Our 2025 Illuminations season closed on Sunday to 26 October. We'll be back in September 2026.
What time do the Illuminations start?
The Derwent Gardens (DE4 3NR) gates open at 5.30pm on Saturdays and Sundays (and Friday 24 October). The Lights are from 6pm (or when it goes dark) and entertainment starts near the bandstand from around 6.20pm. The models are mounted on rowing boats and paraded on the River Derwent each Saturday (from around 8pm in September and from around 7pm in October) and Sundays from around 8pm in September and 7pm in October. We also have a fireworks finale every Saturday in October and on Friday 24 October and the final night, Sunday 26 October. Every night is themed, with characters in the Gardens with whom young visitors can have their photos taken for free.
Aren't Derwent Gardens a public area?
Yes, the Gardens are a public area operated by us as the local council 365 days a year. On Illuminations nights last entry to the Gardens (via the Derwent Gardens entrance and Jubilee Bridge onto Lovers' Walks) as a public space is 4.30pm and we will make announcements asking everyone to leave the Gardens by 5pm. Even if you have a ticket, our security officers will ask you to leave and queue to come back into the event to enable us to audit the number of people attending for safety reasons. Please abide by these requests to ensure that the Gardens are empty when gates open for the paid event at 5.30pm.
How long was the 2025 season?
The season started with a Preview Night on Saturday 6 September and ran every Saturday and Sunday from Saturday 13 September until Sunday 26 October, plus Friday 24 October.
How do I book online?
Tickets for our 2025 season were available here. Please note some nights sold out in advance and we don't sell tickets at the gate on sold out nights.
Do I have to book tickets for under 16s?
Yes, you must include accompanied children in your online booking.
When is the deadline to book online?
The deadline for purchasing online tickets is at 5.30pm on the day of the event you wish to purchase tickets for, but we cannot guarantee tickets will still be available at that time.
When/how will I receive my tickets?
Tickets will be emailed directly to your email address account through our online ticketing website.
Do I have to print out my e-ticket?
It's quicker for us (and the queue) if you have a printed version of your e-ticket to present at the gate, but we can accept an e-ticket on your phone if that's a problem for you.
What happens if I miss the online deadline?
We advise early booking to avoid disappointment and tickets went on sale on 1 May for the 2025 season. Our ticket booth at the entrance to Derwent Gardens is open from 5.30pm for card payments only, but we cannot guarantee tickets will be available at the gate. This is due mainly to the earlier fireworks finales this year (8.30pm) meaning visitors are less likely to leave early enough for people without advance tickets to take their place.
Will tickets be available at the gate on sell-out nights?
Sales at the gates will not happen on fireworks nights in 2025, all of which are sold out in advance. This is due mainly to the earlier fireworks finales this year (8.30pm) meaning visitors are less likely to leave early enough for people without advance tickets to take their place. Please check the Ticket Source booking link for any cancellations.
How much are tickets?
2025 ticket prices. Online tickets purchased through Ticket Source have no added charge when using a debit card. You may opt to receive your ticket as a text message for an extra 50p. Accompanied under 16s need a ticket.
What classes as a concession?
Concession prices are available for disabled people and retired people receiving their state pension. Unfortunately students are not entitled to a concession ticket.
Can I use my ticket on any night?
No. Tickets are not transferable and are non-refundable.
How much is the funfair?
Please note the funfair is cash only.
- 1 token = £2.50
- 5 tokens = £10
- All rides are 1 token per person to ride.
This year's rides are:
- Jet ride
- Mini Waltzer
- Train
- Ferris Wheel
- Convoy Race
The Hook-A-Duck stall price is £4 a go. For that you win any prize on the stall - there are no catches - it is prize every time.
Am I guaranteed a parking place in Matlock Bath?
Unfortunately not. Car parks at Matlock Bath Station (DE4 3NS) and on Temple Road (DE4 3NR) can be full by 5pm or even earlier. Please allow plenty of time for your journey, arrive early, please park considerately and be prepared to use the Park & Ride, which operates on Firework Saturdays, Friday 24 October and the final Sunday (26 October) only. Additional parking in Matlock Bath itself can be found at Masson Mills (DE4 3PY) on the A6 Derby side of the village and often too at the Gulliver's attraction on Temple Road (DE4 3PG)..
So what are my parking options?
There is a car park on the A6 between Matlock Bath and Matlock at Artists' Corner (DE4 3PS). In Matlock itself (which is 2 miles from Matlock Bath), the large Station Car Park (DE4 3NA) is situated next to the town's main bus/rail station. There is a train service on Saturdays and Sundays on the Derwent Valley line between Nottingham and Matlock (including Matlock Bath).
