Matlock Bath Illuminations

Name: Matlock Bath Illuminations
Address: Derwent Gardens, Matlock Bath, Matlock, DE43NR, GB
Telephone: +441629761390
Price range: $
Rating: 3.6

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This is the official Matlock Bath Illuminations page. Tickets for our 2026 season on sale NOW! Every weekend until 1 Nov, plus Fri 30 Oct.

More info & tickets >> www.derbyshiredales.gov.uk/illuminationsFAQs Matlock Bath Illuminations in September and October each year feature a unique parade of illuminated and decorated boats on the River Derwent. Each boat carries a decorated model and as darkness falls the boats disappear into the blackness below, leaving the models apparently gliding along just above the water. There's a fireworks finale on selected nights.

01/11/2026

If you're heading to tonight's s o l d - o u t Matlock Bath Illuminations, make your journey easier by using the Park & Ride from Cromford Meadows (DE4 3RQ).

🎆 Avoid traffic and parking queues
🚌 Fully accessible buses every 15-20 minutes
💷 Adults £2 return | Children £1 return | Under 5s free
🚗 No parking charge

The Park & Ride runs approximately 4pm-10pm on fireworks nights and takes you straight to the Illuminations entrance. ✨🎇

01/11/2026

🎆 FINAL NIGHT OF THE 2026 MATLOCK BATH ILLUMINATIONS - TONIGHT! 🎆

Tonight is your last chance to experience this year's Matlock Bath Illuminations and tickets are completely S O L D O U T!

If you haven't pre-booked tickets, please don't join the queue as no tickets will be available on the gate. We don't want you to make a wasted journey or face disappointment. You can still enjoy the atmosphere in the village, support local businesses and watch the spectacular 8.30pm fireworks finale from other parts of Matlock Bath.

If you do have tickets, here's what to look forward to:
✨ Gates open at 5.30pm
🎡 Funfair rides, food cabins and the bar open from arrival
⭐ Meet The Mandalorian, Chewbacca, Princess Leia and R2-D2 near the bandstand for photos
🎭 Illuminated stilt walkers in Derwent Gardens
🚣 Decorated boats take to the river from around 7pm

🎆 Grand fireworks finale at 8.30pm to bring the 2026 season to a close

Top tip: Don't worry if the riverbank looks busy when the boats first launch. The boats remain on the river until around 8.20pm, giving you plenty of time to find a great viewing spot once the initial crowds disperse.

🚗 Plan ahead for travel and parking. Matlock Bath's main car parks are expected to fill very quickly.

We strongly recommend:
✅ Park & Ride from Cromford Meadows (DE4 3RQ), operating from around 4pm
✅ The train service to Matlock Bath from Nottingham, Derby and stations along the route normally runs every two hours in the morning and then every hour from early afternoon until late evening.

For parking, public transport and other event information, please check our FAQs https://www.derbyshiredales.gov.uk/leisure/matlock-bath-illuminations/faqs

✨ Thank you to everyone who has supported this year's Illuminations. Have a fantastic evening and enjoy the final night of the season! 🎆🚣‍♀️🌟

Photo: Nick Rhodes

31/10/2026

Just a heads up that there’s no parking at Gulliver’s Kingdom tonight due to their own event taking place so your best options are Masson Mill or the park and ride at Cromford Meadows 👍

31/10/2026

🚌 PARK & RIDE 🚌

If you're joining us for tonight's *s o l d - o u t* Matlock Bath Illuminations, we can't recommend our Park & Ride service enough.

Fireworks nights are always some of our busiest evenings of the season and, with wet weather forecast, the last thing you want is the stress of searching for a parking space after arriving in Matlock Bath.

Our Park & Ride service, operated by Andrews of Tideswell, runs from Cromford Meadows (DE4 3RQ) and offers a simple, convenient journey straight to the Illuminations entrance. The fully accessible buses run approximately every 15-20 minutes and are ideal for visitors who want to avoid town-centre traffic and parking queues.

🚌 Park & Ride details:
• Cromford Meadows, DE4 3RQ
• Runs from around 4pm to 10pm on fireworks nights
• Adults: £2 return
• Children: £1 return
• Under 5s travel free
• No additional parking charge
• Well-behaved dogs welcome

31/10/2026

🎆 Here's your reminder to plan ahead if you're joining us for tonight's *s o l d o u t* Matlock Bath Illuminations 🎆

If you haven't pre-booked tickets, please don't join the queue as no tickets will be available on the gate. We don't want you to make a wasted journey or face disappointment. You can still enjoy the atmosphere in the village, support local businesses and watch the spectacular 8.30pm fireworks finale from other parts of Matlock Bath.

If you do have tickets, here's what to look forward to:
✨ Gates open at 5.30pm
🎡 Funfair rides, food cabins and the bar open from arrival
🦸‍♂️ Meet Jack Skellington & Evil Queen near the bandstand for photos
🎭 Illuminated stilt walkers in Derwent Gardens
🚣 Decorated boats take to the river from around 7pm
🎆 Fireworks finale at 8.30pm

Top tip: Don't worry if the riverbank looks busy when the boats first launch. The boats remain on the river until around 8.20pm, giving you plenty of time to find a great viewing spot once the initial crowds disperse.

