Thomas' Trail at Buxton Country Park
FamilyFamily nature trail: follow 14 illustrated woodland discs and discover two animal-inspired carvings along the way.
Free (trail booklets £2 from Poole's Cavern Gift Shop)
Events, shows and things to do in Buxton, Derbyshire
Looking for something to do this weekend? Check out our weekly updated guide to the best events happening in Buxton every weekend.
Discover what's on in Buxton, the historic spa town in the heart of the Peak District. From world-class performances at Buxton Opera House to markets and fairs at the beautiful Pavilion Gardens, there's always something happening in Buxton.
Whether you're looking for comedy, concerts, theatre, family events or local markets, our guide to Buxton events has everything you need to plan your visit to Derbyshire's favourite destination.
Family nature trail: follow 14 illustrated woodland discs and discover two animal-inspired carvings along the way.
Free (trail booklets £2 from Poole's Cavern Gift Shop)
A free, fun and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate.
Free
More info →Pick, design and paint your own piece of pottery in their studio café. Price includes paints, tools, glazing and firing.
From £19 (plus £5 booking fee)
More info →Create a personalised clay keepsake of hands, feet or paws, framed in your chosen colour with custom wording and painted finish.
£55
More info →Local craftspeople, artisan foods, vintage and local collectibles. Every first Saturday of the month, Apr–Dec.
More info →Live music from Andrew Warner, from 9pm till late.
Free
Live music at one of Buxton's best live music venues.
Free entry
More info →Get ready to raise your steins! German cocktails, 2-pint steins and German food specials available all weekend.
Free entry
More info →80s–2000s classics, bust your best moves and enjoy awesome light shows. All abilities welcome — no need to book, just turn up.
£7 entry, £2 skate hire
More info →Discover Newton's Forge, a working Buxton heritage gem, and learn about traditional blacksmithing at this special drop-in open day.
Free
More info →Antiquarian, paperbacks, first editions, rare finds and lots more!
Free entry
More info →150+ stalls featuring a wide range of new and old collectables for sale.
Adults £3.50, Seniors £3, Children £1, under 5s free
More info →Enjoy live music with speciality coffee, unique beers, cocktails, sharing boards and Belgian waffles!
Free
More info →Soft play for under 5s plus Buxton Roasters coffee and homemade cake. Every Monday and Tuesday.
£7
More info →Where live events meets bingo! Prizes for every round. First Wednesday of every month.
Free
More info →Put your general knowledge to the test with the weekly pub quiz! Prizes to be won. Every Wednesday in October: 7, 14, 21 & 28 Oct.
Free to play
More info →This session: macramé bunting and decorations.
Free — donations of £3 welcome
More info →Live music at one of Buxton's best live music venues.
Free entry
More info →New wave of rock and roll band, drawing influence from the well of rock legends and blues greats!
General admission £33.48 inc. booking fee
More info →An unforgettable night celebrating one of rock music's most iconic figures — Dave Grohl — with the biggest hits and fan favourites from across his legendary career.
£10
More info →Live music at one of Buxton's best live music venues.
Free entry
More info →Enjoy the sounds of a traditional band on the Pavilion Gardens bandstand.
Free
Enjoy live music with speciality coffee, unique beers, cocktails, sharing boards and Belgian waffles!
Free
More info →A welcoming space for musicians, poets, comedians and performers of all kinds. Full P.A. provided. Every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month.
Free entry
More info →Adults-only painting session — bring your own bottle and nibbles. Glass of fizz included in the ticket on arrival.
£10 per person
More info →Dress up like a duchess, take tea with the Duke, play with a dolls house or construct a Crescent with building blocks. Playful activities for under-5s.
£2.10 per child
More info →Live music at one of Buxton's best live music venues.
Free entry
More info →Some of the best producers and artisan makers from the local area. Every third Saturday of the month, Apr–Dec.
More info →Live music at one of Buxton's best live music venues.
