Things to do this week including: The Derby Folk Festival! And a Mega Baby & Children’s Market at Pride Park!

Morning! This weekend belongs to the banjos. Derby Folk Festival is back, flooding the city centre with fiddles, singing and more foot-tapping than a ceilidh on caffeine. Pubs, street corners and venues across the Cathedral Quarter will be alive with live music, storytelling and the odd spontaneous harmony. Elsewhere, there’s apple pressing at Elvaston, a mega baby market for bargain hunters and a brand-new coffee spot brewing up in Shelton Lock. Whatever your tune, the weekend’s got rhythm.

Local Scoop Derby

📅 WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK?

🎻🪗 - Derby Folk Festival - Beer, Banjos and a Bit of Foot Stomping
📍 - Across the Cathedral Quarter
📅 - Fri 10th - Sun 12th October
⏰ - All Weekend
🎟️ - Tickets from £20 Plus Free Fringe Events
📷 - @derbyfolk

Derby Folk Festival returns with three days of live music, storytelling and singalongs spread across the Cathedral Quarter. From street performers and ceilidhs to pint-in-hand concerts at The Old Bell. The City Centre fills with fiddles, harmonies and the odd spontaneous dance, making it one of the year’s best excuses to stay out far too late.

WEDNESDAY

Derby Writer’s Critique Group - Victoria Inn
4:00 PM | More Info

Bar 189 Running Club - 189 Allestree
6:00 PM | More Info

Sip and Paint Night - The Hoptimist
6:45 PM | More Info

Bachata Wednesdays - The Waterfall
7:00 PM | More Info

Painting Party - The Distillery
7:00 PM | More Info

Derby Property Meet Event - Nelsons Solicitors
6:30 PM | More Info

Pub Quiz - The Bless
9:00 PM | More Info

THURSDAY

Beer and Gin Festival (Till Sunday) - Mickleover Golf Club
12:00 PM | More Info

Mystery Tasting A Blind Tour For Bold Drinkers - The Iron Ram
7:00 PM | More Info

Real Talk - Dubrek Studios
7:00 PM | More Info

Derby Whisky Tasting Club - The Royal Standard
7:30 PM | More Info

FRIDAY

Derby Gets Winter Ready Support Event - Haven Christian Centre
9:30 AM | More Info

Psychic Night - Kingsway Pub Mackworth
7:00 PM | More Info

Singles Social Meet Up / Mixer - Carnero Lounge
7:30 PM | More Info

Silver Soiree Freestyle - Ceroc Derby
8:00 PM | More Info

Stargazing - Sunnydale Park Littleover
8:00 PM | More Info

SATURDAY:

The Little Dog Yard Sale - Mansfield Road
10:00 AM | More Info

The Derbyshire Markers Artisan Market - Derby Cathedral
10:00 AM | More Info

School of Witchcraft & Wizardry 2025 - Bluebell Dairy
10:00 AM | More Info

The Diva Sing Along Brunch - Niccos Restaurant
1:00 PM | More Info

A Little Jazz Mass with Derventio Choir - St Nicholas Church
1:00 PM | More Info

Dance & Craft Workshops For Derby Folk Festival - Derby Market Hall
12:00 PM | More Info

LGBT Derby Cafe Meet Up - Coffee 1
2:00 PM | More Info

Astronauts: The Quest to Explore Space - Vaillant Live
1:30 PM | More Info

SUNDAY: 

Takona X - Great Northern Classics
9:00 AM | More Info

Tiny Kickers Football Classes - Mickleover Community Pavilion Association
9:00 AM | More Info

Social Dog Walk - Elvaston Castle
9:30 AM | More Info

Spindle Workshop - Museum of Making
10:00 AM | More Info

School of Witchcraft & Wizardry 2025 - Bluebell Dairy
10:00 AM | More Info

Befriend Your Nervous System - Breathing Space Yoga Studio
2:00 PM | More Info

Reiki Crystal Healing Circle - Gong Space
3:00 PM | More Info

🍔 SCRUMPTIOUS SCOOP

☕🍰 - Insomnia Coffee Company - Shelton Lock’s New Caffeine Fix
📍 - Inside Co-op, 221 Chellaston Road, Shelton Lock
⏰ - Mon - Sat: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
⏰ - Sun: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
📷 - @insomniacoffeeco

Shelton Lock’s got itself a new caffeine HQ. Insomnia Coffee Company is now pouring everything from caramel macchiatos and flat whites to Belgian hot chocolates that could ruin all other hot chocolates for you. Pair it with a croissant, brownie or a Biscoff Icecap if you’re feeling bold.

Spacious, friendly and right inside the Co-op, it’s the ideal spot for a mid-shop coffee or a much-needed break from real life.

🎭 ACTIVITY ALLEY

🍎🌳 - Apple Day - Pressing, Picking and Plenty of Cider
📍 - Elvaston Castle
📅 - Sat 11th October
⏰ - 10:30 AM - 3:30 PM
🎟️ - Free Admission
📷 - @elvastonestate

Elvaston Castle is going full orchard mode for Apple Day. You’ll find apple pressing, pick-your-own apples, BBQ smoke in the air, cider in hand and storytelling to keep the kids busy. It’s free, family-friendly and you’ll probably leave wondering how many apple crumbles one person can realistically eat in a week.

🌟 FRESH EXPERIENCES

🧸🍼 - Derby Mega Baby & Children’s Market - Big Savings for Little People
📍 - Reach Conference Centre
📅 - Sat 11th October
⏰ - 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
🎟️ - £2.50 Early Bird | Free Entry After 10:10 AM
📷 - @ruthbabymarkets

Parents, brace yourselves. This market’s got 60 stalls packed with nearly new toys, clothes, prams and everything else small humans require. It’s the place to swap spending a fortune for scoring a bargain, with prices so low you’ll wonder why you ever paid full whack. Early birds get first pick and usually walk out looking smug for good reason.

🎶 LIVE MUSIC

Wednesday

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

Friday

• Winter Wilson - Derby Folk Festival - 7:00 PM

• Floodhounds - Hairy Dog - 7:00 PM

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

• Trace - Needles Pub - 9:00 PM

• The Lowriders - Flowerpot - 9:00 PM

Saturday

• Fractle Temple - The Church Derby - 7:00 PM

• Rock of Ages Experience - Hairy Dog - 8:00 PM

• Strange Company - Spondon Liberal Club - 8:30 PM

• Tom Petty Preservation Society - Flowerpot - 9:00 PM

Sunday

• Romy & James Abbott - Victoria Inn - 3:00 PM

• Bandioke - Needles Pub - 4:00 PM

• Midnight Shift - Prince of Wales - 4:00 PM

• Unchained - The Smithfield - 4:00 PM

• Peashooter Live - Horse & Groom - 9:00 PM

☁️ WEEKEND WEATHER

Friday
16°C 🌡️ 9°C | Overcast.

Saturday
15°C 🌡️ 9°C | Overcast.

Sunday
14°C 🌡️ 9°C | Cloudy.
Temperature readings taken from the Met Office the night before publication

THANKS!

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