Living Advent Calendars 2026
CALLING ALL RESIDENTS OF THE MILL COMMUNITIES OF DARLEY ABBEY, BELPER AND CROMFORD!
Would you like to take part in the 2026 Living Advent Calendars?
A living calendar involves specially decorating a window in your property to be illuminated between 4pm and 10.30pm in the evening. The fist window is ‘opened’ on the 1st of December with a new window lit each day until the 24th December.
Windows are lit from your opening day, up to and including the 1st January making a living advent calendar that can be enjoyed by walking around the community and also shared online on our website and on social media.
This year it is 25 years since the Derwent Valley Mills became a World Heritage Site and we’re having living advent calendars in Darley Abbey, Belper and Cromford to celebrate. On the 13th December there will be a special window as this is the day that the Derwent Valley Mills, Saltaire and New Lanark were all made World Heritage Sites by UNESCO and we’re celebrating together. For our 2026 event, we are looking for:
RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS
We welcome children and adults, novices and artists, to come together, meet new friends and create a festive trail. You don’t need any experience but must be able to commit to designing and lighting up your window during December.
SHOPS & BUSINESSES
Are also very welcome – the more the merrier! We ask shops and businesses to light up their windows from 1 December.
You can visit the 2025 online map from Saltaire World Heritage Site to see their window’s from last year for some inspiration.
HOW TO TAKE PART
You need a window that can be safely viewed from a public pavement or footpath that you can decorate and light.
Please check the maps at the bottom of the page which outline which parts of each community are included.
To apply, complete the correct form below by the 20th October. We will be in touch with selected applicants by 27th October to confirm details and your opening date.
DARLEY ABBEY: Living Advent Calendar take part
BELPER: Living Advent Calendar take part
CROMFORD: Living Advent Calendar take part
WORKSHOP
We’ll be having a community workshop in November where you can come along and meet fellow participants and pick up some great hints, tips and materials for designing and preparing your window. You don’t have to attend the workshop as we’ll also be sharing hints on our website.
If you have any queries, please email Georgina.greaves@derbyshire.gov.uk
Darley Abbey Living Advent Calendar Area
Click to enlarge
Belper Living Advent Calendar Area
Click to enlarge
Cromford Living Advent Calendar Area
Click to enlarge
