Peak District summer holidays: what’s on guide for families

1. Family Day Rock Climbing with Peak Lines

Click here for further information and to book
Click here for the Peak District Kids review

Spend quality time with your family, discover stunning locations in the Peak District, and create memories to last a lifetime with the family rock climbing sessions over the May half term.

Peak Lines offer private half-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 a half-day is £150 and for the full day it is £240. Prices includes all of the equipment and up to 6 people. 

2. TrYumphant Summer Holiday Camp

Tuesday 24th July to 1st September, 8:30am-4pm with optional half-days and extra time until 6pm
Baslow Sports Field
From £29.75/day
Click here for more information and to book

The TrYumphant Summer Holiday Camp runs for 6 weeks across the summer holidays, from 24^th July to 1^st September, and is open to all kids (age 4-14), whether you live locally or are visiting on holiday. You can book for as many or as little days as you like.

Rated 5 stars on Google, this club offers a great mix of creativity, sportiness, and silliness to suit all tastes and talents. They pride themselves on low staff-child ratios (average 1:6) so that they can give each and every child a memorable, confidence-building and fun experience! 

My own kids have actually done these holiday camps many times over the years and they have an absolute blast! Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. Also, lots of families who visit the Peak District on holiday also use this as an opportunity to experience a kid-free date day (you’re on holiday after all), so perhaps try out a Peak District spa after a long walk?

Use code PDK10 to get 10% off or get 50% off  with code FSM if you qualify for free school meals based on benefits. 

3. Ilam Park: Summer Highlight: Secret Diary of Henry VIII

Outdoor Theatre
Sunday 4th August, 19:00 – 21:30
Click here to book tickets

Come and enjoy outdoor some family theatre with a Tudor twist in one of the most beautiful settings in the Peak District. Find out who was in, who was out and who lost their head! It’s all here in this dramatic and funny retelling the Secret Diary of Henry VIII. Riotously good fun with music, drama and some seriously silly history for all the family. Bring a blanket to sit on and a picnic to enjoy the view across to Thorpe Cloud hill as the sun goes down and the story unfolds.

• Performance starts at 7pm, doors open at 6pm. Performance will be held on the lawn in front of the hall in Ilam Park,
• Picnics are welcome but we please ask that you leave BBQs at home and please make use of all bins.
• Please also don’t park in Ilam village, please park in the National Trust car park. Car parking is included in your ticket price.
• Standard ticket price is £18 with reductions for under 18s (click here to book tickets)

4. Punch at Judy at Heights of Abraham

20th July to 1st September
11:30, 13:30 & 15:30 – the show is included in the general admission ticket
Click here for more information
Click here for the Peak District Kids review for Heights of Abraham

Head to the Heights of Abraham for some traditional entertainment with a brand new Punch and Judy show. This year, the show celebrates the 50-year anniversary of the current owners of the Heights, and the 40-year anniversary of the cable car, in a true masterclass in the world of puppetry and entertainment.

The show promises to be a dazzling display of humour, wit, and puppeteering prowess. A real extravaganza, infused with fresh and hilarious twists that will have everyone, from kids to grown-ups, in stitches. The clever dialogue and masterful puppetry make this an event not to be missed.

5. 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!

Sunday 14th July 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.

CHASE from PAW Patrol!

Saturday 20th July 11:00 – 3:00
FREE with farm park entry
**PRE-BOOK ONLY – Early booking advised**

PAWsome News! Chase is on the case and on his way to Matlock Farm Park this Summer! He’s taking a break from Adventure Bay to come and see us all and will be appearing at set intervals throughout the day – make sure to pack your camera as there will be plenty of photo opportunities.

This event is FREE with farm park entry, with all our usual animal and playtime fun! Appearances times 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00. Pre-booking your farm park tickets is essential – this event is expected to be highly popular.

Dinosaur Fun Day!

Saturday 27th July 10:30-4:30
FREE with farm park entry

Come along and get involved in some fantastic dinosaur fun!

Learn about Rita the great T-Rex and several baby dinosaurs at small outdoor shows throughout the day, see them wander the park to get up close for photos and let the kids join in some dig site fun.

Shows at 10:30; 11:45; 1:15; 2:30 & 3:45.

A ROARING time!

The Snow Sisters!

Sunday 4th August 10:30-4:30
FREE with farm park entry

And they’re back, by popular demand….

Time to channel your inner Anna and Elsa and join in with the fantastic Snow Sisters’ Singalong shows!!
Throughout the day at five showtimes, the sisters will be singing their well-known songs for you to join in with on the Rainforest lawn, followed by meet & greet photo opportunities.

