Nottinghamshire &amp; Derbyshire


<p>Yes, yes, it&#8217;s only September I know, but if you want to snaffle the hottest festive tickets you need to get in gear now (sorry). There are some seriously fun-sounding festive treats happening in our &#8216;hood this season. Here&#8217;s Muddy&#8217;s pick of the best Christmas events in Notts and Derbyshire to bag now.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-christmas-at-chatsworth-bakewell"><a href="https://www.chatsworth.org/events/christmas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Christmas at Chatsworth</a>, Bakewell</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/Chatsworth-at-christmas-24-1024x683.jpg" alt="chatsworth lit up in lights for christmas" class="wp-image-10403" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/Chatsworth-at-christmas-24-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/Chatsworth-at-christmas-24-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/Chatsworth-at-christmas-24-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/Chatsworth-at-christmas-24.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Chatsworth at Christmas is always magical when the house gets dressed up in its sparkly finest and transports visitors to another world. And this year’s theme for dressing the house is an absolute corker – The Christmas Feast. From 9 November the house will transform into an interactive story book, with rooms filled magic as a new story, penned by Children&#8217;s Laureate Joseph Coelho, comes to life.</p>



<p>Weekends in December tend to book up quickly, but it’s well worth trying to find an off-peak time if you can manage it – particularly since there’s also a lovely illuminated light trail to enjoy after dusk in the gardens. Tickets cost from £32 for adults and £8 for children. If you visit from 9 November – 1 December, your tickets&nbsp;include&nbsp;access to the Christmas Market.&nbsp;See you in the queue!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-northern-ballet-a-christmas-carol-theatre-royal-nottingham"><a href="https://trch.co.uk/whats-on/northern-ballet-a-christmas-carol/">Northern Ballet, A Christmas Carol</a>, Theatre Royal Nottingham</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/a_christmas_carol.production.2009.hannah_bateman.lori_gilchrist.julie_charlet.photo_bill_cooper.jpg" alt="northern ballet dance a christmas carol" class="wp-image-10412" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/a_christmas_carol.production.2009.hannah_bateman.lori_gilchrist.julie_charlet.photo_bill_cooper.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/a_christmas_carol.production.2009.hannah_bateman.lori_gilchrist.julie_charlet.photo_bill_cooper-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/a_christmas_carol.production.2009.hannah_bateman.lori_gilchrist.julie_charlet.photo_bill_cooper-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/a_christmas_carol.production.2009.hannah_bateman.lori_gilchrist.julie_charlet.photo_bill_cooper-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/a_christmas_carol.production.2009.hannah_bateman.lori_gilchrist.julie_charlet.photo_bill_cooper-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image by Bill Cooper</figcaption></figure>



<p>The perfect early Christmas treat to get the festive feels flowing. The Northern Ballet shows are always stellar (for kids and adults) and this one, from <strong>Thurs 26 &#8211; Sat 30 November</strong>, is just magical. A festive feast for the senses, Northern Ballet brings one of the most loved stories of all time to life.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-christmas-skating-at-the-national-ice-centre-nottingham"><a href="https://www.national-ice-centre.com/whats-on/">Christmas skating</a> at the National Ice Centre, Nottingham</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/NIC-4-sq.jpg" alt="ice skating at National Ice Centre Nottingham" class="wp-image-6879" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/NIC-4-sq.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/NIC-4-sq-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/NIC-4-sq-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/NIC-4-sq-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/NIC-4-sq-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/NIC-4-sq-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>If you’re looking for a grotto experience with a difference, don your skates and take the kids to Santa on the ice. The big man will be dishing out treats at &nbsp;If you want to swerve the grotto, there’s usually a <a href="https://www.national-ice-centre.com/whats-on/festive-characters-skate/">Festive Characters Skate</a> where you can skate with gingerbread men and snowmen. Tickets haven’t gone on sale yet but keep your eyes peeled for the best slots.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-haddon-hall-artisan-christmas-market-bakewell"><a href="https://www.haddonhall.co.uk/events/event/mercatum-christmas-artisan-market-2024/">Haddon Hall Artisan Christmas market</a>, Bakewell</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/Mercatum-6-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-6519" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/Mercatum-6-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/Mercatum-6-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/Mercatum-6-1-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/Mercatum-6-1-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The big festive shopping spree at nearby Chatsworth may draw the big crowds, but Muddy prefers the infinitely more chilled Christmas vibe at the oh-so-tasteful Christmas market just down the road at Haddon Hall.<br>Thee <a href="https://www.haddonhall.co.uk/event_category/mercatum/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mercatum Christmas Artisan Market</a> hosts carefully-curated stalls dotted along the drive, within the courtyard and terraces, with the rest located within the rooms of the Hall itself (it’s a great way to catch the hall dressed at its festive best too). Expect gorgeous high-quality, hand-crafted gems, unobtrusive live music and delicious food. Magical.</p>



