Derby Festive Christmas Review

Reviewed by Lindsay Burton

Carrying on with my family’s Christmas festivities, my children and I were delighted to visit the Cathedral Quarter in Derby for the first night of their Festive Derby countdown to Christmas.

With a big ice rink located in the centre and surrounded by plenty of stalls, it had a lovely little Christmas market feel to the evening. All rounded off superbly with live music, the evening definitely felt incredibly festive. Plenty of parking is nearby so one can easily get super close to the venue, it just made the evening that much better. Each skating session is roughly 45 to 50 minutes long which starts on the hour, every hour from 14:00. The skate aids are free to use but regardless of being very much first come first serve – there were plenty to use. The experience on the ice was very much the same as other Christmas ice rinks but this is a decent size so didn’t feel like there were too many people on the ice at the same time. The rink will play host to various themed sessions with hits from the 80s, 90s and 00s and dressing up is in order in their family superhero and fancy dress sessions, as well as a Christmas and New Year’s Eve party. Tickets start from £7 and can be purchased from https://www.derbylive.co.uk/whats-on/buy-tickets?event=335425.

While we were skating, we also spotted some fire dancers outside the ice rink marquee tent which added to the sparkling evening. Granted, it was a Monday night and fairly quiet around the stalls, it was still a jovial atmosphere. After our session, we were spoilt for choice with a hot drink stand, Project D doughnuts, cakes and more. We opted for a hot chocolate in the end. Bear in mind, there is lots more to do. Why not include a trip to the Panto? This year, Aladdin will be showing at Derby Arena from the 9th to the 31st December! We haven’t seen this year’s production yet but anything starring Morgan Brind is guaranteed to have the audience in stitches. Tickets start from £22 and can be purchased from here.

Another one not to miss is The Wind in the Willows production, a funny, timeless tale of friendship, courage, consequences and bravery, will play at Derby Theatre from the 6th to the 31st December. Tickets start from £13.50 and discounts are available for schools. Tickets can be purchased from here.

Derby is definitely the place to be to gain some much needed festive spirit this year. The staff at the rink were very friendly and helpful. Make sure, especially when visiting with younger family members, a visit to the toilet prior to your trip might just be in order. With no toilets close to the venue, we nipped into Nando’s to find one but I can’t imagine them being too friendly on very busy nights.

Rating: We rate our experience as 5/5 and can’t wait to go and try the ice rink again. This would be an ideal visit for the family or for anyone that enjoys Christmas festivities!!