All of the usual super animal and playtime fun around the park too!

Come along and let it go!!

Circus Skills, Stilt-walking & Bubble Fun!

Saturday 10th August 10:30 – 4:30
FREE with farm park entry

Come and join in with a variety of activities throughout the day! Have a go at a range of guided circus skills in workshops on our lawn and meet fabulous stilt-walkers for photos. Children can also enjoy the delights of HUGE bubbles and masses of smaller bubbles created by the Bubble Maker and the children can try making their own! 

Megaslam Wrestling!

Saturday 24th August 11:00 – 3:30
FREE with farm park entry

Get ready for an afternoon of incredible action-packed family entertainment!

Team Megaslam and Team Nasty male and female wrestlers will be talking part in two matches, featuring the 1 vs 1 Challenge, Tag Team Match and the Megaslam Rumble! Already in 2024, Megaslam have performed in front of over 35,000 people – make sure you get to see Megaslam when they appear at Matlock Farm Park!

The 2024 Peak District Highland Games!

Sunday 25th August 9:00-5:30
**PRE-BOOKED TICKETS ONLY EVENT tickets for this popular event**
Click here to purchase tickets

Come and see the country’s leading strongmen and mighty strongwomen compete in this hugely popular Peak District and Derbyshire annual event! Enjoy a full and unique day out starting with the athletes’ parade and 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! View it all from our grandstands or rustic straw bales at our lawned arena. 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, including Bradfield Brewery, and wonderful animal activities, including children’s short pony rides, small animal petting and more.  There’s great playtime fun too for the children, featuring our fantastic Enchanted Hamlet and the Rainforest indoor play barn!

Superhero Bank Holiday Fun Day!

Monday 26th August 10:30 – 4:00
FREE with farm park entry

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

6. Go Ape in Buxton

Visit the Go Ape website for more information.
Click here for our review

Whether you’re looking for things to do with family or friends, Go Ape Buxton have adventure covered. Join them in Buxton Country Park, Poole’s Cavern for 2-3 hours of action-packed fun. Climb up rope ladders, tackle tricky crossings, leap off Tarzan Swings and experience high-speed ziplines in the great outdoors. Come rain or shine, whatever the weather.

Please note that as this is one of the bigger and more challenging Go Ape courses, there is a minimum age restriction of 10 years and a minimum height restriction of 1.4 metres. One adult (18+) can supervise up to two children aged between 10-15 while on the course with them. 16 and 17-year-olds can supervise themselves (but not younger children).

The parking for Go Ape is shared with Poole’s Cavern, so you can combine your visit to the cavern, and/or venture up to Solomon’s Temple.

7. 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

Looking for something different for the kids during the summer holidays? Why not book an activity day with White Hall Centre, Buxton?

Courses range from one-day to five-day adventures filled with fun and challenge. Children aged 6–18 years old are welcome.

They also host family activity days where parents can join in activities with their children, as well as SEND family activity days specifically designed for families and children with special educational needs and disabilities.

Prices start at £34.05 per person. Each day begins at 9:30 a.m. at White Hall Centre. With pick-up at 4:30 p.m.

8. Family kayak or canoe trips with Peaks and Paddles Outdoor Adventure

Click here for further information and to book
DISCOUNT CODE: kids5%

Enjoy a regular kayak trip on the Cromford Canal at 12.30pm throughout the summer using tandem kayaks – great for mum or dad to be in the back with child (min age 5) up front. Enjoy joining others for a slow and steady paddle along the canal to High Peak Junction and return looking out for the wildlife and even dinosaurs along the way. Instruction provided. Approx 1hr10mins. £40 per kayak (two people).

Alternatively, experience a private family canoe trip with Peaks and Paddles on the Cromford Canal with an instructor to guide you in getting control, and providing you with a few games and challenges along the way. Allow 2hrs approx. Price from £26pp depending on group size.

Meeting point for both activities will be Cromford Wharf car park – GOOGLE MAP LINK

There’s a Peak District Kids discount code: kids5%

Click here for the Peak District Kids review of a private family canoe trip with Peaks and Paddles.

9. Catch a show at Buxton Opera House and Pavilion Arts Centre

There are some lovely family productions this summer holiday showing at Buxton Opera House and Pavilion Arts Centre. Make sure you pre-book your tickets online.

In The Night Garden Live

Buxton Opera House
Wed 14 Aug (1pm & 4pm) – Thu 15 Aug (10am & 1pm)
Click here to book
£2 off children discounts are available

Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy, Makka Pakka and friends are back in their fun-filled live show Igglepiggle’s Busy Day! Join Igglepiggle as he looks for his friends in the Night Garden by following their funny sounds until he finds them all!

