And the Peak District
Christmas in the Peak District and Derbyshire really is a magical time, with the picturesque villages decorated for the festive season, with the lights illuminated the decorated market squares and historic buildings.
The snow covered peaks looking amazing, and welcoming pubs with roaring fires ready to welcome you on your return from bracing hikes.
Whether it’s a Christmas market you like or a visit to an historic landmark there are plenty of places for you to keep the children and yourself busy.
Here are some of the many Christmas attractions that are happening around the area.
Christmas at Chatsworth House
This Christmas, step inside Chatsworth House and be magically transported to the mystical frozen realms of the far north.
The Norse god Loki, a powerful sorcerer and mischief-maker, has harnessed his shape-shifting powers to cast an enchanted spell over Chatsworth at Christmas.
Deep Midwinter: A Nordic Christmas at Chatsworth brings to life the Christmas legends, folklore and traditions of the Arctic and Nordic regions in a series of immersive roomscapes. Intricately sculpted ‘ice’ walls, giant woodland hideaways, sparkling pine forests, candlelight, lanterns and traditional Nordic Christmas decorations crafted from wood and foliage evoke the sights, sounds and scents of the natural world at wintertime.
Christmas in Ashbourne
SATUDAY 26th NOVEMBER
Christmas Light switch-on at 5.30 pm around the marketplace.
FRIDAY 3rd DECEMBER
LATE NIGHT SHOPPING AND LANTERN PROCESSION Join the Lantern Procession from St Oswald’s Church at 6.30pm (arrive at church at 6pm to pick up your pre-booked lantern – contact Ashbourne Festival to register – call 01335 348707 or email info@ashbournefestival.org), ending in the marketplace with carol singing around the Christmas tree.
SATURDAY 17th DECEMBER
Tractor Procession starting at 3:45.
Tractor Run with Christmas Lights. As like every year, there will be the festive Tractor Run where local tractors are dressed up with Christmas lights etc… last year there were around 50 tractors involved and it was a fantastic show. A lot of effort had gone into dressing them up, and organising the whole event.
Alton Towers
This Christmas season enjoy unforgettable festive fun with a day out at Alton Towers Resort! Experience fun-packed live entertainment and a whole host of family rides and attractions across three fantastical themed Lands including the UK’s only CBeebies Land, The World of David Walliams with Gangsta Granny: The Ride, as well as Mutiny Bay, the home of budding buccaneers, plus HEX and Spinball Whizzer!
Marvel at the award-winning Lightopia Festival, returning for Christmas 2022, where you’ll walk through a Christmas Wonder trail of lights and lanterns, see mystical dragons and be surrounded by tunnels of lights. This year’s ‘Christmas Wonder’ themed attraction is a truly awe-inspiring seasonal wonderland. Then complete your festive day out with fun-packed live entertainment and a visit to the enchanting Christmas market. A truly fantastic festive day out for the family!
Buxton Opera House
Regarded as one of Frank Matchams finest creations, this is one of England’s most beautiful theatres. So to go and watch any show, especially the annual Christmas ‘panto’ which this year is Sleeping Beauty.
This year’s performance runs from 10th December until the 1st January.
Christmas Markets
Chatsworth Christmas Markets
5th November 2022 to 23rd November 2022
This is a free event. Car parking fees do apply.
Click here for more information.
Haddon Hall’s Mercatum Winter Artisan Market
17 Nov, 18 Nov, 19 Nov, 20 Nov, 24 Nov, 25 Nov, 26 Nov, 27 Nov, 1 Dec, 2 Dec, 3 Dec, 4 Dec
9.30 am to 5.00 pm (last entry at 4.00 pm)
Admission: £7.50 (includes parking)
Children under 16 admitted free of charge
Click here for more information
Bakewell Christmas Market
Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th November 2022
Free admission
Click here for further information
Buxton Christmas market 2022
Saturday 10th to Sunday 11th December, 10am to 5pm
FREE entry
Octagon Hall
Peak Rail Santa and Steam Special
Santa wishes you a Merry Christmas and hopes that you will join him at Rowsley South Station, before boarding his magical steam train.
Dates
Saturday 3rd, 10th and 17th and 23rd
Sunday 4th, 11th and 18th
Thursday 22nd and Friday 23th
Please ensure you leave plenty of time to arrive at Rowsley South Station (DE4 2LF) approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time of the train. Please be aware of other events during the festive period that can cause traffic to be busier than normal in the local area.
All tickets must be booked in advance ONLINE.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Santa and his Railway Helpers invite you to get Christmas off to a magical start by riding Santa’s festive steam train, through the delightful Derbyshire countryside. Join them on their special train at Peak Rail from Rowsley South Station.
As you sit back and enjoy the journey, a variety of professional entertainers will perform for you, Santa and his helpers will make their way through the train and meet everyone at their seat. Santa will have with him a wonderful age suitable gift for all the children.
Children will receive a bottle of water and small packet of sweets each whilst, Adults can sit back and enjoy a Glass of Wine and a Mince Pie (Dietary requirements can be catered for and bottle of water available upon pre-booked request.)
Due to limited space on the train, only assistance dogs are allowed on the train. We regret that due to the historic nature of the carriages, we are unable to accommodate wheelchairs in any other carriages other than the wheelchair accessible spaces in coach C. In this space we can accommodate two parties of up to two people plus one wheelchair user on each train.
Peak District Christmas Trails
Severn Trent Christmas Trails are taking place at Carsington Water and Tittesworth Reservoir from the 17th December to 2nd January.
You don’t need to book for any of these. Just turn up to the relevant Visitors Centre (open 10am to 3pm) to pick up your trail map (£4 each). Each completed sheet will get a selection box as a prize (non-dairy selection boxes are available).
- Carsington Water (click here for info)
Combine this with a Carsington water bike ride or the pram friendly Carsington loop walk. - Tittesworth Water (click here for info)
There’s a lovely pram friendly walk here.
Holiday Cottage in Ashbourne 