What’s On in Derbyshire for Kids May Half Term 2026
Abbie Coleman is a Derbyshire-based mum of two and the founder of MMB Magazine and Ey-Up. She creates easy-to-read guides covering what’s on for families in Derbyshire, sharing local events, free activities and tried-and-tested ideas that make planning days out simpler for busy mums. Contact us to work with Ey-UP as a business or as a new blogger.
Derbyshire May Bank Holiday & Half-Term Events Guide
Updated May 2026 and daily as more events are announced
We do our best to keep this updated but listings change or sell out so please always check with the venue before you go.
May half-term in Derbyshire is always unpredictable, isn’t it? One moment you’re outside acting like it’s summer, and the next you’re reaching for your winter coat as the rain comes in sideways.
So rather than another generic list of things to do, this is a real what’s on guide filled with actual events happening across Derbyshire during May half term and the bank holiday weekend.
Some events are huge days out, while others are small hidden gems. Some will sell out, and some will pop up on Facebook just a day or two before they happen—because that’s how local family events usually go around here.
Right now, Kimi is looking for anything with climbing, reptiles, or something extreme. Eliza wants fairies, dinosaurs, goats, and cake—ideally all at once if possible.
We’ll keep updating this guide right through the holidays as more events are announced across:
Table of Contents
📧 Got an event missing?
Running:
- a family event
- holiday club
- workshop
- trail
- craft session
- toddler activity
- community event
- Forest school?
Email details to:
abbie@ey-up.co.uk
⭐ Ey-Up Derbyshire Picks
🦸 Superhero Day – Matlock Farm Park
📅 Monday 25th May 2026
📍 Jaggers Lane, Matlock, DE4 5LH
💷 Included with admission
🔗 Book Here
Superhero appearances, sheep racing, bouncing pillows, reptiles, animal encounters and generally absolute chaos in the best possible way.
🚋 Seaside Fun Week – Crich Tramway Village (National Tramway Museum)
📅 23rd–29th May 2026
📍 Cromford Road, Crich, Matlock, DE4 5DP
💷 Admission applies
🔗 Book Here
Vintage tram rides, seaside entertainment, family crafts and performers all week at the National Tramway Museum.
🦖 Dino Half Term – Thornbridge Hall
📅 23rd–31st May 2026
📍 Thornbridge Hall, Ashford in the Water, Bakewell, DE45 1NZ
💷 Admission applies
🔗 Book Here
Dinosaurs are taking over Thornbridge Hall during half term with themed trails and family activities.
🎪 Chatsworth Family Festival – Chatsworth House
📅 23rd–25th May 2026
📍 Chatsworth, Bakewell, DE45 1PP
💷 Included with garden/farmyard tickets
🔗 Book Here
Entertainment and family activities running across the gardens during the bank holiday weekend.
📍 Matlock, Bakewell & Peak District Events
🚠 Meet The Wombles – Heights of Abraham
📅 Throughout May half-term
📍 Dale Road, Matlock Bath, DE4 3NT
💷 Admission applies
🔗 Book Here
The Wombles are appearing during half term alongside the cable cars, caverns and exhibitions.
If the weather is nice, parking in Matlock Bath turns into a free-for-all by around 10:30am. We always grab the Trent Bus in from Bakewell so much easier than parking and stress free.
🚜 Junior Farmer Day – Matlock Farm Park
📅 Friday 29th May 2026
📍 Jaggers Lane, Matlock, DE4 5LH
💷 Booking required
🔗 Book Here
Hands-on feeding, grooming and animal care sessions for children.
🐍 Half-Term Fun – Matlock Farm Park
📅 23rd–31st May 2026
📍 Jaggers Lane, Matlock, DE4 5LH
💷 Included with admission
🔗 Event Info
Extra activities now confirmed, including:
- Meet the Reptiles
- tortoise bathing
- goat kids
- ferret racing
- pony rides
- Neighbourhood Spider
- Girl of Steel appearances.
🏴☠️ Princess & Pirate Weekend – Gulliver’s Kingdom
📅 2nd–4th May 2026
📍 Temple Walk, Matlock Bath, DE4 3PG
💷 Theme park admission
🔗 Book Here
Character appearances, themed entertainment and pirate/princess activities all weekend.
🎟 40% Off Half-Term Tickets – Gulliver’s Kingdom
📅 23rd–31st May 2026
📍 Temple Walk, Matlock Bath, DE4 3PG
🔗 See Offer
Gulliver’s is running discounted half-term tickets using code SAVE40.
🦦 Otter Trail – Peak Wildlife Park
📅 23rd–31st May 2026
📍 Winkhill, Leek, ST13 7QR
💷 Included with admission
🔗 Book Here
Otter-themed family trail running through half term linked to World Otter Day.
