Full line-up announced for the Darley Park Concert 2026

Excitement is building for the traditional Darley Park Concert, the grand finale of The Darley Park Weekender 2026 organised by Derby LIVE.

At the heart of the performance on Sunday 23 August will be Derby’s own award-winning orchestra, Sinfonia Viva.

The ensemble has been the cornerstone of the concert for over three decades, consistently delivering joyful and inspiring performances.

The 2026 concert marks the return of esteemed British conductor Stephen Bell.

Currently serving as the principal guest conductor of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and associate conductor of the Hallé, Stephen is internationally renowned for his work across the BBC Proms, the Queen’s Jubilee, and various Royal galas.

Joining him on stage will be soloist Juliette Crosbie, who will showcase her superb vocals, bringing to life famous pieces such as John Barry’s Goldfinger, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Memory and many more.

Also on the bill is Red, a powerhouse vocalist who has captivated millions worldwide with her soul-stirring voice, racking up over 250 million video views and a two-million-strong online following.

Having shared the stage with icons such as Diana Ross, Ed Sheeran, Alicia Keys, Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Zara Larsson, as well as touring Europe last year with maestro Andrea Bocelli, Red brings immense energy to the stage ahead of her debut EP release in late 2026.

Local talent will also take centre stage. Formed in 2021 as part of the Air Arts programme supported by Derby and Burton Hospitals Charity, the UHDB Staff Wellbeing Choir brings community spirit, joy, and five years of harmony back to the Darley Park Concert.

Derby Harp Ensemble, led by local professional harpist Lucy Nolan, are a unique group of young musicians aged six to 18 who will showcase a diverse repertoire, ranging from South American toe-tappers to beloved classics and even pop hits by Justin Bieber.

This year’s musical programme features dramatic film scores and musical hits from the main theme of Apollo 13 to the soaring melodies of Defying Gravity from the hit musical Wicked.

There will also be timeless classical masterpieces by Mozart and Tchaikovsky and the evening will culminate in a spectacular pyrotechnic display illuminating the night sky.

Councillor Gurkiran Kaur, Derby City Council’s cabinet member for city centre, culture and tourism, said: “The Sunday Darley Park Concert is the crown jewel of our summer celebrations, bringing families and friends together for a magical evening.

“From the incredible Sinfonia Viva and international guest artists to our wonderful local community performers.

“Sunday promises a spectacular mix of music, local pride, and unforgettable pyrotechnic and laser light display.

“It’s an extraordinary event for our city, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone to Darley Park.”

Sponsors for the Darley Park Weekender 2026 include HUUB, Ward, AVIT Media and WDS.

Once again, AV IT Media’s team will be on the ground throughout the weekend, producing live social media coverage, behind-the-scenes content and same-night highlight reels designed to bring the atmosphere of the event to audiences unable to attend, as well as encouraging ticket sales for future nights and next year’s event.

Managing director Mark Averill said: “We’ve been coming to Darley Park for years. We started bringing the kids to the Sunday concert when they were little, so it’s been a big part of our summers for around 15 years now.

“When they introduced the Friday and Saturday nights with different genres, we were thrilled, and it’s meant the whole weekend is always such a brilliant one to cover, the buzz across all three nights is honestly unmatched.

“Being part of it for a fourth year running means a lot to us, and to now step up as headline sponsor and see the AV IT name up in lights at Darley Park means so much.

“Supporting local events like this is something I’ve always wanted to do. We can’t wait to get out there, capture every bit of the atmosphere, and share it with as many people as possible.”

The Darley Park Concert rounds off a weekend of live entertainment, which begins on Friday 21 August with Billy Ocean and special guest Marti Pellow, followed by headliners JLS on Saturday 22 August.

To book tickets for all Darley Park Weekender events click here.