Let the Festive Markets begin!

Published: 4 December 2020

Derby’s first Festive Market gets under way today, with creative crafts, gorgeous gifts and fabulous food to browse in the safe surroundings of the Derby Market Place venue.

When Derby Market Place launched in the summer as an outdoor dining area to support the local hospitality sector, it was designed with social distancing in mind. So it lends itself well to being a self-contained outdoor market space which can be regulated to be safe and Covid-compliant.

The Festive Markets will be held from 4 to 6 December and 10 to 13 December and will be a seasonal home to small businesses featuring creative crafts, gorgeous gifts, fabulous food and more. Following that, from 18 to 23 December in the main run-up to Christmas, Mainframe will be curating their Make & Trade Market with local makers and creators showcasing their work for some unique gift-buying. The markets will be open from 10am to 4pm.

Shoppers are asked to play their part and do the right thing for Derby by following the one way system in place, using the hand sanitiser provided and following social distancing. Although it’s an outdoor venue we recommend that you wear a face covering if you can. Please be mindful of the general Government guidance for Tier 3, and visit only with members of your household and/or bubble, in a group of no more than six.

There will be staff to help regulate the number of people in the market at any one time, and to assist with social distancing. Stalls will accept contactless card payments and toilets will be regularly cleaned. For a full list of all the precautions in place, visit the Derby Live website.

Wooden chalets decorated with lights will make up the stalls for the markets, which are free to enter, with the hoardings surrounded them decorated with seasonal street art by local artists Baby People.

Capacity will be limited to allow for social distancing, so please be patient, or enjoy some of the other Festive Derby attractions on offer until it’s quieter, such as our Elf Trail or Window Wonderland trail.

Given the current situation, all stallholders are subject to last minute change or confirmation, but we have a great range of local and regionally-based traders lined up featuring a mix of bespoke gifts and tasty treats.  For foodies, there are festive bakes and cakes - including those with a Caribbean twist, loaves, hampers, tray bakes, cookies, yule logs & mince pies, along with handmade fudge, personalised chocolates and sweets.

If you are looking for that extra special personalised gift, you'll find laser cut gifts and ornaments, Christmas decoration kits and handmade wooden toys and jewellery alongside stalls selling books, wax melts and hand-crafted wooden Christmas gifts, plants and cards.

QUAD's Café Bar is well known for providing great food and drink, within their Market Place venue. For the Festive Markets, they'll be setting up camp in the Market Place, serving Festive Hot Chocolate, Hot Drinks, Cakes and other sweet treats to help you get through your Christmas shopping.

Also on site will be The Tipsy Trotter, selling mouth-watering Turkey Rolls, Pork and Stuffing Rolls and Breakfast Bacon Rolls.

Stalls are subject to change, but here’s what you can expect to discover:

First Festive Market

Friday 4 to Sunday 6 December, 10am to 4pm

Look out for stalls selling award winning cakes and hampers, Christmas decorations, laser cut personalised gifts, handmade fudge and chocolate gifts, handcrafted wooden toys; tray bakes, yule logs, mince pies and more; Hand crafted wooden Christmas gifts and decorations; wax melt gift sets; scarves and handbags; gin liqueur gifts to enjoy at home; hand painted glassware; cakes, blondies and biscuits.

Second Festive Market

Thursday 10 to Sunday 13 December, 10am to 4pm

Browse and buy to support local and regional-based traders selling framed and unframed artwork prints and gifts; handmade fudge and chocolate gifts; children’s books; handcrafted wooden toys; handmade pottery and porcelain wall art, vessels and jewellery; cross stitch card, hoops and pictures; bags and hair accessories; handmade and bespoke hats in a range of materials; home décor, gifts and decorations; hand crafted wooden Christmas gifts and decorations; costume jewellery, scarves and handbags; gin liqueur gifts to enjoy at home; hand painted glassware; cakes, blondies and biscuits.

Make & Trade Festive Market

Friday 18 to Wednesday 23 December, 10am to 4pm

The final Festive market will celebrate local makers and creators, showcasing their work, and giving you the chance to take home some great gifts.

Held across six days, the market will include up to 25 chalets of craft, food and creativity, all considerately curated by Mainframe - an initiative that aims to bring together a community of digital and creative business across Derby & Derbyshire. Based at QUAD on the Market Place, Mainframe is part of the Big House project which supports the creative community.

Around the city this weekend, watch out for street performers Joy Magnet’s Bouncing Snowmen on Sat 5 Dec, enjoy the Christmas trees and lights, and enjoy a live performance of Elf Encounter in the Market Place. For a full list of what’s on offer for Festive Derby, see the Visit Derby website.

Leisure