It’s holiday season in Chesterfield! Explore our guide for the top festive events and activities. From hometown residents to curious travelers, this guide is your key to the holiday treasures of Chesterfield.
Popular events this season include the enchanting Christmas at Chatsworth, where visitors can wander through beautifully decorated rooms and gardens. Another highlight is the Chatsworth Christmas Market, featuring artisan stalls and local delicacies that showcase the region's craftsmanship. And the Storytime with Father Christmas is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a magical experience for families with young children. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Chesterfield
- Christmas at Chatsworth (Bakewell)
- Chatsworth Christmas Market (Bakewell)
- Peak Rail Santa and Steam Special (Matlock)
- Storytime with Father Christmas (Bakewell)
- Festive Village Santa experience at Matlock Farm Park (Matlock)
- Reservoir Christmas Trails (Tittesworth Reservoir)
- Reservoir Christmas Trails (Carsington Water)
- Stag Willow Weaving (Bakewell)
- Calligraphy Workshop (Bakewell)
- Christmas Papercut Scene Workshop (Bakewell)
See these and even more events listed below!
Chesterfield Holiday Markets and Shopping
Chatsworth Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Extensive variety of local and British-made gifts and food.
Description:
Chatsworth Christmas Market offers over 100 stalls with a wide range of Christmas gifts and decorations, live music, and seasonal food and drink. Explore exclusive ranges in the Stables shop and enjoy mulled wine or German beer at outdoor bars.
Where: Bakewell | More Info: Chatsworth Christmas Market
Bakewell Christmas Weekend
What to Expect:
Traditional English Christmas market with diverse local traders and entertainment.
Description:
The Bakewell Christmas Market Weekend features over 100 stalls, live entertainment, and festive food and drink in the town centre. Enjoy local brass bands, choirs, and a DJ, as well as children's fair rides and Santa meet-and-greets.
Where: Bakewell | More Info: Bakewell Christmas Weekend
Matlock Victorian Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Traditional holiday market with local vendors and festive atmosphere.
Description:
The Matlock Victorian Christmas Market offers a charming and traditional holiday experience with local vendors selling handmade crafts, seasonal treats, and unique gifts. The event features festive decorations, live music, and a warm atmosphere reminiscent of a bygone era.
Where: Matlock | More Info: Matlock Victorian Christmas Market
Chesterfield Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmas at Chatsworth
What to Expect:
Interactive light trail and festive decorations in a historic estate.
Description:
Immerse yourself in a festive story at Chatsworth House, where young Henry Cavendish searches for the legendary lion amidst festive decorations and twinkling lights. The event includes access to the decorated house, garden light trail, and farmyard, with interactive activities and live music.
Where: Bakewell | More Info: Christmas at Chatsworth
Peak Rail Santa and Steam Special
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration on a heritage steam train with Santa visits.
Description:
Join Peak Rail for a special holiday event where Santa and his helpers will visit each child on board a festive steam train ride through the beautiful Derbyshire countryside. Enjoy professional entertainment, a wonderful age-suitable gift for each child, and a drink and snack for all. Adults can sit back and enjoy a glass of wine and a mince pie. Dietary requirements can be catered to, and assistance dogs are allowed. The event is held at Rowsley South Station with departures on various dates.
Where: Matlock | More Info: Peak Rail Santa and Steam Special
Twilight Dinner
What to Expect:
Candlelit dinner with live jazz music and gourmet dining.
Description:
Join us for a twilight dinner at Chatsworth House, where you'll enjoy champagne and live jazz music in the Sculpture Gallery, followed by a gourmet dinner in the Cavendish Restaurant, celebrating the season's finest ingredients.
Where: Bakewell | More Info: Twilight Dinner
Chesterfield Other Holiday Activities
Storytime with Father Christmas
What to Expect:
Interactive storytelling with festive crafts and gifts.
Description:
Join Father Christmas for a special storytime session at Chatsworth, where children can help make reindeer food and receive a small gift.
Where: Bakewell | More Info: Storytime with Father Christmas
Festive Village Santa experience at Matlock Farm Park
What to Expect:
Intimate breakfast with Santa Claus.
