Great activities in Derby over the Summer Holidays

In Derby Six Sun, Kix

Tue 12 Jun 2018

There’s plenty to do in Derby this summer holidays, from Markeaton Park to the Guildhall Theatre, from Derby Arena to Derby Libraries, there’s something for everyone.

Derby Parks will be the place for kids to be this summer, whether splashing around in Markeaton Park paddling pool, playing in the Alvaston Park sand pit or exploring the multiplay at Derby Arboretum. This summer put on your favourite superhero outfit, grab your picnic basket, and come on down to Derby Parks for Superhero Picnic in the Park! On Tuesday 31 July at Markeaton Park, Wednesday 1 August at Chaddesden Park and Thursday 2 August at Darley Park this completely free event is the place to be to celebrate Love Parks week. There will be sports and craft activities, try it sessions, a superhero trail, face painting and much more for the whole family to enjoy. 

Why don't you head over to Derby Arena for a cycle-tastic summer? Kids and adults alike don’t need to be experienced beyond riding a bike to try out track cycling at Derby Arena. Youth beginner cycling sessions  or a family track cycling session are the ideal way to enjoy this fantastic sport for the first time this summer. See the full programme of cycling here

Kids can dive in at Queen’s Leisure Centre this summer, at Pool Party or Family Splash sessions. 11 to 16 year olds can now try out Junior Aqua, a fun workout to music in the water, see the holiday programme at Queen's here.

Springwood Leisure Centre is bringing the party this summer with Disco Fever, where under 12s can dance to the latest music, feel the beat and get their groove on for just £3 each. If kids want to get more active they can take part in a great game of dodgeball. See the programme of events at Springwood here.

There’ll be plenty of excitement in Markeaton Park Craft Village this summer as our Outdoor Theatre and Cinema season returns. You can enjoy outdoor theatre favourites Oddsocks Productions’ Romeo & Juliet showing from 24 to 26 July. Watch Shakespeare with a Mod and Rockers twist all in the beautiful setting of the craft village. Buy your tickets here.

Why not get involved with a unique interactive experience with A Wild Walk: The Golden Thief of Markeaton Park as Babbling Vagabonds lead you on an outdoor theatrical walk around Markeaton from Friday 27 to Tuesday 31 July. Children are bound to enjoy Squashbox’s Stones & Bones, and Curious Creatures  from the 9 to 11 August. Stones & Bones is a chance to keep kids learning outside of school with an educational show all about archaeology and fossils, promising thrills and spills and plenty of laughs. Curious Creatures  will teach kids about creatures of all shapes and sizes, featuring puppets, comedy, slapstick and live music, with amazing natural history facts. 

This summer, kids can take part in a week-long series of workshops aimed at improving their musical theatre skills. The Summer Musical Theatre School workshops are once again being run by Enchanted Entertainment who will give children an energetic, fun-filled week, learning songs and routines from a variety of well-known West End and Broadway musicals and then performing in the show itself on the final Saturday. The Summer School is about getting young people (aged 8-16) involved in performing, whatever their experience or ability. The workshops take place from Monday 30 July to Friday 3 August and at the end of the week, children put all their hard work into two performances on the stage in front of a live audience at Deda on Saturday 4 August! Book your place online here.

From Saturday 14 July to Saturday 15 September kids can take part in our Summer Reading Challenge. Pranks are on the cards this year with The Reading Agency’s Mischief Makers themed reading challenge, focusing on the mischief and pranks inspired by and celebrating the 80th anniversary of the much-loved iconic children’s comic title Beano. Children are challenged to read any six books during the summer holidays, whether stories, fact books or picture books, it’s up to them. The challenge is supported by a host of free events across Derby Libraries in the summer, taking place at Alvaston Library, Mickleover Library and the new Riverside Library. Full details about the Summer Reading Challenge, including how to get involved and the events programme can be found here.

To finish off a wonderful summer holiday Derby’s much loved classical concert, The Hannells Darley Park Concert is back on Sunday 2 September. The whole family can enjoy an evening of classical music and fireworks, for the perfect family outing before the kids go back to school. So bring your picnic along and be part of one of the UK’s biggest outdoor classical concerts, in the stunning natural amphitheatre that is Darley Park. James Holmes is back to conduct Sinfonia Viva, who are supported by Rolls-Royce. Soloists Mary Carewe and Andy Quinn will lead the vocal numbers. Find out more and buy your early bird tickets here.