Free entry
More info →A spellbinding weekend packed with witches, wizards, mystical traders, live music, fascinating talks and plenty of magical surprises!
Day ticket £6 (Sat or Sun), Sat & Sun day ticket £11, Sat evening ticket £15, weekend ticket £18
More info →80s–2000s classics, bust your best moves and enjoy awesome light shows. All abilities welcome — no need to book, just turn up.
£7 entry, £2 skate hire
More info →A night filled with brain-teasing fun and friendly competition! Gather the gang and get competitive.
Free entry
More info →As the weather turns chilly, the local market scene moves inside! Discover hand-crafted gifts, unique stocking fillers, and festive goods you won't find on the high street.
Free
More info →Test your knowledge and gather the crew — prizes to be won at this Halloween-themed quiz night.
Free
More info →See inside Buxton Crescent's Assembly Rooms, climb the grand stairs (or take the lift) and discover the architectural highpoint of the Crescent.
Free (donations welcome)
More info →Hands-on textile workshop. Have a go at cyanotype, a sun-printing technique that turns everyday objects into lasting blueprint images.
£3.14 inc. booking fee
More info →Live music at one of Buxton's best live music venues.
Free entry
More info →Over 100 quality stalls of vintage and antique goods — home, garden, furniture and more.
Adults £2.50, Concessions £2, Accompanied children free
More info →Skilled volunteers fix things — toys, clothes, electricals, ceramics, tools, jewellery and more. Fairtrade refreshments available to purchase. Every 4th Saturday of the month.
No fees, just donations to help cover costs
More info →Live music at one of Buxton's best live music venues.
Free entry
More info →A celebration of sustainability, creativity and community spirit, designed to engage families, schools and local businesses in meaningful environmental action.
Free
More info →This talk explores the origins of Quakerism in the chaos of mid-seventeenth-century England.
£12.58
More info →A stunning selection of curated treasures. Browse antique and vintage textiles, interior items, costumes and much more.
£4.19 online inc. booking fee (£4 on the door)
More info →Enjoy live music with speciality coffee, unique beers, cocktails, sharing boards and Belgian waffles!
Free
More info →A relaxed queer coffee morning hosted by High Peak Pride. Enjoy a coffee and stay as long as you like!
More info →Let your little ones unleash their imagination creating a range of Halloween-themed crafts, guided throughout the morning by instructor Bea.
Free — please book ahead
More info →Hearty, traditional German dishes and music from the Burbage Band — fancy dress highly encouraged! Book a table via the website or call.
More info →A fun, hands-on experience for kids (and grown-ups). Learn the basics of flower care, conditioning and arranging whilst you create your own arrangement to take home!
£15.38 per child inc. booking fee (accompanying adult free)
More info →Live music at one of Buxton's best live music venues.
Free entry
More info →Adults-only painting session — bring your own bottle and nibbles. Glass of fizz included in the ticket on arrival.
£10 per person
More info →This session: dolls head floral decorations.
Free — donations of £3 welcome
More info →Dust off your spookiest outfits and come dressed to scare for a night of Halloween fun, bonkers bingo and wicked prizes.
£15 per person
More info →Live music at one of Buxton's best live music venues.
Free entry
More info →Spooktastic fancy dress, ghoulish tattoos, gruesome games, hair-raisingly good prizes, spooky inflatables, haunted house skate-through and special effects.
£7 entry, £2 skate hire
More info →A haunted Halloween party that's sure to send chills down your spine — best fancy dress gets a free shot from the bar. If you've got it, haunt it! Live music with Over the Moon.
Free entry
More info →Live music at one of Buxton's best live music venues.
Free entry
More info →Give unwanted craft materials a second life! Crafters, makers, artists and hobbyists come together to swap, share, donate and discover pre-loved craft supplies.
£3 on the door
More info →Pick, design and paint your own piece of pottery in their studio café. Price includes paints, tools, glazing and firing.