How much does it cost to park?
In District Council car parks in Matlock Bath, where charges generally apply 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, charges are:
- £1.80 for up to 1 hour
- £3.00 up to 2 hours
- £4.50 2-3 hours
- £6.00 3-4 hours
- £7.20 all day
There is an event charge from 4pm-10pm of £5 on Saturdays and Sundays during the Illuminations for the following car parks:
- Artists' Corner
- Pavilion
- Temple Walk
- Station Yard
Derbyshire Dales residents with a valid Resident's Parking Permit can park free after 4pm. We have no control over the price at the Gulliver's attraction, which is usually around £4 for the evening to 10pm or the parking at Masson Mill.
Learn more about car park charges.
Do you operate a Park & Ride service?
The Park & Ride service operates from 4.30pm to 10pm on our firework nights only - every Saturday in October, Friday 24th October and the final Sunday 26th October. The site is Cromford Meadows, Cromford (Sat Nav - DE4 3RQ / 53.110300,-1.553536) - drops off near Illuminations entrance in Pavilion car Park, so better suited to visitors with mobility issues.
How much does Park & Ride cost?
Park & Ride costs £2.00 (return) per adult, £1.00 for children and under 5s are free. The Park & Ride buses are fully accessible and well behaved dogs are welcome. There is no parking charge at Cromford Meadows on top of the park & ride fee.
How often do the Park & Ride buses run?
The buses run approximately every 15 to 20 minutes on fireworks nights only.
Can I park on the road?
There is limited on-street parking on the A6 in Matlock Bath itself, but parking is not permitted on double yellow lines or verges either side of the village. This restriction is enforced via a £70 fine. Side streets in Matlock Bath are stewarded to ensure they are accessible only by local residents.
Where do coaches park?
Coach parking is available in Matlock Bath Station car park (£6.20). We ask that coach operators visiting the Illuminations email us at
Is Matlock Bath the same place as Matlock?
No it isn't! Matlock Bath, where the Illuminations take place, is a village on the A6 road approximately two miles south of the larger town of Matlock. Both locations have large car parks and are separate train stations on the Derwent Valley Line. Our park & ride is in Cromford (two miles south of Matlock Bath).
Disabled Visitors
- Limited disabled parking in the Pavilion car park (DE4 3NR). Please arrive early to avoid disappointment.
- A disabled viewing area for the boat parade is located behind the ticket office at the entrance to Derwent Gardens.
- Disabled toilets are available at the entrance to Derwent Gardens and within Derwent Gardens.
- The event is accessible by wheelchairs.
- Disabled people pay the concessionary price and any carer is free of charge
What about public transport?
Trains operate to Matlock Bath from Derby, Nottingham and Matlock along the Derwent Valley Line every hour Monday to Saturday and, on Sundays, every two hours in the morning and every hour from early afternoon until late evening. If you travel to Matlock Bath by train, show your train ticket at the Derwent Gardens entrance and SAVE £1.50 on admission to the Illuminations on the night (this offer does not apply on nights that have been advertised as selling out in advance). The train service is operated by East Midlands Railways. Children aged 5-15 travel at half the adult fare. View Nottingham to Matlock timetable on the East Midlands Railway website.
Bus services to Matlock Bath: The 6.1 operates hourly throughout the day including late evening services on Saturdays between Derby, Belper, Wirksworth, Matlock Bath, Matlock and Bakewell offering opportunities to travel by bus after the firework displays. Find details of all the local bus services to Matlock Bath.
Where is the entrance to the Illuminations?
The entrance is in Derwent Gardens (DE4 3NR), located down the right side of the Grand Pavilion in Matlock Bath.
What do I get for my money?
Entry to Derwent Gardens includes children's entertainment and activities around the bandstand. You also see the famous parade of decorated boats, and, on Firework Saturdays, Friday 24th October and Sunday 26th October, a fireworks finale (8.30pm). Please note all our 2025 fireworks finale nights are sold out and we will not be selling tickets at the gate on these nights. There are children's theme characters every Saturday and Sunday too, plus stilt walkers and our new tunnel of lights across the River Derwent.
Check out our entertainment programme.
What time do the boats parade?
It needs to be dark to fully appreciate the decorated and illuminated boats, so in September they parade on Saturdays and Sundays from around 8pm (earlier as the month progresses) and from around 7pm on Saturdays and Sundays in October (plus Friday 24 October).