🐐 Goat Kid Experience – Chatsworth House
📅 Running until 23rd May 2026
📍 Chatsworth Farmyard, Bakewell, DE45 1PP
💷 Additional charge applies
🔗 Chatsworth Events
Meet Chatsworth’s pygmy goat kids during special farmyard sessions.
If she could, Eliza would probably move in.
🚜 Tractor & Trailer Rides – Chatsworth House
📅 24th May – 1st June 2026
📍 Chatsworth, Bakewell, DE45 1PP
💷 Included with admission
🔗 Chatsworth Events
Tractor and trailer rides around the estate during half term, a hit for any budding little farmers you have.
🌱 Seedlings Gardening Club – Chatsworth House
📅 Selected dates from 10th May 2026
📍 Chatsworth Kitchen Garden
💷 Booking required
🔗 Chatsworth Events
Kids gardening sessions learning about flowers, vegetables and growing food.
🧙 Wizarding Adventure Trail – Haddon Hall
📅 24th May – 1st June 2026
📍 Haddon Hall, Bakewell, DE45 1LA
💷 Admission applies
🔗 Book Here
Wizard-themed family trail around the historic grounds.
🚲 Monsal Trail Family Cycling & Walks – Monsal Trail
📍 Bakewell area
💷 FREE trail access
Bike hire, tunnels, picnic stops and traffic-free walking along one of the Peak District’s busiest family routes during half term.
If it’s sunny every family in Derbyshire will apparently have exactly the same idea.
🛍 Spring Artisan Market – Peak Village
📅 23rd–25th May 2026
📍 Rowsley, DE4 2JE
💷 FREE entry
🔗 Peak Village Events
Artisan stalls, family entertainment and local makers across the bank holiday weekend.
🦕 Dinosaur Trail – Peak Shopping Village
📅 May half-term dates TBC
📍 Rowsley, Matlock, DE4 2JE
💷 FREE entry
🔗 Peak Village Events
Family dinosaur trail around Peak Shopping Village.
🌲 May Half Term at Go Ape Buxton
📅 25th–31st May 2026
📍 Buxton, SK17 9DH
💷 Booking required
🔗 Book Here
High ropes, zip lines and treetop crossings running daily during half term.
Kimi would genuinely stay here until sunset.
🎭 Family Theatre & Storytelling – Buxton Opera House
📅 Various half-term dates
📍 Water Street, Buxton, SK17 6XN
🔗 See Shows
Children’s theatre shows, storytelling sessions and family performances during half term.
📍 Derby Events
🌈 Spring Into Joy – Derbion
📅 26th–30th May 2026
📍 Derbion Shopping Centre, Derby
💷 Around £3 per activity
🔗 Book Here
Half-term workshops including:
- flower crowns
- rainbow keychains
- butterfly crafts
- tote bag decorating.
A genuinely useful rainy-day option when it suddenly goes from sunshine to sleet in about 14 minutes because… May.
📚 Derby Book Festival
📅 22nd–31st May 2026
📍 Various Derby venues
💷 Various pricing/free events
🔗 Festival Info
Storytelling, author sessions, workshops and family events happening across Derby during half term.
📖 Derby Book Festival Book Nook – Kedleston Hall
📅 23rd–31st May 2026
📍 Kedleston Hall, Derby, DE22 5JH
💷 Free event (admission applies)
🔗 Book Here
Storytelling, puppets, reading zones and family book activities linked to Derby Book Festival.
🧭 Orienteering at Kedleston Hall
📅 Daily throughout May half term
📍 Kedleston Hall, Derby
💷 Included with admission
🔗 Kedleston Events
Family-friendly orienteering trails around the estate.
📚 FREE Derby Library Holiday Activities
📅 Various dates during half term
📍 Libraries across Derby
💷 FREE
🔗 Derby Libraries Info
Holiday sessions including:
- storytelling
- coding workshops
- comic drawing
- themed crafts
- clay activities.
Free places disappear ridiculously quickly every holidays.
🛹 Half-Term Skate Sessions – FLO Skatepark
📅 Throughout May half term
📍 Derbion, Derby
🔗 Visit FLO Skatepark
Indoor skate sessions for beginners through to confident riders.
💦 Markeaton Park Paddling Pool Opening
📅 Opens daily from 25th May 2026
📍 Markeaton Park, Derby
💷 FREE
🔗 Visit Derby Half-Term Guide
Paddling pool reopening for summer during half term.
Take towels. Accept chaos.
