Entertainment programme

You will be able to BOOK HERE for the 2024 Matlock Bath Illuminations

The unique parade of illuminated and decorated boats on the River Derwent was the centrepiece of the entertainment every Saturday and Sunday during the 2023 season, which ran from 9 September to 29 October. We had fireworks scheduled for every Saturday in October and on Sunday 29 October.

Every Saturday and Sunday are themed nights, and there's also entertainment plus the fabulous parade of decorated boats on the River Derwent.

Wacky Races boat at a recent Illuminations

2023 Themed Nights

September

  • Saturday 9th

    • 6pm to 8.30pm: Superheroes - Captain America and Deadpool
    • 6.40pm to 7pm Circus
    • 7.30pm: Stilts
  • Sunday 10th

    • 6pm to 8.30pm: Superheroes - Captain America and Deadpool
    • 6.40pm to 7pm: Circus
    • 7.30pm: Stilts
  • Saturday 16th

    • 6pm to 8.30pm: Fairytales - Belle and the Beast
    • 6.40pm to 7pm: Circus
    • 7.30pm: Stilts
  • Sunday 17th

    • 6pm to 8.30pm: Children's TV - Igglepiggle and Upsydaisy
    • 6.40pm to 7pm: Circus
    • 7.30pm: Stilts
  • Saturday 23rd

    • 6pm to 8.30pm: Children's Movie - Jessie, Woody and Buzz
    • 6.40pm to 7pm: Circus
    • 7.30pm: Stilts
  • Sunday 24th

    • 6pm to 8.30pm: Children's TV - Spongebob, Squarepants and Sebastian the Crab
    • 6.40pm to 7pm: Circus
    • 7.30pm: Stilts
  • Saturday 30th

    • 6pm to 8.30pm: SciFi - Stormtrooper, Chewbacca and R2D2
    • 6.40pm to 7pm: Circus
    • 7.30pm: Stilts

October

  • Sunday 1st

    • 6pm to 8.30pm: SciFi - Stormtrooper, Chewbacca and R2D2
    • 6.40pm to 7pm: Circus
    • 7.30pm: Stilts
  • Saturday 7th

    • 6pm to 8.30pm: Superheroes - Batman and Deadpool

    • 7pm to 7.20pm and 8pm to 8.20pm: 2 x illuminated stiltwalkers

  • Sunday 8th

    • 6pm to 8.30pm: Superheroes - Batman and Deadpool
    • 6pm to 8pm: Crafts/Activities
    • 6.40pm to 7pm: Circus
    • 7.30pm: Stilts
  • Saturday 14th

    • 6pm to 8pm: SciFi - Darth Vader, Chewbacca, Stormtrooper and R2D2
    • 7pm to 7.20pm and 8pm to 8.20pm: 2 x illuminated stiltwalkers
  • Sunday 15th

    • 6pm to 8.30pm: SciFi - Darth Vader, Chewbacca, Stormtrooper and R2D2
    • 6pm to 8pm: Crafts/Activities
    • 6.40pm to 7pm: Circus
    • 7.30pm: Stilts
  • Saturday 21st

    • 6pm - 8.30pm: Pirates and Mermaids - Jack Sparrow, Davy Jones and mermaid
    • 7pm - 7.20pm and 8pm to 8.20pm: - 2 x illuminated stiltwalkers
  • Sunday 22nd

    • 6pm - 8pm: Pirates and Mermaids - Jack Sparrow, Davy Jones and mermaid
    • 6pm - 8pm: Crafts/Activities
    • 6.40pm - 7pm: Circus
    • 7.30pm: Stilts
  • Saturday 28th

    • 6pm - 8.30pm: Superheroes - Iron Man and Spider-man
    • 7pm - 7.20pm and 8pm to 8.20pm: 2 x illuminated stiltwalkers
  • Sunday 29th

    • 6pm - 8pm: Superheroes - Iron Man and Spider-man
    • 6.30pm to 8pm: 2 x illuminated stiltwalkers

Please note that on Saturdays in particular Matlock Bath can get extremely busy. For travel, timings and ticketing tips, see our FAQs.

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