Get creative for Christmas in Markeaton Park

Published: 17 November 2020

This December, celebrate the festivities with your family in Markeaton Park with a new series of activities and workshops. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, we can’t bring you Family Festivities in the normal way this year, and so instead we are bringing you Christmas in Markeaton Park!

Everything has been planned to put public safety first whichever tier Derby goes into following the national lockdown and in the run-up to Christmas. Visitors to the park are reminded that we can all play our part in doing the right thing for Derby by following the guidelines, wearing a face covering when indoors if we can, observing social distancing at all times and following guidance about who we can be meeting with.

In the lead up to Christmas, each weekend of December, join us in Markeaton Park for a variety of fun, pre-bookable workshops run by many of the tenants of the Craft Village. Make models with Jumping Clay, paint wonderful winter landscapes with Art in the Park or make a variety of Christmassy decorations to hang up at home with Suzy Blues Flowers, Minoan Mosaic and Esmary Fused Glass, in some of the brilliant workshops on offer between 5-20 December. For full details about each workshop, check out the listings below.

Also in the Craft Village, every day from 5-20 December, is the usual dazzling Christmas Tree for you and your family to enjoy and take pictures in front of. Or, you can bring your letter to Father Christmas to post in the Markeaton North Pole post box. Experts have consulted and determined that it is safe for Father Christmas to travel this year to deliver all of his presents, so make sure to write to him to let him know what you want! You should write your letter before coming to the park - you can download a template from the In Derby website.

The popular free Elf Trail will also be returning, which will take you exploring around Markeaton Park on the lookout for little elf houses! See if you can spy the elves moving in and settling down for a festive Christmas living in Markeaton Park. Download your map from our website from 23 November and submit your completed entries between 5-20 December to be in with the chance of winning some treats, including a voucher to spend in Studio Gift Shop in the Craft Village. Find out more at on the Derby Live website.

Or you can wrap up warm and enjoy the fresh air with a walk, bike ride or scooter around the many pathways at Markeaton Park. The park is beautiful at this time of year, with lots of winter wildlife to see. Derby Adult Learning Services are also offering as series of free, bookable, socially distanced walks for people aged 19+. These guided walks will be led in French, Italian and Spanish this festive season. Cycle Derby are offering sessions for new riders aged 3-16. For £10.50, your child will be provided with a bike (or you can bring your own) and will be taught all the basics in these fun bike riding workshops. Or why not download the free Love Exploring App and have an adventure while walking around Markeaton Park, discovering all the fun facts and secrets on offer?

The Mini Golf will also remain open in the lead up to Christmas for you to enjoy a festive family game together. Put on your hats, scarves and gloves and have a little family competition and see if you can score a hole in one! The Orangery Café is also open for hot take-away drinks or for a festive snack to keep you warm and energised this winter. Plus, each weekend from 5-20 December, the first 20 customers each day will receive a free mince pie!

A range of festive workshops are also available, and have been planned with Covid safe measures in place and put public safety first. We remind participants to wear a face covering where required if possible and follow social distancing guidelines. If you begin to show symptoms, please remain at home and get in touch with us in advance of your workshop to let us know that you are unable to make your booking, and we will arrange a refund for you.

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