🎡 Derby Market Place Funfair
📅 During May half term
📍 Derby Market Place
💷 Pay per ride
🔗 Derby LIVE Events
Family rides and attractions in Derby city centre during the holidays.
🍶 Pottery Painting & Clay Workshops – Denby Pottery Village
📅 Throughout May half term
📍 Derby Road, Denby, DE5 8NX
🔗 Book Here
Pottery painting, clay modelling and family creative sessions running all week.
📍 Chesterfield & North Derbyshire Events
👑 May Half-Term at Hardwick Hall
📅 23rd–31st May 2026
📍 Doe Lea, Chesterfield, S44 5QJ
💷 Free event (admission applies)
🔗 Book Here
Hardwick’s half-term programme includes:
- May Queen crown decorating
- maypole activities
- outdoor games
- royal spectacle stations
- nature activities
- family crafts.
🎨 Derbyshire Makes Makory Van – Hardwick Hall
📅 Saturday 23rd May 2026
📍 Hardwick Hall
💷 Included with admission
🔗 Hardwick Events
Travelling makerspace and mini-gallery with creative family sessions.
✂️ Friendship Bracelet & Origami Crafts – Hardwick Hall
📅 Tuesday 26th & Thursday 28th May 2026
📍 East Stables, Hardwick Hall
💷 Included with admission
🔗 Hardwick Events
Half-term craft sessions making friendship bracelets and origami creations.
🪚 Specialist Craft Open Day – Hardwick Hall
📅 Wednesday 27th May 2026
📍 Stableyard, Hardwick Hall
💷 Included with admission
🔗 Event Info
Meet National Trust conservation teams including carpenters, masons and heritage specialists.
🛍 Women Who Make Market – Hardwick Hall
📅 Saturday 30th May 2026
📍 Hardwick Hall
💷 Included with admission
🔗 Hardwick Events
Creative makers market showcasing local women-led businesses.
🏰 Half-Term Events – Bolsover Castle
📅 Throughout May half term
📍 Castle Street, Bolsover, S44 6PR
💷 Admission applies
🔗 Book Here
Holiday activities and family-friendly events during half term.
🛍 Young Persons’ Market – Chesterfield
📅 Sunday 24th May 2026
📍 Chesterfield Market
💷 FREE
Young traders and local businesses taking over Chesterfield Market during the holiday weekend.
🎶 Chesterfield 1940s Market
📅 Thursday 28th May 2026
📍 Chesterfield Town Centre
💷 FREE
Music, entertainment and themed vintage stalls across town.
💷 FREE & Cheap Half-Term Events
🌳 Flower Fairy Trail – Staunton Harold Reservoir
📅 23rd–31st May 2026
📍 Staunton Harold
💷 FREE trail
🔗 Trail Info
Woodland fairy trail and themed family activities during half term.
🌸 Blooming Blossom Activity Trail – Calke Abbey
📅 23rd–31st May 2026
📍 Ticknall, Derby, DE73 7JF
💷 FREE event (admission applies)
🔗 Book Here
Blossom trail with nature yoga, poetry and natural art activities.
🌸 Festival of Blossom Family Session – Calke Abbey
📅 Wednesday 27th May 2026
📍 Ticknall, Derby, DE73 7JF
💷 Booking required
🔗 Book Here
Storytelling, potion making, mandala art and seasonal nature activities.
🌼 Move with Nature Trail – Carsington Water
📅 23rd–31st May 2026
📍 Carsington Water Visitor Centre, DE6 1ST
💷 FREE
🔗 Trail Info
Free half-term nature trail and family movement challenge around Carsington Water.
🎨 Derbyshire Makes Festival Events
📅 Throughout May 2026
📍 Across Derbyshire
💷 Mostly FREE
🔗 Festival Listings
Creative workshops, performances and making sessions happening across Derbyshire towns.
🎨 High Peak Open Studios 2026
📅 23rd–25th May 2026
📍 Across Buxton, Glossop, Hayfield, New Mills & High Peak
💷 FREE entry to most venues
🔗 Event Info
Artists and makers opening studios across 33 venues throughout the High Peak.
🎨 Artbourne Art Trail – Ashbourne
📅 30th–31st May 2026
📍 Ashbourne Town Centre
💷 £5 wristbands / under 12s free
🔗 Event Info
Over 100 artists, workshops, live music, food and family creative activities across Ashbourne.
🌸 Derbyshire Well Dressings
📅 Throughout May half term
📍 Villages across Derbyshire
💷 FREE
Traditional Derbyshire well dressings returning across villages including:
- Tissington
- Ashford-in-the-Water
- Middleton-by-Youlgrave
- and other Peak District villages.
Honestly one of the most Derbyshire things you can do and its great to spport such a tradition.