The 2026 season opens with a Preview Night on Saturday 12 September, and will then run every Saturday and Sunday from 19 September to 1 November, plus Friday 30 October.placeholder image
The 2026 season opens with a Preview Night on Saturday 12 September, and will then run every Saturday and Sunday from 19 September to 1 November, plus Friday 30 October.

Boats return for historic Matlock Bath Illuminations as annual event set to prove popular again

The Illuminations bring in around 100,000 visitors during the Autumn spectacular

The annual Matlock Bath Illuminations returned last weekend and are proving popular.

They will run every weekend from Saturday, September 19 until November 1 , plus Friday, October 30 - and several nights are at capacity already.

Event organiser Derbyshire Dales District Council says that the Illuminations bring in around 100,000 visitors to the area during the Autumn spectacular.

The Illuminations have a long established history dating back to 1897, when they were first held to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.

The fun-packed family preview event featured entertainment in Derwent Gardens including fairground rides, The Wombles and KPop Demon Hunters.

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