Our 2025 Illuminations season closed on Sunday to 26 October. We'll be back in September 2026.
The unique parade of illuminated and decorated boats on the River Derwent was the centrepiece of the entertainment every Saturday and Sunday during the 2025 season, plus Friday 24 October. Fireworks finales (all of which sold out) happened every Saturday in October, plus Friday 24 October and Sunday 27 October.
Every Saturday and Sunday were themed nights, and there was also entertainment plus the fabulous parade of decorated boats on the River Derwent.
2025 Themed Nights programme
| Date | Times 1 >> | Theme | Characters | Times 2 >> | Act | Boats | Fireworks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 6 Sep | 6.00pm - 6.30pm & 7.00pm - 7.30pm | Frozen | Anna and Elsa with sing-alongs | 5.30 - 7.30 | Bubbles | 8.15pm | N/A |
| 6.30 - 7.00 | Circus | ||||||
| 7.30 - 8.00 | Lights Switch On | ||||||
| Sat 13 Sep | 6.00pm - 6.30pm & 7.00pm - 7.30pm | Encanto | Featuring Mirabel and Isabela with sing-alongs and lots of audience interaction | 5.30 - 7.30 | Bubbles | 8.15pm or later | N/A |
| 6.30 - 7.00 | Circus | ||||||
| 7.35 - 7.45 | Boat Prizes | ||||||
| Sun 14 Sep | 5.45pm - 8pm | Superheroes | Batman and Spiderman | 5.45 - 7.30 | Bubbles | 8pm or earlier | N/A |
| 6.15 - 6.45 | Circus | ||||||
| 7.15 - 7.45 | Circus | ||||||
| Sat 20 Sep | 6.00pm - 6.30pm & 7.00pm - 7.30pm | The Little Mermaid | Ariel brings an ocean of fun with classic songs | From 6.00 | Stilt Walkers | 8pm or earlier | N/A |
| Sun 21 Sep | 5.35pm - 6.05pm & 6.40pm - 7.10pm | Frozen | Anna and Elsa with sing-alongs | 5.30 - 7.30 | Bubbles | 8pm or earlier | N/A |
| 6.15 - 6.45 | Circus | ||||||
| 7.15 - 7.45 | Circus | ||||||
| Sat 27 Sep | 5.30pm - 8pm | Sci-fi | Darth Vader and Chewbacca | 5.30 - 7.30 | Bubbles | 8pm or earlier | N/A |
| 6.15 - 6.45 | Circus | ||||||
| 7.15 - 7.45 | Circus | ||||||
| Sun 28 Sep | 5.30pm - 8pm | Sci-fi | Darth Vader and Chewbacca | 6.15 - 6.45 | Circus | 8pm or earlier | N/A |
| 7.15 - 7.45 | Circus | ||||||
| Sat 4 Oct | 5.30pm - 6.10pm & 6.20pm - 6.55pm | Princess and Villains Night | A mix of classic princesses like Cinderella or Belle, paired with a fun villain twist! | 7 - 9 | 2 x illuminated stilt walkers | 7pm - 8.20pm | 8.30pm |
| Sun 5 Oct | 5.30pm - 8pm | Superheroes | Wolverine and Wonder Woman | 6 - 8 | Crafts/activities | 7pm - 8pm | N/A |
| 6.20 - 6.40 | Circus | ||||||
| Sat 11 Oct | 5.30pm - 8pm | Sci-fi | Darth Vader and The Mandalorian | 7 - 9 | 2 x illuminated stilt walkers | 7pm - 8.20pm | 8.30pm |
| Sun 12 Oct | 5.30pm - 8pm | Sci-fi | Darth Vader and The Mandalorian | 6 - 8 | Crafts/activities | 7pm - 8pm | N/A |
| 6.20 - 6.40 | Circus | ||||||
| Sat 18 Oct | 5.30pm - 8pm | Superheroes | The Incredible Hulk & Spiderman | 7 - 9 | 2 x illuminated stilt walkers | 7pm - 8.20pm | 8.30pm |
| Sun 19 Oct | 5.30pm - 8pm | Superheroes | The Incredible Hulk & Spiderman | 6 - 8 | Crafts/activities | 7pm - 8pm | N/A |
| 6.20 - 6.40 | Circus | ||||||
| Fri 24 Oct | 5.30pm - 6.10pm & 6.20pm - 6.55pm | Wicked | Elphaba and Glinda | 7 - 9 | 2 x illuminated stilt walkers | 7pm - 8.20pm | 8.30pm |
| Sat 25 Oct | 5.30pm - 8pm | How to Train Your Dragon – Live Action Special | Featuring Hiccup & Astrid from this year’s new film | 7 - 9 | 2 x illuminated stilt walkers | 7pm - 8.20pm | 8.30pm |
| Sun 26 Oct | 5.30pm - 8pm | Sci-fi | Stormtrooper, Chewbacca and Princess Leia | 7 - 9 | 2 x illuminated stilt walkers | 7pm - 8.20pm | 8.30pm |
Please note that on Saturdays in particular Matlock Bath can get extremely busy. For travel, timings and ticketing tips, see our FAQs.
