Things to Do This Week: 600 Drones, Handmade Treasures, and a Halloween Stroll That Won’t Scar the Kids

Morning! Big weekend ahead. The sky’s turning into a sci-fi movie with Space Safari lighting up Saturday night, while Elvaston Castle’s new SpookyTime trail serves spooky without the screaming. If you prefer daylight and a bit of retail therapy, The Craft & Flea Market is packed with local makers, candles, ceramics and more excuses to “support small.” Whether you’re into drones, pumpkins or pottery, this weekend’s looking pretty full.

Local Scoop Derby

📅 WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK?

🦁✨ - Space Safari - The Night the Sky’s Hosting a UFO Show (Minus the Abduction)
📍 - The County Ground
📅 - Saturday 18th October
⏰ - 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Main Show at 7:00 PM)
🎟️ - Tickets from £25 - Selling Fast!
📷 - @lumina.skytheatre @cricketderbyshire

Six hundred drones, one huge story of love and courage, and a soundtrack that’ll shake the stars. Space Safari turns the night sky into a full-blown cinematic show, complete with lights, music and a bit of sci-fi flair. There’s food, fairground rides, gaming stalls and it’s even dog friendly. Narrated by BAFTA’s Michaela Strachan, this one’s got “best night of autumn” written all over it.

MONDAY

The Wild Chef Ralph Skripek - Milly Mays Coffee Shop Mickleover
6:00 PM | More Info

TUESDAY

Free Antiques Valuation & Buying Day - St Peter’s Church Hall (Chellaston)
10:30 AM | More Info

Home Energy Advice Service - St John’s Church Allestree
12:30 PM | More Info

An Evening of Mediumship with Lisa Bonito - Milly Mays Coffee Shop Mickleover
6:00 PM | More Info

Silent Book Club/Craft Group - Carnero Lounge
6:00 PM | More Info

WEDNESDAY

Derby City Ghost Tour - The Old Bell Hotel
7:00 PM | More Info

Free Comedy Night - The Courtyard
8:00 PM | More Info

THURSDAY

Haart Derby Property Recruitment Evening - 24 Corn Market
4:00 PM | More Info

Derby Diwali Celebration - Derby Market Hall
5:30 PM | More Info

An Evening with David Maddock – Psychic Readings, Crystals & Connection - Derbion - 6:00 PM | More Info

FRIDAY

Pumpkins & Cocktails (Adults Only) - Brunswood Farm
6:00 PM | More Info

Scream Time The Reaper’s Reckoning - Elvaston Castle
7:00 PM | More Info

Taylor Swift Tribute with Rosie Nock - Derby Market Hall
7:00 PM | More Info

Queen by Candlelight - Derby Cathedral
7:30 PM | More Info

SATURDAY:

60 Years of Alpina - Great Northern Classics
10:00 AM | More Info

Yoga & Wellbeing Day - Elephant Rooms (Draycott)
10:00 AM | More Info

Torch Lit Pumpkin Picking - Brunswood Farm
10:30 AM | More Info

Little Children’s Market - Derby Arena
11:00 AM | More Info

Eco Pop Up Women’s Clothing Swish & Exchange - Dubrek Studios
12:00 PM | More Info

Littleover Park Walk - King George V Fields Car Park
2:00 PM | More Info

BYOB Night - Derby Computer Museum
6:00 PM | More Info

ABBA Sensation Tribute Act - Derby Conference Centre
7:00 PM | More Info

Celine Dion by Candlelight - Derby Cathedral
7:30 PM | More Info

SUNDAY: 

National Track Series - Derby Arena
9:00 AM | More Info

Torque & Tea - Great Northern Classics
10:00 AM | More Info

KCW Wrestling Fight of The Living Dead - Hairy Dog
2:00 PM | More Info

🍔 SCRUMPTIOUS SCOOP

🇮🇳 - Amad - Indian Dining With Serious Style
📍 - 288 Burton Rd
⏰ - Monday to Sunday: Breakfast 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
⏰ - Lunch & Dinner: 2:00 PM - Late
📷 - @amadrestaurant

Amad takes everything you love about Indian food and turns the dial up. It’s bold, lively, and full of personality, mixing street food energy with polished presentation. Every dish feels like a celebration, packed with flavour and attitude that keeps you reaching for another bite. Even breakfast gets the full Desi treatment, so you can start your day with spice and style. Bring an appetite and prepare to talk about it for days.

