Christmas at Chatsworth
Visitors step inside The 12 Days of Christmas with festive installations, sculptures, and animations displayed throughout the decorated house and State Apartments. As darkness falls, an illuminated light and sound trail leads through the Rock Garden, Maze, and Bamboo Walk to an animated projection on the South Façade. The farmyard is dressed with decorations and lights, offering seasonal crafts, animal encounters, and access to the adventure playground.
What to Expect
Experience The 12 Days of Christmas across the house and garden.
Event Details
Duration
The garden light and sound trail takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes to complete.
Ages
All ages
Timed Entry
Yes
Organizer
Chatsworth House Trust
Food & Drink
The garden trail includes an opportunity to stop for refreshments along the way.
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families and festive-art fans
Vibe
Imaginative, festive, atmospheric
Energy Level
Moderate
Budget
££
Photo Friendly
High
Weather Sensitivity
Moderate
Location
Know Before You Go
- Tickets: Adults (17+): £40.00 (£36.36 without donation). Children (3–16): £12.00 (£10.90 without donation). Children (0–2): free; no ticket required. Visitors with disabilities may bring an accompanying carer free when paying for a full-price ticket. Reduced-price Universal Credit tickets for eligible households were released in April 2026 and have sold out. Admission is included with Patrons and Friends membership; guest tickets can be booked at 10% off. Parking charges apply to blue badge holders. Online booking offers an optional small donation; Gift Aid is available at no extra cost to eligible UK taxpayers. Tickets include one car parking space per transaction and Christmas market access only on selected dates: 7 November–13 December inclusive. They do not include market access from 14 December–3 January. – Get tickets
- Hours: You may arrive any time after 9am on the day of your visit. Last entry to the garden is 90 minutes before closing; last entry to the farmyard and adventure playground is at 4.30pm, one hour before closing. The garden trail is best viewed from dusk. Opening times vary over the Christmas and New Year period.
- Parking: Tickets include one car parking space per transaction. Blue badge holders must select a blue badge parking space and parking charges apply to them. During the Christmas market period, vehicles use the main car park and a trackway across the parkland, with tractor-and-trailer shuttles between stops; the shuttle is wheelchair accessible and ends 15 minutes after garden closure. From 14 December to 3 January, cars park in the main car park, with some overflow parking a short walk away on parkland or a trackway. Booking confirmation, QR code and passes, including blue badges, should be ready on arrival. Wet trackways may be slippery and muddy. There are no dedicated parent-and-child parking spaces, and a space close to the house or toilets/baby-changing facilities cannot be guaranteed.
- Accessibility: The tractor and trailer shuttle service between parking and shuttle stops is wheelchair accessible.
- Pets: Except for assistance/service dogs, dogs are not permitted in the house, farmyard or adventure playground. Dogs on leads are welcome in the garden, woodland and parkland. Do not leave dogs in vehicles.
Tips & Advice
- Book every ticket in advance, including Friends and pass holders, because all Christmas at Chatsworth visits need a booking before you arrive.
- If you're coming in several cars, make a separate booking for each car with the same house entry time so every vehicle gets its free parking space.
- With a late house entry time, do the light trail first, as garden entry closes 90 minutes before closing and the trail takes up to an hour.
- Have your booking confirmation, QR code and any blue badge ready for the parking team, and give a copy to every car in your booking.
- Wear sturdy shoes and bring a torch, as the parkland trackways can get slippery and muddy in wet weather.
Special Events & Promotions
- Storytime with Father Christmas at the farmyard, with Christmas at Chatsworth entry included, from 28 November to 13 December; a relaxed session runs on 5 December.
- Storytime with Father Christmas, including farmyard and playground entry, runs 18 to 23 December, with autism-friendly relaxed sessions on 21 and 22 December.
- Christmas Guided Tour from 9 November to 31 December: a house and garden buggy tour with a guide, covering how The 12 Days of Christmas was created.
- The Christmas market, with more than 100 stalls, is included with tickets for visits from 7 November to 13 December.
- Festive workshops include Christmas wreath making on 2, 3 and 4 December and stag willow weaving with Emma Stothard on 27 and 28 November.
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Christmas at Chatsworth ticket include?
It covers the decorated house, the garden with its light trail, the farmyard and adventure playground, and one car parking space per booking. Visits from 7 November to 13 December also include the Christmas market. Visits from 14 December onwards don't, because the market closes on 13 December.
What's new this Christmas?
The house tells The 12 Days of Christmas through new commissions from British and international artists and makers. The State Apartments are part of the Christmas route for the first time since 2020, and there's a new light and sound trail in the garden.
How long does the garden light trail take?
Allow about 45 to 60 minutes. The trail is best from dusk, and there's a chance to stop for refreshments along the way. The projection on the South Façade may finish a little before the garden closes.
Is there anything for young children?
The farmyard is decorated with lights and has farm animals, guinea pigs to cuddle and Christmas crafts. Children can also explore the woodland adventure playground.
What should we wear?
Wear sturdy shoes for uneven, muddy and wet ground, especially if you park on the trackway, and have a torch with you.
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Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.