Welcome to Christmas in the Cathedral Quarter!
The Cathedral Quarter BID is bringing lots of joy this Christmas with entertainment and festive fun for all the family!
Take a spin on the Cathedral Quarter Ice Rink, visit Santa’s Grotto, vote for your favourite Window Wonderland display and much more besides!
Read on for all the Christmas activities organised by the Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement District this year!
Cathedral Quarter Ice Rink - 5th - 31st December
Nothing says Christmas more than a spin around the Cathedral Quarter ice rink followed by a hot chocolate or mulled wine. Whether you’re looking for some festive family fun, a work’s Christmas party with a difference or an activity with friends, our ice rink is a great option.
Strut (or skate) your stuff on our real ice rink, covered to protect you from the elements, but with a viewing platform and windows so that spectators can join in the fun by relaxing amongst the twinkling lights and listening to the festive playlist.
Brought to you in partnership with Derby City Council
Tickets can be purchased here.
Window Wonderland Competition 22nd November - 18th December
This year we have partnered with St Peters Quarter BID and will be taking over the reins from Derby City Council and running the popular Window Wonderland competition that has been in place since 2018.
Come and take a walk around the city centre to discover all the entries!
You can vote for your favourite via the QR codes featured on the branded Window Wonderland signs or via the LoyalFree app and entrants will be entered into a free prize draw to win £50 in shopping vouchers each week in the lead up to Christmas.
The winning window displays will be announced on 13th December and three cash prizes will be awarded. There will also be a ‘Panels Choice’ winner from each BID area chosen by a group of independent judges.
Terms and conditions for the Window Wonderland competition can be found here.
Terms and conditions for the LoyalFree competition can be found here.
Santa’s Grotto 3rd, 10th & 17th December
Visit the Cathedral Quarter’s Grotto this Christmas for a magical meeting with Santa! The kids can confess their deepest secrets about what they want for Christmas to the man himself and also post a letter in the post box so Santa can pass it to his elves for them to arrange the gifts ready for a Christmas Eve delivery!
A gift bag will be handed to all children visiting the grotto.
With everyone watching the pennies this year, we are making it free for all to visit Santa. Booking will be required and donations are welcomed.
Grotto is open on the following dates, but time slots must be booked in advance
Saturday 3rd December – book your time slot here
Saturday 10th December – book your time slot here
Saturday 17th December – book your time slot here
Giant Snow Globe - 10th & 17th December
Come along to the Market Place this Christmas and make some magical memories in our giant snow globe! It’s the perfect location for a photo opportunity, just get a friend or family member to take a picture of you inside the globe with a perfect festive scene!
Golden Ticket Prize Draw - 7th November - 11th December
This Christmas we have again partnered with St Peters Quarter BID to deliver the Golden Ticket prize draw. Four lucky entrants will win £500 of shopping vouchers each to spend in Cathedral Quarter and St Peters Quarter Businesses.
Pick up a ticket from city centre businesses and post it in one of 20 post boxes located in businesses across the two areas to enter!
For more details of where you can find the post boxes, click here.
Terms and Conditions can be found here.
Festive Entertainment at The Waterfall - 3rd, 10th & 17th December
Join us for free festive entertainment taking place on the 3rd, 10th, and 17th December from 11am – 4pm. Local arts organisation Furthest from the Sea will be providing festive musical entertainment based at the Waterfall with some comical elves to entertain you whilst you shop!
Festive Light Projections
Working in partnership with QUAD, Cathedral Quarter BID will be lighting up CQ with a number of lighting projections in the area. Festive images will be beamed onto buildings in Sadler Gate, Friar Gate, The Market Place and Derby Cathedral to name a few!
These will be in place from mid-November, until late December, bringing the CQ to life by adding animation to the streets!
