13 things to do at Christmas in the Peak District: 2022 archive

Archive: the event listings and offers in this guide were advertised for Christmas 2022 and have ended. For current information, see our Christmas markets guide.

The original guide featured festive events and ideas around the Peak District for Christmas 2022. Dates, prices and booking arrangements below are historical.

1. Santa’s Grotto at Mercia Marina

Mercia Marina advertised a Santa’s grotto on 3–4, 10–11 and 17–18 December 2022, from 11am to 4pm. The guide said entry was without booking and some children could receive a free present.

2. Visit Castleton’s famous Christmas trees

The guide suggested seeing Castleton’s Christmas trees. Winnats Pass approaches the village from the west; the former road beneath Mam Tor was closed in the late 1970s following landslips.

Illustrative photograph: Ryutaro Tsukata / Pexels.

3. Candlelit Christmas tours at Haddon Hall 

Haddon Hall advertised candlelit tours for Christmas 2022.

The original guide listed tours on 14, 15, 20, 21 and 22 December 2022, at 7.15pm and 7.45pm.

The advertised experience included a guided tour, mulled wine and a mince pie.

4. Free Advent Trail at Kedleston Hall

The 2022 guide advertised a free outdoor Advent trail in Kedleston Hall’s pleasure gardens.

The trail was described as continuing to the viewpoint on the short walk.

The guide also advertised tea with Father Christmas on 7 and 14 December 2022, from 5pm to 6pm.

Illustrative photograph: Elena Mozhvilo / Unsplash.

5. Peak Rail Santa Trains

Peak Rail advertised Santa steam trains from Rowsley South Station for Christmas 2022.

The guide described entertainers on the train, a visit from Santa and a gift for children.

The advertised refreshments included a drink and sweets for children, and wine and a mince pie for adults.

Illustrative photograph: Casey Horner / Unsplash.

6. Buxton Opera House Christmas pantomime Sleeping Beauty

Buxton Opera House advertised Sleeping Beauty as its 2022 Christmas pantomime, running from 10 December 2022 to 1 January 2023.

Production photograph; its date is unconfirmed.

7. Experience the Magical Nordic Theme at Chatsworth House this Christmas

Chatsworth’s 2022–23 Christmas display was Deep Midwinter: A Nordic Christmas, inspired by Nordic folklore and fairy tales. The Chatsworth House Trust’s annual review dates it from 5 November 2022 to 8 January 2023. The photograph below shows a 2021 Christmas display.

Chatsworth Christmas display in 2021. Photograph: DPC Photography.

8. Christmas at Thornbridge Hall 

Thornbridge Hall advertised Christmas afternoon teas and house tours from 18 November to 23 December 2022. The original guide listed the house tour at £15 per person, including mulled wine and a mince pie.

Illustrative photograph: Toa Heftiba / Unsplash.

9. Christmas fun at Matlock Farm Park

Matlock Farm Park advertised Christmas fun days on 26–27 November and 3–4, 10–11 and 17–23 December 2022, from 10.30am to 4.30pm. The guide listed children’s crafts, an elf and a treasure hunt.

Breakfast with Santa was advertised for 3–4, 10–11 and 17–18 December 2022, starting at 9am. The advertised package included breakfast, a grotto visit, a gift and farm park entry.

A separate grotto was advertised on 27 November and 3–4, 10–11 and 17–23 December 2022. The guide said farm park entry was additional to the grotto ticket.

Illustrative photograph: Tim Mossholder / Unsplash.

10. Go Christmas shopping

The guide suggested independent shops in Bakewell, Leek, Buxton and Ashbourne. For current local ideas, see our Buxton shopping guide.

Illustrative photograph: freestocks / Unsplash.

11. Christmas Carol Concert at Bolsover Castle

A carol concert by Chesterfield Philharmonic Choir was advertised in Bolsover Castle’s Riding School.

The listed date was 15 December 2022, from 7pm to 9pm.

Illustrative photograph: David Beale / Unsplash.

Hardwick Hall advertised a behind-the-scenes conservation experience for December 2022.

The programme described a chance to learn about conservation and speak to the team during winter cleaning.

Breakfast was advertised with the first tour of each day.

The guide listed tours on 7, 14 and 21 December 2022 at various times.

Illustrative photograph; the location is unconfirmed.