Pop Princesses

Buxton Opera House
Fri 23 Aug 3pm
Click here to book

A magical show where beautiful princesses become pop stars! This is the children’s pop concert with a big difference. The four fabulous fairy tale princesses are back with their new show for 2024. They just love to sing! It’s the perfect mix!

Shrek The Musical JR

Pavilion Arts Centre
Fri 23 Aug 4pm & 7pm
Click here to book

Join us for Platform 3’s production of Shrek The Musical JR. Beauty is in the eye of the ogre in Shrek The Musical JR., based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film and fantastic Broadway musical. It’s a “big bright beautiful world” as everyone’s favourite ogre, Shrek, leads a cast of fairytale misfits on an adventure to rescue a princess and find true acceptance.

Mr Toad

Buxton Opera House
Fri 30 Aug (6pm) – Sat 31 Aug (11am & 2pm)
Click here to book

Wise Owl Theatre bring the high-spirited and downright ludicrous tale of Mr. Toad to the stage. With Toad Hall under threat from the sly Vin Weasel, Toads insatiable need for speed could land him in serious trouble! A show filled with love, laughter and heart-warming lessons in friendship, Mr Toad is the perfect family treat.

10. Action-packed summer of fun at Gulliver’s Kingdom

Click here for further information and to book
Click here to read our top tips for visiting Gulliver’s Kingdom Matlock

Gulliver’s Kingdom Matlock has lined up some fantastic, fun-filled activities and events for families over the summer holidays. There will be daily appearances by the characters Lampo and Milady from the hit children’s TV show 44 Cats, and there are also the two brand new attractions – the Upside Down House, and a revamped Safari Kingdom play area.

With more than 30 rides, attractions, shows and activities, including animatronic dinosaurs, the Drop Tower, The Pirate Ship, and Riggers Revenge zip line, there is plenty to keep the little ones entertained!

On Saturday, August 31^st, Gully and Gilly Mouse and the gang will host a Summer Sparks Spectacular, when families can enjoy extra ride time with extended opening hours (10.30am-8.30pm) – all rounded off by a jaw-dropping fireworks display!

Day tickets to Gulliver’s Kingdom start at just £16 per person (on selected dates), and if you book early, you can save more money – with the best option being to book online at least two days in advance.

11. Summer of Sport on The Thornbridge Estate

24^th July to 3^rd September
Click here for further information and to book
Click here to read our guide for visiting Thornbridge Estate

At Thornbridge Gardens over the course of summer holidays, the kids can get involved in Olympic themed activities like the Olympic Trail! How fast can you run? How high can you jump? How long can balance on one leg? We want to see!

We’ve got the Euro’s & Wimbledon but how about the Thornbridge Olympics?

Plus, there’s the Thornbridge Olympic Games being held on Sunday 25th August! Expect fun, games and the usual Thornbridge fun!

Gardens open 9am – 5pm all summer 
£8 adults £4 children under 3s FREE 
Pre-book to save 20%

12. 10 year celebrations of the UK’s only CBeebies Land at Alton Towers

Saturday 20^th July to Sunday 1^st September
Click here for further information and to book
Click here to read our guide for visiting Alton Towers for kids aged 6-10

Get ready for an exciting festival of celebrations this Summer at Alton Towers Resort as they celebrate 10 Years of the UK’s only CBeebies Land from Saturday 20th July 2024 – Sunday 1st September 2024 !

Enjoy brand-new LIVE entertainment, fun filled activities, exciting food, drinks, and surprise appearances by special guests alongside being able to meet some of your favourite CBeebies friends.

The celebrations are about to get even more extraordinary with something for all the family as you step through the celebration gateway and onto the brand-new front lawns arena! This really is the ultimate option for families this Summer!

13. LEVEL Centre, Rowsley

Get interactive with contemporary art at The Level Centre in Rowsley. Exhibitions are free, but pre-booking is advised.

No Sleep Just Clouds by Babeworld

4th July to 4th September
Click here to book
FREE

Taking visual inspiration from anime, gaming and pop culture, No Sleep Just Clouds is an immersive storytelling experience following a neurodivergent artist, and their mission to create the ultimate, perfect piece of work. It’s a deep-dive into the obsession of providing a distraction – in this case, clouds! A luscious ambient soundtrack accompanies the installation. No Sleep Just Clouds is an enlightening take on how people experience creative spaces, reflecting Babeworld’s research into sensory spaces for neurodivergent people. An Unlimited UK Partner Award 2023 commission with LEVEL Centre and The Art House, Wakefield.