From £19 (plus £5 booking fee)
More info →Enjoy live music with speciality coffee, unique beers, cocktails, sharing boards and Belgian waffles!
Free
More info →Soft play for under 5s plus Buxton Roasters coffee and homemade cake. Every Monday and Tuesday.
£7
More info →Step back in time and discover what life was like in Buxton during the First World War, through historic photographs, objects, stories and hands-on activities for children and families.
Adults free, children £2.10
More info →Where live events meets bingo! Prizes for every round. First Wednesday of every month.
Free
More info →Create a personalised clay keepsake of hands, feet or paws, framed in your chosen colour with custom wording and painted finish.
£55
More info →As the weather turns chilly, the local market scene moves inside! Discover hand-crafted gifts, unique stocking fillers, and festive goods you won't find on the high street.
Free
More info →Live music at one of Buxton's best live music venues.
Free entry
More info →Local craftspeople, artisan foods, vintage and local collectibles. Every first Saturday of the month, Apr–Dec.
More info →A carefully selected mix of makers, crafters, bakers and artists from across the area.
Free entry
A huge variety of exhibitors showcasing the very best of art, furniture, ceramics, silverware, glassware, jewellery, textiles, photography and other designer-led products from across the region and beyond.
Free
Live music at one of Buxton's best live music venues.
Free entry
More info →Put your general knowledge to the test with the weekly pub quiz! Prizes to be won. Every Wednesday in November: 11, 18 & 25 Nov.
Free to play
More info →A welcoming space for musicians, poets, comedians and performers of all kinds. Full P.A. provided. Every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month.
Free entry
More info →As the weather turns chilly, the local market scene moves inside! Discover hand-crafted gifts, unique stocking fillers, and festive goods you won't find on the high street.
Free
More info →Hands-on textile workshop. Have a go at cyanotype, a sun-printing technique that turns everyday objects into lasting blueprint images.
£3.14 inc. booking fee
More info →Adults-only painting session — bring your own bottle and nibbles. Glass of fizz included in the ticket on arrival.
£10 per person
More info →This session: lino printing.
Free — donations of £3 welcome
More info →Wide variety of exhibitors and stallholders selling created, crafted and handmade produce and products.
Free
80s–2000s classics, bust your best moves and enjoy awesome light shows. All abilities welcome — no need to book, just turn up.
£7 entry, £2 skate hire
More info →What do the people of Buxton want the town to be like 10, 20 or 30 years from now? Come and share your priorities for our town.
Free — book a ticket to attend
More info →Best known as the voice behind The Zutons, Dave McCabe heads back on tour with special guest James Jay Lewis.
Tickets from £22.50
More info →A night filled with brain-teasing fun and friendly competition! Gather the gang and get competitive.
Free entry
More info →As the weather turns chilly, the local market scene moves inside! Discover hand-crafted gifts, unique stocking fillers, and festive goods you won't find on the high street.
Free
More info →Dress up like a duchess, take tea with the Duke, play with a dolls house or construct a Crescent with building blocks. Playful activities for under-5s.
£2.10 per child
More info →Wild games, festive hits and outrageously awesome prizes. Don't miss out — let's make it a night to remember!
£15 per person
More info →Some of the best producers and artisan makers from the local area. Every third Saturday of the month, Apr–Dec.
More info →A fantastic day of festive entertainment for the whole family! Indoor and outdoor Christmas markets, with a parade beginning at the Palace Hotel and finishing at Pavilion Gardens.
Free
More info →Discover everything you need to help make your special day unforgettable, with a fantastic selection of local wedding suppliers, ideas and inspiration all under one roof.
Free
A day of warmth, cheer and delight with stalls and festive entertainment supporting local charities.
Free
More info →A relaxed queer coffee morning hosted by High Peak Pride. Enjoy a coffee and stay as long as you like!