What is a "decorated boat"?
A themed model is mounted on a rowing boat, illuminated by around 700 LED bulbs. The boat is rowed up and down the Derwent Gardens stretch of the River Derwent and themes in 2025 include Bluey, Fireman Sam, Dumbo, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Sound of Music, Jaws and much more. There are 13 models in 2025, plus a traditional candle boat built to show the way the parade used to look many years ago.
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How can I see the boats once I am in Derwent Gardens?
At Derwent Gardens, the riverside pathway is roped off for viewing. On busy nights it is not always possible to get a front row place straight away, but spectators do move on at regular intervals and the boats stay on the river long enough to ensure everyone gets a great view (usually between 45 minutes and an hour).
How do I get to the other side of the river?
A bridge spans the river from Derwent Gardens onto the other side (Lovers' Walks).
I've seen reports that the event is crowded?
Saturday nights can be very busy, but in 2017 we responded to comments about numbers in Derwent Gardens by reducing the maximum capacity by 2,000, to give visitors more space to move around. Sundays are traditionally less busy if you prefer a quieter night. Visitor numbers were reduced by a further 2,000 to 4,000 in 2023.
Can I see the boats from other parts of Matlock Bath?
No. The decorated boats parade can only be seen from Derwent Gardens. The parade takes place between the landing stage near the Pavilion and New Bridge downstream, and can only be seen by people who have paid to get into the Illuminations.
How do I leave the Illuminations?
You leave the way you came in at the Derwent Gardens entrance. In the event of any emergency, the New Bridge will be opened up to the other side of the river, connecting to Lovers' Walks and then Jubilee Bride halfway up the main parade in Matlock Bath.
Are the Illuminations only on at weekends?
The entertainment and parade of decorated boats are only on at weekends, but the Lights themselves can be viewed free of charge every weekday from 6pm (or when it goes dark) to midnight.
When are the fireworks?
A fireworks finale is scheduled to happen on every Saturday in October, on Friday 24 October and the last Sunday, 26 October. Please note all of these nights are now sold out. The display is set off from the cliffs on the far side of the river at 8.30pm and cannot be viewed from Lovers' Walks. This area is cleared prior to the fireworks display. Fireworks can be viewed from most areas of Derwent Gardens.
How long does the fireworks display last?
Approximately 10 minutes.
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Can I buy food in Derwent Gardens?
Yes, food is available in Derwent Gardens e.g. burgers, hot dogs, coffee/tea/cold drinks, cake, sweets. Most take card as well as cash payments.
What else is in Derwent Gardens?
Derwent Gardens has a bar, a small funfair (a charge to use the rides - cash only) for children, plus a novelty light-up toys stall (cash only). Please bring cash to pay.
Toilets
- Temporary toilets are located on the entrance to Derwent Gardens by the side of the Grand Pavilion.
- Baby changing facilities are available in the disabled toilet near to the entrance to Derwent Gardens.
- Temporary toilets are situated in Derwent Gardens.
- Temporary toilets are also situated in the Artists' Corner car park between Matlock Bath and Matlock.
Cash point
There is a free cash machine in the Pavilion car park near the Derwent Gardens entrance but please note that we take card payments only at the ticket office. It's cash and card sales for the food and drink stalls and cash only for the funfair.
Accommodation
Can be booked at www.visitpeakdistrict.com
Dogs
Well behaved dogs on leads are welcome at the Illuminations, but owners should be aware that the fireworks at 8.30pm on Saturdays and the final Sunday are loud and can cause distress to some animals. Here's some advice from the RSPCA on pets and fireworks.
What happens to the entrance money?
Through entrance charges, Derbyshire Dales District Council aims to organise the popular festival - which boosts the local economy - at no cost to local Council Tax payers. Any profit is generally ploughed back into the following year's event.
Wasn't it once free to get into the Illuminations?
There was a brief period from 1984 when entry to the Illuminations was via voluntary contribution, so you could get in for free if you wished. Derbyshire Dales District Council rescued the event when the organising company was voluntarily wound up after the 1983 season was hit by bad weather. The reason no formal charge was made at that time was due to the event being temporarily scaled back. Other than this brief period, throughout its 120-year history the Illuminations has always been a ticketed event. In fact when boats paraded on the longer stretch of the Derwent, watched from the former Promenade Gardens in Matlock Bath (an arena lost to road widening in 1968), the river was blocked off with high fencing so people who had not paid could not see the boats.
