Your Guide to Kids Summer Holiday Events 2026 in Derbyshire

☀️ The Ultimate Guide to Kids Summer Holiday Events 2026 in Derbyshire

Updated June 2026

I know how magical, yet monumental, the summer holidays can be. You get told you’ve got 18 of them, if you’re lucky, before your kids are off doing their own thing, and we all want to make the most of them. But let’s be honest—six weeks is a lot to fill. You’re juggling work, budgets, childcare, and trying not to burn out before August.

This Ey-Up Kids Mega Guide is your go-to lifesaver for what’s on across Derbyshire and nearby areas during the summer of 2025. Whether you’re after big-ticket events, FREE days out, hidden gems, or indoor soft play spots for rainy days, we’ve got it all.

Don’t forget to also check out our Where kids can eat for free in the school holidays in Derbyshire.

The Ultimate Derbyshire & Peak District Summer Holiday Events Guide 2026

A chronological guide to family events across Derbyshire and the Peak District. Please check organisers’ websites before travelling as details may change.

Events Running Through The School Holidays

18 Jul–1 Sep – Summer of Punch & Judy & The Wombles

Location: Heights of Abraham, Matlock Bath
Family entertainment alongside cable cars and caverns.
Website: https://www.heightsofabraham.com

18 Jul–6 Sep – Summer of Play

Location: Ilam Park
FREE
Outdoor family activities.
Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk

18 Jul–6 Sep – Summer of Play

Location: Longshaw Estate
FREE
Woodland adventures and nature play.
Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk

18 Jul–6 Sep – Summer of Play

Location: Calke Abbey
FREE
Outdoor games and family fun.
Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk

18 Jul–6 Sep – Summer of Play

Location: Hardwick Hall
FREE
Garden games and family trails.
Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk

20 Jul–6 Sep – MooFest Summer

Location: Bluebell Dairy
Summer entertainment, maize maze and family activities.
Website: https://bluebelldairy.co.uk

25 Jul – 6th September – Miniature Train & Boats

Summer Miniature Train & Boating Lake Dates. Subject to weather
Location: Pavilion Gardens Buxton
Website: Miniature Train & Boats – Events at Pavilion Gardens, Buxton

Dub Deck Inflatable Aqua Run

Arc Lesiure Matlock – Tuesdays & Thursdays 2.30pm to 3.30pm
Bakewell – Wednesday 1.45pm to 2.45pm

Family Floats & Fun

Arc Lesiure Matlock – Mondays, Wednesdays Fridays 1.30pm to 3.30pm
Bakewell – Mondays 1.30pm to 2.30pm, Tuesday 1.30pm to 2.30pm, Thursdays 1.30pm to 2.30pm Fridays 2pm to 3pm

July Events

18–19 Jul – Junction Arts Children’s Festival

Location: Chesterfield
FREE
Creative performances and workshops.
Website: Chesterfield Children’s Festival – Junction Arts

25 Jul – K-Pop Superfan Day

Location: Matlock Farm Park
K-Pop themed entertainment.
Website:K-Pop Superfan Day! | Matlock Farm Park

25 July – Dinosaur Day

Location: National Tramway Museum
Lots of dinosaur-themed fun, along with all the great things to do at the National Tramway Museum.
Homepage – National Tramway Museum

27th July to 31st July Football Camp

Location: Lady Manners, Bakewell

Football training, including goalkeeper training, contact Dave Cottrell 07849 134 975

27 Jul–2 Aug – Wild Words Week

Location: Chatsworth
Storytelling and nature activities.
Website: Events & experiences

28 Jul – Superhero Picnic In The Park

Location: Allestree Derby & other locations
Dress up like a superhero and bring your picnic.
Superhero Picnic in the Park | Derby Parks

29 Jul – LEGO Printing Workshop

Location: Thornbridge Hall
Creative LEGO art workshop.
Website: Lego Printing Workshop for Kids with Sombrero printmaking — Thornbridge Estate in the Peak District

29 Jul – Posca Pen Art Workshop

Location: Thornbridge Hall
Paint pen craft workshop.
Website: Posca Pen Workshop for Kids with Sombrero printmaking — Thornbridge Estate in the Peak District

31 Jul–3 Aug – Outdoor Opera House

Location: Grin Low Country Park
FREE*
Outdoor performances and activities.
Website: Outdoor Opera House | Buxton Opera House

“Bramhall’s Amusements” Funfair on the promenade dates Friday 31st July, 9:30 am – Sunday 6th September, 2:00 pm

Location: Pavilion Gardens, Buxton
Website: “Bramhall’s Amusements” Funfair on the promenade – Events at Pavilion Gardens, Buxton

August Events

31 Jul–3 Aug – Outdoor Opera House

Location: Grin Low Country Park
FREE*
Outdoor performances and activities.
Website: Outdoor Opera House | Buxton Opera House

