Picks For August Bank Holiday Weekend

The August bank holiday weekend will soon be here and Nailed have some excellent ideas to keep people entertained around Derby.

From cycling events at Derby Arena and Alvaston Park to live music and family-friendly activities, Derby is bursting with opportunities.

Families can enjoy a packed schedule of activities and events, running from Saturday 26 August to Monday 28 August. With plenty of choices, everyone can find an event to go along to.

Derby Arena will be hosting the Derby Arena Grand Prix on Saturday 26 August at 2pm. Spectators can witness the thrill of the track and join the party atmosphere throughout the track cycling competition, which will see national-standard track cyclists compete in a range of events including a scratch, points, elimination and a 10 mile Grand Prix final. Tickets are priced at £10 and can be purchased at derbyarena.co.uk.

The friends of Markeaton Park will be ‘bringing history to life’ with a FREE 1940s themed family festival, organised in partnership with Derby City Council and Derby LIVE on Sunday 27 August from 11am – 4pm. Dig on for Victory, is an annual garden festival which includes a craft fair and other trade stalls along with a full programme of live entertainment, taking place in the walled garden. This year there will be a selection of vintage vehicles on display and memorabilia from the Local and Family History Services along with a Living Library. A selection of food and a licensed bar will be available and visitors can join in the fun and go dressed in 1940’s clothing if they wish. Find out more about what’s on offer at fomp.org.uk/garden-festival.

Alvaston Park will be hosting the British BMX Championships on Saturday 26 August to Sunday 27 August, which is the biggest event on the UK domestic calendar. Over 1,000 competitors will be vying for glory, a real festival style atmosphere is expected on this bank holiday. The weekend will be jam-packed with action, with over 33 different classes of riders, with the youngest rider aged just six years old. BMX is an inclusive, family friendly sport and it is anticipated that over 2,500 people will be attending each day to enjoy the festivities. Further details can be found at derbybmx.com.

Dog lovers can visit Darley Park on Sunday 27 August from 11am – 3pm, for the Bark in the Park Fun Dog Show, organised to raise vital funds for Ashbourne Animal Welfare. The show judging starts at 12.30pm and the event is FREE to watch and only costs £1 per dog for each class in the dog show. Classes include most handsome dog, prettiest female dog, waggiest tail, best puppy and many more!

There’s a brilliant mix on bank holiday Monday 28 August at Springwood Leisure Centre, including giant games sessions, a multi-sports holiday camp for 5-14 year olds and half price court hire. Queen’s Leisure Centre are hosting family splash sessions, public and lane swimming with a Family Swim offer, so a family of four can swim for £9 in the Splash Session from 1- 3pm on Bank Holiday Monday. They also have a Junior Gym for 12-16 year olds with a ‘Movement’ gym and swim membership. Sport enthusiasts can give track cycling a go at Derby Arena in the family track cycling sessions, or take advantage of half price racket sports court hire. Details of all activities, including dates, times and prices, can be found at inderby.org.uk/family.

The following weekend, Derby Arena will be holding an open day on Saturday 2 September where visitors can enjoy a wide range of activities including tours of the Arena and state-of-the-art Gym facilities, Exercise class tasters, sports court activities including Pickleball, futsal and netball. There will also be chances to experience the cycle track and even challenge the track in their Track v Watt bike challenge! Further details about the full programme can be found at derbyarena.co.uk/openday.

Also, Derby’s much loved classical concert, The Hannells Darley Park Concert, is back! Taking place on Sunday 3 September, the concert is one of the UK’s biggest outdoor classical performances situated in the stunning natural amphitheatre that is Darley Park. This is an event for everyone to enjoy – an evening of classical music and fireworks. Tickets cost £2.50 in advance, and £5.00 on the day, available from derbylive.co.uk. Under 16s go free, but still require a ticket.