City centre streets set to come alive as Feste returns

Visitors to Derby city centre this weekend will be treated to a packed programme of contemporary and unique music, dance, street theatre and large-scale installations as Derby Festé returns.

The annual festival, which this year will take place on Friday and Saturday, has earned a national reputation for vibrant, family-friendly outdoor entertainment – bringing the city centre streets to life with a Covent Garden-style vibe.

The family-friendly festival has been a key feature in the Derby cultural calendar for many years – previously attracting more than 30,000 visitors over the weekend pre-Covid.

This year’s Derby Festé programme features world-acclaimed and exciting up and coming artists, with most performances free and some ticketed events.

Highlights of the two-day festival include a giant floating heart, a 13ft Sea Giant puppet and Titan the Robot, as seen on television’s Britain’s Got Talent.

Derby Festé is produced and presented by Déda, Derby LIVE, QUAD, Derby Theatre and Derby City Council.

Funded by the city council and Arts Council England, it is supported by Derby Cathedral, Derby Museums, the Cathedral Quarter, Visit Derby, The Old Bell Hotel and Jury’s Inn.

Steve Slater, artistic lead of Derby Festé and director of Déda, said: “Since 2007, Derby Festé has brought surprise, enlightenment, entertainment and amusement to local communities and visitors alike and last year’s welcome return post-Covid was really well received.

“This year, more than ever, our focus is to bring people back together to enjoy some of the best outdoor street entertainment that has been delighting audiences this summer across the UK and further afield.

“Festé creates a wonderful Covent Garden-style atmosphere in the city and is a unique opportunity to watch and wonder, look on and laugh, sit and smile and mingle and make memories.

“I think there will be a real appetite among people of all ages and communities to enjoy this cultural celebration and we look forward to the feedback from audiences both in person and across social media platforms.”

For more information about Derby Festé, including the full programme of events across the two days, visit here.