More info →A special evening honouring Arnemetia, the ancient goddess of the waters, through procession, ceremony, music, poetry and community reflection. The procession departs Buxton Railway Station at 6pm.
Free
More info →Adults-only painting session — bring your own bottle and nibbles. Glass of fizz included in the ticket on arrival.
£10 per person
More info →Over 100 quality stalls of vintage and antique goods — home, garden, furniture and more.
Adults £2.50, Concessions £2, Accompanied children free
More info →Skilled volunteers fix things — toys, clothes, electricals, ceramics, tools, jewellery and more. Fairtrade refreshments available to purchase. Every 4th Saturday of the month.
No fees, just donations to help cover costs
More info →80s–2000s classics, bust your best moves and enjoy awesome light shows. All abilities welcome — no need to book, just turn up.
£7 entry, £2 skate hire
More info →Big tunes and plenty of Christmas cheer.
Free
More info →Pick, design and paint your own piece of pottery in their studio café. Price includes paints, tools, glazing and firing.
From £19 (plus £5 booking fee)
More info →Soft play for under 5s plus Buxton Roasters coffee and homemade cake. Every Monday and Tuesday.
£7
More info →Where live events meets bingo! Prizes for every round. First Wednesday of every month.
Free
More info →Create a personalised clay keepsake of hands, feet or paws, framed in your chosen colour with custom wording and painted finish.
£55
More info →Put your general knowledge to the test with the weekly pub quiz! Prizes to be won. Every Wednesday in December: 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30 Dec.
Free to play
More info →A fun-filled festive evening of wreath making, cocktails and nibbles. Craft the perfect festive wreath while sipping delicious cocktails and enjoying tasty treats.
£45 per person
More info →Hands-on textile workshop. Have a go at cyanotype, a sun-printing technique that turns everyday objects into lasting blueprint images.
£3.14 inc. booking fee
More info →Local craftspeople, artisan foods, vintage and local collectibles. Every first Saturday of the month, Apr–Dec.
More info →Festive stalls and the chance to meet Santa — more details to follow!
Free
Christmassy cocktails, delicious food and games.
More info →A retro disco night — perfect for your work Christmas party!
Free
More info →As the weather turns chilly, the local market scene moves inside! Discover hand-crafted gifts, unique stocking fillers, and festive goods you won't find on the high street.
Free
More info →The annual three-course community Christmas lunch, served with all the usual festive trimmings. Hosted over three sittings throughout the day — get in touch to book.
More info →Adults-only painting session — bring your own bottle and nibbles. Glass of fizz included in the ticket on arrival.
£10 per person
More info →This session: silk painting.
Free — donations of £3 welcome
More info →Come and sing your heart out to some festive hits. Why not book a table for drinks or food and make a night of it?
Free
More info →A fabulous night of music, dancing and festive fun. Ticket includes sharing platters and live entertainment from a singer and DJ. Book on 01298 767000 (option 2) or [email protected].
£35
Get ready to toast the festive season with an unforgettable evening of food, drinks and dancing.
£45 per person
More info →Years Gone By take to the stage with a night of singalong anthems and plenty of Christmas cheer.
Free
More info →An atmospheric festive evening with Fairfield Brass Band, then head underground for a sing-along led by Ray McLeod, surrounded by Christmas lights in the cave!
£26.43, BCA members £21.14
More info →Gather the gang and get competitive — a night filled with brain-teasing fun and friendly competition.
Free
More info →The 21st Amendment play live at The Vault, bringing the energy, the anthems and all the party vibes you need for Mad Friday.
Free
More info →Some of the best producers and artisan makers from the local area. Every third Saturday of the month, Apr–Dec.
More info →As the weather turns chilly, the local market scene moves inside! Discover hand-crafted gifts, unique stocking fillers, and festive goods you won't find on the high street.
Free
More info →A delicious traditional Sunday lunch, with half portions for children, festive entertainment and a special visit from Santa — every child receives a gift! Book on 01298 767000 (option 2) or [email protected].
