The bright lights and magic of the West End come to Derby this spring, with a day of fun and creative inspiration for children, young people and families at Derby Market Hall.
Taking place on Saturday 2 May, from 10am-4pm, Derby Dream Fest will see a packed programme of performances from West End stars and young people, alongside live music, arts workshops, a young maker’s market, and even the opportunity to make your own props – all with a musical theatre theme. There will also be a quiet break-out space, for any children who might need a little time away from the bustle of the event.
In the two days leading up to the event, local schools will take part in workshops and a showcase at Derby Theatre, where they’ll work with bona fide West End performers to learn a number from a musical, then perform in front of an audience, honing their confidence and creative skills. This year’s West End theme will draw from popular productions including Matilda, Wicked and Les Miserables.
Created by Derby City Council’s Derby Promise, Dream Fest supports children and young people to learn about careers in the arts with help from industry experts. Career pathways including performance, production and music will be explored, with a focus on the benefits of cultural creativity – whether as a fulfilling job, or an enjoyable hobby with plenty of transferable skills.
Providing opportunities to improve skills, experience and raise aspirations is a core part of the Derby Promise’s work, and exciting events such as Dream Fest play a key part in this. Other recent events have included the STEM-focused Festival of Ideas, and an Employer Summit which encouraged local businesses to pledge actions to support youth employment for Derby’s young people.
Councillor Paul Hezelgrave, Derby City Council Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Skills, is looking forward to this year’s Dream Fest:
The energy and enthusiasm that our children and young people bring to Dream Fest is fantastic; watching them get stuck into a task, a performance, an activity - learning new things and meeting new friends - is wonderful. Derby Promise are working hard to make sure that the city’s children have engaging, inspiring experiences that also plant the seed of careers aspiration.
We know that when a child can try an activity, they’re much more likely to see it as something they can aspire to or achieve for themselves. It’s important that our young people are given as broad a range of opportunities as possible, to help them dream big and forge new paths. We want them to know that the things they enjoy and care about can lead to rewarding careers, social connections, and enriched quality of life.
For more about Dream Fest 2026 and the work of the Derby Promise, visit the Derby Promise website.