The long summer holidays are almost here and if you’re wondering how to keep your kids busy, we’ve got you covered with the Peak District summer holiday events taking place in and around the National Park.
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When visiting the National Park, we recommend arriving early or late in the day to avoid crowds. Please also take all litter home with you, don’t bring BBQs and park your car in designated parking areas. Please be respectful to local residents.
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For general days out, rather than specific events, please check out our guide to Family Days Out in the Peak District, which provides lots of inspiration. Although not much beats a long family walk in the Peak District or family bike ride, and perhaps a stop at a Peak District ice cream parlour afterwards to reward everyone’s efforts.
As always, we’ll be keeping this page updated as much as possible with news from these Peak District summer holiday events. But also keep an eye on the Peak District Kids Facebook Group and also our Instagram. Feel free to email us if you know of an event not listed here.
1. Summer events at Ilam Park National Trust
Close to Dovedale Stepping Stones, Ilam Park is a lovely place to enjoy a stroll around the estate (click here for our pram-friendly walk). But over the summer holidays, there are some extra activities to entertain little ones.
Art in the Park
15 July – 3 Sept 2023 (everyday) | 10am – 4pm
Click here for more information
llam has been inspiring artists for many years. Take a look at the views, both big and small and become an artist for the day. Maybe you’ll draw a picture, write a poem or make music… wherever your creativity takes you. Borrow pencils, paper and other art materials from the Stableyard Second-hand Bookshop and look out for pop up art stations around the gardens.
Summer of Play at Ilam Park
22 July – 3 Sept 2023 (everyday) | 9am – 5pm
Click here for more information
Have a go at building in our loose parts play area, pretend to be a gardener, explore our meadow maze, balance on the slackline and lots more playful activities. Activities on offer each day will vary and are suitable for little kids to big kids and grown-ups too! Summer of Play is sponsored by Starling Bank.
Summer of Play Sports Day at Ilam Park
25 July – 31 Aug 2023 (every Tuesday and Thursday) | 10.30am – 2.30pm
Click here for more information
Come and get active in the outdoors. Join in with a variety of games including badminton, archery, football or an obstacle course. Activities on offer each day will vary and are suitable for little kids to big kids and grown-ups too! Summer of Play is sponsored by Starling Bank.
Playday at Ilam Park
2 Aug | 10.30am – 4pm
Click here for more information
It’s National Playday, so join us at Ilam Park for lots of fun. Have fun building with our collection of cardboard boxes, try some messy play, make a den, try barefoot walking and lots of games to play.
2. Summer events at Longshaw National Trust
We have a number of Longshaw Estate walks on the Peak District Kids website:
- Padley Gorge and Longshaw Estate walk
- Longshaw Estate toddler walk
- Longshaw Estate pram-friendly walk
However, why not combine your walk with one of the events held at Longshaw this summer?
Summer of Play: Orienteering
25 July & 26 July 2023 | 9.30am – 2.30pm
Click here for more information
Test your map reading skills with our orienteering events. With no experience required you can choose from two routes, one perfect for younger children and another ideal for those looking for more of a challenge.
Summer of Play: Lawn games and challenge cards
1 Aug & 2 Aug | 9.30am – 2.30pm
Click here for more information
Get active this summer with bat and ball games, throwing games and a host of other lawn activity. Enjoy self-led play or test your skill with our challenge cards.
Summer of Play: Archery
8 Aug, 9 Aug, 29 Aug & 30 Aug | 9.30am – 2.30pm
Click here for more information
Take aim this summer, with our popular archery sessions. No experience is needed as we will give you all the support you need to hit the target.
Summer of Play: Natural crafts
15 Aug & 16 Aug | 09.30am – 2.30am
Click here for more information
Get creative and explore your arty side with all natural materials. Work with clay, paper and flowers from the natural landscape to create something special.
Summer of Play: Music & performance days
22 Aug & 23 Aug | 09.30am – 2.30pm
Click here for more information
Make some noise and unleash your inner musician. With instruments made from natural materials, this session will give you the chance to experiment and explore a world of sound in the beautiful natural environment.
