Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
What's On in Derbyshire
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Discover Adventure At Conkers
24th March-11th May 2025
Venue: Conkers
Address: Swadlincote
Website: www.visitconkers.com
Nestled in the heart of the National Forest, Conkers is a world of adventure, exploration and discovery! With over 120 acres of woodland, lakes and play zones, there’s something for everyone to enjoy....
Genius Tuition Derby
24th March-11th May 2025
Venue: Genius Tuition Derby
Address: Moore Street
Website: www.geniustuition.co.uk
With experienced PGCE qualified teachers that have over 12 years of experience, Genius Tuition want to deliver quality teaching and learning with the aim of developing their students academically and socially....
GKR Karate
24th March-11th May 2025
Venue: Various locations
Website: www.gkrkarate.com
GKR brings the martial art of karate within reach of everyone, regardless of age or fitness level. Starting from 5 years of age, they have classes that cater for all people, especially families, all over...
S4 Swim School
24th March-11th May 2025
Venue: Various locations
Website: www.s4swimschool.uk
Offering a clear objective to provide an excellent level of swimming lessons and coaching for children and adults. They specialise in advance technique in their swimming lessons and introductory coaching...
Soft Play Parties
24th March-11th May 2025
Venue: Moorways Sports Village
Address: Derby
Website: www.everyoneactive.com/centre/moorways-sports-village-and-water-park/
A soft play party at Moorways Sports Village will give kids memories that will last for years to come. Parties combine adventure, fantastic fun and safety, all in one go. Moorways Sports Village is run...
The Easter HAF Programme
24th March-11th May 2025
Venue: Derby
Website: derby.gov.uk/derbyhaf
The Easter Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme is designed for children who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals. If your child qualifies, you should have received an email or text...
The Kip McGrath Difference
24th March-11th May 2025
Venue: Kip McGrath
Website: www.kipmcgrath.co.uk
Countless students have built confidence and achieved academic success through Kip programs since 1976. They understand how important it is to choose the right tutor for your child. Book a free no-obligation...
Cinderella Ice Cream Seller
23rd-24th April 2025
Venue: New Vic Theatre
Address: Etruria Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme
Website: www.newvictheatre.org.uk/productions/cinderella-ice-cream-seller/
Perfect for children and families alike, this exciting musical retelling of a fairy-tale classic promises a delightful blend of storytelling, stunning live music, and theatrical magic that will capture...
Antique And Collectors Fair
26th-27th April 2025
Venue: Pavilion Gardens
Address: St John's Road, Buxton
Website: paviliongardens.co.uk/events/
Over 100 quality stalls will fill the room with a wide range of items. If you 're looking to add to you home, garden, wardrobe or collection it's the place to visit. Adults £2.50, concessions £2, accompanied...
St George's Day Celebrations
26th April 2025
Venue: Derby City Centre
Website: www.derbylive.co.uk/whats-on/
Derby’s annual St George’s Day celebrations highlights English heritage and culture in all its eccentricities. Discover dragons, medieval knights and St George in this free family event in Derby’s...
Toy Bank Weekend
26th-27th April 2025
Venue: Gulliver’s Kingdom
Website: www.gulliverskingdomresort.co.uk/toy-bank-weekend
Enjoy discounted theme park entry from £15pp when you bring along a new and unused toy (one per booking) to donate when you arrive. In support of KidsOut, your generous donations will help support local...
Wildlings at Hem Heath Woods
1st May 2025
Venue: Hem Heath Woods
Address: Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
Website: www.staffs-wildlife.org.uk/events/
Wildlings is a play group with a twist with Staffordshire Wildlife Trust! Go along and try new things outdoors. Following the Forest School ethos of child-led explorations you could swing in a hammock,...
Under 5s Make & Take
2nd May 2025
Venue: Sharpe’s Pottery Museum
Address: West St, Swadlincote
Website: www.sharpespotterymuseum.org.uk/event/under-5s-make-take-3/
A new session, combining the popular Messy and Sensory Play sessions and adding a splash of creativity! Each month will offer a themed craft activity for under 5s. £5 per child, additional adults (not...
Princess & Pirate Weekend
3rd-5th May 2025
Venue: Gulliver’s Kingdom
Website: www.gulliverskingdomresort.co.uk/princess-and-pirate-weekend-2
There will be treasure treats, fancy dress events, themed activities and so much more at Gulliver's Kingdom’s Princess and Pirate Bank Holiday Weekend takeover!
Family Make & Take: Transport!
