Hot Goth Summer Sinks Its Teeth Into Derby This July

Vampires, Gothic literature, cult cinema and alternative culture are set to take over Derby this summer as QUAD launches the first edition of Hot Goth Summer, a three-day celebration dedicated to the darker side of popular culture.

Running from 3 to 5 July, the new festival will transform the city centre venue into a hub for Gothic-themed screenings, talks, workshops, live events and shopping, with organisers promising a programme designed to appeal to horror fans, film lovers and curious newcomers alike.

At the heart of the weekend is Dracula’s Bazaar, a free market operating throughout all three days. Taking over QUAD’s first floor, the event will bring together traders offering clothing, artwork, accessories, crafts, stickers and other Gothic-inspired merchandise.

Cinema will play a major role in the programme through the Hot Goth Summer Film Festival, which will showcase a selection of notable vampire films on the big screen. The line-up includes Interview with the Vampire, Dracula: Prince of Darkness, The Lost Boys, The Hunger, Salem’s Lot and Ken Russell’s Derbyshire-shot The Lair of the White Worm. Festival passes are available alongside tickets for individual screenings.

The weekend will also feature a range of free activities, including a family trail, a children’s colouring competition, a film quiz and the Dances with Darkness disco night. Additional ticketed events will include talks and workshops covering topics ranging from writing to arts and crafts.

The festival has been made possible through support from Derby Dracula and Aspect, with organisers keen to highlight the city’s long-standing literary connection to Bram Stoker’s iconic vampire. Stoker is believed to have drawn inspiration from a visit to Derbyshire while researching what would become Dracula, and that connection has increasingly become part of the city’s cultural identity.

Professor Matthew Cheeseman, Professor of Writing and Folklore at the University of Derby and Director of the Derby Dracula Enterprise, said the festival was intended to celebrate that heritage while welcoming a broad audience.

Meanwhile, QUAD Head of Film Adam J Marsh pointed to the opportunity to see classic vampire films on the cinema screen, highlighting titles ranging from Christopher Lee’s portrayal of Dracula to David Bowie’s performance in The Hunger and the enduring popularity of The Lost Boys.

Hot Goth Summer takes place at QUAD, Derby, from 3 to 5 July 2026. Tickets and further information are available through the festival’s official website: derbyquad.co.uk/season-festival/hot-goth-summer/