3. Outdoor adventure days at White Hall Centre, Buxton
Click here to check dates and prices of activity packages throughout the summer holidays
Click here to read the Peak District Kids review of a White Hall activity day
White Hall Centre in Buxton are running outdoor adventure holiday packages families and children aged 6 – 13 years old during the summer holidays. Sign up for 2 or 3 action-packed days of rock climbing, zip lines, caving, mountain biking, abseiling and much more!
Courses meet at White Hall Centre each day at 9:30 am, and continue until 4:30pm.
4. Abseiling, caving and mining, and canoeing
Click here for further information and to book
Peaks and Paddles are running family abseiling and canoeing sessions over the summer holidays with increased capacity due to an extra instructor joining the team.
Use code CANOE5% for a discount this summer – valid till end August.
Click here for The Peak District Kids abseiling review, and click here for the canoeing review.
5. Crich Tramway Village summer events
Crich Tramway museum is always a fantastic day out for all the family, but over the summer holidays do check to see if there is an event on to add to the fun!
Woolly Week
24 Jul – 28 Jul | 10am – 5.30pm
Click here for more information
Join in this creative, fun activity to help yarn bomb the Tramway Village. Learn French knitting. Children can make simple woolly bees and flowers to take home. No experience necessary.
Dinosaur Day
29 Jul | 10am – 5.30pm
Click here for more information
A Jurassic takeover that is sure to be a roaring success! Meet T-Rex, a triceratops, a velociraptor and some dinosaur babies. Follow the dinosaur trail through the woods.
Children’s Outdoor Theatre
31 Jul – 4 Aug | 11am – 4pm
Click here for more information
Follow Alice on here adventures through the woodland Wonderland, meeting some of the story’s most iconic characters. Adapted from Notice the Notice’s 2022 summer tour, this re-telling of Lewis Carroll’s classic tale embraces the story’s origins of Victorian nonsense.
Build It
7 Aug – 8 Aug | 10:30am – 2pm
Click here for more information
Help build an amazing LEGO® mosaic, under the guidance of Fairy Bricks. Thousands of our favourite bricks will be combined to complete a spectacular picture. Brick pits will be in the Exhibition Hall, so the young children can dive in and have fun! See:
Sounds of the 50s and 60s
12 Aug – 13 Aug | 10am – 5:30pm
Click here for more information
A lively weekend with live music from these popular decades. Have a go at learning some of the dance crazes from the 1960s. Live music from Paul Birch ‘It’s all about Buddy’ show. The Dazelettes, Midnight Shift, Richard Snow (Saturday and Marina Mae, Johnny Victory, Rocks and Frocks and The Moonshiners (Sunday). Discounts on admission for those dressing in 1950s and 1960s attire.
Discovery Week
14 Aug – 18 Aug | 10am – 5:30pm
Click here for more information
Experiments and discovery with Science Boffins. Meet characters from the past and guess the mystery museum objects. History, science and craft activities – a fun learning week for all.
Model Tram, Trolleybus and Railway Exhibition
19 Aug – 20 Aug | 10am – 5:30pm
Click here for more information
Transport in miniature! These amazing model layouts will add to the thrill of riding the full-size trams during this weekend.
Woodland Week
21 Aug – 25 Aug | 10am – 5:30pm
Click here for more information
Taking you back to nature with willow weaving, storytelling and woodland crafts and trails.
Teddy Bears Picnic
27 Aug – 28 Aug | 10am – 5:30pm
Click here for more information
The first 300 children to bring their bears to the event will receive a badge. See what our busy teddy bears are doing this year in our teddy bear trail. Enjoy the picnic show with Amy Zing. Music for everyone on the bandstand with popular 50s and 60s sounds from Rocks and Frocks. Join in the fun and make bear ears. Face painter on hand for the children.
6. Family day rock climbing with Peak Lines
Click here for more information and to book
Spend quality time with your family, discover stunning locations in the Peak District, and create memories to last a lifetime with a rock climbing family session.
Peak Lines offer private 1/2 a day and full day climbing experiences in the Peak District.
- The sessions are friendly, encouraging, and aimed to get you working together as a family
- You will have a go at climbing and abseiling, learn how to hold each other’s ropes and even learn some of the techniques essential to climbing independently
- The session will be tailored to you and your family based on experience, age, and fitness level
- Top-of-the-range safety equipment is provided
The cost for 1/2 a day is £150 and for the full day it is £220 and includes all of the equipment and up to 6 people.