£27 per adult, £14 per child, under 3s eat free
A festive afternoon for the whole family, filled with seasonal treats and Christmas crafts — and little ones will meet Santa Claus himself. Get in touch to book.
More info →A fun, festive activity for kids (and grown-ups)! Learn the basics of flower care, conditioning and arranging while making your very own gift arrangement to take home.
£15.38 per child inc. booking fee (accompanying adult free)
More info →Celebrate New Year's Eve 2026 at Pavilion Gardens. Enjoy a glass of fizz, buffet dinner, disco, entertainment and the midnight countdown.
£39.99 per person
More info →Market Place Car Park, Buxton
Weekly markets: Tue & Sat
St John's Road, Buxton
Buxton has one of the richest events calendars of any Peak District town. In 2026 you can expect world-class theatre and music at Buxton Opera House, craft workshops and heritage talks at the Buxton Crescent Experience, markets and fairs at Pavilion Gardens, comedy nights, film screenings, language circle meetups, open mic nights, roller skating discos, run clubs, live pub sessions and much more. Check our monthly listings above for the full schedule of what's on in Buxton.
Buxton has a thriving live music scene across a range of venues. Buxton Opera House and Pavilion Arts Centre host major touring acts and concerts. For a more intimate atmosphere, the Queens Head Hotel on High Street puts on regular live music nights, and Beer & Bean on Cavendish Circus hosts Sunday sessions with local artists. Buxton Brewery Tap House runs a fortnightly open mic night, and the bandstand at Pavilion Gardens fills with brass bands on summer Sunday afternoons. St John's Church also hosts classical and choral concerts throughout the year.
Buxton has markets running most days of the week. The main Buxton Market takes place every Tuesday and Saturday from 9am–4pm at Market Place Car Park. A Craft, Quirky & Vintage Market runs on the first Saturday of each month, and a Food & Drink Special Market on the third Saturday. During warmer months, outdoor Thursday markets run at Pavilion Gardens. The High Peak Makers Market — a curated mix of local makers, crafters and bakers — takes place at the Assembly Rooms in Buxton Crescent, and a Gardeners Market featuring locally grown plants appears at the Pump Room in late spring.
Buxton is a brilliant destination for families. Children's shows and pantomimes run at Buxton Opera House throughout the year, and Pavilion Gardens hosts toy fairs, inflatable fun sessions, and the free weekly junior parkrun every Sunday at 9am. The Buxton Crescent Experience runs Pitter Patter Play Together sessions for under-5s, and the Pump Room hosts family-friendly trails like the Busy Garden Gnomes Trail and the Bee-Pebble Treasure Hunt at Pavilion Gardens. Buxton Comic Con is a popular free event for all ages, and the Spring Spectacular at Pavilion Gardens features rides, stalls and brass bands.
You can book tickets for Buxton Opera House online at buxtonoperahouse.org.uk, by phone on 01298 72190, or in person at the Box Office on Water Street. The Opera House also manages shows at Pavilion Arts Centre. For events at the Buxton Crescent Experience — including workshops, talks, and ticketed evenings at the Assembly Rooms and Pump Room — tickets can be booked at buxtoncrescentexperience.com.
Yes — Buxton has a surprisingly rich offering of free events. The weekly parkrun at Pavilion Gardens every Saturday at 9am is free, as is the junior parkrun on Sundays. Brass band concerts on the Pavilion Gardens bandstand are free throughout summer. Buxton Comic Con, the Spring Spectacular, High Peak Open Studios, and the Buxton for Books festival all offer free entry. At the Buxton Crescent Experience, Crafternoons craft sessions and many of the Made in Buxton community events are free or donation-based. The Buxton Language Circles meet for free at The Cheshire Cheese pub, and the Buxton Brewery Sunday Run Club is open to all at no charge.
