Centenary Celebrations

Derby Cathedral’s Centenary Events

Beyond Helios, Derby Cathedral will mark our centenary year with some exciting events and activities…

December 2026

To celebrate our 100^th Christmas as a Cathedral, the Friends of Derby Cathedral have gifted us a brand new nativity scene. Carved by a local Derbyshire craftsman, the crib set’s wooden figures will stand at almost one metre tall and alongside our Tree of Light, and wide range of Christmas concerts and services, will make this a Christmas to remember.

12^th – 14^th February 2027

Derby Cathedral will be marking the 500th anniversary of Bess of Hardwick, whose tomb is in the Cathedral. Events and activities will include an exhibition on Bess’s life, special music performances inspired by 16th century music, textiles and talks exploring Bess of Hardwick’s life and times. This is part of a wider regional focus for 2027.

7^th – 9^th May 2027

In the middle of year will be our Centenary Music Festival in partnership with Sinfonia Viva. Highlights of the weekend will include an afternoon with the Kanneh-Masons, a ‘Come and Sing’ event with John Rutter, and an evening concert with the Derby Cathedral Choir and Sinfonia Viva.

27^th June 2027

Join the Cathedral Choir and church choirs from across the Diocese of Derby to celebrate the centenary at the annual Diocesan Choral Festival, hopefully including a performance of a newly commissioned work!

28^th October 2027

Special Cathedral Service celebrating 100 years of Derby Cathedral. The service will include a new piece of commissioned music, and will lead into an All Saints weekend celebration and the 70^th anniversary of our wonderful Embroiders group.

Centenary Fundraising Appeal: A hundred years of shining bright. Be part of what we build next

As Derby Cathedral enters its 100^th year as a Cathedral we have bold and exciting plans to re-open the Cathedral’s unique mediaeval tower for the public again. Throughout 2027 we will be raising funds to repair the Tower Roof, with the aim of closing our centenary year by giving the people of Derby a different view of our city.

To keep up to date with our centenary plans please do visit www.derbycathedral.org/whatson/