Festive fun with the Babbling Vagabonds now on sale
Plans for another fantastic Festive Derby are well underway and tickets are now on sale for one of the main events in Derby this December.
Join those festive funsters, The Babbling Vagabonds, to find out what really happens when a ballerina stops dancing, a robot stops computing and a jack-in-the-box loses his bounce.
After the success of The Hungry Troll’s Christmas Dinner last year, and their ever-popular Wild Walk at Markeaton Park last weekend, the Derbyshire-based theatre favourites return with The Christmas Toy Shop Mystery which runs in the Market Place from Friday 9 December to Friday 30 December.
Brimming with colourful characters, catchy tunes, puppets and theatrical magic, this seasonal story for all the family will make their Christmas truly special this year.
Christmas is around the corner and the Christmas Toy Shop is nearly empty. It’s too late to sell what is left on the shelves. The remaining toys are destined for the old, dark storeroom or, worse still, the incinerator!
But then - with a pinch of fairy dust and a Christmas wish - odd things start to happen. Magic and mystery surround the old Christmas Toy Shop - but what is really going on behind the shuttered windows?
Tickets for this all-family show are £14 for a standard ticket, and £11 for under 16s. A family ticket for two adults and two children is £46.
Derby City Council has been working hard with partners to build on the success of previous festive programmes, which brought visitors back into the city centre in a Covid-safe way in 2020 and 2021. Smooth Radio has been confirmed as media partner and will again work with the Council to transform the city into a bright and attractive place to visit in the run-up to Christmas.
Tickets will also soon be on sale for the new-look Market Place ice rink. Fully enclosed with a roof and glass along two sides, this all-weather rink will put skaters at the heart of festivities while keeping the worst of our winter climate outside. There will also be theme nights to enjoy.
Further highlights include the Christmas Lights Switch-On on Saturday 12 November and an exciting family trail around the city. There will also be light projections and festive street entertainment.
On 3 and 4 December, Markeaton Park will again host Family Festivities, a weekend filled with crafts, live music, seasonal food and fun, including a free Elf Trail. And who could forget our pantomime Aladdin, starring Cold Feet’s John Thompson at Derby Arena, from Friday 9 December to Saturday 31 December.
Councillor Jonathan Smale, Cabinet Member for Finance, Digital and Culture, said: “Our Christmas programme last year was a huge success and this year’s line-up promises to add some extra sparkle to the atmosphere in the city. It will bring a welcome boost for Derby businesses.”
Councillor Matthew Eyre, Cabinet Member for Community Development, Place and Tourism, added: “By providing events that people of all ages can enjoy, we hope to welcome even more visitors into the city. There will be something for everyone and more details will be announced soon.”
Tickets for The Christmas Toyshop Mystery and the Pantomime are available online at derbylive.co.uk and there will be more information and announcements about Festive Derby activities in the coming months. You can also book via the Sales and Information centre on 01332 255800.
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