Things to Do This Weekend in Derby: Fun Fest at Derby Arena, Motor Feast at Elvaston Castle & an 80s Day Disco!

Morning Derby! The school holidays are here and so are the big events. Derby Arena’s turning 10 with a family fun fest stacked with inflatables, bikes, and Bluebells ice cream. Elvaston Castle’s rolling out classic cars, a Spitfire flypast, and Star Wars characters for Motor Feast. Denby Pottery Village is hosting a summer fête with alpacas, pony rides, and a BBQ worth the drive, while The Church is bringing five hours of 80s anthems for the grown-ups. Whatever your weekend looks like, there’s plenty to dive into.

— Local Scoop Derby

📅 WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS WEEK?

🎉 - Arena Fun Fest - The Perfect Holiday Energy Burner for the Kids
📍 - Derby Arena
📅 - Saturday 26th July
⏰ - 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
🎟️ - £2 per person (under 2s go free)
📷 - @derby_active

School’s out and Derby Arena’s throwing a 10th birthday bash big enough to wear the kids out. Inflatables, balance bikes, soft play, dodgeball, and even a fire engine in the afternoon. There’ll be steel drum performances, live cycling demos, and Bluebells ice cream to keep energy levels topped up. All for £2 a head, and everything’s included.

FRIDAY:

Brick by Brick Festival - Derby Cathedral
9:00 AM | More Info

Moofest - Bluebell Dairy
10:00 AM | More Info

School’s Out Kids Disco - King’s Highway Pub
4:00 PM | More Info

Cows & Cocktails (Adults Only) - Bluebell Dairy
6:00 PM | More Info

Luxe Craft & Sip - Derbion
6:30 PM | More Info

SATURDAY:

Tiny Kickers Football Classes - Mickelover Community Pavillion
9:00 AM | More Info

Funko Day - Forbidden Planet
9:30 AM | More Info

Little Diggers Garden Club - Boulton
10:00 AM | More Info

Ford Show - Great Northern Classics
10:00 AM | More Info

Big Football Day Taster Sessions (Girls Aged 5-8) - Moorways
11:00 AM | More Info

Sip n Paint - Mosaic at The Mills
4:00 PM | More Info

SUNDAY:

Derby Motor Feast - Elvaston Castle Country Park
10:00 AM | More Info

Lafternoon Comedy - The Greyhound
4:30 PM | More Info

Salsa Sundays - Revolucion de Cuba
6:30 PM | More Info

🍔 SCRUMPTIOUS SCOOPS

🌿 - The Garden Restaurant - Afternoon Tea and Accidental Plant Shopping
📍 - Swarkestone Nursery
⏰ - Mon - Sat: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
⏰ - Sun: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
📷 - @swarkestone_nursery

The Garden Restaurant at Swarkestone takes café food and gives it a Sunday-best twist. Towering cakes, hefty breakfasts, and an afternoon tea that earns its own fan club. It’s bright, airy, and perfect for family outings, with the bonus danger of wandering out through the garden centre and convincing yourself that, yes, you do need another hanging basket.

🎭 ACTIVITY ALLEY

🎵 - 80s Day Disco - Madonna, Mix Tapes and Moves You Forgot You Had
📍 - The Church
📅 - Saturday 26th July
⏰ - 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM
🎟️ - Tickets from £12.50
📷 - @daytimediscoevents

The Church is turning back the clock for a five-hour 80s takeover. Madonna, Bon Jovi, Bowie, and a playlist stacked with synths, singalongs, and shoulder pads. There’ll be retro photo ops, flashing lights, and a dance floor buzzing with moves you thought you’d retired. Strictly 18+ and tickets are flying out, so grab yours while you still can.

🌟 FRESH EXPERIENCES

🎪 - Denby Pottery Village Fête: Alpacas, BBQ & Giant Deckchairs
📍 - Denby Pottery Village
📅 - Sunday 27th July
⏰ - 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
🎟️ - Free Entry & Parking
📷 - @denbypotteryvillage

It’s all going down at Denby this Sunday. Alpaca trekking, pony rides, face painting, animal encounters, and enough tombolas to bankrupt you in £1.50 chunks. There’s a choir, craft stalls, a BBQ from Greedy Pig Butchers, and food tastings in the farm shop. Dogs welcome, cash recommended, giant deckchair selfies essential.

🎶 LIVE MUSIC

Friday

• King Abyss - Victoria Inn - 7:00 PM

• David Kettle & Clare Andress Live - Derby Market Hall

Saturday

• REM Sessions - Mr Shaws House - 4:00 PM

• Monkey Tennis Live - Shardlow Village Hall - 7:00 PM

• Clare Andress Live - Derby Market Hall - 7:00 PM

• The Mighty Traitors - Smithfield - 8:00 PM

• Taking it Back to the 90’s - King’s Highway Pub - 8:00 PM

• 5Heads - Needles Pub - 9:00 PM

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

Sunday

• Soul of Fleetwood Mac - Smithfield - 4:00 PM

• Gypsy SoFM Live - Smithfield - 4:00 PM

• Sarah-Kathleen Live - Seven Wells Etwall - 4:00 PM

☁️ WEEKEND WEATHER

Friday
25°C 🌡️ 14°C | Sunny changing to partly cloudy by nighttime.

Saturday
23°C 🌡️ 13°C | Sunny intervals changing to cloudy by late morning.

Sunday
22°C 🌡️ 14°C | Sunny intervals changing to cloudy by late morning.
Temperature readings taken from the Met Office the night before publication

THANKS!

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The Local Scoop Derby

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