More than 4,000 people brought World Book Day to life in Derby filling the Market Hall for a celebration of books, imagination and creativity.
Derby Book Festival’s BIG Derby World Book Day Party transformed the historic venue into a vibrant space welcoming families from across the city and beyond.
Authors, illustrators, poets and performers brought stories to life on stage, while children and their grown-ups immersed themselves in a packed programme of workshops and interactive activities.
Ticketed workshops proved especially popular, with several selling out in advance. Young readers were able to spend their National Book Tokens to receive a free book, swap pre-loved titles for new adventures at the book exchange, and explore the Market Hall by following the much-loved Marty Moose Trail.
Colourful costumes added to the festive atmosphere as many children dressed as their favourite book characters, with judging taking place later in the afternoon. The main stage featured a lively line-up of poets, authors and performers, while the Festival stall hosted free craft activities and a popular children’s book sale throughout the day.
Families also enjoyed a busy colouring competition and the opportunity to meet and chat with local authors and illustrators. Many Market Hall traders joined in by organising their own free activities, contributing to the warm, community feel of what organisers described as a “mini family festival in a day”.
A prize raffle offered two winners the chance to take home sets of 10 children’s books.
The event built on the success of last year’s inaugural celebration and forms part of the National Year of Reading 2026, which Derby Book Festival is proudly supporting with events and initiatives throughout the year.
The event was free but Derby Book Festival, which is a charity, suggested a donation of £3 from those who are able to support them, as well as supporting the World Book Day charity who will receive a share of the donations. Both of these charities are working to improve literacy rates and the enjoyment of books, by ‘Bringing Books To Life’.
Professor Keith McLay, Chair of Derby Book Festival and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the
University of Derby, said: “Seeing more than 4,000 people come together to celebrate books and reading was fantastic. World Book Day helps young people see reading as a source of joy, creativity and opportunity – laying strong foundations for learning and personal growth.
“Through events and reading initiatives like this, we can help to bridge literacy gaps and ensure everyone has the opportunity to experience the joy and benefits of reading.”
Derby Book Festival runs a year-round community programme alongside its two annual festivals where celebrities and authors are interviewed live on stage. It will include a strong children and families’ programme in the Summer Festival (22 – 31 May) and plans to organise more events in the Market Hall later in the year.
Each year it organises Meet the Author events for Derby and Derbyshire primary and secondary schools, which last year reached over 9,000 pupils. The two primary events are held at Derby Theatre and live streamed to around 60 schools across the city and county. This year’s Meet the Author events will include the current Children’s Laureate, Frank Cottrell Boyce and author/illustrator Joe Todd- Stanton.
Derby Book Festival is funded by Arts Council England and the University of Derby, with additional sponsorship from local businesses.
The event demonstrates the positive impact that cultural events can have – not just on literacy, but on community pride and footfall in the city centre. Derby Book Festival is inviting businesses across Derby and Derbyshire to support them to make events like this possible. Corporate support enables them to keep activities accessible and affordable for families, while directly contributing to improved literacy outcomes and long-term educational success.
If you would like to sponsor Derby Book Festival please contact Sian Hoyle, Festival Director, at sian@derbybookfestival.co.uk