🚗 Plan ahead for travel and parking. Matlock Bath's main car parks are expected to fill very quickly.

We strongly recommend:
✅ Park & Ride from Cromford Meadows (DE4 3RQ), operating from around 4pm
✅ The hourly train service to Matlock Bath from Nottingham, Derby and stations along the route

For parking, public transport and other event information, please check our FAQs via the link in our Facebook bio.

Have a fantastic evening and enjoy the Illuminations! ✨🎆

30/10/2026

If you're heading to Matlock Bath later for this evening's *s o l d - o u t* Illuminations and are travelling by car, you may struggle to park in the village itself, though there may be spaces at the Gulliver's attraction on Temple Road (DE4 3PG).

You will *definitely* find spaces at Masson Mills (pictured) on the Derby side of Matlock Bath - DE4 3PY.

There is also a car park on the A6 between Matlock Bath and Matlock at Artists' Corner (DE4 3PS), around a mile from Matlock Bath.

28/10/2026

Here’s your reminder to plan ahead if you’re joining us at Friday’s *s o l d - o u t* Matlock Bath Illuminations

We're at full capacity, so there will be no ticket sales at the gate. If any late cancellations are received, those tickets will automatically become available through the online booking system.

🚗 Travel & Parking - Please plan ahead and allow extra time for your journey. The three council car parks in Matlock Bath are likely to be very busy.

🚆 If you can, take the train. Regular services run to Matlock Bath from Nottingham, Derby and stations along the route.

🅿️ Alternative parking options include:
• Masson Mills (DE4 3PY) - less than a mile from the entrance, around a 15-minute walk
• Gulliver's, Temple Road (DE4 3PG)
• Artists' Corner (DE4 3PS) on the A6 between Matlock and Matlock Bath

🎡 Gates open at 5.30pm, with the fairground, food outlets and bar open throughout the evening.

🦸 Meet Wonder Woman and The Incredible Hulk, who will be joining us for special appearances and photo opportunities during the evening.

🚣‍♀️ The highlight of the event, our spectacular illuminated boat parade, is expected on the river from around 7pm.

🍂 Why not arrive early and make the most of everything beautiful Matlock Bath has to offer before the festivities begin?

We look forward to welcoming everyone for another magical evening. ✨🚣‍♂️

25/10/2026

We're looking forward to welcoming visitors to this evening's Matlock Bath Illuminations, but please note that we are now at full capacity and there will be no tickets available on the gate. If any late cancellations are received, those tickets will automatically be released back onto the booking site.

☔ The forecast currently shows conditions improving this afternoon, with the wind expected to ease from around 4pm. However, visitors are still advised to come prepared for the weather and dress accordingly.

🚂 If you're travelling to Matlock Bath, please plan ahead. The village is expected to be busy, and the train is a great option for avoiding traffic and parking pressures.

🚗 If you're driving, consider parking slightly further afield and enjoying a short walk into the village. Car parks at Masson Mills, Gulliver's Kingdom and Artists' Corner can often be useful alternatives when central parking is busy.

📍 Gates open at 5.30pm

Tonight's entertainment includes:
⭐ Darth Vader, a Classic Stormtrooper and R2-D2 appearances and photo opportunities
🎨 Crafts and activities for younger visitors
🚣 The spectacular illuminated boat parade from around 7pm on the River Derwent

Please note there are no fireworks and no Park & Ride service tonight.

We look forward to seeing everyone for a magical evening in Derwent Gardens. 💙✨

24/10/2026

We're looking forward to welcoming ticket holders to tonight's sold-out event.

☔It’s currently raining in Matlock Bath so please make sure you're dressed for the conditions before setting off:

☔ Bring waterproofs and wear suitable footwear
🅿 Check your parking options in our FAQs https://www.derbyshiredales.gov.uk/leisure/matlock-bath-illuminations/faqs

🎫Gates open from 5.30pm.

24/10/2026

🚌 PARK & RIDE IS THE EASIEST OPTION 🚌

If you're joining us for tonight's *s o l d - o u t* Matlock Bath Illuminations, we can't recommend our Park & Ride service enough.

Fireworks nights are always some of our busiest evenings of the season and, with wet weather forecast, the last thing you want is the stress of searching for a parking space after arriving in Matlock Bath.

Our Park & Ride service, operated by Andrews of Tideswell, runs from Cromford Meadows (DE4 3RQ) and offers a simple, convenient journey straight to the Illuminations entrance. The fully accessible buses run approximately every 15-20 minutes and are ideal for visitors who want to avoid town-centre traffic and parking queues.

🚌 Park & Ride details:
• Cromford Meadows, DE4 3RQ
• Runs from around 4pm to 10pm on fireworks nights
• Adults: £2 return
• Children: £1 return
• Under 5s travel free
• No additional parking charge
• Well-behaved dogs welcome

🌧 With rain expected, we'd also recommend bringing suitable waterproof clothing and footwear.

Address

Derwent Gardens, Matlock Bath
Matlock
DE43NR

Telephone

+441629761390

Website

https://linktr.ee/matlockbathilluminations

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