Experience some of the Peak District events and festivals that go on every year. There are festivals unique to the Peak District and events with an international reputation.
This guide doesn’t include Christmas which you can find out about on our Christmas in the Peak District page.
Well Dressings
From mid May to end of September
Dressing wells is a tradition almost exclusive to Derbyshire and much about its origins remains a mystery. It’s thought that well dressing was originally a pagan custom to ensure the continued supply of fresh water. The Christian Church later adopted the custom as a way of giving thanks to God for the supply of water.
Between May and September each year, many villages will decorate their village wells with large panels that depict a theme. Elaborate pictures are designed and marked out on wet clay that has been pressed into a wooden frame. The pictures are then ‘coloured in’ using natural materials including flower petals, berries and seeds. The choice of material depends on what is in season. The pictures last about a week before they dry out and crack, to be dismantled and the boards stored away until the following year.
Read more about the tradition and find out how to see one
Bakewell Show and other agricultural shows
Throughout the summer
Being in the heart of the countryside, it is not surprising to find many agricultural shows throughout the summer. At the shows you’ll find traditional displays, retail opportunities and competitions. There’ll be poultry, cattle, sheep, dogs and horses alongside tractors and other motorised vehicles. To keep little ones happy you’ll usually find craft and play areas as well as food and beverage outlets.
Apart from Bakewell (14th July 2024), shows are held in; Ashbourne (17th August 2024), Ashover (14th August 2024), Hartington (cancelled for 2024, sadly), Hope Valley (26th August 2024), Manifold Valley (10th Aug 2024).
Carnivals
Tideswell – 29th June 2024
Bakewell – 6th July 2024
Buxton – 13th July 2024
Chatsworth Horse Trials
17th – 19th May 2024
One of the world-class three day eventing horse trials to be held in the UK. In the beautiful surroundings of Chatsworth. See the horses and riders take part in dressage, show jumping and cross country.
Eat in the Park – Buxton
17 – 18th August 2024
Music and Food Festival with lots of other acts and entertainment too
Buxton International Festival and Buxton Festival Fringe
5th – 21st July 2024
The Buxton Festival is recognised internationally as one of the UK’s leading arts festivals. It is a celebration of opera, dance, music and literature.
Read more about the Buxton Festival
Y Not
2nd – 4th August 2024
One of the smaller music festivals in the UK, it is now beginning to draw some bigger acts. The Manic Street Preachers and Stereophonics appeared in 2023. Several stages and a wide variety of musical genres.
Chatsworth Country Fair
30th August – 1st September 2024
The Chatsworth Country Fair is a spectacular celebration of everything country and some! There is grand ring entertainment every day over the three days. There’ll be a vintage fairground including helter-skelter, a cookery theatre and food village. On top of all that there’ll also be dog displays, vintage and military vehicles to look at as well as lots of shopping opportunities. You’ll also be able to try your hand at country sports and country crafts.
Weather permitting, Chatsworth is also the place to see an amazing display of hot air balloons, both at the beginning and at the end of each day.
Erdem: Imaginary Conversations at Chatsworth
22nd June – 20th October 2024
“Imaginary Conversations” is Chatsworth’s summer 2024 exhibition celebrating the legacy of the late dowager Duchess Deborah Devonshire (1920-2014) and the Devonshire Collections, and how they inspired the Spring Summer 2024 collection of fashion designer Erdem Moralioglu.
The exhibition examines the house as a source of inspiration for Erdem, welcoming visitors into Duchess Deborah’s world and revealing how the history and archives at Chatsworth informed the creative process for this new fashion collection.
Farmers Market
A great opportunity to try some fabulous local produce (or just browse the market stalls if you can resist!) from this award winning farmers market. At the Agricultural Business Centre (ABC) in Bakewell – 9am to 2pm on the last Saturday of every month (December is slightly different) Don’t these mushrooms look amazing – and sooo pretty!
Stay with us
Stay in one of our two self catering holiday cottages and enjoy the best of the Peak District. Each sleeps 4
