This page is updated regularly as Santa’s visits are announced by his elves. If you would like to feature a relevant Peak District Christmas event that is not listed, please email us.
We’re very lucky that Father Christmas makes a special effort to visit children in the Peak District in the run-up to Christmas. There are lots of fantastic Peak District Christmas events taking place in 2026, but if you specifically want to book a time slot to meet Santa, read on. Here we’ve compiled the places in the Peak District where you can meet Father Christmas this Christmas.
For all other festive events in and around the Peak District National Park, check out our comprehensive Peak District Christmas guide 2026.
Peak District Christmas Events guide 2026
Details of all Christmas events taking place in and around the Peak District from Christmas markets and trails, to festive shows and experiences.
Check out our guide to Peak District inspired gifts
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1. Afternoon Tea with Santa at The Maynard
Sunday 6th & Sunday 13th December (12:30pm and 2:30pm)
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Make Christmas magical with an afternoon tea at The Maynard with Santa.
Families can join The Maynard on Sunday 6th or Sunday 13th December, with sittings at 12.30pm and 2.30pm, for a festive afternoon filled with delicious treats and Christmas cheer.
Enjoy a traditional afternoon tea before the little ones meet Santa himself, with the chance to capture a special photo together and receive a festive selection box to take home. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the season and create some wonderful Christmas memories together.
Book a table and enjoy an afternoon of festive magic at The Maynard.
2. Peak Rail Santa Specials
5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, 19th, 20th, 22nd, 23rd & 24th December 2026
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Santa and his Railway Helpers invite you to get Christmas off to a magical start with a festive steam train journey through the beautiful Derwent Valley. The Santa Specials depart from Rowsley South Station and travel through the Peak District countryside.
READ OUR REVIEW: Peak Rail Santa Specials
As you sit back and enjoy the journey, professional entertainers will keep everyone entertained, while Santa and his Railway Helpers make their way through the train to meet families at their seats. Santa will have an age-appropriate gift for every child.
Children will also receive a drink and snack, while adults can enjoy a glass of wine and a mince pie. Dietary requirements can be catered for, with water or juice available by pre-booked request.
Trains depart at 10:30am, 12:20pm, 2:10pm and 4pm. The 4pm departure does not run on Christmas Eve.
2026 ticket prices are being held at 2025 prices:
- 5th & 6th December: from £40 for a table of 2
- 12th & 13th December: from £45 for a table of 2
- 19th, 20th, 22nd, 23rd & 24th December: from £50 for a table of 2
Tickets are sold by table or compartment rather than individual seats. There is also a wheelchair-accessible space in Coach F, which can accommodate one party of up to two people plus one wheelchair user per train. Advance contact with Peak Rail is recommended for wheelchair bookings.
3. Breakfast with Santa and Santa’s Grotto at Thornbridge Estate
22nd & 29th November & 5th & 6th December (Breakfast with Santa)
20th-22nd November, 27th-29th November & 4th-6th December 2026 (Santa’s Grotto)
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Santa and his magical elf are heading to Thornbridge Estate for its Christmas Markets this year. The festive weekends combine a Christmas shopping village with a festive garden trail and the chance for children to meet Santa in his grotto. Garden entry includes access to the Christmas Market, 10 acres of gardens, the festive trail, live entertainment and Santa’s Grotto. Dogs are also welcome on leads.
There are also Breakfast with Santa sessions on 22nd & 29th November and 5th & 6th December, held at Quackers Café. These include a delicious breakfast (choice of sausage or bacon with beans on toast), juice and fruit, a meet and greet with Santa, a small gift and all-day access to the gardens and Christmas trail.
4. Santa’s Grotto and Christmas Experiences at Matlock Farm Park
Santa’s Arrival Day: Saturday 28th November 2026
Santa’s Grotto: 5th-23rd December 2026
Breakfast with Santa: 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, 19th & 20th December 2026
Relaxed Santa: Sunday 29th November and Friday 18th December 2026
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There are several ways to meet Santa at Matlock Farm Park this Christmas, with experiences designed to suit different ages and needs.
Pre-booking is essential for all the Christmas experiences.
Santa’s Arrival Day
Christmas arrives at Matlock Farm Park with a special day of festive fun as Santa makes a spectacular entrance on his big red tractor.
There will be a festive pony parade, Christmas music and plenty of opportunities to take photos as Santa makes his grand arrival at the farm.
There’s also a special offer for anyone wanting to book a Santa visit for December. Pre-book a Santa’s Grotto Experience in person during Santa’s Arrival Day and receive 20% off your December grotto booking.
Santa’s Grotto
The Santa’s Grotto Experience offers a magical visit to Santa, with children able to meet him and receive a special gift.
The Relaxed Santa Experience provides a quieter opportunity to meet Santa in a more relaxed environment, making it a good option for children who may find a busier grotto overwhelming.
Breakfast with Santa
There are Breakfast with Santa sessions on the first three weekends of December. The morning starts with breakfast in the Garden Room Café, followed by a visit from Santa, who meets each family and gives every child an early Christmas gift.
Children can then enjoy a festive story with Santa’s sister, Mary Christmas, and receive a bag of magical reindeer food to take home.
Breakfast includes a bacon, sausage, egg and hash brown breakfast cob for adults, with a vegetarian option, while children can choose from pancakes with fruit and syrup, beans on toast or a mini full English. Breakfast starts at 9am and lasts around 1-1.5 hours, with farm park admission included for the rest of the day.
Breakfast with Santa prices: Adults £25; children £25; annual pass holders £18.50; under-2s £15 with food or £10 without food.
5. Breakfast with Santa at The Peacock, Owler Bar
Saturday 13th & Saturday 20th December (8am-10am)
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Start the festive season with a magical morning at The Peacock at Owler Bar.
Families can join The Peacock at Owler Bar on Sunday 6th or Sunday 13th December, from 8am-10am, for a delicious family breakfast before the little ones get a special visit from Santa himself. There’ll be time for a magical photo with Santa, plus a festive gift for every child to take home.
It’s the perfect way to bring the family together, enjoy a relaxed breakfast and make some special Christmas memories.
Book a Breakfast with Santa and enjoy a morning of festive fun.
6. Brunch with Santa at The Charleston, Bakewell
Saturday 19th December (9am–11am)
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Make Christmas extra special with a festive morning at The Charleston.
Families can join The Charleston on Saturday 19th December from 9am-11am for a Santa Brunch, with a delicious festive breakfast before the little ones meet Santa himself.
There’ll be time for a special photo with Santa, plus a gift for each child to take home.
It’s a lovely way to enjoy a festive breakfast together, meet Santa and make some magical Christmas memories.
7. Storytime with Father Christmas at Chatsworth Farmyard
Saturday 28th November to Wednesday 23rd December
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Meet Father Christmas at Chatsworth Farmyard, where children can enjoy a festive story in the Oak Barn, meet Father Christmas and have a photo with him. They can also make reindeer food with the elves and receive a small gift to take home.
Storytime sessions run on selected dates from 18th-23rd December, with Storytime Plus sessions on selected dates from 28th November-13th December, which also include entry to the decorated house, gardens, light trail and Christmas market. Quieter, autism-friendly sessions are also available.