Events, Festivals and Exhibitions

Derby has been dubbed the best place to drink real ale in the world, and for many years has hosted the Camra Derby Winter Ale Festival. Now for the first time, the city will host The Great Derbyshire Beer Festival, which promises the best cask and keg beers from the county. 

Olivia Pritchard, founder of Bustler Market @ The Chocolate Factory said, “We are really excited to host the Great Derbyshire Beer Festival at The Chocolate Factory for the first time.

“Showcasing local brewers and heritage beers, it will be the only chance in Derby this year where people can come along, meet the brewers and sample all the latest brews, with some classic favourites and a few surprises. As well as a one-off chance to taste local ales, there will be a bottle bar, ciders and of course, street food from Bustler Market.”.

Paul Harris, Managing Director of Derby Brewing, added: “We are delighted to be part of the first Great Derbyshire Beer Festival at Bustler Market. It’s been great to see Bustler go from strength to strength and we think the Chocolate Factory lends itself perfectly to a festival. As soon as Liv and the guys approached us we were all in! It’s great timing for us too as we are fresh from launching our new branding so it will be a great showcase.”

When is the Great Derbyshire Beer Festival?

It wll be from 1 to 2 April, 2022. Friday 12-5pm; Friday 6-11pm; Saturday 12-5pm; Saturday 6-11pm.

Where will it be held?

At The Chocolate Factory, Siddalls Road. This is a multi-room space within an old chocolate factory.

Which breweries will particpate?

So far confirmed breweries include: Alter Ego Brewing, Ashover Brewery, Bad Bunny Brewery, Bang the Elephant Brewing, Beer Metroppolis, Buxton Brewery, Darley Abbey Cider, Dancing Duck, Derby Brewing, Littleover Brewery, Pentrich, Thornbridge and Torrside.

How much will it cost?

Tickets are £11, including collectable glass.

Tickets for the Great Derbyshire Beer Festival

Can be bought here.

For more information on the Great Derbyshire Beer Festival

Click here.

Other Festivals in Derby

The factory also houses the award-winning Bustler Market, with excellent street food traders once a month. This will house the indoor Sausage and Cider Festival on 7 May (tickets from £10). The UK’s largest Gin and Rum Festival tour will also visit the venue on 21 May, with handpicked guest distillers and themed gin and rum bars (tickets £15).

Other Festivals in Derby

If beer is not your tipple then you might like to visit the Derby Feste steet festival, held each year in September, or the Derby Folk Festival in September / October.

Dog Lovers Festival

Derby’s Elvaston Castle Country Park will host the UK’s “best dog friendly tribute festival weekender”, the Dog Lovers Festival, (5 to 7 August). Featuring live music, doggy treats, a dog show and pop-up pet village (tickets from £10.50 in advance).

Discover what Mark Bibby Jackson thought of the city in: Things to Do in Derby: From Pubs to Sufragettes.

For more details of Derby’s 2022 festival line-up

See www.visitderby.co.uk/whats-on/coming-to-derby-in-2022/.

Derby is bidding to become the UK City of Culture 2025, supported by a city-wide partnership, including Visit Derby: “Culture Derby 2025. See more at https://culturederby.co.uk.