and the Market Place in the Cathedral Quarter, Derby DE1 2DB.
About Derby Festive Markets
Derby's Christmas offer centres on the Market Place, with an ice rink and bar, and on pop-up festive markets inside Derby Market Hall on weekends in December. The 2026 programme of weekend festive markets had not been published when checked; the Market Hall does list two one-day Christmas markets, an ethical gifts market on Saturday 28 November 2026 (10:00 to 20:00) and a sweet treats market on Saturday 5 December 2026 (10:00 to 18:00), both free.
Where Is Derby Festive Markets?
Derby Market Hall and the Market Place in the Cathedral Quarter, Derby DE1 2DB. The other dots are nearby markets.
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Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors, OpenFreeMap.
Santa's Grotto at Derby Festive Markets
| Called | Cathedral Quarter Santa's Grotto 2026 |
|---|---|
| When | 28 Nov to 24 Dec 2026. Saturdays and Sundays from 28 November to 20 December, then daily from Monday 21 to Thursday 24 December Timed slots every 15 minutes: Saturdays first slot 10am, last 4.45pm (5.45pm on 19 December); Sundays 11am to last slot 2.45pm; 21 to 24 December 10am to last slot 5.45pm |
| Where | Inside Derby Market Hall, Tenant Street, the same hall that hosts the festive markets |
| Price | Tickets are listed at £5; the page does not say whether that is per child or per person. Each child gets a small gift and a festive trail sheet |
| Booking | Booking needed. Organiser's booking page |
For children aged 0 to 12, who must come with an adult; a visit lasts about 15 minutes and includes photos with Santa and the elves.
Visits to Santa at the bigger markets sell out weeks ahead, and times change. Check the organiser's page before you promise anyone.
Source: Derby Market Hall (Derby City Council), checked 12 October 2026. All markets with a grotto.
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Other Christmas Markets Nearby
Nottingham Winter Wonderland
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
12 Nov to 24 Dec 2026
14 miles away
Matlock Christmas Market
Matlock, Derbyshire
19 to 20 Dec 2026
15 miles away
Matlock Victorian Christmas Market
Matlock, Derbyshire
4 to 6 Dec 2026
15 miles away
Love Loughborough Festive Fair
Loughborough, Leicestershire
29 Nov 2026
15 miles away
Newstead Abbey Christmas Craft and Gift Fairs
Ravenshead, Nottinghamshire
28 Nov to 20 Dec 2026
Open Saturdays and Sundays only
16 miles away
See all Christmas markets near Derby. More in East Midlands, or see every market's 2026 dates.