The 2024 Matlock Bath Illuminations will run every Saturday and Sunday from 7 September to 27 October.
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 runs from 7 September to 27 October. We have fireworks scheduled for every Saturday in October and on Sunday 27 October.
Every Saturday and Sunday are themed nights, and there's also entertainment plus the fabulous parade of decorated boats on the River Derwent.
2024 Themed Nights programme
| Date | Times 1 >> | Theme | Characters | Times 2 >> | Act | Boats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 7 Sep | 6pm - 8pm | Children's Movie | Jessie, Woody and Buzz | 6.30 - 6.50 | Circus | 8pm |
| 7.10 - 7.30 | Circus | |||||
| 7.45 - 8 | Lights Switch On | |||||
| Sun 8 Sep | 6pm - 8pm | Children's TV | Igglepiggle and Upsydaisy | 6.30 - 6.50 | Circus | 8pm |
| 7.10 - 7.30 | Circus | |||||
| Sat 14 Sep | 6pm - 8pm | Sci-Fi | Darth Vader, The Mandalorian & Stormtrooper | 6.30 - 7 | Boat Prizes | 8pm or earlier |
| 7.10 - 7.30 | Circus | |||||
| Sun 15 Sep | 6pm - 8pm | Sci-Fi | Darth Vader, The Mandalorian & Stormtrooper | 6.30 - 6.50 | Circus | 8pm or earlier |
| 7.10 - 7.30 | Circus | |||||
| Sat 21 Sep | 6pm - 8pm | Superheroes | Batman and Spiderman | 6.30 - 6.50 | Stilt Walkers | 8pm or earlier |
| 7.10 - 7.30 | Stilt Walkers | |||||
| Sun 22 Sep | 6pm - 8pm | Superheroes | Batman and Spiderman | 6.30 - 6.50 | Circus | 8pm or earlier |
| 7.10 - 7.30 | Circus | |||||
| Sat 28 Sep | 6pm - 8pm | Pirates and Mermaids | Jack Sparrow, Davy Jones and Mermaid | 6.30 - 6.50 | Circus | 8pm or earlier |
| 7.10 - 7.30 | Circus | |||||
| Sun 29 Sep | 6pm - 8pm | Pirates and Mermaids | Jack Sparrow, Davy Jones and Mermaid | 6.30 - 6.50 | Circus | 8pm or earlier |
| 7.10 - 7.30 | Circus | |||||
| Sat 5 Oct | 6pm - 8pm | Superheroes | Batman and Spiderman | 7 - 9 | 2 x illuminated stilt walkers | 7pm - 8.20pm |
| Sun 6 Oct | 6pm - 8pm | Superheroes | Batman and Spiderman | 6 - 8 | Crafts/activities | 7pm - 8pm |
| 6.20-6.40 | Circus | |||||
| Sat 12 Oct | 6pm - 8pm | Children's TV | Spongebob Squarepants and Sebastian the Crab | 7 - 9 | 2 x illuminated stilt walkers | 7pm - 8.20pm |
| Sun 13 Oct | 6pm - 8pm | Superheroes | Wolverine and Wonder Woman | 6 - 8 | Crafts/activities | 7pm - 8pm |
| 6.40 - 8 | Circus | |||||
| Sat 19 Oct | 6pm - 8pm | Superheroes | Turtles | 7 - 9 | 2 x illuminated stilt walkers | 7pm - 8.20pm |
| Sun 20 Oct | 6pm - 8pm | Superheroes | Turtles | 6 - 8 | Crafts/activities | 7pm - 8pm |
| 6.40 - 7 | Circus | |||||
| Sat 26 Oct | 6pm - 8pm | Superheroes | Wonder Woman and Wolverine | 7 - 9 | 2 x illuminated stilt walkers | 7pm - 8.20pm |
| Sun 27 Oct | 6pm - 8pm | Superheroes | Wolverine and Deadpool | 7 - 9 | 2 x illuminated stilt walkers | 7pm - 8.20pm |
Please note that on Saturdays in particular Matlock Bath can get extremely busy. For travel, timings and ticketing tips, see our FAQs.
