Easter in Derby

With Easter fast approaching, now is the time to be thinking about making a few plans for any free time you have or to treat yourself to one of the many Easter events in Derby this year. Below is a guide to help you discover the magic of Easter in Derby this year.

Easter Events for Children in Derby

If you have children then you will know all too well that with Easter, comes the Easter school holidays. You will need to be aware of the Derby School Holiday dates 2011/2012 but most schools in Derbyshire begin their Easter school holidays on the 30^th March this year and this will leave many parents begging the question, how can I occupy my child this Easter, or searching for things to do for kids this Easter in Derby.

There are many Easter events for kids happening all over Derby and Derbyshire this year so whatever age your children or wherever you live in Derbyshire, there is a good chance that there is something going on near you to suit your child and alleviate some of the stress of entertaining from you. If you're stuck for ideas just take a look at our Derby Events section for some inspiration.

Easter Egg Hunts in Derby – Easter would not be the same without the good old tradition of an Easter egg hunt, guaranteed to keep your children happy for hours as they wander around in search of the hallowed treasure that is chocolate eggs. There are several Easter egg hunts or similar Easter themed activities for kids happening in and around Derby this year and here is a selection for you to choose from:

Chick Hunt at Kedleston Hall – Count how many chicks are on the Hall floor to win a prize. 12 dates between 31 March 2012 and 15 April 2012. Call 01332 842191 for more details.

Easter Craft Club at Shipley Country Park – A variety of Easter themed craft activities for kids. Sunday 8th April 2012 10am - 12pm. Call 01773 719961 for more info.

Easter Trail for egg heads - Follow the trail and spot hidden clues that uncover a secret word. Collect a mini Easter egg from the Easter bunny. Sunday 8th April 2012 10am - 12pm. Call 01773 719961 for more info.

Easter Egg-citement at Linacre Reservoirs – Search around the Linacre woodlands to find hidden gifts left by the Easter bunny. Dates TBC

Easter workshops for kids in Derby – If your children are interested in learning in a fun way then there are a number of workshops in Derby over Easter which is a great way to keep them entertained for hours on end, leaving you free to get on with your day, or enjoy some peace and quiet.

Fun days out for kids at Easter – If you want to enjoy days out for the whole family then there are also various different fun days out in Derby to that you can choose from to spend some time together. From theme parks to zoos, or maybe try some of the many museums in Derby – all are guaranteed to keep the family entertained. All these and more can be found on our fun days out page.

Outdoors events this Easter in Derby

If you want to plan something to do this Easter in Derby that involves getting out and about with some fresh air then there are a number of different events and activities for you to participate in, in many of the parks in Derby and open spaces around Derby. There are many Easter walks planned around various parts of the Peak District such as Dovedale which take in the beautiful scenery, rivers and streams and some of the famous caves in the area.  Or there is the Easter walk from Eyam in Derbyshire to learn about the village that cut itself off from the rest of England to contain the plague. Don’t forget to make sure you have your outdoor wear on though to safeguard against the changeable British weather.

Theatre Events in Derby This Easter

If you prefer to keep yourself cosy in the warm this Easter then perhaps a trip to see a theatre show in Derby might be more your thing. Although some theatres and concert halls in Derby are actually shut on Easter Sunday and Monday, there are a number of different shows on in the run up to the big day. Derby Live, the Derby council run arts and entertainment company however, have a full schedule of events on all year and Easter time is no different.  This Easter you can enjoy shows such as ‘’The Wizard of Oz’ a lively and colourful production of this classic children’s story. 

Alternatively you could make the most of the St Georges Day celebration on Saturday 21st April 2012 in the Market Square. The event is free and revellers will be treated to music, dancing and drama.

Places to eat in Derby this Easter

Most restaurants in Derby will be busy around Easter time so if you are planning on eating out in Derby at this time of year then it is advisable to book early. Although Easter is often seen as a time for family get-togethers where mum cooks a big meal, trends are changing and many people nowadays would prefer to avoid all the hassle and go out instead. As a result many people will want to know about places serving lunch on Easter Sunday or the best places to eat Easter dinner. There is a great selection of pubs and bars, many of which will be offering a full Easter Sunday menu. Or if you prefer something less traditional then you could take your pick from Italian restaurants, Chinese restaurants or maybe even Indian restaurants that the city has to offer.

Easter in Dates 2012

Good Friday 6th April 2012
Easter Sunday 8th April 2012
Easter Bank Holiday Monday 9th April 2012
May Day Bank Holiday 7th May 2012

Derby Easter School Holidays 30th March – 16th April 2012

Easter Sunday Services in Derby

And last but not least, let us not forget the original reason for us to celebrate Easter which is after all a religious holiday. As such there will be many Church events and other Religious Organisations holding Easter Sunday services in Derby. The most notable of these is of course Derby Cathedral which will hold its Easter services at the following times:

Easter Sunday
8:00am - Holy Communion
10:45am - Cathedral Eucharist
6:00pm - Choral Evensong