Families are invited to a free children and young people’s festival at the newly reopened Derby Market Hall. 

As part of the Derby Promise, an initiative led by Derby City Council alongside its city partners, the first Dream Fest will take place on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 July. 

The exciting two-day festival will bring the city together in a vibrant celebration of storytelling, Shakespeare and dreams. Children and young people will be able to access careers experiences, build their skills and explore the future of work, leaving them confident and ambitious about their place in Derby’s future. 

Councillor Paul Hezelgrave, Derby City Council Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Skills, said:

Dream Fest will be a brilliant opportunity for our young people to get creative, gain confidence, and really shine. Exploring Shakespeare in the classroom brings its own joy, but being able to bring that to life and really have fun with it is something else.

Young people and families alike are coming together and sharing a really special day, celebrating our talented youngsters.

Friday 11 July will be a day for school pupils, as children from early years through to post-16 attend a ‘Takeover Day’ at Derby Market HallOpens in new tab. More than 500 pupils will have the chance to perform an extract from A Midsummer Night’s Dream and showcase their talents. This will be accompanied by a series of practical workshops and creative careers talks with our city’s cultural partners.

The festival will continue on Saturday 12 July, when it will be open to the public. Families and the wider community can enjoy a packed day of exciting performances from young people from across the city, plus walkabout performances, breakdancers, theatre and music performances, workshops, hands-on arts activities and much more. 

This vibrant public programme is free to all, as Dream Fest encourages everyone to enjoy our new Market Hall and experience an exciting programme of cultural opportunities. No booking is necessary, just come along and join the fun!

Culture Derby, in collaboration with the Council, is spearheading this programme as part of a mission to provide more free and high-quality cultural opportunities for children, young people and families. 

Alix Manning-Jones, Director of Culture Derby, said:

Dream Fest will be a magical, creative, high-energy step into another world, experiencing the joy and escapism of theatre. It’s all about inspiring the next generation of dreamers and creators — from early years right through to post-16 — through the power of performance, imagination and community.

Dream Fest is being produced in partnership with Wrongsemble Theatre Company and has benefited from several local businesses who have sponsored the event, highlighting the importance of the city coming together to support our young people’s creativity. 

Graham Lambert, Managing Director of VINCI UK Developments who are among the sponsors, said:

We’re delighted to be supporting Derby Dream Fest and hope the festival inspires, excites and brings fun and enjoyment to the young people of Derby.

Steve Carlier, president of fellow sponsors Rolls-Royce Submarines, said:

At Rolls-Royce, we see Derby as our home, and sponsoring events like this helps to show our appreciation for the support, passion and pride we see every day from the people of Derby. Inspiring the next generation is something we take seriously. 

The Derby Promise aims to bring together businesses, educational and cultural organisations alongside the City Council to raise aspirations and expand opportunities relating to the world of work and the economic regeneration of Derby.

Activities focus on opportunities to develop skills relevant to businesses in Derby and across the East Midlands, and to provide careers information, advice and guidance in order to support people as they navigate their way into exciting destinations. We believe in starting early, so these opportunities are open to early years through to post-16, including young adults already in work.

More details about Dream Fest will be available soon on the Derby Promise websiteOpens in new tab.