Buxton International Festival is a prestigious annual arts festival held each July, featuring world-class opera, classical music, and literary events at Buxton Opera House, Pavilion Arts Centre, and venues across the town. Alongside it runs the Buxton Fringe, one of the UK's largest fringe festivals, with hundreds of performances across dozens of venues. During Fringe, the Pump Room at Buxton Crescent hosts Sip, Sit and Sketch — open sketching sessions where the price of a drink gets you access to art materials.
Yes, there are several car parks within easy walking distance of Buxton Opera House. The Pavilion Gardens car park on St John's Road is the closest, and Market Place car park is a short walk away. On-street parking is available on some surrounding roads. For evening shows, spaces are generally available, but it's worth arriving a little early during busy periods.
Pavilion Gardens is Buxton's stunning 23-acre Victorian park and one of the town's most beloved attractions. The Octagon Hall hosts antiques fairs, family events and exhibitions, while the Conservatory cafe is a great spot for coffee and cake. The park itself features a miniature railway, playground, boating lake and formal gardens — all free to enter. Throughout the year it hosts the Spring Spectacular, Buxton Comic Con, outdoor Thursday markets, brass band concerts on the bandstand, the weekly parkrun, and the H&H Classic Car Auction.
Buxton is one of the Peak District's finest day-out destinations, offering a rare blend of culture, history, nature and great food and drink. Visit the beautifully restored Buxton Crescent, explore Pavilion Gardens, catch a show at the Opera House, browse the weekly markets, or discover craft workshops and heritage talks at the Crescent Experience. Walk up to Solomon's Temple for panoramic views, try the natural mineral water at St Ann's Well, or head into the Peak District for hiking. For food and drink, Beer & Bean, RedWillow and Buxton Brewery Tap House are all worth a visit.
Buxton Opera House regularly hosts top comedians on national tours, from household names to rising stars. The monthly Buxton Buzz Comedy Club at Pavilion Arts Centre is a firm local favourite, featuring a rotating lineup of stand-up acts. Check the listings above for upcoming comedy nights — popular shows sell out quickly so it's worth booking in advance.
Yes — the beautifully restored Buxton Crescent is well worth a visit. The Buxton Crescent Hotel offers afternoon tea, spa days, and overnight stays in stunning Georgian surroundings. The Pump Room and Assembly Rooms, managed by the Buxton Crescent Experience, host a packed calendar of events including craft workshops, art sessions, heritage talks, ceilidhs, balls, makers markets, and community projects. The In Stitches knitting and stitching group meets every Friday morning at the Pump Room, and recurring events like Pitter Patter (for under-5s), Crafternoons, and Slow Stitching workshops make it a genuine community hub as well as a visitor attraction.
Buxton has a lively pub and social scene with something happening most nights of the week. The Queens Head Hotel on High Street hosts regular live music nights. Beer & Bean on Cavendish Circus runs Sunday afternoon sessions with local musicians. The Vault on High Street transforms into a drinks stock exchange every Friday — with prices fluctuating throughout the night. The New Inn hosts a traditional Sunday Brunch with a quiz at 4pm every week. The Cheshire Cheese is home to the Buxton Language Circle, with French, Spanish, Italian and German meetups rotating through Tuesday evenings. And Buxton Brewery Tap House runs a fortnightly open mic night as well as the Sunday Run Club.
Yes — Buxton has a growing creative and craft scene, much of it centred on the Buxton Crescent Experience. The Pump Room hosts Introduction to Slow Stitching workshops on a monthly basis, and the In Stitches drop-in group for knitting, stitching and crochet meets every Friday morning. Crafternoons are relaxed adult crafting sessions held regularly at the Pump Room, covering everything from embroidery to bookbinding and rag rugging. The Made in Buxton programme runs hands-on community workshops including button making, rag rugging, and the Sew Your Place collaborative stitched map project. Most sessions are free or low-cost, and many are suitable for complete beginners.