The Peak District is magical all year round, but around Christmas it’s extra special, as lights twinkle on the village streets and seasonal cheer descends. We know you all love to head out for a Peak District walk through the winter, so we thought we’d give you some ideas of how to combine your festive hike with some Christmas sparkle!
Let me know in the comments if you’ve done this walk and what you think!
10 things to do in the Peak District this Christmas
We’ve chosen some of the best events and activities taking place throughout December in the Peak District and paired them with some of our favourite walks nearby!
You’ll find links for more information about the events and you can click through to get the full walk descriptions, map and GPX for any routes we mention, all for free.
1. Chatsworth House and Gardens
Christmas at Chatsworth starts on November 8th 2025 and runs through to January 4th 2026, so you’ve got plenty of time to book your tickets to enjoy the splendour of the house and gardens. The team at Chatsworth really go all out at Christmas and this year’s theme is The Enchanted Garden. When you buy a ticket you also get access to the Christmas Market.
Make sure you plan ahead as all tickets must be booked in advance!
Even with all there is to see at Chatsworth you should still have time to fit in our 4-mile Chatsworth Hunting Tower Walk From Baslow walk.
2. Watch Aladdin at Buxton Opera House
Buxton Opera House is well known for its annual pantomimes and this year they are staging Aladdin. Oh yes they are! The performances run from to
We don’t have any walks straight from Buxton but we recommend enjoying the nearby 5-mile Chee Dale Stepping Stones Walks From Miller’s Dale before heading on into town for some festive family fun at the pantomime. You can book tickets here.
3. Castleton Lights and Tree Festival
The Castleton Christmas Tree Festival takes place from 16th November to 15th December in Castleton’s St Edmund’s Church. Throughout the festival you can visit the church to view over 40 trees decorated by local groups, shops, caverns and businesses. When you visit you can expect to find refreshments and you’ll be able to write on a star and add it to the prayer tree.
While you’re in Castleton you can also enjoy the lovely lights which adorn the main street and shop for gifts in the independent shops selling local wares.
Castleton is a great base for starting a walk. We’ve got a couple of hikes which start from the village for you to choose from. You can find them and choose your favourite here.
4. Take the Train with the Peak Rail Santa and Steam Special
What’s better than meeting Santa? Meeting Santa on a steam train of course! Peak Rail are running their annual Santa and Steam Special train rides on various dates throughout December.
As you ride Santa’s festive steam train, through the Derwent Valley a variety of professional entertainers will perform for you. Santa and his helpers will make their way through the train and meet everyone at their seat and Santa will have with him a wonderful gift for all the children!
You can join them on their special train at Peak Rail from Rowsley South Station. While you’re in the area you can warm up and grab some great views on our 4.5-mile Stanton Woodhouse from Rowsley | 4-mile route.
5. Christmas Carols in a Cave
Fancy Christmas Carols with a different twist? How about carolling in a cave?? Peak Cavern, also known as the Devil’s Arse, is the perfect size and shape to amplify music, creating a venue like no other! They hold Christmas Carol Concerts in the cave entrance throughout December and you can book your tickets here.
The cavern is very cold, so make sure you wrap up warm and take a blanket.
You can get yourself nice and warm before the concert by taking on our challenging Winnat’s Pass hike from Castleton.
6. Save the Sleigh at Ilam Hall
At Ilam Hall Father Christmas is in a festive fix – he’s locked the magical Reindeer Flying Food in a chest and forgotten the code! Now it’s up to you and your team to crack the clues hidden around the parkland. Solve puzzles, gather the secret numbers, and race back to the Welcome Team to unlock the chest!
You can join in the fun and help Santa Save the Sleigh by retrieving the reindeer food throughout December. You can make a full day out of it at Ilam Hall by adding in Breakfast with Father Christmas in the Manifold Tearoom. Christmas Breakfast’s take place on dates throughout December and you can book a place here.
We’ve got a lovely 4-mile walk which you’ll be able to fit in to your day out at Ilam here.
7. Choose a Christmas tree on the Longshaw Estate
The National Trust Longshaw Estate is host to a range of Christmassy fun. And the best thing is you can head home with your very own Christmas tree at the end of the day!.
The Longshaw Estate have been selling Christmas trees for more than fifty years with people coming from far and wide, to select their special tree. The trees are carefully selected by expert rangers and every tree sold supports the vital conservation work they. You can also visit the Moorland Discovery Centre, which turns into a festive grotto with Christmas trees and decorations for sale. And don’t forget to book Breakfast with Santa and your Christmas Crafts and Wreath Making activities
If you’ve got any energy left after all that we’ve got a hearty hike which passes through the estate for you to try; Burbage Edge, Padley Gorge + Higger Tor Walk From Upper Burbage | 8-Mile Route.
8. Mercatum Christmas Market at Haddon Hall
Haddon Hall’s Mercatum Christmas Market is renowned in the area and promises to enchant you with its variety of artisan stalls.
Haddon Hall’s fairytale surroundings become especially magical during the season, adorned with twinkling lights, elegant decorations, and stunning Christmas trees. Visitors can indulge in delicious street food, hot chocolate, and mulled wine from various stalls while enjoying live music that completes the cosy, festive atmosphere.
The market is open from Wednesday to Sunday from now up until Christmas. Find out more here.
While you’re in the area why not pick one of our 10 BEST Derbyshire Dales Walks in the Peak District to enjoy?
9. Go for a Christmas Walk
If you just want to keep things simple and enjoy a walk over the Christmas period that’s fine too! We chose some of the best of our walking routes to do in the festive season and you can check them all out here!
Have we missed any great Christmas Peak District activities off the list? Let us know in the comments below.
Ordnance Survey Walk Maps
For these walks, there are two maps that cover them OL1 – Peak District (Dark Peak Area) and OL24 – Peak District (White Peak Area)
Shop online at Ordnance Survey
And don’t forget your compass, I recommend the Silva Expedition or the Silva Classic compass.
For online maps, I recommend the OS Online App (I have been using it for many years and it is worth getting if you want to start walking more). Check prices here for the one-month or annual option with the OS Online App. All the walks on the website are created using OS Online + you can download them to the App.
Check prices here for the one month or yearly option with OS Online App.
More walks in the Peak District
Love the walks in the Peak District? You might like these Peak District circular walks.
Or check out all our Peak District walking routes here
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