7. A magical summer at Thornbridge Estate
Thornbridge Estate has a magical summer holidays lined up for all the family to enjoy! Garden entry will give visitors access to a very special secret garden experience as well as the newly launched garden trail featuring wildlife native to the Thornbridge Estate along with insight into each wildlife character and their habitat.
The Duck Fountain will be well-stocked and the swing ball, archery sets, and much more will be set out in the gardens for those looking to burn off some energy!
Don’t forget you can also meet the Thornbridge Smallholding Animals and visit Quackers Café for free.
Events at Thornbridge this Peak District summer holidays include:
- Music in the gardens and the PDMC Youth Orchestra on Sunday 9th July.
- Wizard Lego printing workshops on the 7th August and 21st August
- The Babbling Vagabonds Wagon of Wonder Storytelling Show will be on the South Lawns on 17th August.
- Afternoon Tea picnic boxes are now available to pre-order online. Collect from the café and don’t forget your picnic blanket!
8. Nature Machine at Level Centre, Rowsley
20 Apr – 1 Sep (Mon – Fri only, closed 28th Aig)
Click here for further information and to book.
Inspired by Derbyshire’s landscape and history, Nature Machine is an accessible sensory experience for visitors of all ages. With immersive projections that will change as the exhibition evolves and a curious cabinet full of surprises to see and touch, all inspired by the local landscape and the collection at Bakewell Old House Museum.
And the best bit? It’s FREE! Just make sure you pre-book your slot.
PLUS… there are FREE workshops over the summer:
Tiny Worlds: Drop-in miniature making workshop at the museum
22 Aug | Bakewell Old House Museum
Free with a museum Admissions ticket
Suitable for children and adults
To coincide with their current exhibition, Nature Machine at Level Centre join Brew Projects, artists Beth and Laura at Bakewell Old House Museum to create miniature worlds within a test tube.
Using natural materials and tiny objects you will build your own world inspired by nature, your imagination and the collection at Bakewell Old House Museum. You might want to make yourself a tiny secret garden or a strange alien world, whatever you can dream up that your imagination can explore.
Once you have finished your test tube participants can then take their creations home with them or choose to add artwork to the installation at Level Centre.
Make your own Zine
30 Aug | Peak Shopping Village
Free for all
Suitable for children and adults
To coincide with their current exhibition, Nature Machine at Level Centre join Brew Projects, artists Beth and Laura at Peak Shopping Village for a free workshop to create a nature inspired Zine.
Create rubbings, drawings and snap your own pictures to fill the pages of your very own self-published mini magazine. You can be inspired by your own favourite plants and flowers or even visit Peak Village’s nature reserve to gather inspiration. You can tell the story of you exploring your favourite walk or even create a new one with the help of the artists! After you’ve created your pages, you’ll have your zine bound so you can keep and treasure your little book.
Once you have finished your zine you will be invited to add your artwork to the installation at Level Centre.
Visual Art Exhibition
6 Jul – 1 Sep
Come and vote for your favourite artwork in our Visual Art Exhibition! After a national call out, the 22 shortlisted pieces will be on display at Level over the summer. First and second place in the adult and U18 categories have been selected by an industry panel, but the winner of the People’s Choice Award is down to the public vote! The winner will receive a bundle of goodies from Turners Art Supplies. Opens 6 July.
9. Matlock Farm Park summer fun
Click here for all event details
Click here for the Peak District Kids Matlock Farm Park review
The below events also include the usual interactive animal and playtime fun of Matlock Farm Park: small animal handling, sheep racing, wallaby encounters, meerkat talks, sheep walking, ferret racing, UK’s largest Jumping Pillow and much more!
The BIG Bubbleman!
6 Aug | 10:30-4:30
FREE with farm park entry
It’s bubbles galore…
The Big Bubbleman, his bubble mill, wands and special potions make the most AMAZING bubbles! Whether it’s monster bubbles the size of a CAR, or swirling clouds of smaller bubbles being chased by happy children, this is pure joy!
Children also have the opportunity to make their own big bubbles or create smaller multi-coloured bubbles with hoops and trays of bubble liquid.
Superhero Funday!!
13 Aug | 10:30-4:30
FREE with farm park entry
KA-POW – get the kids dressed up and ready to meet their ‘superheroes’…
The Neighbourhood Spider, The Bat and Girl of Steel will be with us throughout the day to perform some superhero training sessions for your young superhero wannabes!
