What's On

Another chance to see the acclaimed exhibition 'We are Bess' which reveals a new side to Bess of Hardwick's story through the voices and experiences of modern day women.

From household names to local Derbyshire women, the portraits of 16 modern women, taken by award-winning photographer Rachel Adams, sit alongside the Tudor portraits in the Long Gallery.

The 2019 Illuminations season will run from Saturday 7 September to Sunday 27 October. Fireworks displays will take place on Saturday evenings at 9pm.  Matlock Bath Illuminations feature a unique parade of illuminated and decorated boats on the River Derwent every weekend throughout September and October. Each boat carries a decorated model and as darkness falls the boats disappear into the blackness below, leaving the models apparently gliding along just above the water.

* Sundays Only (excluding 15th September)

Haddon Hall is becoming renowned for its varied programme of music held throughout the season.  Carefully selected by Music for Derbyshire's former Director of Music.                                  Performances are held at 12.00 and 2.00 pm, providing time to enjoy lunch or tea in the Restaurant.  These recitals can be enjoyed at leisure and are included with admission tickets.

From October 1st 2019 to January 31st 2020, visitors can polish and take home their very own Blue John Christmas tree decoration or window hanger.

Our skilled craftspeople will guide you through the processes of creating your own unique Blue John ornament in our new visitor workshop area.

Prices for this activity start at £10 per hanger / decoration.

*Selected dates throughout October & beginning of November

Are you ready to join in the fun at this year’s terrifyingly fantastic Scarefest event with spooks, frights and thrills for everyone? This unmissable event takes place on selected dates in October/November when the Resort becomes home to Halloween. Open until late so you can enjoy your favourite rides in the dark!

Calling all budding witches and wizards ...

We've got some frighteningly good family fun for you throughout October Half Term Holiday!*

Little Monkeys becomes Little Monsters for four nights only......Wednesday 23rd October, Thursday 24th October & Wednesday 30th and Thursday 31st October. 4.30pm until 7pm. £12 per child for entry, Two course monster buffet, 2 ½ hours play, Wicked disco and fancy dress competition (parents included).

*Selected Dates  

From Saturday 26th October to Sunday 3rd November. Everyday from 10:30am until 3:30pm you can join in the spooky fun this October half term. Fancy dress isn’t mandatory but is highly encouraged.

The trail packs are available to purchase from the Visitor Centre reception for £3.00 each. Once you’ve completed the trail you can collect your prizes; a Halloween crafts activity pack and a trick or treat goodie from the Main Sail Café in the courtyard.

Grab your broomsticks for a bewitchingly brilliant day out at Bolsover Castle this Halloween half term. Get hands-on with creepy crafts and a wicked witch-themed quest.

Join the potion master and weave your magic as you make your very own potion to take home - just remember....don't eat the bottle! Discover some amazing - and simple - tricks with elastic bands that will amaze and astound your friends and family. Show off your spooktacular costumes and frighten our fearless staff - will you win the fancy dress competition?

There's a fancy dress competition every day - come in your best witch and wizard outfits to be in with a chance of winning.

The Discovery Days Festival, the region's largest heritage festival, runs from Saturday 26 October to Sunday 3 November, and features a great variety of over 130 events, many of them based around this year's transport theme, and all highlighting the international significance of the Derwent Valley Mills, the only World Heritage Site in the East Midlands and the birthplace of the factory system.

Do you dare explore Bolsover Castle after dark this Halloween?

Head to English Heritage's most spooky site for a ghostly evening tour. Storytellers will guide you through the darkness and take you on a bloody, bone-chilling journey through the past. With tales of ghosts, supernatural sightings and horrors from history, this is not a night for the faint-hearted.

This Halloween, Haddon Hall will be home to the Little School of Sorcery.

Children will be able to enjoy a plethora of ghastly games and activities throughout the hall, from creating potions in the kitchen with medieval herbs collected from Haddon's gardens, to wand decorating, broom and hat making, learning spells and scroll writing. Dressing up is warmly welcomed, with all sorcery students receiving a certificate at the end of their lessons. Families are also invited to bring their own carved pumpkins to the hall, which will be displayed throughout Halloween, with a winner being selected on the 31st.

Frighteningly good fun around every corner ... join in the fun if you dare. Take your little monsters along to Chatsworth for nine days of terrible treats, evil entertainment and devilish delights. 

October half term sees the return of the fire pits, twinkling lights, marshmallow toasting plus a few October half term surprises along the way. Then from Thursday October 31st until Sunday 3rd November 2019 Halloween arrives at the Heights.

