Things to do in Derby this weekend including: The Gin & Rum Festival and a car meet that’ll make your Micra cry!

Morning Derby!
Your weekend forecast: gin by the gallon, gardens looking fit, and Japanese cars showing off louder than a stag do in Ibiza. Whether you're here for the booze, the blooms, or just want to stare at a shiny Skyline, there's plenty to keep you busy.

Loads more happening too – from an inflatable family fun day at the rugby club to a repair cafe. Basically, no excuse to stay in your joggers on the sofa.

— Local Scoop Derby

📅 WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK?

🍹 - Gin & Rum Festival – 120 Spirits & No Responsible Decisions
📍 - The Chocolate Factory
📅 - Saturday 7th June
⏰ - 12:30 PM
🎟️ - From £12
📷 – @bustler_derby

This one’s all about booze, beats and questionable choices. Expect over 120 gins, rums, tequilas and cocktails, a DJ spinning all day, free samples, branded swag, and snacks to soak up the damage. Whether you’re here to sip and swirl or go full “I’ll try one of everything,” you’re in for a good time. Over 18s only – and yes, there’s a free drink on exit, just in case you need one for the road (metaphorically, obviously).

FRIDAY:

Derby In-Person Networking - Insomnia Cafe
8:00 AM – More Info

Ram Comedy Festival - Dubrek Studios
6:30 PM – More Info

Harry Jenkins - Royal Standard
8:00 PM – More Info

SATURDAY:

Derby Silk Mill Lockout Festival - Derby Market Place
10:00 AM – More Info

The Spanker's Vintage Day - Nether Heage
10:30 AM – More Info

Inflatable Family Fun Day - Derby Rugby Club
10:30 AM – More Info

Summer Gift & Craft Fair - Melbourne Animal Farm
11:00 AM – More Info

Derby Repair Cafe - West End Community Centre
1:00 PM – More Info

Community Picnic - King George Park Littleover
2:00 PM – More Info

Yoga In The Park - Clemsons Park
2:00 PM – More Info

SUNDAY:

Labrador Cafe Derby - Revolucion de Cuba
11:00 AM – More Info

Derby Barrio Fiesta 2025 - Island Project Draycott
10:00 AM – More Info

💼 BIZ BITE OF THE WEEK

🚲 – Get Your Bike Sorted by the Legends at Ayup Bikes
📍 – Derby Market Hall & Unit 3, Coburn Place
📷 – @ayupbikes

Got a bike that sounds like it’s begging for retirement? These lot will have it running smoother than your uncle’s chat at the pub. Ayup Bikes is Derby’s very own community-run repair crew, offering no-nonsense fixes, classes, and second-hand bikes that won’t break the bank (or your knees).

They're also popping up at Electric Daisy this Sunday – come for the tunes, stay for a tyre check.

🍔 SCRUMPTIOUS SCOOPS

🥪 – Flat Iron Toasties, Espresso That Slaps & Brownies Worth Fighting Over
📍 – Sudbury Courtyard, Sudbury, Ashbourne, DE6 5HS
⏰ – Tuesday to Sunday, 9am–4pm
📸 – @thesudburystables

Say hello to Sudbury Stables – the brunch spot with toasties that melt your soul, brownies that should come with a warning label, and a coffee blend so smooth it could talk its way out of a speeding ticket. The menu’s stacked with crowd-pleasers, from mochas to moody flat whites, all served in a courtyard made for loafing.

🎭 ACTIVITY ALLEY

🌼 - Draycott Open Gardens Festival – Plants, Paint & Pottery
📍 - Draycott Village
📅 - Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th June
⏰ - 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
🎟️ - £5 per adult (Under 18s free) – More Info
📷 - @draycottvillagefund

Wander through Draycott’s prettiest gardens like you’re on Gardeners’ World, minus Monty Don. Expect live music in random hedges, a flower-arranging demo, oil painting, pottery, and more tea and cake than your waistband’s ready for. Tickets include a map (because gardens don’t come with sat-nav), and you can pay in cash like it’s 1999. A wholesome weekend with strong village fête energy.

🌟 FRESH EXPERIENCES

🚗 - Takona Japanese Car Meet – Skylines, Suzukis & Seriously Good Coffee
📍 - Great Northern Classics, 274–278 Osmaston Road, Derby, DE24 8AE
📅 - Saturday 8th June
⏰ - 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
🎟️ - Free Entry
📷 - @greatnorthernclassics

Over 100 Japanese motors, a JDM indoor display, hot food, decent coffee, and the kind of car chat that’ll make your inner petrolhead weep with joy. From Skylines to Suzukis, it’s all welcome – and so are you, even if you rock up in a battered Micra. Free to attend, friendly vibes, and enough chrome and exhausts to keep your camera roll full.

🎶 LIVE MUSIC

Friday

• Nerdvana - Victoria Inn - 6:00 PM

• The Detroits - Spondon Liberal Club - 8:30 PM

• Tribute to Queen - Flowerpot - 9:00 PM

Saturday

• Heretic + As Darkness - Victoria Inn - 7:00 PM

• Barioke - Needles Pub - 8:00 PM

• V8 - Smithfield - 8:00 PM

• Freddie - Royal Telegraph - 8:00 PM

• Ultimate Coldplay - Flowerpot - 9:00 PM

• Cranberry Flick - Spondon Liberal Club - 9:00 PM

• No Sleep Til Elms Street - Horse and Groom - 9:00 PM

• Panic at The Emo - Hairy Dog - 11:00 PM

Sunday

• Acoustic Sundays - Victoria Inn - 3:00 PM

• Idol Maiden - Smithfield - 4:00 PM

• Starscreen - Flowerpot - 4:00 PM

• Midnight Shift - White Horse - 4:30 PM

☁️ WEEKEND WEATHER SPONSORED BY ONE|DZ GYM

Friday
18°C 🌡️ 10°C | Heavy rain changing to sunny intervals by late morning.

Saturday
17°C 🌡️ 10°C | Light rain.

Sunday
17°C 🌡️ 10°C | Sunny intervals changing to partly cloudy by nighttime.
Temperature readings taken from the Met Office the night before publication

THANKS!

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The Local Scoop Derby

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