It takes a lot to become a superhero- does your little one have what it takes?
There will also be time for a chat and photo with your favourite superhero, so bring your cameras!
Performance times at 10:30; 11:45; 1:15; 2:30 & 3:45
Vintage Vehicle and Jurassic Fun Day!
6 Aug | 10:30-15:30
FREE with farm park entry
Come along to admire and learn about vintage tractors, as well as some vintage cars from the Great British Car Journey attraction, which will be on display in our arena and tended to by their owners.
Later in the day around 3.30pm, there will be a short procession, where our visitors can wave goodbye as they all fire up their engines and drive away.
We’ll also be joined by fabulous dinosaur friends, which visitors can learn more about and get up close to at outdoor shows throughout the day- a ROARING time!!
As part of the bank holiday weekend, we will also have some craft stalls and visiting food & drink outlets too.
The Peak District Highland Games 2023!
27 Aug | 9:00-17:00
Click here to book
Don’t miss out on this AMAZING event for our region!
We strongly advise pre-booking tickets for this popular event.
Come and see the country’s leading strongmen and mighty strongwomen compete in this hugely popular Peak District and Derbyshire annual event! Enjoy a unique day out with the super events of The Eight Tonne Tractor Pull, The Peak District Dinnie Stone Challenge, The Tossing of the Caber, The GIANT Stone Throw, The 120kg Log Press and The Stone of Destiny Carry! There’s the Greater Manchester Piper Band and Scottish Dancing too!
There will be lots going on elsewhere in the park too, with market, craft and games stalls, food and drink concessions and wonderful animal activities, including short children’s pony rides, small animal handling and more. We’ll also be joined by the fabulous Jungle Jo and her amazing exotic animals! There’s great playtime fun too for the children, featuring our fantastic Enchanted Hamlet and our Rainforest indoor playcentre!
Tickets may be available to purchase on the door on the day subject to availability, however we strongly recommend pre-booking your tickets.
Bank Holiday Monday: The BIG Bubbleman!
28 Aug | 10:30-4:30
FREE with farm park entry
The Big Bubbleman, his bubble mill, wands and special potions make the most AMAZING bubbles! Whether it’s monster bubbles the size of a CAR, or swirling clouds of smaller bubbles being chased by happy children, this is pure joy!
Children also have the opportunity to make their own big bubbles or create smaller multi-coloured bubbles with hoops and trays of bubble liquid.
As part of the bank holiday weekend, there will also be craft, market and food stalls.
10. Skylarks Musical Nature Trails
31 July | 9.30am and 11.15am | Thorpe Farm / Hope Valley Ice-cream
Click here for more information and to book
Bringing music, nature and movement together! An interactive outdoor music group for young children (0-3yrs and their grown-up) in the form of a short walk in the Peak District. Farm, tractor and animal songs, enhancing props, summer and weather songs, peekaboo, lullabies and music to encourage physical movement!
11. The Seaside Without the Sea at Heights of Abraham
22 Jul – 30 Jul | 10:00 – 17:00
Click here for more information
Click here for the Peak District Kids review for Heights of Abraham
Head to the Heights of Abraham for a day at the seaside, without the sea! Grab a deckchair, an ice cream and a bucket and spade and play in the sand on the beach on top of the hill, in the middle of the country!
Stormy Sam from the RNLI will be launching the event and attending the first two days. The hilarious Punch and Judy show returns for its 18th season with 3 shows a day, plus there’s free craft workshops, live music, a children’s trail and Victorian beach bathers to entertain one and all. All entertainment is included in the usual cable car ticket price.
12. Summer at Chatsworth
Chatsworth Estate, the jewel of the Peak District, is spectacular in the summer and the walk up to the Chatsworth Hunting Tower is especially lovely. Whilst the parklands are free to wander around, it’s worth checking out the events below to see if any coincide with a visit to the National Park.
Summer holiday art in the park
25 Jul – 31 Aug | Tues & Thurs only | 10:30-12:30 & 13:10-15:30
Click here for more information
Meeting place – outside of the Park shop near the house entrance
Designed for children of all ages, these free drop-in art workshops are led by our learning team and include nature-themed drawing and craft activities inspired by the Chatsworth Parkland.
