Christmas 2023 in the Peak District

There’s plenty going on in the run up to Christmas 2023 in the Peak District. We’ve gathered together a list of things to do to get you in the holiday spirit.

Christmas at Chatsworth – November 4^th 2023 – 7^th January 2024

Chatsworth House will be transformed into The Palace of Advent, a winter wonderland filled with the sights, sounds, and scents of the season.

You can discover 24 rooms filled with Christmas wonder, from a winter wonderland to a glittering Christmas tree brooch forest. What’s more, at the heart of the house, you’ll find Father Christmas’ workshop, where preparations are underway for the all-important Christmas Eve deliveries.

Meet Chatsworth’s ‘Host of Advent’, a gregarious character with a fondness for fun (and mince pies), and make a Christmas wish to hang on one of the special Wish Trees. Don’t forget to take the opportunity to stir the giant Christmas pudding pot, just one of many festive photo opportunities to be enjoyed with friends and family.

Featured in the decorations are items from the Devonshire Collections, including ecclesiastical paintings by Luca Giordano, Salvator Rosa, and Paolo Veronese. British artists have also been commissioned to craft new works for the experience, such as fine artist Bethan Maddocks and digital artist Leavon Archer.

Christmas in the Chatsworth gardens

The celebrations will continue in the gardens with an interactive light and sound trail past the Cascade, and through the Rock Garden and Maze, leading to a spectacular animated light show that transforms the house into a giant advent calendar. Wrap up warm and enjoy festive food and drink as you explore.

Christmas at the Chatsworth farmyard

The farmyard will be dressed for Christmas with decorations and lights. Meet the friendly farm animals and enjoy milking demonstrations and guinea pig cuddling sessions. There will be Christmas crafts in the barn, plus story time sessions with Father Christmas (*separate ticket required). Children can also enjoy letting off steam in the woodland playground.

Ticket information

Christmas tickets include admission to the house, garden, and farmyard. Pre-booking is essential and includes car parking, one car per transaction.

• Adult £34
• Child £19
• Family (2 adults, up to 3 children) £84

Thornbridge Estate Christmas Market – 16th – 19th November 2023

Nestled within 100 acres of private parkland, Thornbridge Hall is a Grade II listed stately home in the Peak District hills. With fourteen acres of formal gardens and grand, characterful interiors, this 900-year-old home sets a spellbinding backdrop to festive Christmas markets.

This year, the markets will be held over the weekend of November 16th to 19th, and will feature an array of stalls selling all kinds of winter wonders, from handmade crafts and gifts to delicious food and drink.

Whether you’re looking for the perfect Christmas present, or simply want to soak up the festive atmosphere, the Thornbridge Hall Christmas Markets are the place to be.

Bakewell Christmas Market – 18th – 19th November 2023

If the aroma of spice-infused air gets your heart racing, you’ll want to pop Bakewell Christmas Market on your list of winter events in the Peak District.

Held across Market Street, Granby Road and Riverside Crescent, this weekend-long event promises around 100 stalls and gazebos with sellers from the local area and across the Peak District.

With plenty of mulled wine to keep you warm and lots of entertainment, it’s one for all the family.

Here are just a few of the things you can expect to find at the Bakewell Christmas Market:

• Handmade crafts and gifts: Find unique and special gifts for your loved ones from local artisans.
• Delicious food and drink: Warm up with a mug of mulled wine and sample some of the delicious festive food on offer.
• Festive entertainment: Enjoy live music, carol singing, and other festive entertainment.
• Christmas grotto: Visit Santa Claus in his grotto and tell him your Christmas wishes.

Christmas at Alton Towers – 24th November – 30th December 2023

Looking for an unforgettable Christmas experience for the whole family? Look no further than Alton Towers!

From November to December, Alton Towers is transformed into a magical Christmas wonderland, with family-friendly rides and attractions, live entertainment, Christmas markets, and the award-winning illuminated trail, Lightopia.

With so much to see and do, you’re sure to have a Christmas to remember at Alton Towers.

Here are just a few of the things you can expect:

• Family-friendly rides and attractions: Enjoy rides and attractions that are suitable for all ages, from the gentle CBeebies Land to the thrilling roller coasters.
• Live entertainment: Watch live shows and performances throughout the day, including Christmas panto, festive music, and dance.
• Christmas markets: Browse the Christmas markets for unique gifts and delicious food and drink.
• Lightopia: Take a walk through the Lightopia illuminated trail, where millions of twinkling lights transform the park into a magical winter wonderland.

Christmas Carol Concerts in Peak Cavern – throughout December 2023

Experience the magic of Christmas in the atmospheric and impressive Peak Cavern. On arrival, you will be greeted by warm and friendly helpers with mulled wine and mince pies.

The Brass bands, aided by compere Barry Jarvis, will play a variety of Christmas favorites, both modern songs and traditional carols. The audience is enthusiastically involved in the singing, making this the perfect festive fun in the run up to Christmas.

Concert Schedule

• Saturday, December 2nd at 6pm – Castleton Silver Band
• Sunday, December 3rd at 6pm – Hathersage Brass Band
• Saturday, December 9th at 6pm – Dronfield (Genquip) Band
• Sunday, December 10th at 6pm – Silk Brass
• Saturday, December 16th at 6pm – Cressbrook Band
• Sunday, December 17th at 6pm – Rockingham Brass Band
• Saturday, December 23rd at 6pm – Ireland Colliery Band
• Sunday, December 24th at 4pm – Fairfield (Buxton) Band

Ticket Information

Tickets are £12 for adults and £6 for children under 16. They can be purchased online or at the door on the night.

What to Wear

The concerts last for approximately 60-75 minutes and are seated for most of the time. However, there will be some standing and singing involved, so please wear comfortable shoes. It will also be extremely cold in the cavern, so dress for the Arctic! You are welcome to bring a blanket.

Book your Christmas cottage at Wheeldon Trees

Christmas in the Peaks is wonderful – think winter walks, cosy pubs and beautiful Christmas cottages.

We have still have some availability for Christmas 2023 at Wheeldon Trees.

Alongside all the events taking place in the Peak District, our cottages are close to a variety of activities. Things to do include  hiking, biking, fishing, and visiting historic landmarks. In addition, we’re perfectly placed for wandering around charming English villages and taking in cafe society if you’re looking for a more grown up break.

We have 10 stunning cottages set in 12 acres of Peak District National Park. Alongside luxury cottages, our rural retreat offers free EV charging and an honesty shop packed to the brim with goodies. In addition, we have a fantastic games room where you can play pool, air hockey or ping pong. We have two new electric bikes for you to borrow to explore the local area. What’s more, we have recently added two new hybrid bikes.

In 2023 five of our cottages were rated 5-Star Gold by VisitEngland. Firstly, the Farmhouse retained its 5-Star Gold rating from 2020. And now Priestley Cottage, Ollerenshaw Cottage, Nadin Cottage and Mycock Cottage join it with top marks. The remaining five cottages – Sheldon, Walker’s Rest, Critchlow, Elliott and Lomas were all rated 4-Star Gold. In addition, TripAdvisor recently named Wheeldon Trees in the top 10% of places to stay in the world. Thanks to our visitors’ amazing reviews, we were delighted to be awarded the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award 2022. To complete the hat trick, we were also the runner-up in best self-catering accommodation at this year’s Visit Peak District and Derbyshire Tourism Awards.

You can view our availability and pick your perfect cottage by following this link – view our availability.