All the Good Stuff Happening in Burton!

Thursday 18th December 2025

🎄 What’s On in Burton This Weekend 🎅

It’s the last weekend before Christmas - and Burton is pulling out all the festive stops. From spectacular light shows and carol singing to tribute bands, quizzes, and Christmas pirates (yes, really), there’s something happening on every corner.

✨ The big event this weekend? Canvas of Light lands in town for three magical nights. St Modwen’s Church, the Bass Water Tower, and the Memorial Gardens will be transformed with immersive projections, live music, and a festive night market - and it’s completely free. Don't miss this one.

🎸 Meanwhile, the local music scene is bursting at the seams with 30+ live acts across Burton, Stretton, Swadlincote and beyond. From rock and soul to karaoke and Christmas singalongs, this weekend is one long festive soundtrack.

🎅 There’s also panto, makers markets, pirate-themed kids’ shows, and cosy carol services dotted across the weekend - including Beer & Carols on Sunday night for anyone who likes their hymns with hops.

🗞️ And in this week’s good news:

• Tutbury Castle is officially set to reopen in 2026, thanks to local favourites Bespoke Inns - with big plans for a café, farm shop, events, and more.

• Burton’s hospital has also been awarded a £2 million boost after hitting NHS waiting time targets. A real win for local healthcare.
  
  

🌦️ Finally, the full weekend weather forecast is in - a dry spell for Friday and Saturday, with a chance of light rain creeping in on Sunday. Not bad for December!

👇 Scroll down to plan your weekend in full…

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Alan Lowe Heating Services Limited

Cold Nights Are Here – Is Your Boiler Ready? 🥶

We’ve had our first taste of freezing nights in Burton, and with the heating firmly on now, it’s the perfect time to ask: is your boiler running as efficiently as it should be?

A clean and well-serviced boiler heats your home faster, uses less gas, and helps keep energy bills down – just what you need when the temperatures drop below zero.

If you haven’t had your boiler serviced recently, now’s the time. A quick check-up could mean the difference between a warm, cosy home and an unwanted breakdown during the coldest spell of the year.

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18-20 December | 5pm-8pm | FREE | St Modwen’s Church, Bass Water Tower & Memorial Gardens

Burton upon Trent will glow brighter than ever this week with the arrival of Canvas of Light: Starlight, an immersive art spectacle by award-winning collective Luxmuralis.

For three enchanting evenings (starting tonight), St Modwen’s Church (in the Market Place) and the Bass Water Tower (next to the Library) will be illuminated with vibrant projections, beautifully celebrating Burton’s rich history.

A magical trail, awash in colour and light, will weave through the rejuvenated Memorial Gardens, connecting these legendary sites and creating a unique festive experience for all ages.

Visitors can explore a bustling night market featuring local traders, enjoy live music, and even meet Santa and his elves at Burton Library.

No tickets are required - just wrap up, gather friends and family, and step into this free winter wonderland shining in the heart of Burton.

Want your event featured here for just £10? Click for details.

Note: You can click on most events to see more details of that event.

Thursday 18th December

☀️ Daytime Events

Chair Exercise Class at Burton Caribbean Centre (Weekly)

🌙 Evening Events (other than live music)
Canvas of Light - Free event at St Modwen's Church, Bass Water Tower and Memorial Gardens
Salsa on Thursday at Burton Caribbean Centre (Weekly)
Play Rounders at Granville Academy, Woodville (Weekly)
Epic Smartphone Quiz Night at The Corner House (Weekly)
Quiz Night at The Albion, Shobnall Road (Weekly)
Christmas Quiz at The Hourglass, Hilton

🎸 Live Music

The Wilderness Yet (Burton Folk Club) at Marston's Social Club

Friday 19th December

☀️ Daytime Events

Line Dancing Morning at The Priory Centre, Stretton (Weekly)
Christmas Party Raceday at Uttoxeter Racecourse

🎸 Live Music
Word Up 80s Christmas Party at The Brewhouse
Benji Heenan at The Tavern, Hatton
Ultimate 80s Party with Kezza at The Beacon, Tutbury Road
Paul Gene at The Crown, Stapenhill
Metal Marching Over Burton at The Olde Roayal Oak, Market Place
The Modest at The Greyhound, Swadlincote
Sarah-Kathleen at The Lamb Inn, Newhall