Description:
At Matlock Farm Park, join Santa Claus for a special breakfast experience where he will join you at your table, have a lovely chat, and provide a special early Christmas present. Children can also meet Santa in his cozy grotto to tell him their Christmas wishes and receive a special gift.
Where: Matlock | More Info: Festive Village Santa experience at Matlock Farm Park
Reservoir Christmas Trails
What to Expect:
Undulating trail routes around a picturesque reservoir.
Description:
Run through the picturesque trails of Carsington Water, enjoying fantastic scenery and challenging routes for both the 10k and half marathon distances.
Where: Carsington Water | More Info: Reservoir Christmas Trails
Reservoir Christmas Trails
What to Expect:
Family-friendly Christmas walk with interactive trail markers.
Description:
Explore Tittesworth Water's Christmas Trail, a festive walk where families can find trail markers and answer questions before claiming a prize. Non-dairy alternatives are available.
Where: Tittesworth Reservoir | More Info: Reservoir Christmas Trails
Calligraphy Workshop
What to Expect:
Hands-on brush lettering and bauble painting workshop.
Description:
Learn the art of brush lettering and bauble painting with Nikki Whiston Inks in a fun and interactive workshop. Explore techniques of mark making and join letters to create custom hand-lettered Christmas baubles.
Where: Bakewell | More Info: Calligraphy Workshop
Stag Willow Weaving
What to Expect:
Hands-on willow sculpture creation with an international artist.
Description:
Create your own festive stag sculpture using willow weaving techniques in a hands-on masterclass with international artist Emma Stothard.
Where: Bakewell | More Info: Stag Willow Weaving
Printed Christmas Bunting Workshop
What to Expect:
Hands-on lino printing workshop for creating festive bunting.
Description:
Learn the art of lino printing to create unique, handmade bunting inspired by the festive season. This workshop is suitable for both beginners and experienced artists, providing all necessary materials and guidance to produce beautiful decorations for your home or as gifts.
Where: Bakewell | More Info: Printed Christmas Bunting Workshop
Festive Paper Decorations
What to Expect:
Hands-on paper folding workshop with eco-friendly materials.
Description:
Learn the art of paper folding with Kim Bevan to create unique, eco-friendly Christmas decorations for your tree.
Where: Bakewell | More Info: Festive Paper Decorations
Festive Printmaking
What to Expect:
Hands-on linocut printmaking for creating personalized holiday items.
Description:
Learn how to design and print your own Christmas cards, wrapping paper, and gift tags using linocut printmaking techniques in this introductory workshop.
Where: Bakewell | More Info: Festive Printmaking
Creating Christmas: Behind the Scenes Tour
What to Expect:
Behind-the-scenes insights into a large-scale Christmas event.
Description:
Join Susie Stokoe, Creative Director of Christmas at Chatsworth, for a guided tour of key rooms in the house. Delve into the creative direction and development of this year's spectacular Christmas exhibition and illuminated walk. Explore the process of collaborating with Children's Laureate Joseph Coelho to develop the narrative of Henry and the Chatsworth Lion's Christmas Feast.
Where: Bakewell | More Info: Creating Christmas: Behind the Scenes Tour
Hand Poured Candle Workshop
What to Expect:
Hands-on candle-making experience with personalized decorations.
Description:
Create handmade wax melts and candles with various fragrances and decorations, including dried flower petals and glitter, in a relaxed garden art studio environment.
Where: Bakewell | More Info: Hand Poured Candle Workshop
Seasonal Paper Centrepiece Workshop
What to Expect:
Hands-on paper crafting with eco-friendly materials.
Description:
Craft a beautiful paper centrepiece under the guidance of paper artist Kim Bevan, using eco-friendly materials like recycled paper, card, and wire. The workshop includes a locally sourced graze box lunch, tea, and coffee, as well as complimentary tickets to the Chatsworth Garden to enjoy the Christmas light display.
Where: Bakewell | More Info: Seasonal Paper Centrepiece Workshop
Christmas Papercut Scene Workshop
What to Expect:
Hands-on paper cutting techniques to create a 3D Christmas scene.
