Santa’s Grotto at Poole’s Cavern

Santa returns to his favourite grotto in Poole’s Cavern. Bring your Christmas wishes and all the family to visit the wonderfully illuminated grotto, meet the man himself and explore the spectacular cavern. There are also self-guided Christmas walk-throughs available.

2-3, 9-10 and 16-17 December, 9.30am to 4pm, Poole’s Cavern

Tickets on sale via Beyonk here.

The cavern is open as usual 27-31 December and from 2 January.

The Christmas Trail

Get dressed up in your best best Christmas outfits (optional) and join the Pavilion Gardens Christmas Trail, 10am-3pm each day (last entry 2pm). Question and answer sheets available from the Ice Cream Parlour by the main entrance off the promenade. All entrants receive a prize. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Weekends from 2 December and Saturday 16 to Friday 24 December 2023, 10am-3pm, Pavilion Gardens

£3 per child. No need to book.

Breakfast with Santa

Treat the little ones to a magical start to the day! The whole family will enjoy a buffet style breakfast with music, colouring and a one on one meeting with Santa at your table!

First three weekends in December, 9.30am-11am, Pavilion Gardens tearooms

£18.95pp (£6.95 for U3s). Pre-booking essential, call 01298 23114.

Artisan Christmas Markets

Expect a wide range of local businesses, artisans and entertainment. Seasonal foods, warm drinks and cocktails (and even a chance to meet Santa in his grotto!). Opening 4pm on Friday.

Friday 17 – Sunday 19 November, Palace Hotel.

Dickensian Indoor Christmas Market

Organised by the High Peak Mayoral Committee giving local charities and organisations the  opportunity to raise valuable funds.

Saturday 25 November, 10.15am-4.15pm, Pavilion Gardens​

Christmas Gift, Arts & Craft Fair

80 stalls selling Christmas gifts plus storytime with Santa (free), elves and a pop-up cafe with seating area. With JR Craft Fairs.

Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 December 2023, 10am-3pm, Devonshire Dome

Free entry

Christmas Market

Join Buxton Markets at their annual Christmas Market with seasonal gifts and activities alongside their regular traders.

Saturday 9 December, 10am-6pm on the Market Place.

Christmas Fair

The Christmas Fair is a great chance to pick up those stocking fillers and unique gifts and a perfect place to go to get you into the festive spirit. The Octagon Hall will be full of stalls who can offer some unique and thoughtful gifts for your loved ones. During the event, Santa Claus himself will also be paying us a visit and you’ll be able to go and see him in his Grotto.

Saturday 9 – Sunday 10 December, 10am-4.30pm, Octagon Hall, Pavilion Gardens.

Reverse Santa at the Springs

Make a difference to someone this Christmas and drop in a new and unwrapped present which will be given to a baby, child or young person in and around Buxton who may not receive anything on Christmas Day. In partnership with Derbyshire County Council.

Drop-off your gifts by the snowman in the Springs Shopping Centre.

Lantern-Making Workshops

Make a lantern for the Lantern Parade which brings festive lights and carols through the town. This year it has a Cinderella theme.

Full instructions and materials are provided. It takes about half an hour. For all ages. Children must be accompanied. Find out more here.

Saturday 11 November 2023, 10am-3pm at Buxton URC Church, Hardwick Square East
Wednesday 15 November 2023, 5.30pm-7.30pm at the Pump Room.

Christmas Lights Switch On & Lantern Parade

From midday, there will be lots of Christmas stalls, hot food vendors, mulled wine, real reindeer, entertainers, live music, children’s rides, late night shopping and a laser show.

For the lantern parade, gather at 5.45pm outside Argos in Spring Gardens, dressed up and ready to sing. Everyone welcome!

The lights on the tree near Turner’s Memorial by the Cavendish Arcade will be switched on at 7pm.

Saturday 18 November 2023, 12noon-8pm

Buxton Dickensian Ball

A fantastic night of music, dancing and carols celebrating Charles Dickens.

Dress code is 1835 until 1901. A dance lesson will be held earlier in the day for anyone looking to have a practice or brush up on their dancing prowess. Info tbc.

Saturday 25 November 2023, 7pm-11pm, The Pump Room

Book your tickets on the BCHT website here.

Wreath-Making Workshops

Wreath-making classes with mulled wine, Prosecco, hot chocolate, and mince pies with Muse Escapes.

Monday 27 November 2023, 7pm-9pm, Foxlow Grange
Book via Eventrite here.

Monday 11 December 2023, 7pm-9pm, Foxlow Grange (sustainable wreath-making workshop)
Book via Eventrite here.

Lake of Lights

Join The Thomas Theyer Foundation at the Pavilion Gardens lake to remember a loved one. Lights will be floated from 5.30pm.

Sunday 3 December 2023, 4.30pm-7pm, Pavilion Gardens

Find out more here.

Festive Faces

Creative gargoyle workshop with Buxton Our Street and local artist, Creeping Toad, as part of the Buxton Heritage Action Zone project. Drop in and make faces inspired by the carvings on Buxton buildings.

Saturday 9 December 2023, 11am-3pm, The Green Man Gallery

Free, no need to book.

Winter Wreath-Making Workshops

An evening of Festive Winter Wreath making at Poole’s Cavern. With the option of visiting the Cavern decked out for Christmas. With Greenwood Growth.

Monday 11 December 2023, 6.30pm-9pm, Poole’s Cavern Visitor Centre

Find out more and book via Eventbrite here.

Big Christmas Quiz Night

Other Events

A Christmas Carol

Chapterhouse Theatre Company bring their production of this classic Christmas tale adapted by Laura Turner. Charles Dickens’ classic ghost story is brought alive in this most traditional of productions, complete with beautiful period costume, song, dance and a magnificent, original musical score.

Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 November 2023, 7.30pm, Pavilion Arts Centre.

Tickets available from the Buxton Opera House Box Office – call 01298 72190 or book online here.

The Houghton Weavers’ Christmas Concert

A fun-packed, sing-a-long family show with great music and funny stories galore! There will be plenty of laughter and the old familiar songs mixed together with some new songs and festive perennial favourites.

Saturday 25 November, 7.30pm, Pavilion Arts Centre.

Tickets available from the Buxton Opera House Box Office – call 01298 72190 or book online here.

The Christmas Toyshop Mystery

A seasonal adventure filled with Christmas magic and cheer from those festive funsters the Babbling Vagabonds. Using puppetry, original music, storytelling and shadows this production brings to life the adventure of one loved Teddy.

Tuesday 28 November, 1,30pm & 6.30pm, Crescent Assembly Rooms

Book tickets on the BCHT website here.

Echoes in the Crescent

A wonderful celebratory evening of well known songs from timeless classics to contemporary hits and festive favourites. With Buxton Community Choir.

Monday 4 December 2023, 7.30pm, Crescent Assembly Rooms

Book tickets on the BCHT website here.

The Snowman

Make it a Christmas to remember with a very special performance featuring two of the UK’s best-loved and iconic animated films, The Snowman and Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers, with live accompaniment from an outstanding professional orchestra. With Carrot Productions.

Thursday 14 December 2023, 6.30pm-8pm, The Octagon, Pavilion Gardens.

Book via Eventbrite here.

The Holiday (12A)

Two women troubled with guy-problems swap homes in each other’s countries, where they each meet a local guy and fall in love.

Tuesday 12 December, 7.30pm, Buxton Cinema

Tickets available from the Buxton Opera House Box Office here.

Home Alone (PG)

Tuesday 19 December, 1.30pm and Wednesday 20 December, 1.30pm

Tickets available from the Buxton Opera House Box Office here.