🌙 Evening Events (other than live music)

Canvas of Light - Free event at St Modwen's Church, Bass Water Tower and Memorial Gardens
Open Mic Night at The Albion, Shobnall Road

Saturday 20th December

☀️ Daytime Events
Captain Sprout and the Christmas Pirates at The Brewhouse
Uttoxeter Makers Market at High Street, Uttoxeter

🎸 Live Music
Elwoods Tribute to The Blues Brothers at The Monk's Bridge, Stretton
The Dark Horses at the Tavern, Hatton
Murder of Crows at The Olde Royal Oak, Market Place
Big Rhino / Kiten Pyramid / Zebedee at Prince of Brewers, High Street
Fleetwood Mac Tribute at Marston's Sports & Social Club
The Detroits at The Greyhound, Swadlincote
Sarah-Kathleen at The Red Lion, Linton
Christmas Variety Show at The Mount Pleasant, Swadlincote
Boss and Alex at The Brickmaker's Arms, Newton Solney
Strange Days at The Wyggeston, Calais Road
Brad Bailey at The Alfred, Derby Street
Freeway at Burton Banter, Hawkins Lane
Rockin' with Santa at Stretton Church Hall
Anna Milne at The Grove, Stapenhill

🌙 Evening Events (other than live music)

Karaoke & Disco at The Branston Arms, Branston Road (Weekly)
Canvas of Light - Free event at St Modwen's Church, Bass Water Tower and Memorial Gardens
Carol Singing at The Jinnie, Rolleston
Adult Only Xmas Disco at Stretton Social Club
Christmas Party at Inn Uendo's Bar, Station Street


Sunday 21st December

☀️ Daytime Events
Sunday Afternoon Quiz at The Alfred, Derby Street (Weekly)
Captain Sprout and the Christmas Pirates at The Brewhouse
A Tut-Merry Christmas with Tutbury Band at Burton Town Hall
The 5pm Club (Men's Walking Group) in Winshill (Weekly)
Traditional Carol Service with Force 10 Big Band at Hartshorne Church

🎸 Live Music
Rainer at The Roebuck, Station Street
Alex Elson at The Coopers Tavern, Cross Street
Paul Gene at The Anchor Inn, New Street

🌙 Evening Events (other than live music)
Beer & Carols at The Middle Bell, Barton

Add your event to InBurton for free!  Click Here.

A much-loved Burton landmark is preparing a grand comeback, promising to become a premier local attraction once more.

After months behind closed gates, Tutbury Castle will return to life under Bespoke Inns, the team renowned for The Dragon in Willington, The Boot in Repton and The Hart in Uttoxeter.

Following on from the castle's £1.2 million restoration by The Duchy of Lancaster, Bespoke Inns will work to blend centuries-old heritage with a fresh vision.

The revitalised grounds will include a new café, restaurant, farm shop with local produce, and space for children to play, plus a calendar packed with public events.

Weddings and private gatherings will continue, with the medieval backdrop offering something truly unique for celebrations.

Tutbury Castle’s is scheduled to reopen in early 2026 - once again welcoming locals and visitors into a piece of living history.

Queen’s Hospital Burton is celebrating a £2 million funding boost, rewarding significant progress in reducing waiting times and widening access to planned care.

The University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust, which manages the hospital, was among only eight trusts in England to secure this recognition, reflecting real improvements for local families.

From April to September, the trust boosted performance against the national 18-week referral-to-treatment standard by over 5 percent, meaning more patients are being seen quicker after GP referrals.

Over 52,700 patients received care in that period, with 21,300 surgical procedures completed - up nearly 2,000 from last year.

Long-waiters have dropped substantially, and the total waiting list is at its lowest since May 2022.

Innovative digital tools and better resource use have cut missed appointments, with new funding set to boost capacity further - welcome news for Burton’s healthcare community.

Friday, 19th December ☀️
Mostly dry with plenty of cloud and some sunshine at times — no significant rain expected. A crisp winter’s day with a high around 10 °C and an overnight low near 7 °C.

Saturday, 20th December ⛅
A largely dry day with cloud and brighter breaks, possibly a little sunshine. Temperatures will be around 9 °C in the daytime, dropping to about 6 °C overnight.

