Matlock Bath Illuminations: Dates and firework nights
Matlock Bath Illuminations returns to Derwent Gardens in Matlock Bath from Saturday 12 September to Sunday 1 November, with event hours listed as 6pm to 9pm. The festival is aimed at families and groups, and places can be booked online through the official event website.
The Visit Peak District and Derbyshire event listing does not state a general admission price. Its £5-per-person figure refers to a same-day Heights of Abraham discount available to Illuminations ticket holders, rather than the admission charge for the Illuminations themselves.
Dates, venue and booking at a glance
| Detail | Confirmed information |
|---|---|
| Season | 12 September–1 November 2026 |
| Listed hours | 6pm–9pm |
| Venue | Derwent Gardens, Matlock Bath, Derbyshire, DE4 3NR |
| Audience | Family friendly and group friendly |
| Booking | Online through the official event website |
| Accessibility | The event is listed as accessible, although no detailed provisions are supplied |
The season opens with a preview night on Saturday 12 September. Events then take place every weekend from 19 September until 1 November, with an additional Friday evening on 30 October.
Boat parade times change as evenings get darker
The illuminated boat parade is the centrepiece of the festival. Members of the Matlock Bath Venetian Boat Builders’ Association create themed models covered in coloured lights, mount them on rowing boats and parade them along the River Derwent.
September start times depend on the available light. Earlier dates are expected to begin nearer 8pm, while later September parades move closer to 7.30pm.
| Date | Boat parade schedule |
|---|---|
| Saturdays 12, 19 and 26 September | Starts between 7.30pm and 8pm; finishes at about 9pm |
| Sundays 20 and 27 September | One-hour parade starting between 7.30pm and 8pm |
| Sundays 4, 11, 18 and 25 October | 7pm–8pm |
| Friday 30 October | 7pm–8pm |
| Saturdays 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 October | 7pm–8.20pm, followed by fireworks |
| Sunday 1 November | 7pm–8.20pm, followed by fireworks |
This distinction matters when choosing a date: the event itself opens at 6pm, but the boats do not begin their route immediately. September visitors also need to allow for the light-dependent start window rather than expecting a fixed departure time.
Six evenings include an 8.30pm firework display
Fireworks are scheduled for five consecutive Saturdays—3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 October—and for the final night on Sunday 1 November. On each of those dates, the boats parade from 7pm until 8.20pm before the display begins at 8.30pm.
The event listing identifies the Bandstand area of Derwent Gardens as the best viewing position for the fireworks. Numbers inside the gardens are restricted to a maximum of 4,000, making the stated viewing capacity a practical consideration for anyone choosing one of the firework dates.
Non-firework evenings retain the illuminated boats and accompanying entertainment. The programme can vary from night to night, with stilt walkers, costumed characters and jugglers among the acts named by organisers.
Practical details for planning the evening
The supplied information marks Matlock Bath Illuminations as accessible but does not describe specific facilities or access arrangements. It also provides no detailed transport or parking guidance, so visitors needing those details should check the official event information before travelling.
Illuminations ticket holders planning a longer day can use a special booking link included with their ticket to receive a £5-per-person discount at the Heights of Abraham on the same date. Cable cars begin operating at 10am, and the listing advises allowing three to five hours for the cable car, cavern tours and hilltop park visit.
For the Illuminations themselves, visitors should select their preferred date through the official online booking route, noting whether it is a firework night and checking the corresponding boat parade start time before setting out.
Source: Visit Peak District and Derbyshire Events
Context & actions About this article
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Dates, parade times, firework nights and visitor information were checked against the published event listing.
- Confirmed the season runs from 12 September to 1 November 2026.
- Separated light-dependent September parade times from the fixed October schedule.
- Checked all six listed firework dates and the 8.30pm start time.
- Clarified that £5 per person is a Heights of Abraham discount, not a stated Illuminations...
- Source
- Visit Peak District and Derbyshire Events
- Scope
- Matlock Bath, Derbyshire
- Updated
- 2026-07-27 19:19
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