That awkward time between Christmas and New Year can be an odd one. You’re stuffed from Christmas, genuinely have no idea what day it is, but you’ve still got to keep the kids entertained and store some energy for the obligatory New Year celebrations.
This is often a time when families look to do a staycation in the Peak District; perfect to decompress after the Christmas rush. Plus, a brisk walk in the hills is just what everyone needs to balance out all those mince pies. Check out our best Peak District view walks for inspiration.
So if you are wondering what’s on this Twixmas in the Peak District, then read on…
Looking for that perfect Peak District gift for someone special this Christmas? If you know someone who absolutely loves the Peak District and you’re stuck with what to get them, then check out our Peak District inspired gifts for all the family.
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1. Lights of Abraham
22nd November to 30th December (excl. 24th, 25th & 26th December), 5pm-9pm (last entry 8pm)
Adult £21, Child £15, Under 3s are FREE
Click here for more information and to book
This winter, experience the Heights of Abraham in a brand-new light as the Heights of Abraham present a stunning light trail.
Make your way down the festoon-lit riverside walkway before arriving at the base station to board your gondola and take a moonlit cable car flight across the river and above an avenue of colour. Once you arrive at the summit set off on the trail that winds through illuminated gardens and along woodland paths.
You’ll encounter many interesting and unusual scenes along the way. Look out for the twinkling woodland animal scene, the magical fairy gathering, giant festive stars, the enchanted rainbow forest and colourful surprises around every corner, highlighting nature and the beauty of the Heights of Abraham hillside.
Delight in freshly made mince pies, Christmas treats for tea and special hot chocolates. Toast marshmallows around the firepits under the stars and connect together as a family. Take the cable car back down to the village and stroll along the twinkling riverside before heading home.
2. Panto at Buxton Opera House – Jack & The Beanstalk
Friday 6th December 2024 to Wednesday 1st January 2025
ACCESS PERFORMANCES:
Wednesday 11th December, 5.30pm (Autism Friendly performance)
Sunday 15th December, 5.30pm (Captioned performance)
Sunday 22nd December, 2.30pm (Audio described performance)
Saturday 28th December, 2.30pm (British Sign Language interpreted performance)
Click here to buy tickets
Fee-fi-fo-fum and it’s time for another one!
Jack and his mother live a simple life, until one day Jack acquires some magic beans from the market and grows his very own giant beanstalk. The place he discovers at the top of the beanstalk is beyond his wildest dreams…
Brought to you by the incredible team behind Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella, join Jack and a talented cast for another year of festive fun, wonderful music and an enormous amount of Christmas magic. It will be bigger and better than ever before!
3. Wicked (PG) at Buxton Cinema
Friday 27th December to Wednesday 1st January
Pavilion Arts Centre
Click here to book
After two decades as one of the most beloved and enduring musicals on the stage, Wicked makes its long-awaited journey to the big screen as a spectacular, generation-defining two-part cinematic event this holiday season.
4. Christmas at Chatsworth
Runs through to 5th January 2025
Adults from £32, children (3-16 years): from £8.00, children aged 2 years and under are FREE
Click here for more information and to book your tickets
Step inside one of the grandest houses in the country and marvel their fabulous festive transformation; a sure way to get you into the Christmas spirit. After walking around the house, you then exit into the 105-acre gardens with waterworks, sculptures and twinkling lights.
Christmas tickets include admission to the house, garden, and the farmyard and playground. Or you can just get tickets for just the garden (which includes a festive light trail). All tickets must be booked online and include car parking (one car per transaction).
Click here for our full guide to visiting Chatsworth with kids.
5. Matlock Farm Park and the New Years Day Brunch
Open all year round (although closed 25th and 26th December)
Click here for further information
READ: Matlock Farm Park REVIEW
Matlock farm, just outside the National Park, is open over Twixmas, and on the 1st January you can join in with a New Years Day Brunch!
Bunch will be served from 10am and park entry is massively reduced on this day to only £7.50 per person (under 2’s go free). Included in the day, some of the usual daily events including animal petting, wallaby encounter and more! The heated Rainforest Indoor Play and Coffee Lounge will be open. Plus there’s also our undercover Enchanted Hamlet Adventure Play. Pony Rides will be on!
Opening times on New Year’s Day are 10am-3pm.
6. TrYumphant New Year Holiday Camp
Mon 23rd Dec 🌟🎄🤶🎁 Christmas Special 🎁🤶🎄🌟
Thursday 2nd- Friday 3rd Jan
8:30am-4pm with optional extra time until 6pm
Baslow Sports Field
From £29.75/day
Click here for more information
If you’re looking for something to keep the kids occupied while you finish your Christmas shopping, or in that first awkward week of January, before back to school, join the TrYumphants for their ever-varied mixture of creativity and craftiness, movement and messiness, sports and silliness! This time with an added sprinkle of festive delight…!
