Illuminations ready to light up nights again
TICKETS are on sale for Matlock Bath Illuminations, which returns for an eight-week season after last year’s event was cancelled due to the pandemic.
Organised by Derbyshire Dales District Council, the 123rd Illuminations will run every weekend from September 11 until Halloween, Sunday, October 31, with the Derwent Gardens and Lovers’ Walks bedecked with colourful lights throughout the season.
Tickets are now on sale through the council but numbers have been reduced this year to a maximum of 4,000 - half the registered capacity of Derwent Gardens.
The busy fireworks nights have also been reduced to just five – on Saturdays 9, 16, 23 and October 30, plus the final night, Sunday, October 31.
There will once again be themed Sundays for younger visitors.
Taking centre stage will be the unique parade of decorated and illuminated boats created painstakingly with thousands of lights by member of the Matlock Bath Venetian Boat Builders’ Association.
District Council leader councillor Garry Purdy, whose Masson ward includes Matlock Bath, said: “Like so many events, this remarkable annual tradition fell victim to Covid restrictions last year and we are proud to be able to bring it back in 2021 to provide a much needed boost to the local economy.
“Dating way back to Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee in 1897, the Illuminations play an important role in extending the tourist season at no cost to Derbyshire
Dales council tax payers.
“The weather intervened at times in 2019, but we usually manage to attract as many as 100,000 visitors to Matlock Bath.”
Online booking is available at www.derbyshiredales.gov.uk/ illuminations -and the entry charges recognise the different levels of entertainment provided on each night.
Tickets for 2021 are £6.50 on Firework Saturdays (£5.50 concessions) and £5.50 on Non-Firework Saturdays and Sundays (£4.50 concessions) if bought online in advance - apart from the final Sunday (October 31) when Saturday prices apply. Accompanied under 16s continue to be free, with concessions available for OAPs.
It means a family of two adults and two or more under 16s can enjoy a Saturday night out at Matlock Bath Illuminations for just £13 – including a fireworks finale – if they buy in advance.
On the night prices (card payments only) are £1.50 more expensive than buying online. Advance sales give the District Council improved monitoring of likely crowds and give it the option to designate certain nights all-ticket if necessary. On-the-night tickets are not guaranteed and will not be available if the event sells out in advance.
A park and ride service will operate from 5pm on fireworks nights from Cromford Meadows to Matlock Bath Pavilion.