4th May 2025
Venue: Sharpe’s Pottery Museum
Address: West St, Swadlincote
Website: www.sharpespotterymuseum.org.uk/event/family-make-take-transport/
As part of the Festival of Transport they will be opening their doors from 10am-2pm. Enjoy the day and pop by for some crafty fun between 10.30am and 12.30pm! Drop in or book your place online. £5 per...
Buxton Comic Con
5th May 2025
Venue: Pavilion Gardens
Address: Buxton
Website: paviliongardens.co.uk/events/comic-con/
Buxton Comic Con is a free entry family fun event with characters, cosplay, meet and greets, photo opportunities, retro gaming, Lego displays, stalls and more. Octagon Hall, 10am - 4pm.
Forest Friends Outdoor Stay and Play at Longnor, Buxton
5th May 2025
Venue: St Bartholomew's Primary School
Address: Buxton Rd, Longnor, Buxton
Website: www.staffs-wildlife.org.uk/events/
At 'Forest Friends' you'll play forest school style, using nature as your guide and seeing where curiosity takes you. Adventures will be different each month but could range from swinging in hammocks,...
Chatsworth Young Farmers
10th-11th May 2025
Venue: Chatsworth
Website: www.chatsworth.org/events/chatsworth-young-farmers/
Spend an afternoon helping the farmyard team with their daily jobs, from collecting eggs to grooming the animals. This is a great opportunity for hands-on involvement in caring for farm animals and learning...
Born to Dance
20th-22nd May 2025
Venue: Winding Wheel Theatre
Address: Holywell Street, Chesterfield, Derbyshire
Website: chesterfieldtheatres.co.uk/shows/born-to-dance-2025/
Diane Bradbury Theatre Dance School returns for its annual showcase. With dazzling costumes and electric routines, one of Chesterfield's leading dance schools once again raises the roof in this thrilling...
May Half Term
24th May-1st June 2025
Venue: Gulliver’s Kingdom
Website: www.gulliverskingdomresort.co.uk/opening-times-and-prices
Enjoy fun-filled adventures at Gulliver’s every day during May half term. Book early to save more on your theme park tickets or extend the fun with a magical short break!
Top Secret - The Magic of Science
24th May 2025
Venue: Pavilion Arts Centre
Address: St John's Rd, Buxton
Website: buxtonoperahouse.org.uk/event/top-secret-the-magic-of-science-2025
Fusing the mystery of magic with wondrous and miraculous feats of science. Top Secret is a fast-moving colourful magical science show filled with mystery, suspense, and lots and lots of mess!
Bank Holiday Weekend Spring Spectacular
25th-26th May 2025
Venue: Pavilion Gardens
Address: Buxton
Website: paviliongardens.co.uk/events/
In the Octagon Hall there will be large range of stalls selling an array of interesting, unique and often handmade gifts, photographs, homeware, ladies fashion, cards, jewellery, plants, toys and more....
The Staffordshire County Show
28th-29th May 2025
Venue: Staffordshire County Showground
Website: www.staffscountyshowground.co.uk
The show offers something for visitors of all ages, and this year’s main attraction is the exhilarating Bolddog Lings Motorcycle Display Team. With a packed Main Ring programme, several competitions...
Sea Glass for Families
29th May 2025
Venue: Sharpe’s Pottery Museum
Address: West St, Swadlincote, Derbyshire
Website: www.sharpespotterymuseum.org.uk/event/sea-glass-for-families-2/
Join Karen from Shore Things to create art from the fragments of glass and pottery that are washed up on our beaches every day. Even if you think you’re not creative, Karen will lead you through the...
Chatsworth Family Festival
30th May-1st June 2025
Venue: Chatsworth
Website: www.chatsworth.org/events/chatsworth-family-festival/
The family festival in the garden returns for a second year offering a host of entertainment and activities designed to entertain every family member. The festival will follow a week of half term activities...
The Big 1
1st June 2025
Venue: Chaddesden Park
Address: Derby
Website: www.inderby.org.uk/parks/events/the-big-1/
The Big 1 at Chaddesden Park returns this year with a great selection of stalls, food, dance displays, live entertainment, and the return of the fantastic dog show plus a Fun Fair! Free entry.
The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe
3rd-7th June 2025
Venue: Regent Theatre
Address: Stoke-on-Trent
Website: www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-lion-the-witch-and-the-wardrobe/regent-theatre/
Step through the wardrobe into the magic kingdom of Narnia where a world of wonder awaits. Join Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter as they meet new friends, face dangerous foes and learn the lessons of courage,...
Wildlings at Hem Heath Woods
5th June 2025
Venue: Hem Heath Woods
Address: Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
Website: www.staffs-wildlife.org.uk/events/
Wildlings is a play group with a twist with Staffordshire Wildlife Trust! Go along and try new things outdoors. Following the Forest School ethos of child-led explorations you could swing in a hammock,...
