Matlock Bath Illuminations

The spa town of Matlock Bath has been lighting up the skies every September and October since Queen Victoria admired the reflections of light on water there at her Diamond Jubilee Celebrations on 1897, following a fondly remembered earlier visit when she was still Princess. Today a flotilla of brightly lit boats takes to the water for a riverborne parade each Saturday and Sunday of the season, with entertainments on Saturdays at the Bandstand and fireworks on selected dates. There is a second Boat Parade at 9.15 on Firework nights only. The first boat in the parade is lit by candles to give visitors an appreciation of how the illuminations would have appeared in Victorian times.

Helpful Hints

Admission is discounted if tickets are bought in advance with free admission for disabled visitors and children. Check the link below for which nights are which as firework nights are usually slightly more expensive!

In 2024 the Illuminations should run from Saturday 7th September to Sunday 27th October on Saturdays and Sundays.

Check the website link for full details of fireworks nights. In extreme weather, performances may be cancelled for safety reasons (in 2019 flooding was a problem).

Click here for the event Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/matlockbathilluminations/

and here for a first hand account:  http://traditionalcustomsandceremonies.wordpress.com/?s=matlock

– many thanks to Ross Parish for drawing this event to my attention!