This is open to all kids, whether you live locally or are visiting on holiday. There are 3 days available and you can book in for all days or just one (or even half!); whatever suits you and your family.
Use code PDK10 to get 10% off. If you qualify for free school meals based on benefits, you are entitled to 3 free half days and can get 50% off top ups to a full day with code FSM.
7. Is This Me? exhibition at LEVEL Centre
2nd to 8th January 2025 (10am – 5pm)
FREE but please pre-book (donations welcome)
Click here for more information
Experience the fantastical imagination of digital artist Ashley James Brown in this new collection of fun interactive experiences! ‘Is This Me?’ invites you into a familiar home-like setting, transporting you into a playful otherworld of the YOUniverse.
Experience a new version of yourself in the digital mirror, create unique YOUmans and explore the YOUniverse, play our retro video game and have fun drawing your own fantastic creatures! What creative things will you do when you look in the mirror and ask yourself – Is This Me?
8. Santa Paws Boxing Day walk at Ilam Park
26th December (10am to 12:30pm)
FREE event, no booking required
Click here for more information
A Christmas dog parade on Boxing Day, promises to be fun-filled adventure for your family and four legged friends alike. There will be a mini dog show and pups’ fancy footwork will be tested in a dog agility course. Prizes will be awarded for best dressed, best trick and best puppy dog eyes. Dressing up is encouraged for owners and their
9. Festive Footprints Trail at Ilam Park
23rd November to 31st January
Click here for more information
Are you ready to become a wildlife detective? Join us on a fun-filled winter adventure to track down the secret footprints of Ilam’s wildlife. As you explore the parkland, you’ll learn to identify 10 different animal tracks that you can spot this winter. Bring your curiosity and a sense of wonder. Trail sheets free to pick up from the Welcome Hut.
10. Visit a Peak District cavern
All of the caverns in Castleton and Buxton are open throughout the Christmas holidays. They’re a fantastic day out for a Peak District rainy day as the weather above ground really doesn’t matter when you’re underground.
Open caverns include:
- Peak Cavern (Castleton)
- Speedwell Cavern (Castleton)
- Blue John Cavern (Castleton) – you pass this cavern on our Mam Tor walk.
- Treak Cliff Cavern (Castleton)
- Poole’s Cavern (Buxton) – read our review here. The cavern is also at the start of our Solomon’s Temple walk.
11. Hathersage Swimming Pool
Open year round
Click here to read our review
Click here to book
There’s something very special about swimming in an outdoor pool as the snow falls around you (we’re still hoping for a white Christmas!)
Hathersage Swimming Pool is supposedly heated to a constant 28°C all year round, although over the winter season it’s probably a fraction colder and if you do take your kids here, we suggest that everyone wear wetsuits.
12. National Stone Centre
Open year round, except Christmas Day and Boxing Day
Check out our guide to visiting the National Stone Museum
No booking necessary
Pan for gems, build a drystone wall, and hunt for fossils at The National Stone Centre, just a five minutes drive from the National Park boundary, close to Cromford and Matlock.
The National Stone Centre is free to enter, although it’s £3 to do the panning for gems, and £1 for geo-trail map. There’s also a café on site (with a rock shop and small exhibition), as well as a playground.
Combine your visit with a walk along the High Peak Trail to Black Rocks, or even further to Cromford Canal. Although, do allow 2-3 hours for wandering about The National Stone Centre, which includes a bite to eat at the Blue Lagoon Café.
13. Peak Wildlife Park
Open year round, except Christmas Day and Boxing Day
Click here to book tickets
Click here to read our review
Come face to face with exotic and endangered animals from across the world, including penguins, lemurs, meercats, zebras, deer and lots of farm animals at Peak Wildlife Park! It’s one of the top days out in the Peak District. Kids will love the walk through areas where you can venture inside animal enclosures, and they will especially love petting the farm animals.
This isn’t a normal zoo to see the ‘big five’. Instead it is an immersive experience to enjoy walking amongst less ferocious animals. Its a fantastic day out for little ones especially as they can be hands on with some of the tamer residents
Peak Wildlife Park is just 1km outside the National Park boundary near Leek and one of the best family days out in Staffordshire.
14. Get outdoors
At this time of year, nothing quite beats a brisk walk in the hills followed by a pub lunch. Check out our pub walks in the Peak District, and if you do plan on dining at one of our suggested pubs, we recommend booking a table at least a couple of days in advance.
You can check out all our family walks here, or you may specifically be looking for Peak District pram friendly walks. Alternatively, if it’s not too icy and cold over the Peak District Twixmas, check out our guide to family bike rides in the Peak District.
You may also like to read:
Best days out in the Peak District
Family walks in the Peak District
Things to do in Matlock and Matlock Bath