Major outdoor arts festival to return to city centre’s streets

Derby City Council has announced the return of Derby Festé – a popular outdoor arts festival, which attracts thousands of visitors to the city every year.

After a hiatus last year, the free event will take place in streets across the city centre on Saturday 27 September.

This vibrant event is presented by the city council with project grant support from Arts Council England National Lottery funding.

Festé is delivered in partnership with FABRIC, the Midlands strategic dance development organisation, with additional support from Derby Museums and QUAD.

Councillor Nadine Peatfield, city council leader and cabinet member for city centre, regeneration, strategy and policy, said: “I’m thrilled that Derby Feste will return this September.

“The event is a celebration of our city that highlights the passion, energy and commitment of the people of Derby and we all missed its dynamic presence last year.

“Thank you to the Derby LIVE team and our cultural partners for supporting our vision to put culture at the heart of our city.”

Derby Festé will see the city’s streets burst into life with a spectacular mix of dance, theatre, circus, parkour and aerial performance.

This year’s programme will celebrate the wonder of nature, confronting the challenges it faces, and exploring how we can come together to create change.

The festival will feature a number of family-friendly performances by a host of local artists, including Derby-based Maison Foo and Hubbub Theatre.

The city’s cultural partners will also be creating a programme of fringe events.

Peter Knott, area director at Arts Council England, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting Derby Festé 2025 with £47,000 of National Lottery Project Grants funding, and look forward to welcoming this much-loved event back to the city.

“Festé always brings a sense of excitement and exhilaration to Derby, as the community comes together to celebrate arts and culture.

“We’re already looking forward to this autumn’s edition of the festival.”