Feel the warmth of the holidays in Chesterfield! Discover all the community events with our guide.
Start by soaking in the festive atmosphere at the Chesterfield Christmas Lights Switch On and Market, where twinkling lights and local vendors create a magical scene. The Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary and All Saints Church showcases splendidly decorated trees, each uniquely adorned. And the Chatsworth House Christmas Market is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering charming stalls set against the backdrop of a historic estate. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Chesterfield
- Chesterfield Christmas Lights Switch On and Market
- Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary and All Saints Church
- Christmas Craft Fair at Barrow Hill Roundhouse
- Christmas at Hardwick Hall
Chesterfield Holiday Light Displays
Chesterfield Christmas Lights Switch On and Market
What to Expect:
Iconic twisting spire illuminated during lights switch-on
Description:
The Chesterfield Christmas Lights Switch On and Market is a festive holiday event that brings the community together to celebrate the season. Held in the heart of Chesterfield, this annual tradition features a bustling Christmas market with a variety of stalls offering unique gifts, delicious food, and seasonal treats. The highlight of the event is the grand switch-on ceremony, where the town's Christmas lights are illuminated, transforming the area into a winter wonderland.
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Chesterfield Christmas Lights Switch On and Market
Chesterfield Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christmas Craft Fair at Barrow Hill Roundhouse
What to Expect:
Craft fair held in a historic railway roundhouse
Description:
Barrow Hill Roundhouse, the last surviving railway roundhouse in the UK with an operational turntable, hosts a unique Christmas craft fair. Local artisans display their wares amidst vintage locomotives and railway memorabilia. The industrial setting provides a stark contrast to the delicate handmade items on offer. Visitors can watch live craft demonstrations and even take a short ride on a heritage train. This event celebrates both Chesterfield's railway heritage and its thriving craft community.
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Christmas Craft Fair at Barrow Hill Roundhouse
Chesterfield Other Holiday Activities
Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary and All Saints Church
What to Expect:
Christmas tree displays in a historic church with a crooked spire
Description:
St Mary and All Saints Church, famous for its crooked spire, hosts a dazzling array of decorated Christmas trees. Local businesses and community groups showcase their creativity, adorning trees with unique themes and ornaments. The church's Gothic architecture provides a stunning backdrop for this festive display. Visitors can vote for their favorite tree, contributing to a friendly community competition. This event celebrates the church's 14th-century heritage while embracing contemporary holiday traditions.
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Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary and All Saints Church
Christmas at Hardwick Hall
What to Expect:
Tudor-inspired Christmas celebrations in an Elizabethan country house
Description:
Hardwick Hall, an architectural gem of the Elizabethan era, embraces its Tudor roots for Christmas celebrations. The hall's rooms are adorned with period-appropriate decorations, showcasing how the holidays were celebrated in the 16th century. Visitors can sample traditional Tudor fare and watch historical reenactments of Christmas customs. The event highlights the life of Bess of Hardwick, one of the most powerful women of the Elizabethan age, who built this magnificent house.
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Nearby Events
Chatsworth House Christmas Market (Bakewell)
What to Expect:
Market set against the backdrop of a grand stately home
Description:
Chatsworth House, the magnificent seat of the Duke of Devonshire, provides an opulent setting for this Christmas market. Artisans and vendors set up shop on the estate grounds, offering a curated selection of gifts and seasonal delicacies. The aroma of mulled wine wafts through the air as visitors explore the stalls. Guests can also tour the lavishly decorated house interiors, experiencing how the aristocracy celebrated Christmas in centuries past.
Website:
Chatsworth House Christmas Market
Matlock Victorian Christmas Market (Matlock)
What to Expect:
Victorian-themed market with period costumes and entertainment
Description:
Matlock steps back in time to the Victorian era for its annual Christmas market. Vendors and entertainers don period costumes, creating an immersive 19th-century atmosphere. Traditional crafts and goods line the streets, while carolers serenade shoppers with classic holiday tunes. Visitors can try their hand at Victorian parlor games or watch demonstrations of forgotten crafts. This event celebrates Matlock's heyday as a fashionable spa town during Queen Victoria's reign.
Website:
Matlock Victorian Christmas Market
Bolsover Christmas Festival and Lantern Parade (Bolsover)
What to Expect:
Community-made lantern parade through historic streets
Description:
Bolsover's Christmas Festival culminates in a breathtaking lantern parade through the town's medieval streets. Community members craft unique lanterns in workshops leading up to the event, resulting in a procession of glowing artworks. The parade winds its way past Bolsover Castle, illuminating the ancient fortress. Visitors can join in creating a lantern or simply marvel at the spectacle. This event draws on the town's rich history, dating back to the Domesday Book of 1086.
