Derby Festé

02/10/2025

Thank you Graham Whitmore for these fantastic photos of this year's Festé!

In case you missed it, check out our round up of the day on the Festé website. And keep your eyes peeled for next year's event. 👀 https://derbyfeste.com/derby-feste-we-had-a-blast/

01/10/2025

“So cool. Never experienced anything like that before!”

Have a read of Tom Dale Company's latest blog post on bringing SURGE VR to Derby Festé.

Did you get the chance to experience their digital world? What did you think?

www.tomdale.org.uk/blog/surge-vr-at-derby-fest

30/09/2025

Five minutes for Festé?

We hope you were able to join us last Saturday for an afternoon of Festé fun!

Festé is free to attend and open to all. We really want to keep it that way.

To help us make the case for future funding support, we'd love it if you can you spare a few minutes to complete our short survey. Your opinions about the event are really important to us and we’d love to know what you thought.

As a thank you there is opportunity to enter a prize draw for the chance to win a family ticket to Dick Whittington at Derby Arena.

Thank you!

https://form.jotform.com/252675472441359

28/09/2025

FESTE 25 WAS AN ABSOLUTE BLAST!
We’re still buzzing after yesterday’s spectacular return!

Thank you for packing the Cathedral Quarter Derby and making this year's Feste a resounding success!

You saw it all: gravity-defying circus, high-energy dance, powerful theatre, and a whirlwind of roaming street acts. From the incredible skill of dancing on a giant parasol and daredevil antics with Spinsane to those mischievous Slinkies and our glorious Carnival of Animals—it was pure, non-stop magic.

A massive thank you to our incredible artists and the tireless team working behind the scenes. Most of all, thank you to you, our phenomenal audience, for bringing the energy.

We hope it was a day to remember. Tell us: What was your favourite act this year? Don't forget to tag us in your photos so we can see through your eyes or share them below!

26/09/2025

The wait is almost over! Derby Festé is back tomorrow and we couldn't be more excited!

📍All our events take place right in the heart of the city centre – and the good news is, all the venues are just a short walk apart (no more than 7 minutes!)

We've got a handy map on the Festé website to help you plan your day and easily explore everything Festé has to offer without missing a thing! https://derbyfeste.com/getting-around/

25/09/2025

Coming to see Murmuration Arts Nightlight Lullabies at Festé?

Join Martin glover for a BSL tour. A time to chat and see art works together and explore the rest of Festé too. It includes locals Donna Mullings and Rebecca Withey on screens!

12noon – Meet at Derby Museum and Art Gallery front desk
View Nightlight Lullabies exhibition

1.30pm – Meet at The Museum of Making entrance
View Visual Vernacular for Derby

2.30pm – View other non verbal shows in the programme

https://derbyfeste.com/event/murmuration-arts-nightlight-lullabies/

25/09/2025

Derby Festé 2025 is back this Saturday!

Saturday 27 September, 12noon to 6pm
Derby city centre. Completely FREE and family-friendly

Get ready for a day filled with circus, dance, theatre, music and roaming street performances – all just a few minutes’ walk apart!

Most shows are performed more than once, so you won’t miss a thing. Many are non-verbal or feature BSL/Makaton, making the programme highly accessible.

And the fun doesn’t stop at 6pm! The Festé Fringe keeps the party going into the evening with Soul Sunset at Derby Market Hall, plus live music at various city venues and QUAD’s 17th birthday celebrations.

👉 Full programme, timings & accessibility info: https://derbyfeste.com/derby-feste-2025-heres-what-you-need-to-know/

24/09/2025

Step into another world!

SURGE VR from Tom Dale Company is a 15-minute digital interactive experience where you’ll wear an Oculus VR headset and be transported into a stunning, immersive space.

Inside, you’ll explore four unique VR ‘rooms’ – moving physically (walking, dancing, reaching out) or digitally (by motion control).

Sessions are untethered, safe and suitable for ages 8+, and wheelchair accessible.

Available from 12 to 6pm at QUAD
Booking is advised, but walk-up slots will be available on the day.
Book here: https://derbyfeste.com/event/tom-dale-company-surge-vr-2/

24/09/2025

While you're in town for Derby Festé, be sure to explore the amazing things the city has to offer beyond the festival!

For a deep dive into Derby's history, visit Derby Museums The Museum of Making, where you can discover 300 years of innovation. Next, head to the Derby Museum and Art Gallery to see their some amazing collections, including the world's largest collection of paintings by the 18th-century artist Joseph Wright of Derby. You can also visit Pickford's House, a fascinating Georgian townhouse and museum.

For shopping and dining, explore Derbion or wander through the charming streets of the Cathedral Quarter Derby for independent shops and cafes.

It's going to be a jam-packed day!

23/09/2025

Keep the Derby Festé party going and slide into the evening to the sounds of Northern Soul and Motown!

Head to the official after party at Derby Market Hall where Derby’s own DJ Jack Stevenson will be spinning the sounds that defined an underground culture.

The Market Hall is also the perfect place for a bite to eat or drink, with a mix of traders and pop-up stalls offering international street food and refreshments; you can grab a drink from Spirit Run, Market Porter or Caffe Prosecco, or enjoy a coffee and gelato from Nico’s or Olivia’s. Check out the full list of traders here: https://www.derbymarkethall.co.uk/traders/ and enjoy the day!

You can also catch a fantastic line-up of performances at the Market Hall throughout the day including dance from Theatre Company , the hilarious Slinkie walkabout 'Big Mob' from Bedlam Oz, and the wondrous creatures of The Fabularium's 'The Carnival of the Animals'.

22/09/2025

22/09/2025

Coming to Derby Festé with the kids?

Here are some top picks for an unforgettable experience...

Spinsane
If you're looking for the "wow" factor, don't miss Spinsane! It's an aerial circus show performed on a giant, revolving parasol, offering a dynamic and high-energy spectacle for all ages.

Pirate Taxi
Pirate Taxi is an extraordinary aerial circus performance set in, on, and around an old-school London taxi, complete with live music

Fishboy
Perfect for the whole family, Fishboy is a captivating dance-theatre adventure that follows a young boy on a quest to save his river.

The Fabularium: Carnival of the Animals
Join a wondrous collection of woodland creatures as they share stories of courage and adventure, accompanied by songs of celebration and friendship.

Big Mob
Keep an eye out for the mischievous Slinkies! The "Big Mob" walkabout performance features giant, choreographed slinkies that pop up with mini street shows. Audience participation is encouraged!

Hikapee
A beautiful and gravity-defying show that combines acrobatics and trapeze with a powerful story of friendship.

Scott Walker's Up Against the Wall
Get creative with artist and cartoonist Scott Walker on a giant, street-style doodle art piece. It's an interactive and fun way for the whole family to contribute to a huge canvas.

There's so much more to see too - so check out the full line up here: https://derbyfeste.com/line-up/