Top Picks
We check the usual frankly silly number of local websites, then look for events that feel rainy-day friendly: cinemas, theatres, talks, workshops, galleries, concerts, cosy venues, and anything less likely to involve standing in a muddy field making brave weather noises.
1at Visit Derby
Get ready to dive into a whirlwind of Japanese culture and fun at Japan Fest Derby, where Derby’s QUAD turns into a vibrant celebration of all things Japan. Think bustling stall holders serving up delicious food, quirky crafts and unique finds alongside hands-on cultural activities that make the day feel like a mini adventure through the streets of Tokyo and Kyoto.
2at Artcore
A photographic journey through Derby and Osnabrück, Faces and Places captures the people, streets, cafés, public spaces, and fleeting moments that shape the everyday life of the two twinned cities. Through portraits and observations of urban life, the exhibition reflects on familiarity, cultural connection, and the subtle relationships between people and place.
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3at Total Skills - Electrical Training Specialist
City & Guilds 18th Edition Wiring Regulations course (2382-26) covering Amendment 4 — the current "Orange Book" standard (BS 7671:2018+A4:2026). 2-day intensive classroom training in Nottingham with expert tutors, small class sizes (max 12), and the City & Guilds exam included on Day 2. Just £400 all-inclusive — tuition, materials, and exam fee. Remote exam option available at £195 via online invigilation. Learners attend from across the UK. Exceptional pass rates with industry-leading tutors.
4at Derby Cathedral, City of Derby, UK
Programme: Brahms – Academic Festival Overture Brahms – Symphony No. 3 Walton – Crown Imperial March Parry – Jerusalem Wood – Fantasia on British Sea Songs Holst – I vow to thee my Country Elgar – Pomp & Circumstance March No. 1
5An annual steampunk-themed weekend featuring live music, tea duelling, magic performances, and trade stalls at the Papplewick Pumping Station.
6Join Papplewick Pumping Station for their annual Steampunk Event featuring live music, Tea Dueling, magic shows, performances, and over 30 trade stalls.
7Join local historian Roger Tanner to explore stories from the local community in Nottingham during the 1926 General Strike.
8at Metronome
Join Mike Newall, Aidan Jones, Joe Sutherland and Barry Dodds for a hilarious evening at Just the Tonic Comedy Club.
9Free! (worth double-checking)at Ordish Room
If you can't sing it... wing it; our choir motto!
10Free! (worth double-checking)at Ordish Room
Live music from vocalist Victoria Lucie.
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