There’s plenty of great events in Buxton and things to do in 2023 to look forward to this year. Whether you live locally or you’re planning a holiday here, grab your calendar and save the dates.
1. Eat in the Park returns for a fourth year
Following the first Eat in the Park in 2021, the food, drink and music festival in Buxton’s Pavilion Gardens is back for a third year, and it will be was bigger, bolder and eatier! Taking place once again in the Pavilion Gardens, Buxtonians and indeed visitors it seems can’t get enough of EITP; 2022 was a sell-out, bar a hand full of tickets. Check out our gallery of photos here from 2022! As ever, the two-day event focuses on offering something for all the family to enjoy. The format remains the same featuring some of the best tribute acts in the country alongside lots of our favourite local bands and of course kids entertainment throughout with a dedicated kids area. Families and kids can enjoy face painting, rides, activities and magicians.
Again live music on on the Main Stage will serve as a focal point but Buxton Brewery Local Music Tent is just as good and as ever last year saw some superb. Expect again the array of street food vendors as well as various bars across the site. The Dance Tent will be back too, a new addition in 2022 which we loved. Tickets are on sale now and Early Bird Tickets have now sold out, so if you plan to go, get it booked! Eat in the Park will also hit Chesterfield in 2023 for the first time on 5th & 6th August taking place in Queens Park – with a similar format. 19th and 20th August 2023. More information on line-up and ticket bookings, go to eatinthepark.uk
2. Four day Easter Extravaganza at Pavilion Gardens
Spanning across four days over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, this is a perfect weekend of fun for the whole family. There will be over 50 stalls in the Octagon Hall and on the Promenade over the four days days plus the Circus Academy and a Face Painter* on Saturday and Sunday and a Balloon Modeller on Friday and Monday. On the Promenade and in the park: hot and cold food stalls, children’s rides*, Crazy Golf *, the Miniature Train* and boats* on the boating lake. *Charges apply for these activities. 7th, 8th, 9th & 10th April 2023. More information: parkwoodoutdoors.co.uk/centre/the-pavilion-gardens/Events
3. Regency Ball at Buxton Crescent
Hill Head
Chatsworth County Fair
For tickets and more information, go to buxtonfestival.co.uk/whats-on
4. YNOT Festival
The award winning YNOT Festival is back, as ever taking place at Pikehall in Derbyshire. Line-up for 2023 has not been announced as yet but tickets are already on sale and the options for glamping and the Peak Club VIP are on offer. 2nd – 4th August 2024. More information and ticket bookings: ynotfestival.com
1. Eat in the Park returns for a fourth year
Following the first Eat in the Park in 2021, the food, drink and music festival in Buxton’s Pavilion Gardens is back for a third year, and it will be was bigger, bolder and eatier! Taking place once again in the Pavilion Gardens, Buxtonians and indeed visitors it seems can’t get enough of EITP; 2022 was a sell-out, bar a hand full of tickets. Check out our gallery of photos here from 2022! As ever, the two-day event focuses on offering something for all the family to enjoy. The format remains the same featuring some of the best tribute acts in the country alongside lots of our favourite local bands and of course kids entertainment throughout with a dedicated kids area. Families and kids can enjoy face painting, rides, activities and magicians.
Again live music on on the Main Stage will serve as a focal point but Buxton Brewery Local Music Tent is just as good and as ever last year saw some superb. Expect again the array of street food vendors as well as various bars across the site. The Dance Tent will be back too, a new addition in 2022 which we loved. Tickets are on sale now and Early Bird Tickets have now sold out, so if you plan to go, get it booked! Eat in the Park will also hit Chesterfield in 2023 for the first time on 5th & 6th August taking place in Queens Park – with a similar format. 19th and 20th August 2023. More information on line-up and ticket bookings, go to eatinthepark.uk
5. Buxton Food & Drink Night
The popular Buxton Food & Drink Night is back once again on the eve of Buxton Carnival Day, so you make a weekend of it! The event takes place outdoors along the Promenade in the Pavilion Gardens with a variety of drinks and hot food stalls; with an international flavour there are food stalls to suit all tastes and a wide selection of drinks stalls to include pop up bars serving craft beers and cider, wines, champagne and cocktails. If the weather is nice it’s a great evening. There will be children’s rides* too so there’s something for all the family. Entry is free to the event but *charges apply for some activities. 7th July 2023, 4pm – 11pm. More information: parkwoodoutdoors.co.uk/centre/the-pavilion-gardens/Events
6. Buxton Comic Con returns in May and November
Buxton Comic Con has become a staple fixture every year in Buxton celebrating comic book culture, sci-fi and fantasy characters from film, comics and TV. Plans are in place currently for events in 2023 to take place in May and November. The event took place at The Octagon last year so it may well be the same this year. As usual we’ll see characters wandering about such as Batman, Spiderman, Deadpool, Star Wars Characters, Ghostbusters, Star Trek Characters, Pikachu, Mario/Yoshi, Digimon, Sonic, War Machine, Oogie Boogie, Wolverine Minion and more! And there’s usually lots of stalls selling merchandise, as well as a few special guest appearances for a photo opportunity. 1st May 2023. More information: facebook.com/buxtoncomiccon
7. Great Peak District Fair and Beer Festival
This great event celebrates our fabulous Peak District with a wide variety of exhibitors and stallholders selling products and produce created, crafted and handmade within the Peaks. Try award winning cask ales from around the region as well as a fabulous selection of stalls in the Octagon Hall, hot food & drink, children’s entertainment each day, *children’s rides, *miniature train rides and *crazy golf on the Promenade. Entertainment TBC. 7th & 8th October 2023. More information: parkwoodoutdoors.co.uk/centre/the-pavilion-gardens/Events
8. Theatre break deals at Buxton Crescent Hotel
Enjoy some indulgence this year in the luxury surroundings of Buxton Crescent and Spa Hotel. There are some special theatre deals on offer at the moment offering a stay at the hotel along with a show at Buxton Opera House. Into the Groove on 26th January 2023 includes, full use of the spa facilities, x2 tickets to the show, overnight accommodation (x1 night) with breakfast and 3 course pre-theatre dinner with a glass of wine. Click here for more information on this deal.
