Matlock Bath Illuminations

Matlock Bath Illuminations This is the official Matlock Bath Illuminations page. Tickets for our 2026 season on sale NOW! There's a fireworks finale on selected nights.

Preview Night 12th Sep then every weekend from 19 Sep to 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.

IMPORTANT TICKETS UPDATE | Sunday 1st November is now *s o l d - o u t*, which means that Halloween (Saturday 31st Octob...
13/09/2026

IMPORTANT TICKETS UPDATE | Sunday 1st November is now *s o l d - o u t*, which means that Halloween (Saturday 31st October) is the last remaining fireworks night in our 2026 season that isn't at capacity.

All tickets have already gone for the fireworks finale nights on Saturdays 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th October.

The Illuminations continue every weekend from 19th September through to 1st November (plus Friday 30th October) and our best advice is to book asap to avoid disappointment.

Link in comments >>

Sending our very best wishes to the longest serving boat builder here at Matlock Bath Illuminations, David Gregory, who ...
13/09/2026

Sending our very best wishes to the longest serving boat builder here at Matlock Bath Illuminations, David Gregory, who sadly didn't make opening night in what should be his 55th year in the boats parade.

David, whose model 'Blackpool's Illuminated Trams', still took to the river in the opening night parade, has had an operation in hospital after being taken ill on the landing stage in Derwent Gardens on Friday. David has won the Best Boat prize 11 times - and we hope to see him back on the river soon!

Look out for a special feature on David in the 2026 Matlock Bath event brochure, available at the Illuminations from next weekend.

A special mention to 14-year-old Brandon Lil, whose 'GLOW KOI GO!' illuminated boat is crafted from recycled milk carton...
13/09/2026

A special mention to 14-year-old Brandon Lil, whose 'GLOW KOI GO!' illuminated boat is crafted from recycled milk cartons!

Brandon's model truly turns waste into wonder. The plastic milk cartons were all collected locally and given a second life.

Visitors on opening night of the 2026 Matlock Bath Illuminations last night will have noticed how the milky translucent plastic catches the light to glow with a pearlescent shimmer of a Hikarimono koi.

The serious message behind Brandon's boat is that what we throw away too often ends up in our rivers, harming wildlife that lives there.

Brandon and his koi boat will be on the river in the spectacular parade every Illuminations weekend until 1st November.

Photo: Simon Beynon

Geoff Stevens MBE, compering the Illuminations for an amazing 58th year, pictured on opening night with Derbyshire Dales...
13/09/2026

Geoff Stevens MBE, compering the Illuminations for an amazing 58th year, pictured on opening night with Derbyshire Dales Civic Chair Cllr Jo Linthwaite, who officially opened the 129th Illuminations.

Photo: Simon Beynon.

Simon Beynon's opening night photos of the spectacular 2026 illuminated boats parade at Matlock Bath Illuminations 🤩A re...
12/09/2026

Simon Beynon's opening night photos of the spectacular 2026 illuminated boats parade at Matlock Bath Illuminations 🤩

A reminder that the Illuminations continue every weekend from next Saturday (19th September) through to 1st November, but some nights are *s o l d - o u t* already.

Book now to avoid disappointment at www.derbyshiredales.gov.uk/illuminations

12/09/2026

Here it is! The 2026 Matlock Bath Illuminations parade of decorated and illuminated boats. And it's spectacular 🤩

Opening night on Saturday shone the light on an eclectic mix of design themes.

The full list is:
🛶'Santa's Snow Deere' by David Harrison,
🛶'Blackpool's Illuminated Trams' by David Gregory,
🛶'Lightning Strikes Again' by Michael Hall and Taylor Hambleton-Harrison,
🛶'Enchanted Luminescence' by Paul Lil,
🛶'Glow Koi Glow!' by Brandon Lil,
🛶'Tow-Mater' by Rory Harrison,
🛶'Colin' by Paul Henshall,
🛶'The Toy Story Express' by the Motley Bunch,
🛶'Paddington Bear's Adventures in London' by Ian and Mark Page,
🛶'Say It With Flowers' by Holy Trinity Church.

Not forgetting this year's Candle Model, 'Sponge Bob's Matlock Bathtime' rowed by Mary Henshall, as a reminder of how the illuminated boats used to look. The boat builders designed the model, inspired by ideas from children at Westhouses Primary School.

The boats are on the river as the main attraction at the Illuminations every weekend from Saturday 19th September through to Sunday 1st November.

Book now at www.derbyshiredales.gov.uk/illuminations

Huge crowds tonight for our K-Pop tribute 😍 Don't forget, the girls are back on Saturday 26th September, so get your tic...
12/09/2026

Huge crowds tonight for our K-Pop tribute 😍 Don't forget, the girls are back on Saturday 26th September, so get your tickets booked (accompanied under 16s just £1) 👇
www.derbyshiredales.gov.uk/illuminations

12/09/2026

Wow! The gates are open for our *s o l d - o u t Preview Night 😍

The crowds are pouring into Derwent Gardens.

If you're lucky enough to have tickets for this evening's *s o l d - o u t* Preview Night, here's what to expect along w...
12/09/2026

If you're lucky enough to have tickets for this evening's *s o l d - o u t* Preview Night, here's what to expect along with the kiddies' fairground and food stalls, bar and novelty light up toys stall >>

👉5.30PM Gates open and a welcome by a couple of Wombles and the wonderful Paris Bubbles as you enter Derwent Gardens
👉6PM First K-Pop tribute show at the bandstand
👉6.30PM Circus show at the bandstand
👉7PM Second K-Pop tribute show at the bandstand
👉7.35PM: Official lights switch on by Derbyshire Dales Civic Chair Councillor Jo Linthwaite - at the bandstand
👉8.15PM Illuminated boats parade starts on the river

*Please note all timings are approximate and subject to change 👍

We always expect a drop of rain on Illuminations nights ☂️ but please be reassured that the parade of boats will go ahea...
12/09/2026

We always expect a drop of rain on Illuminations nights ☂️ but please be reassured that the parade of boats will go ahead as planned at tonight's s o l d - o u t Preview Night - even if we get a downpour! 😳

The river is at the lowest level we can recall, so there are no issues whatsoever.

Just come prepared, though all the walkways are hard surfaced 👍

Address

Derwent Gardens, Matlock Bath
Matlock
DE43NR

Telephone

+441629761390

Website

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