2024 Public Open Exhibition

4th July to 4th September
Click here to book
FREE

Now into its fourth year, the Public Open Exhibition features work from contemporary visual artists from across the UK. After a call out earlier this year, selected pieces were shortlisted by a panel of industry professionals to be part of the public exhibition both online and at LEVEL Centre in Derbyshire. The exhibition showcases work produced both by and for learning disabled, neurodivergent, and disabled artists. Vote for your favourite piece in The People’s Choice Award, sponsored by Turners Arts Supplies in Matlock!

14.  Crich Tramway Village summer events

Crich Tramway Village 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!

Classic Motorcycle Day

Sunday 7^th July | 10am – 5pm
Click here for more information

Enjoy displays over 350 classic motorcycles built prior to 1999.

Vote for your favourite to crown the Best in Show.

Live music in the afternoon from Midnight Shift at the bandstand.

Dinosaur Day

Saturday 27^th July
Click here for more information

Meet the fierce carnivores, T Rex an Spinosaurus and see the herbivore compound with Triceratops and Brontosaurus.

Don’t miss the baby dinosaurs and the chance to dig for a fossil in our fossil workshop.

Take the dinosaur trail through the woodland walk to identify our dinosaur footprints and earn a sticker.

Build It

Monday 5^th at 10:30am + Tuesday 6^th August at 2pm
Click here for more information

Help make this year’s LEGO® mosaic with the help from our friends from Fairy Bricks.

There will be brick pits in the Exhibition Hall so that children can have fun making their own LEGO® creations.

Sounds of the 50s and 60s

Saturday 10^th – Sunday 11^th August
Click here for more information

Let us take you back in time to the infectious songs from this era.

Have a go at learning some of the dance crazes from the 1960s and enjoy live music from our popular groups and singers.

Discovery Week

Monday 12^th – Friday 16^th August
Click here for more information

Discover science and history fun facts, meet characters from the past and guess the mystery museum objects.

Models Weekend

Saturday 17^th – Sunday 18^th August
Click here for more information

Back by popular demand is our Model Tramway, Bus and Railway Exhibition.

Come and see the amazing working layouts and chat to their creators.

Woodland Week

Monday 19^th – Friday 23^rd August
Click here for more information

Back to nature for the whole family. Have a go at willow weaving and nature crafts.

Listen to enchanting stories from our storyteller.

Teddy Bears Picnic

Sunday 25^th – Monday 26^th August
Click here for more information

See what our busy teddy bears are doing this year in our teddy bear trail.

Enjoy popular picnic show with Amy Zing.

Live music for everyone on the bandstand with the 50s and 60s sounds from Rocks and Frocks.

Outdoor Theatre

Friday 30^th August – Tuesday 3^rd September
Click here for more information

Notice this Notice Theatre Group are back by popular demand. Another great production full of fun for all the family.

Notic this Notice set sail for Crich Tramway Village again this summer with their brand new Swashbuckling show, perfect for pirate punters young and not so young. Set sail with young Jim Hawkins for Treasure Island.

The crew is ready, the anchor is raised and the map is in hand, what could possibly go wrong?

A rollicking, raucous, rum-soaked adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s much-loved story with a healthy dose of eccentric silliness.

15. Haddon Hall’s Little School of Ecology

6th, 13th, 20th and 27th August (11.00 am – 12.30 pm)
£5 per person (parking is an additional £3.80)
For children aged 5 – 11 years with an accompanying adult (maximum of 3 children to one adult please)
Click here for further information and to book

Ideal for children aged between 5 and 11 years old (with an accompanying adult), The Little School of Ecology at Haddon Hall will run every Tuesday throughout August.

Encouraging the next generation to enjoy the simple pleasure of being outside in nature, children will learn basic identification of trees, flowers, birds, and insects, as well as discovering different habitats and finding out about the deer park’s importance in medieval times.

Ensuring our future generations connect with nature has never been more important than it is now, and we wanted to create a fun, engaging way to do that, and what better place to do it than our wonderful Medieval Park! The Little School of Ecology is a chance for children to step away from technology and explore the wonders of the outdoors, with knowledgeable guides leading the way. We’re looking forward to welcoming lots of families to Haddon Medieval Park this summer, and hope they take away some truly special memories of their time exploring the wonderful nature on their doorstep.

Lady Edward Manners, chatelaine at Haddon Hall

Haddon Hall is the perfect spot for a great day for the whole family. With free admission for children under 15, free children’s tours within the Hall every Tuesday, and archery sessions for a small fee within the parkland.