Cathedrals at Night

Cathedrals at Night: new nationwide campaign invites visitors to ​see historic and sacred space of Derby Cathedral in a new light.

Derby Cathedral will open after hours to welcome in visitors for free, part of the first coordinated nationwide Cathedrals at Night campaign in the UK.

This year, Derby Cathedral is joining other participating Church of England cathedrals and its partners to offer people a Cathedral​s​ at Night experience where visitors of all ages can immerse themselves in the culture and spirituality of this beautiful building and enjoy a taste of cathedral life for free.

We will open our doors on Saturday 14th May with an evening that includes:

From 6.00pm – 10.00pm

• Opening of Cathedrals at night marked by the ringing of the bells
• Licensed bar selling drinks and refreshments
• Fairtrade stall selling Fairtrade products and gifts
• The beautiful work done by our embroidery workshop will be on display
• Relax, reflect and enjoy Peace Doves
• Children’s activities

6.30 pm, 7.30 pm and 8.30 pm

• ‘The Cathedral History and its People’ talk by Derek Limer

7.00 pm

• Meet and greet with the Dean of Derby! An informal chat. Pease send any questions you may have in advance to jessica@derbycathedral.org

8.00 pm

• ‘The Timeline of the Cathedral Tower and Bells’ talk by Roger Lawson

9.30 pm

• Ringing of the bells again. Last orders at the bar!

The campaign, postponed from 2020 due to the pandemic, has been co-ordinated by the Association of English Cathedrals (AEC) and is the first nationwide project that brings together Church of England cathedrals, Westminster Abbey, Cathedral Isle of Man, and St David’s and St Asaph from the Church in Wales, around a single, simple campaign.

It has been inspired by the European campaign, Les Nuits des Cathedra​les which was first launched in 2008 and sees participating European cathedrals open their doors after hours for free on the second Saturday ​in May.

It is hoped Cathedrals At Night will become a regular date in the diary for English cathedrals and their partners beyond 2022.