Deck the Hall this Christmas!
Tue 28 Oct 2025
Derby Market Hall is set to be the star of the show this festive season as it celebrates its first Christmas since its £35.1 million restoration. With a bustling host of independent local traders, festive pop-up markets, diverse eateries, bars, free entertainment – even Santa and his elves – all under its iconic Victorian roof, the Grade II-listed Market Hall is a go-to destination for Christmas shopping and festive gatherings.
The festivities kick off in style on the evening of Thursday 27 November with Derby’s Christmas Lights Switch On and Season of Light Lantern Parade. The Market Hall will be open with shopping – including a special night market pop-up – dining and free entertainment until 10pm.
West End star David Kettle will take to the Market stage with his sensational musical leading ladies for a sparkling evening of festive cheer! Earlier in the day, the talented Courtney May will be performing timeless, festive-inspired hits.
This year’s Festive Derby Light Trail, produced by the Cathedral Quarter and St Peter’s Quarter Business Improvement District (BIDs) in partnership with Derby City Council, will weave directly through the historic Market Hall. The illuminated trail will lead visitors from St Peter’s Cross to Osnabruck Square, where they can sit among twinkling gonks, reindeer, and even a polar bear!
Then journey through Derby Market Hall, walking beneath the towering golden star, before heading out to the Market Place, where a giant teddy bear overlooks the Cathedral Quarter Ice Rink, and on to Derby Cathedral. The Light Trail will be illuminated at the Switch-On and runs until New Year’s Eve.
From Sat 29 Nov, the Market Hall will have some very special visitors, as it welcomes Father Christmas and his elves for the festive season. Families will be able to meet the man himself at The Cathedral Quarter Grotto, sponsored by the Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement District (BID). Each child will receive a special gift and families can take their own photographs with Santa and his elves. Tickets are £4.50 and can be booked online.
Cllr Nadine Peatfield, Leader of Derby City Council and Cabinet Member for City Centre, Regeneration, Strategy and Policy, said:
I’m thrilled that our beautiful Victorian Market Hall is open for business this Christmas. I’ve pledged to do all my Christmas shopping at the Market Hall this year to support our wonderful local traders and I’d love for you to do the same.
There will be so much going on, from Christmas markets to workshops and so much entertainment. Gather your family and friends and come along to Derby Market Hall for a truly magical festive experience.
A stack of festive events starts with Derby's Ethical Christmas Market on Sat 29 Nov from 10am until 3pm, featuring more than 30 ethical and sustainable businesses, creative workshops and live music from a local choir.
Get your Christmas shopping sewn up with Derby Market Hall's Festive Markets which will be running on selected dates from Sun 30 Nov right up until Christmas Eve. Discover a winter wonderland with a changing line-up of pop-up traders with unique gifts, delicious treats, and festive decorations. Support local businesses and soak up the seasonal atmosphere with this truly magical Christmas shopping experience! All the Festive Market dates are on the Derby Market Hall website.
For those looking for a creative night out, why not try a Festive Sip & Paint workshop Join Bethany Gilsenan Illustration for a fun-filled evening of prosecco and watercolour Christmas card painting in the Ordish Room. Sessions take place on Sat 29 Nov and Sat 6 Dec from 5pm-7pm. Places cost £36 and must be booked in advance.
For something completely different, on Sat 13 Dec the stars of Derby-based Aspire Wrestling return to the Market Hall for Christmas Chaos! It will feature British wrestling and WWE UK star Tyson T-Bone and Giant Haystacks Junior – son of legendary British wrestler Giant Haystacks, plus special guests. Tickets for the event, which starts at 6.30pm, are available now priced at £7.50.
Of course, Derby Market Hall always has a feast of free live music, and Christmas is no exception! Festive highlights include the Rock of Ages Choir on Fri 5 Dec, with a set list full of Christmas sing-alongs and classics, mixed with some of the choir’s trademark pop, rock and soul songs.
There will be stunning vocal performances from local choirs Derby A Cappella (Sun 7 Dec), the Silvertones Choir (Tue 9 Dec) and Derby Choral Union (Sat 13 Dec) to get everyone in the Christmas spirit.
The Market Hall’s Quiz Night at Caffè Prosecco will also have a festive edition on Fri 19 Dec so get your team together get ready use your brainpower to bag some goodies. All of this will be alongside the regular programme of weekly live music, monthly Student Night, Open Mic Night and Karaoke.
Keep checking the Derby Market Hall website for details of all the events! You can also follow Derby Market Hall on Facebook and Instagram.