Free February Half Term Events or Under £3 in Derbyshire (2026)
UPDATED JANUARY 2026
Abbie Coleman is a Derbyshire-based mum of two and the founder of MMB Magazine and Ey-Up. She creates easy-to-read guides covering what’s on for families in Derbyshire, sharing local events, free activities and tried-and-tested ideas that make planning days out simpler for busy mums. Contact us to work with Ey-UP as a business or as a new blogger.
If you’re looking for free February half term events in Derbyshire, this is the guide you’ll want saved. From library activities and museum workshops to outdoor trails, parks and creative drop-ins, Derbyshire is packed with family-friendly things to do during the school holidays — without spending a fortune.
This guide brings together all the free February half term events across Derbyshire, organised by location, so you can quickly find what’s on near you. I’ve also added real mum tips throughout to help you plan stress-free days that actually work with kids.
✨ This page will be updated as more free events are announced — bookmark it and check back.
Table of Contents
📅 February Half Term Dates – Derbyshire 2026
Most Derbyshire schools are expected to break up for:
Monday 16 February – Friday 20 February 2026
(Always double-check your individual school dates)
📍 DERBY – FREE FEBRUARY HALF TERM EVENTS
Derby is one of the best places in Derbyshire for free half-term activities, especially for younger children.
📚 Derby Libraries – Free Half Term Activities
📍 Multiple locations across Derby
🌐 https://www.inderby.org.uk
💷 Free
Events include:
- Sprout’s Surprise! – Allestree & Mickleover Libraries
- Mon 16 Feb (2:30–3:30pm)
- Thu 19 Feb (10:30–11:30am)
- Cheshire Cat Children’s Clay Workshop – Allestree Library
- Tue 17 Feb (11am–12pm)
- A Pirate Adventure – Mackworth Library
- Thu 19 Feb (10:30–11:30am)
- Kev F’s Comic Art Masterclass – Alvaston & Mickleover Libraries
- Thu 19 Feb (10:30am–12:30pm & 2–4pm)
- History Talk: Rome of the Romans – Mickleover Library
- Fri 20 Feb (10:30am)
- Children’s Coding Workshop – Allestree Library
- Sat 21 Feb (10:30am–12pm)
Mum tip: Libraries are warm, calm and brilliant for kids who don’t love loud attractions — but some sessions do need booking.
🏛️ Derby Museums – Free Creative Drop-Ins
Derby Museum of Making
📍 Silk Mill Lane, Derby, DE1 3AF
🌐 https://www.derbymuseums.org
💷 Free (suggested donation £3)
- Field to Fashion – How to Fix Your Clothes
- Wed 18 Feb (10:30am–12:30pm & 1:30–3:30pm)
- Textile Trail (across all three Derby Museums)
- 17–23 Feb | £1 optional trail
Mum tip: Pair this with a riverside walk or café stop — it feels like a proper day out without spending anything.
Derby Museum and Art Gallery
📍 The Strand, Derby, DE1 1BS
💷 Free (suggested donation £3)
- UnEarthed Fossils
- Thu 19 Feb (10:30am–12:30pm & 1:30–3:30pm)
Pickford’s House
📍 41 Friar Gate, Derby, DE1 1DA
💷 Free (suggested donation £3)
- Embellish Your Clothes with Embroidery
- Tue 17 Feb (10:30am–12:30pm & 1:30–3:30pm)
🛍️ Derby City Centre – Free Drop-In Events
Derby Market Hall
📍 Market Place, Derby, DE1 3AH
- Family Pirate & Princess Weekend
- 19–21 Feb | 10am–5pm | Free, drop-in
Derby Market Place
- Valentine’s Funfair
- Thu 12 Feb | 4–10pm
- 💷 Pay per ride (not free, but popular alongside free events)
Waterstones Derby
📍 Derby City Centre
- Mr Men & Little Miss – Chinese New Year
- 14–22 Feb | During opening hours | Free
Hobbycraft Derby
📍 Derby
- Kids’ Bouncing Buddies with Posca Workshop
- Mon 16 Feb (2pm) & Sat 22 Feb (1pm)
- 💷 £3 (low-cost)
🌳 Free Outdoor Spaces in Derby
- Markeaton Park – DE22 4AA
- Darley Park
- Derby Arboretum
Mum tip: February parks are quieter. Wrap up warm, take a flask, and let kids burn off energy.
📍 AMBER VALLEY – FREE FAMILY TRAILS
‘Ay Up Me Duck’ Family Trail
📍 Various locations across Amber Valley
📅 February 2026 (dates TBC)
💷 Free (small map charge may apply)
A brilliant way to turn a walk into an activity — especially good for mixed-age siblings.
📍 EREWASH & SOUTH DERBYSHIRE
Erewash Museum
📍 Ilkeston, DE7 5JA
💷 Free
- Bricks and Play
- Wed 19 – Fri 21 Feb | Drop-in
Sharpe’s Pottery Museum
📍 West Street, Swadlincote, DE11 9DG
- Lunar New Year Museum Trail – £1
- Creative Family Valentine’s Day – Sat 14 Feb | Free
- Lunar New Year Free Craft Day – Sat 21 Feb | Free
📍 NORTH DERBYSHIRE & BORDER AREAS
Creswell Crags
📍 Crags Road, Creswell, S80 3LH
💷 Free to explore (trail packs £3 optional)
- Winter Star Trail – weekends during winter
Hardwick Hall
📍 Doe Lea, Chesterfield, S44 5QJ
Elizabethan St Valentine Half Term
‘Hop into the Wild’ Family Trail
📅 14–22 Feb | Included with admission (free with NT membership)
Calke Abbey
📍 Ticknall, Derby, DE73 7LE
- Wonder World: Earth Book Trail – 14–22 Feb
- Storytelling Sessions – some free, some ticketed
📍 DERBYSHIRE-WIDE FREE IDEAS (NO BOOKING NEEDED)
These aren’t ticketed events — just real-life half-term ideas mums actually use:
✔ Museum hopping (Museum of Making + Art Gallery)
✔ Library + park combo days
✔ DIY nature bingo in any park
✔ Canal walks (Cromford Canal is buggy-friendly)
✔ Scavenger hunts in town centres
✔ Photo challenges (bridges, murals, statues)
Mum tip: You don’t need to fill every day. One small outing a day is usually plenty.
⭐ Top Tips for Free February Half Term in Derbyshire
- Free events still book up — check early
- Midweek mornings are quieter
- Mix indoor calm days with outdoor energy days
- Save this page — new free events are often added late