An Evening with Anton Du Beke on 14th November 2023 includes full use of the spa facilities, x2 tickets to the show, overnight accommodation (x1 night) with breakfast and 3 course pre-theatre dinner with a glass of wine. Various room options with different pricing are available. Click here for more information on this deal.
The luxury spa is something else with a range of treatments on offer, three pools which includes the lovely outdoor roof pool as well as saunas, steam rooms, a salt cave and ice fountain.
7. Gilbert & Sullivan Festival returns exclusively to Buxton this year
The Gilbert & Sullivan Festival returns exclusively to Buxton with the full festival in 2023, after moving the festival to Harrogate in 2014. The annual Gilbert & Sullivan Festival is the biggest celebration of the Gilbert & Sullivan comic operas anywhere in the world and the festival will include a packed programme of performances and fringe events at Buxton Opera House and Pavilion Arts Centre.
There will be fully-staged performances running alongside a packed fringe programme with lectures, concerts, a memorabilia fair and more. Visitors can drop in for one show or immerse themselves in the festival and experience everything on offer. 29th July – 12th August 2023. More information and full programme for 2023: gsfestivals.org/the-december
8. An extra Bank Holiday this year for King Charles III Coronation
The government has confirmed that there will be an additional UK-wide bank holiday in 2023 to mark the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III. The bank holiday will fall on Monday 8th May, following the Coronation on Saturday 6th May. Whether you’re a royalist or not, it’s an extra day off and a long weekend to enjoy! The weather in May in Buxton is typically pretty good so if you’re thinking of a Spring break here, this could be a good opportunity. Cirque The Greatest Show takes place at Buxton Opera House on Thursday 4th & Friday 5th May; where they take you into a world where musical theatre meets jaw-dropping circus spectacular.
9. Enjoy some alternative fun at Buxton Festival Fringe
Buxton Festival Fringe always provides some leftfield action in the summer running alongside the more serious Buxton Festival. The fringe is currently open for entries with an early bird entry fee until the end of February. The ‘fringe’ as always offers a packed programme with comedy, music, street theatre, art installations, exhibitions, talks, children’s and family activities and everything in between! 5th – 23rd July 2023. For more information and to register as a performer, go to buxtonfringe.org.uk
10. Buxton Carnival Day
One of Derbyshire and Buxton’s largest annual events in July which attracts crowds of thousands every year. Watching the carnival and enjoying the live entertainment is a Buxton institution but joining in the parade, well you can always do that too if you fancy it. The well dressing festival takes place on 2nd – 9th July 2023, Carnival Day is 8th July 2023. More information: buxtonwelldressing.co.uk
11. Pantomime: Jack and the Beanstalk at Buxton Opera House
The much loved annual panto at Buxton Opera House has been announced for 2023, so save the date! Tickets are on sale now. Following the success of this years spectacular Sleeping Beauty, join the incredible cast for another year of wonderful music, the finest comedy routines and a sprinkle of Christmas magic. It’s pantomime for the whole family to enjoy! –
12. New musical build around the story of Buxton’s pioneering feminist and pacifist Vera Brittain
Buxton International Festival and Norwich Theatre present the world premiere of The Land of Might-Have-Been. This new musical is written by Michael Williams, co-creator of the UK Theatre Award winning opera Georgiana. The story follows Vera and Roland, and Edward and Bobbie who unexpectedly fall in love over a long hot summer in Buxton in 1914. They all have their own ideas about their glittering futures but are faced with the prejudice and conventions of their time. The war in Europe shatters all their hopes and dreams but compels Vera into a life-long campaign for peace and equality. The musical is built around the songs of Ivor Novello and is based on the lives of Vera and her brother Edward Brittain before and during the first world war. Tickets are on sale now. More information and ticket bookings go to buxtonfestival.co.uk/whats-on/the-land-of-might-have-been
13. Buxton Spring Fair on May Bank Holiday
Buxton Spring Fair is back! Both lower Buxton and the Market Place is filled with stalls, entertainment including street performers and characters, street food, children’s rides, circus skills and more. Buxton Spring Fair is a perfect day out for the family and it seems everywhere you walk there’s something to see. Monday 1st May 2023, 10am – 5pm. Free entry (charges for some activities). Email Jane – [email protected] for more information and bookings.
14. Buxton Garden Trail 2023
Buxton Garden Trail is back again this summer. Residents can enter their property to be part of the trail and give public access to their gardens. There’s always a fabulous selection of gardens, large and small, in 2022 over 30 gardens took part. Price to take part in the trail (you will receive a wristband for the weekend) is still unchanged at £6. 24th & 25th June 2023, 10.30am – 4.30pm each day. More information: buxtongardentrail.co.uk
Information on this page is correct at the time of publication and we will make updates accordingly, however we cannot be held responsible for any events which are unable to go ahead or for any information related to an event that may change. 😎
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