🎭 ACTIVITY ALLEY

🛍️ - Craft & Flea Makers Market - Handmade Finds and Feel-Good Shopping
📍 - Reach Conference Centre
📅 - Saturday 18th October
⏰ - 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
🎟️ - £2.50 Entry | Under 12s Free
📷 - @thecraftandflea

The Craft & Flea Market brings together some of the best local makers, collectors and creatives for a day of shopping that actually feels good. Browse ceramics, candles, art prints, jewellery and loads of little gems, all made or sourced by independent traders who love their craft. If you like backing small businesses and bagging one-offs, this is your kind of Saturday.

🌟 FRESH EXPERIENCES

🎃 - SpookyTime The Halloween Night That Won’t Traumatise Your Kids (Or You)
📍 - Elvaston Castle Country Park
📅 - Friday 17th Oct
⏰ - Evening Sessions
🎟️ - From £20 | Ages 7+ Recommended
📷 - @elvastonestate @screamtimeuk

Want Halloween fun without the full-blown fright fest? SpookyTime gets it right. It’s a spooky stroll through Elvaston’s glowing woods with pumpkins, cheeky ghosts and actors who keep things fun instead of frightening. There’s trick-or-treat stops, hot food and plenty of chances to prove you’re braver than you look. It’s playful, spooky and just the right level of brave, the kind of night you’ll enjoy as much as the kids.

🎶 LIVE MUSIC

Wednesday

• Open Mic Night - Royal Telegraph - 7:00 PM

• Irish Session - Victoria Inn - 7:00 PM

Thursday

• Samantics Live - Old Bell Hotel - 7:00 PM

• Ding n John Open Mic Night - Prince of Wales Spondon - 7:30 PM

• The Smyths - Flowerpot - 9:00 PM

Friday

• John Otway & Wild Willy Barrett - Hairy Dog - 7:00 PM

• And Still I Rise - Baby People - 7:00 PM

• Whatnot - Dubrek Studios - 7:00 PM

• Little Black Book - Derby Jazz (Chapel Street Arts Centre) - 8:00 PM

• R&B Classics Night - Nunsfield House - 8:00 PM

• Friday Night Karaoke - Prince of Wales Spondon - 8:00 PM

• Strange Days - Needles Pub - 9:00 PM

• Love Distraction - Flowerpot - 9:00 PM

• Indie Division - The Woodlands Allestree - 9:00 PM

Saturday

• Show Me Love - Electric Daisy - 2:00 PM

• Sam Scherdel - Dubrek Studios - 7:00 PM

• Sophie Sax Live - Derby Market Hall - 7:00 PM

• Diwali Bollywood Night - Fat Cat - 9:00 PM

• Nine Below Zero - Flowerpot - 9:00 PM

• Parasite Eve Club - Hairy Dog - 11:00 PM

Sunday

• P.A.I.N Model of Truth - Victoria Inn - 2:00 PM

• DJ Andy Derby Practica - Spondon Village Hall - 3:30 PM

• Junction - Smithfield - 4:00 PM

• Bootleg Weller - Needles Pub - 6:00 PM

☁️ WEEKEND WEATHER

Friday
15°C 🌡️ 8°C | Overcast.

Saturday
15°C 🌡️ 6°C | Overcast.

Sunday
16°C 🌡️ 6°C | Cloudy.
Temperature readings taken from the Met Office the night before publication

THANKS!

Thanks for reading Local Scoop Derby today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone who loves Derby as much as you do.

The Local Scoop Derby

MESSAGE US!

Have feedback for us or want to get your business in front of Derby locals? Email us at [email protected] or DM us at @local_scoop_derby