Drop into the Carsington Visitor centre, there'll be small, medium and large pumpkins available to buy for a small charge for you to decorate and take away. They will have the tools and, all you need to bring is a little imagination! All of the fun none of the mess. No booking required, first come first served

All children up to the age of 15 years are eligible to FREE travel on the shown dates when accompanied by a full paying adult or senior citizen.

Rummage through the stalls at one of the biggest flea markets in the country. Who knows, you might even find a hidden treasure or a priceless antique.

Enjoy 40s music, entertainment and exhibits and meet the stall holders in period dress. Why not dress up as well – the more the merrier!

Live music from Kalamazoo dance band in Rykneld Square
40s singers outside the Market Hall
Classic cars, military vehicles and displays in Market Place

The Whitworth will once again be hosting a community fireworks display on the Friday before Fireworks Night. This event has grown year on year and 2019 will be no exception, following on from last year we will be including a family fun fair, rides and attractions, food stalls and a licenced bar.

Wrap up and enjoy a range of live entertainment, as well as the traditional bonfire and two dazzling firework displays.

The annual firework event organised by Chesterfield Borough Council.

With a range of fun fair rides, food stalls and massive firework display.

Bonfire night at The Gate Tansley
Tuesday 5th November from 5.30pm
There will be two Firework displays at 6.30pm and then a grand finale at 7.30pm
Bonfire will be lit at 6.00pm to keep you all toasty and warm.
Hot food will be served
Outdoor Bar
DJ from 6pm
FREE ENTRY
Location - Gate Tansley, The Knoll, Tansley, DE4 5FN

Admission on the door .Adults £4.00 and Children £1.00.

Please pay on arrival at the gate

Doors to outdoor event open at 6 pm

Outside Bar from 6pm BBQ and food from 6 pm also
Tea, Coffee, Toffee and Cakes will also be for sale

The Bonfire will be lit at approx 7 pm with fireworks at 7.30

In a land far, far away...

Discover lands afar at Chatsworth this Christmas, following in the footsteps of explorers Phileas Fogg and Amelia Earhart. The guides at Chatsworth will lead you on a festive adventure around the globe as you travel from a Nordic winter wonderland, through blossom trees in Japan, to a baroque Portuguese church on the journey of a lifetime.

Park guests can join us at Darwin Forest for our annual bonfire and fireworks spectacular. Please note this is a ticketed event for Park Guests ONLY.

During the Winter Artisan Market a selection of the wonderful rooms of Haddon Hall will play host to a range of artisans and makers selling their individual wares, including jewellery, textiles, wood and ceramics, and of course, a variety of food produce too.  The fires will be crackling, the candles will be glowing and over the four days you will have the chance to shop the very individual selection of produce and artefacts on offer.

Where better to start your Christmas shopping than at the Chatsworth Christmas market? With over 100 market stalls offering a wide range of Christmas gifts and decorations, it's a great way to start the festive season. Enjoy a visit later in the day and experience the market at dusk with a magical feel.

Don’t miss this year’s Christmas Tree Festival at the famous ‘Crooked Spire’ Church with a variety of Christmas trees all decorated by different people and groups within the community.

Last year over 100 Christmas trees were displayed in spectacular glory. This year there will be more!

Tower Tours will also be available at 2:30pm every Friday and Saturday during A Festival of Christmas Trees so why not combine a visit to see these beautiful trees with a trip up the Spire?

Once again in 2019 Haddon Hall will be offering wonderful Candlelight Tours when visitors can enjoy a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie before walking the Hall with our knowledgeable guides, when it is at its most atmospheric.

Get Christmas off to a magical start by riding Santa’s festive steam train. As you sit back and enjoy the journey Santa with his many helpers will stroll through the train bearing wonderful age suitable gifts together with a Christmas treat and activity pack for every Boy and Girl.

Join us in bringing the nativity to life with our farmyard animals and your children as the stars of the show in a heart-warming Christmas performance.

Enjoy the magical experience of carol singing in the ancient Treak Cavern, home to Blue John. All Carol events are at 2.00pm and last for approx 1 hour with free mulled wine and mince pie afterwards. A guided tour and a present for younger ones from Santa are also included in the ticket price. Tickets are available from 01433 621487. Adults £10 Children £5 under 5s free.

Join us at Landal Darwin Forest for a weekend of Festive Fun. Meet Mrs Claus and her Elves, enjoy a range of Christmas crafts, activities and a Christmas party.