Description:
In this workshop, participants will design and create a 3D paper cut Christmas scene using scalpels, scissors, glue, paper, and pencils. They will construct a tunnel book or 'peep show' perfect for the hearth or table, learning various paper cutting techniques along the way. The workshop is led by experienced paper artist Kim Bevan, who provides guidance on creating unique artworks.
Where: Bakewell | More Info: Christmas Papercut Scene Workshop
Winter Silent Disco
What to Expect:
State-of-the-art headphones for a silent disco experience.
Description:
Dance the night away to 80s music and Christmas classics with state-of-the-art headphones in the Chatsworth Carriage House, featuring a bottle and cocktail bar, non-alcoholic drinks, snacks, and sweet treats.
Where: Bakewell | More Info: Winter Silent Disco
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Staveley (3 miles)
- Dronfield (4 miles)
- Sheffield (9 miles)
- Burngreave (10 miles)
- Alfreton (11 miles)
- Sutton in Ashfield (11 miles)
- Mansfield (12 miles)
- Kirkby in Ashfield (13 miles)
- Worksop (13 miles)
- Rotherham (13 miles)
- Ripley (15 miles)
- Chapeltown (15 miles)
- Belper (16 miles)
- Heanor (17 miles)
- Hucknall (17 miles)
- High Peak (19 miles)
- Ilkeston (20 miles)
- Retford (20 miles)
- Buxton (20 miles)
- Arnold (21 miles)
- Barnsley (21 miles)
- Doncaster (22 miles)
- Bentley (22 miles)
- Derby (23 miles)
- Nottingham (23 miles)
- Long Eaton (25 miles)
- West Bridgford (25 miles)
- Glossop (26 miles)
- Newark on Trent (28 miles)
- Gainsborough (28 miles)
- Macclesfield (29 miles)
- Wakefield (30 miles)
- Ossett (30 miles)
- Hyde (31 miles)
- Pontefract (31 miles)
- Stalybridge (31 miles)
- Huddersfield (31 miles)
- Dewsbury (32 miles)
- Bramhall (32 miles)
- Burton upon Trent (32 miles)
- Denton (32 miles)
- Stockport (33 miles)
- Batley (33 miles)
- Ashton-under-Lyne (33 miles)
- Castleford (33 miles)
- Cheadle Hulme (33 miles)
- Lofthouse (33 miles)
- Swadlincote (33 miles)
- Congleton (33 miles)
- Droylsden (34 miles)
- Wilmslow (34 miles)
- Loughborough (35 miles)
- Morley (35 miles)
- Brighouse (35 miles)
- Cleckheaton (35 miles)
- Oldham (35 miles)
- Failsworth (36 miles)
- Kidsgrove (36 miles)
- Stoke-on-Trent (36 miles)
- Royton (36 miles)
- Lincoln (36 miles)
- Coalville (37 miles)
- Halifax (37 miles)
- Manchester (37 miles)
- Newcastle under Lyme (38 miles)
- Leeds (38 miles)
- Middleton (38 miles)
- Goole (38 miles)
- Scunthorpe (39 miles)
- Pudsey (39 miles)
- Sale (39 miles)
- Selby (40 miles)
- Salford (40 miles)
- Stretford (40 miles)
- Altrincham (40 miles)
- Rochdale (40 miles)
- Grantham (40 miles)
- Bradford (40 miles)
- Melton Mowbray (40 miles)
- Rugeley (40 miles)
- Heywood (41 miles)
- Prestwich (41 miles)
- Urmston (41 miles)
- Eccles (41 miles)
- Whitefield (42 miles)
- Stafford (42 miles)
- Shipley (43 miles)
- Lichfield (43 miles)
- Radcliffe (43 miles)
- Bury (44 miles)
- Crewe (44 miles)
- Leicester (44 miles)
- Yeadon (44 miles)
- Tamworth (44 miles)
- Walkden (45 miles)
- Burntwood (45 miles)
- Bingley (45 miles)
- Guiseley (45 miles)