Derby Season of Light returns with inspiring arts activities

Surtal Arts has announced that the Derby Season of Light will return in 2025, with a range of inspiring arts activities planned.

Now in its fifth year, the family-friendly festival will begin on 22 October and conclude on 5 December.

It will include family-friendly lantern-making workshops, Derby Lantern Parade, plus special events ‘Surya’ and ‘Roshni’.

Derby Season of Light celebrates the city’s diversity and creativity, embracing traditional cultural festivals including Diwali, Rabi’ Al-Awwal, Hanukkah, Bonfire Night, Christmas, and the upcoming Chinese New Year, which all share the common theme of ‘light’.

A series of inspiring arts activities and events will take place across Derby and Derbyshire shining a spotlight on the universal theme of ‘Light, Peace and Friendship’.

Curated by Surtal Arts, the celebrations begin with ‘Surya’, a specially commissioned Indian dance and music performance by the National Trust, on Wednesday 22 October, at Kedleston Hall

Derby Lantern Parade is the Season of Light flagship event and will light up the city centre on on Thursday 27 November from 5pm.

Organised in partnership with Derby LIVE, which is behind the Festive Derby events programme, this year’s parade serves as a precursor event to the Christmas Lights Switch-On.

There is a chance to join the parade by bringing your own eco-friendly Diwali lantern, made in advance at a lantern-making workshop using biodegradable materials.

The lantern-making workshops take place from 29 October to 16 November at various locations.

They are suitable for individuals or families with children aged five and above and cost £5 per person per lantern.

To book places click here Diwali Special Lantern Making | Surtal Arts .

Gopa Nath, artistic director at Surtal Arts, said: “Derby always amazes me, there is so much creativity, talent and goodwill among the community that it has been a joy curating this year’s Derby Season Of Light.

“We feel the arts have a role in breaking down barriers and making Derby an even more friendly place.

“Partnering with community groups is important to us, to involve people who have never previously engaged with arts and cultural activities.”

For details of all Derby Season of Light events click here https://www.surtalarts.co.uk/our-events .