Website:
Bolsover Christmas Festival and Lantern Parade
Eckington Christmas Festival (Eckington)
What to Expect:
Community-focused festival with local talent showcase
Description:
Eckington's Christmas Festival puts the spotlight on local talent and community spirit. The event features performances by school choirs, dance troupes, and amateur dramatic societies from around the area. Visitors can enjoy homemade treats prepared by local bakers and browse crafts made by Eckington residents. The festival celebrates the town's mining heritage with special displays and activities. You'll experience the warmth of a close-knit community coming together to celebrate the season.
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Dronfield Hall Barn Christmas Market (Dronfield)
What to Expect:
Market in a restored medieval barn
Description:
Dronfield Hall Barn, a beautifully restored 15th-century tithe barn, provides a unique setting for this Christmas market. The ancient timber frame structure houses stalls selling locally produced goods and seasonal treats. Visitors can admire the barn's medieval architecture while shopping for gifts. The event includes demonstrations of traditional crafts that would have been practiced in the barn during its working life. This market offers a glimpse into Dronfield's long agricultural history.
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Dronfield Hall Barn Christmas Market
Christmas at Renishaw Hall (Eckington)
What to Expect:
Italian garden-inspired Christmas decorations
Description:
Renishaw Hall's Christmas celebrations draw inspiration from its famous Italian gardens. The hall's interiors are adorned with Mediterranean-influenced decorations, creating a unique fusion of English and Italian holiday traditions. Visitors can explore the beautifully decorated rooms and learn about the Sitwell family's literary legacy. The event includes guided tours focusing on the hall's connection to Italy and how this influenced its Christmas celebrations over the centuries.
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Clay Cross Christmas Market (Clay Cross)
What to Expect:
Market celebrating local mining heritage
Description:
Clay Cross's Christmas market pays homage to the town's industrial past. Stalls are set up in and around historic buildings related to the town's mining industry. Local artisans sell handcrafted items inspired by Clay Cross's heritage, including coal-themed decorations and jewelry. Visitors can take part in mining-themed activities and learn about the town's role in the Industrial Revolution. The market captures the spirit of community that defined Clay Cross during its mining heyday.
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Wingerworth Christmas Tree Festival (Wingerworth)
What to Expect:
Eco-friendly Christmas tree decorating competition
Description:
Wingerworth's Christmas Tree Festival focuses on sustainability and environmental awareness. Community groups and local businesses compete to create the most innovative eco-friendly tree decorations using recycled materials. Visitors can vote for their favorite tree and learn about sustainable holiday practices. The event includes workshops on creating zero-waste decorations. This festival reflects Wingerworth's commitment to preserving its rural surroundings and promoting environmental stewardship.
Website:
Wingerworth Christmas Tree Festival
Staveley Christmas Lights Switch-On (Staveley)
What to Expect:
Industrial heritage-themed light display
Description:
Staveley's Christmas lights switch-on event celebrates the town's industrial heritage. The light display incorporates motifs from Staveley's history in ironworking and coal mining. Local schoolchildren perform a pageant depicting scenes from the town's past. Visitors can enjoy traditional brass band music, a nod to Staveley's strong brass band tradition. The event culminates in the illumination of a giant steel sculpture representing the town's industrial legacy.
Website:
Staveley Christmas Lights Switch-On
Christmas Candlelit Tours at Bolsover Castle (Bolsover)
What to Expect:
After-hours candlelit tours of a Stuart mansion
Description:
Bolsover Castle opens its doors after dark for atmospheric candlelit tours. Guides in period costume lead visitors through the 17th-century rooms, sharing tales of Stuart Christmases and the castle's colorful history. The flickering candlelight casts dancing shadows on the ornate walls and ceilings. Visitors can sample traditional Stuart-era Christmas treats and learn about the lavish entertainments once held at the castle. These tours offer a rare glimpse into nighttime life in a Stuart mansion.
Website:
Christmas Candlelit Tours at Bolsover Castle
Brimington Christmas Festival (Brimington)
What to Expect:
Festival celebrating local horticulture and gardening traditions
Description:
Brimington's Christmas Festival highlights the village's strong horticultural heritage. Local gardening clubs create stunning winter floral displays and offer workshops on creating festive arrangements. The event features a competition for the best winter vegetable garden. Visitors can purchase locally grown plants and produce for holiday cooking and decorating. This festival celebrates Brimington's long-standing connection to the land and its reputation for beautiful gardens.
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Tupton Christmas Market (Tupton)
What to Expect:
Market showcasing local food producers and artisanal crafts
Description:
Tupton's Christmas market puts the spotlight on the village's thriving food and craft scene. Local farmers, bakers, and artisanal food producers offer a wide range of seasonal delicacies. Craft stalls showcase the work of Tupton's talented artisans, many of whom draw inspiration from the surrounding Peak District landscape. Visitors can watch live cooking demonstrations using local ingredients. The market celebrates Tupton's rural roots and its modern reputation as a hub for creative small businesses.