Sunday, 21st December 🌦️
More cloud and a chance of light rain later in the day as conditions turn a little wetter. Expect a high of around 8 °C and an overnight low of about 6 °C.

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NOTE: You may wish to double-check weekly events are running before going along as some may be cancelled over the Christmas and New Year period.

Monday 22nd December

🌙 Evening Events (other than live music)

Quiz Night at The Jinnie, Rolleston (Weekly)

Tuesday 23rd December

☀️ Daytime Events
Communi-Tea (Make friends over a cuppa) at The Mill House, Stretton (Weekly)

🌙 Evening Events (other than live music)
Quiz Night at The Sump (Weekly)
Quiz Night at The Crossing (Weekly)
Quiz Night at The Dragon, Willington (Weekly)
Communi-Tea (Make friends over a cuppa) at The Mill House, Stretton (Weekly)
Carols by Candlelight at The Oak & Ivy, Wellington Street

Wednesday 24th December: Christmas Eve

☀️ Daytime Events

Have Tea with a Pony at Scropton Horse Centre (Weekly)

🎸 Live Music
Miles & Margaret at The Oak & Ivy, Wellington Street
Sarah-Kathleen at The Leopard, Tutbury

🌙 Evening Events (other than live music)
Quiz Night at The Mill House, Stretton (Weekly)
Speed Quiz at The Stanhope Arms (Weekly)
Men's Support Group at Burton Fire Station, Moor Street (Weekly)

Thursday 25th December: Christmas Day

HAPPY CHRISTMAS 🎅

Friday 26th December

☀️ Daytime Events

Line Dancing Morning at The Priory Centre, Stretton (Weekly)
Burton Albion v Northampton Town at Pirelli Stadium

🎸 Live Music
Ibz at The Baranston Arms, Branston Road
Connie Bolton at Newhall Social Club
Sarah-Kathleen at The Mount Pleasant, Swadlincote

Saturday 27th December

🎸 Live Music
Vicki Rosina at The Monk's Bridge, Stretton

🌙 Evening Events (other than live music)

Karaoke & Disco at The Branston Arms, Branston Road (Weekly)
Comedy Night at The Jinnie, Rolleston


Sunday 28th December

☀️ Daytime Events
Sunday Afternoon Quiz at The Alfred, Derby Street (Weekly)
Burton History Tours presents The Brief History of Burton

🎸 Live Music
A Fish Called Wandy at The Coopers Tavern, Cross Street
The Detroits at The Roebuck, Station Street
Paul Gene at The Alfred, Derby Street

Monday 29th December

🌙 Evening Events (other than live music)

Burton Albion v Wigan Athletic at Pirelli Stadium


Wednesday 31st December: New Year's Eve

☀️ Daytime Events
New Year's Eve Raceday at Uttoxeter Racecourse

🎸 Live Music
Adam George Foreman at The Hourglass, Hilton
Elvis at The Mill House, Stretton

🌙 Evening Events (other than live music)
Disco Party at The Monk's Bridge, Stretton
New Year's Eve Party at The Gate Inn, Stanton

Add your event to InBurton for free!  Click Here.

Footman Podiatry in Stretton has quickly become a trusted name for local residents seeking expert foot and ankle care.

Founded by father-and-son duo Steve and Barney Foster, the clinic draws on over 40 years of NHS experience, offering advanced treatments in a welcoming, modern setting.

From routine nail care to complex musculoskeletal assessments and steroid injections, every patient is treated with genuine care and professionalism.

A core mission is to provide reassurance and clear explanations, empowering patients who may have struggled to find answers elsewhere.

All clinicians are fully degree-qualified, HCPC registered, and committed to continuous training, ensuring safe and effective treatment.

With its accessible, purpose-built clinic, Footman Podiatry stands out as a vital community resource for Stretton, Rolleston, Horninglow, and Burton-on-Trent, delivering relief and confidence to those facing foot pain.

Want to be featured in Behind the Business? Share your story, get seen, and connect with local customers - click here to learn more. (It's free)

That’s it for this week!

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Finally, may I end by wishing you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Many thanks for your support of the Insider this year and I look forward to being back with more local news and events on Thursday 8th January.

Best regards,

Chris Towland

How did Mary and Joseph get their groceries delivered?
On a Lidl donkey.