Each session will encourage children to develop their creativity, imagination, self-expression, and observational skills, as well as deepen their understanding and relationship with the natural world.
All materials will be provided. Please be aware that part of each session will take place outdoors in all weather conditions so please wear suitable footwear and clothing.
As each session is free to attend, places are allocated on the day on a first-come, first-served basis – no advance booking is available. Each session can accommodate a maximum of 20 participants. Children of all ages are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Happy 50th Birthday Chatsworth Farmyard
29 Jul – 30 Jul
Included in all farmyard tickets
Click here for more information
Come along to the farmyard over the weekend and join in the birthday fun, you can also get to know some of our best-loved farmyard animals, such as Annabel the Shetland pony, Seamus the donkey and our cheeky baby goats, Rosemary and Thyme.
There will be face painting, children’s entertainment and games and, to ensure you’re dressed for the occasion, you can make your own party hat in the oak barn (just like Annabel’s).
The Farmyard café will also be selling celebratory birthday cupcakes.
If you can’t visit over the weekend, why not come and see us on the 26 July, the Farmyard’s official birthday? If you’re one of the first 50 visitors to arrive, we’ll welcome you with a complimentary slice of birthday cake.
Prehistoric plants children’s walk
1, 4, 15, 23, 29 Aug | 10:30-12:30 & 13:10-15:30
£6 per child | £2.50 per adult
Click here for more information
Explore Chatsworth and discover plants and trees that existed when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Find out which plants were a tasty snack for a Triceratops and see if you can spot where an Ankylosaurus might have been able to hide from a Tyrannosaurus rex.
The event will take place at the Chatsworth Stickyard, which is located in Stand Wood near the farmyard.
Bugs and botany children’s walk
2, 16, 22, 25, 30 Aug | 10:30-12:00
£6 per child | £2.50 per adult
Click here for more information
Explore the Kitchen and Cutting Garden and learn more about the abundance of plants and insects you’ll discover there, from bumble bees and butterflies to some of your favourite fruits and vegetables.
The event will take place at the Chatsworth Stickyard, which is located in Stand Wood near the farmyard.
Paper making workshop for children
7 Aug | 10:30-12:30 & 13:10-15:30
£7.50 per child | £2.50 per adult
Click here for more information
Join artist Chris Hughes at the Stickyard and learn the handmade process of making paper by recycling waste, before collecting and adding form from natural debris, flower petals, seeds and leaves. Once the process has finished you can take home your unique and beautiful paper to treasure.
The event will take place at the Chatsworth Stickyard, which is located in Stand Wood near the farmyard.
Bats and beasties children’s walk
8, 9, 11 Aug | 20:45-22:00
£7.50 per child | £7.50 per adult
Click here for more information
Begin the evening by learning more about some of the fascinating creatures you might encounter on your nocturnal adventure. Then explore Stand Wood to listen for owls, spot moths, look for badgers and use bat detectors to locate different bat species.
Please bring a torch and wear appropriate footwear.
The event will begin at the Chatsworth Stickyard, which is located in Stand Wood near the farmyard.
The big tree climb
12-16 Aug | 10:00-17:00
£25 per person (suitable age 6+)
Click here for more information
Have an adventure and get closer to nature in Stand Wood by taking part in our big tree climb. With up to eight people being able to climb at a time, this is a great family activity and offers a safe and fun way to enjoy trees from a new perspective. It will test your balance and co-ordination, and you’ll feel a huge sense of achievement when you’ve reached the top – there’s a great view up there too!
Climbs will be led by a fully qualified instructor from the Great Big Tree Climbing Company, the largest provider of recreational tree climbing in the country.
Make a magical woodland in a jar
31 Aug | 10:30-11:45 & 13:15-14:30
£7.50 per child | £2.50 per adult
Click here for more information
Enjoy a foraging walk in Stand wood looking for materials for your jam jar world. Being careful not to disturb the woodland you’ll collect small amounts of moss, twigs with lichen and pebbles, which you’ll then use to create a mini magical world.
The event will take place at the Chatsworth Stickyard, which is located in Stand Wood near the farmyard.
You may also like to read:
Things to do on a rainy day in the Peak District
Short and easy family walks in the Peak District
Things to do in Matlock and Matlock Bath