Under 5s Make & Take
6th June 2025
Venue: Sharpe’s Pottery Museum
Address: West St, Swadlincote, Derbyshire
Website: www.sharpespotterymuseum.org.uk/event/under-5s-make-take-2/
A new session, combining the popular Messy and Sensory Play sessions and adding a splash of creativity! Each month will offer a themed craft activity for under 5s. £5 per child, additional adults (not...
Museum on the Move: Vikings
7th June 2025
Venue: Duckmanton Primary School
Website: chesterfieldtheatres.co.uk/shows/museum-on-the-move-vikings/
A Viking extravaganza with Duckmanton Primary School. Tactile handling objects and fun activities including weaving, writing your names in runes and making a Viking sheild. Free entry.
Pretty Muddy
7th June 2025
Venue: Markeaton Park
Address: Derby
Website: www.inderby.org.uk/parks/events/
Climb, crawl and slide your way around the Pretty Muddy® obstacle course, have fun and raise money for life-saving cancer research.
STEAM Tots – June
7th June 2025
Venue: Museum of Making - Derby Museums
Website: derbymuseums.org
This loose parts play session offers a sensory and playful exploration of objects and materials, stimulating children’s curiosity, imagination and experimentation. Drop-in session, suitable for children...
The Worst Princess
7th-8th June 2025
Venue: Lichfield Garrick Theatre
Address: Lichfield
Website: www.lichfieldgarrick.com/events/the-worst-princess
A delightful dragontastic show for pop princesses and naughty knights. Full House Theatre’s new family show is about to explode into a theatre near you bringing this bestselling picture book to life...
Race for Life
8th June 2025
Venue: Markeaton Park
Address: Derby
Website: www.inderby.org.uk/parks/events/
The 5k and 10k course is suitable for all abilities. Take part with a group of friends or family, have fun and raise money for life-saving cancer research.
Celebrating Jane Austen
13th-15th June 2025
Venue: Chatsworth
Website: www.chatsworth.org/events/celebrating-jane-austen/
Celebrate Jane Austen's 250th birthday, and the 20th anniversary of Chatsworth becoming 'Pemberley' for Joe Wright's 2005 film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. Experience a range of talks, garden tours...
Flowers and Friendship Bracelets
15th June 2025
Venue: Regent Theatre
Address: Stoke-on-Trent
Website: www.atgtickets.com/shows/flowers-and-friendship-bracelets/regent-theatre/
Get ready for a dazzling explosion of music, dance, and excitement as Flowers and Friendship Bracelets takes to the stage! It's the ultimate pop concert and celebrate the biggest hits from the hottest...
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
18th-21st June 2025
Venue: New Mills Art Theatre
Address: High Peak
Website: www.ticketsource.co.uk/btw/chitty-chitty-bang-bang/e-eyexzl
Based on the 1968 film of the same name, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang tells the story of an eccentric inventor named Caractacus Potts who sets about restoring an old race car from a scrap heap. With a fantastical...
Matricks Illusion: Reimagined
22nd June 2025
Venue: Lichfield Garrick Theatre
Address: Lichfield
Website: www.lichfieldgarrick.com/events/matricks-illusion
Matricks Illusion is excited to bring their new production of Reimagined! Taking the classics of magic and reimagining them with a modern twist, this is their most dynamic and innovative show yet. Balancing...
Stage Productions presents Shrek The Musical
24th-28th June 2025
Venue: Regent Theatre
Address: Stoke-on-Trent
Website: www.atgtickets.com/shows/stage-productions-presents-shrek-the-musical/regent-theatre/
This vibrant and whimsical musical brings to life the beloved characters from the hit animated film, featuring a sensational score with memorable songs. Follow the lovable ogre Shrek as he embarks on a...
Flowers and Friendship Bracelets
28th June 2025
Venue: Lichfield Garrick Theatre
Address: Lichfield
Website: www.lichfieldgarrick.com/events/flowers-friendship-bracelets
Get ready for a dazzling explosion of music, dance, and excitement as Flowers and Friendship Bracelets takes to the stage! Visit for the ultimate pop concert and celebrate the biggest hits from the hottest...
Spot's Birthday Party
1st-2nd July 2025
Venue: Lichfield Garrick Theatre
Address: Lichfield
Website: www.lichfieldgarrick.com/events/spots-birthday-party
Spot had such fun celebrating his birthday last year that he is back to celebrate again, and everyone’s invited! Join Spot and his friends for this engaging and interactive show for everyone 2+ and their...