1–2 Aug – Peddler Market

Location: Chesterfield
FREE
Independent street food and traders.
Website: https://www.chesterfield.co.uk

Octagon Hall – Inflatable Fun Sessions dates 1st August, 10th August, 17th August and 1st September

Saturday 1st August, 10:00 am – Thursday 6th August, 5:00 pm
Monday 10th August, 10:00 am – Thursday 13th August, 5:00 pm
Monday 17th August, 10:00 am – Thursday 27th August, 5:00 pm
Tuesday 1st September, 10:00 am – Thursday 3rd September, 5:00 pm
Location: Octagon Hall Buxton
Website: Inflatable Fun Sessions – Events at Pavilion Gardens, Buxton

1 -2 Aug – Cromford Steam Rally

Location: Cromford
Steam engines and vintage vehicles.
Website: https://www.cromfordsteamrally.co.uk

2–23 Aug – Summer Saturdays Peak Village

Location: Peak Village Rowsley
FREE
Crafts and entertainment Saturday 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th August
Website: https://www.peakvillage.co.uk

3–9 Aug – Garden Tales Week

Location: Chatsworth
Story trails through the gardens.
Website: https://www.chatsworth.org

5 Aug – Papercraft Workshop

Location: Thornbridge Hall
Paper craft activities.
Website: https://thornbridgehall.co.uk

6–7 Aug – Woodland Ways Family Survival Course

Location: Haddon Hall
Overnight bushcraft experience.
Website: https://www.haddonhall.co.uk

8 Aug – Superhero Day

Location: Matlock Farm Park
Meet superheroes.
Website: https://matlockfarmpark.co.uk

8–9 Aug – Peak Rail Steam Gala

Location: Rowsley
Heritage steam train weekend.
Website: https://www.peakrail.co.uk

9–10 Aug – Sounds of the 50s & 60s

Location: Crich Tramway Village
Vintage music weekend.
Website: https://www.tramway.co.uk

9th Aug – Comic Con

Location: Cromford Mills
Cosplay and movie characters.
Website: https://www.cromfordmills.org.uk

10–16 Aug – Get Active Week

Location: Chatsworth
Sports and outdoor games.
Website: https://www.chatsworth.org

12 Aug – Ashover Show

Location: Ashover
Traditional agricultural show.
Website: https://www.ashovershow.co.uk

13 Aug – Papercraft Bookmark Workshop

Location: Thornbridge Hall
Create decorative bookmarks.
Website: https://thornbridgehall.co.uk

15 Aug – Princess Fun Day

Location: Matlock Farm Park
Meet princesses and enjoy themed fun.
Website: https://matlockfarmpark.co.uk

15 Aug – Ashbourne Show

Location: Ashbourne
Country show with arena displays.
Website: https://www.ashbourneshow.co.uk

15 – 16th August – Markeaton Food Festival

Location – Markeaton Park
Website: Markeaton Park Food Festival 2026 :: Visit Derby

17–23 Aug – Nature Week

Location: Chatsworth
Wildlife activities.
Website: https://www.chatsworth.org

19 Aug – LEGO Printing Workshop

Location: Thornbridge Hall
Creative family workshop.
Website: https://thornbridgehall.co.uk

20–21 Aug – Woodland Ways Family Survival Course

Location: Haddon Hall
Second overnight course.
Website: https://www.haddonhall.co.uk

22 Aug – Fake Festival

Location: Markeaton Park
Tribute bands and festival atmosphere.
Website: Derby Fake Festival 2026

24th August – 28th August & 31st August – 4th September – Forest School

Location: St. Anselm’s School Bakewell
A full day outside, including games, foraging, nature art, bushcraft, and campfire cooking. 9.30 am to 4.30 pm ages 5-12

26 Aug – Butterfly Pastel Workshop

Location: Thornbridge Hall
Pastel art workshop.
Website: https://thornbridgehall.co.uk

29–30 Aug – Derbyshire Flower & Garden Show

Location: Derbyshire
Flowers, gardens and crafts.
Website: Please check local organiser website.

30 Aug – Peak District Highland Games

Location: Matlock Farm Park
Traditional Highland Games.
Website: https://matlockfarmpark.co.uk

31 Aug – The Big Bubbleman

Location: Matlock Farm Park
Giant bubble show.
Website: https://matlockfarmpark.co.uk

September 2026

4–6 Sep – Chatsworth Country Fair

Location: Chatsworth House
Arena displays, shopping and food.
Website: https://www.chatsworth.org

Sep weekends – Matlock Bath Illuminations

Location: Matlock Bath
Illuminated boats and fireworks.
Website: https://www.derbyshiredales.gov.uk