<p>The market kicks off early on <strong>13 November</strong> this year and runs Wednesdays to Sundays <strong>until 15 December</strong>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-christmas-carol-drone-light-sh-ow-trent-bridge-notts"><a href="https://www.trentbridge.co.uk/news/2024/june/a-christmas-carol-drone-show-set-for-trent-bridge.html">A Christmas Carol Drone Light Sh</a><a href="https://www.yuup.co/a-christmas-carol">ow</a>, Trent Bridge, Notts</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/drone-show-1024x683.jpg" alt="drone christmas light show above trent bridge cricket ground" class="wp-image-10418" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/drone-show-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/drone-show-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/drone-show-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/09/drone-show.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>A Christmas classic gets a high tech makeover that looks set to be a sell-out this December. Hundreds of drones will fly above the cricket ground to tell the story of Ebenezer Scrooge (as narrated by Matt Lucas), taking spectators on a journey through Christmas&#8217;s&nbsp;past, present and future using the very latest creative technology. Tickets are on sale now for the two shows on <strong>Sat 7 Dec and Sun 8 Dec</strong>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lights-of-abraham-matlock"><a href="https://www.heightsofabraham.com/winter-lights-trail-2024">The Lights of Abraham</a>, Matlock</h2>



<p>Ooh, we love a winter light trail and this one &#8211; brand new for 2024 &#8211; sounds irresistible. Running from <strong>22 Nov until 30 Dec</strong>, the fun starts as you make your way down the festoon-lit riverside walkway before taking a moonlit cable car flight across the river above an avenue of colour. Once at the summit the trail that winds through illuminated gardens, across boardwalks and along woodland paths. This will be popular &#8211; book in quick!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-christmas-by-candlelight-southwell-minster"><a href="https://www.southwellminster.org/whats-on/autumn-events-2023/">Christmas by Candlelight</a>, Southwell Minster</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/Concerts-by-Candlelight.jpg" alt="Singer at cathedral concert by candlelight Christmas Buble" class="wp-image-6520" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/Concerts-by-Candlelight.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/Concerts-by-Candlelight-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/Concerts-by-Candlelight-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/Concerts-by-Candlelight-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=708524914627220&amp;set=pb.100064091529480.-2207520000&amp;type=3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Concerts by Candlelight</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>Really looking to get the spine tingling? Max the festive magic with a candlelit concert of Christmas classics in the atmospheric Southwell Minster on <strong>Sat</strong> <strong>21 December.</strong> Performed by West End musicians, the standard is high and, it may be a cathedral, but there’s a licensed bar all evening. What’s not to love?</p>



<p>If festive hits don’t do it for you, book in quick for the ever-popular choral performance of Handel’s Messiah on <strong>Tues 10 December </strong>when lovely, lilting solos will echo around the minster.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carols-at-peak-cavern-castleton"><a href="https://peakcavern.co.uk/christmas-carol-concerts/">Carols at Peak Cavern</a>, Castleton</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="731" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/Peak-Cavern-carols-731x1024.jpg" alt="Carol concert in Peak Cavern Castleton Derbyshire" class="wp-image-6516" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/Peak-Cavern-carols-731x1024.jpg 731w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/Peak-Cavern-carols-214x300.jpg 214w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/Peak-Cavern-carols-768x1075.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/Peak-Cavern-carols-375x525.jpg 375w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/10/Peak-Cavern-carols.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 731px) 100vw, 731px" /></figure>



<p>Fancy a bit of carolling? They don’t get more goosebump-inducing than the one in the depths of&nbsp;<a href="https://peakcavern.co.uk/christmas-carol-concerts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Peak Cavern</a>&nbsp;(aka, ahem, ‘The Devil’s Arse’) in<strong>&nbsp;</strong>Castleton. Mulled wine, mince pies and a brass band add to the festive vibe and tickets book up quickly. Atmospheric it may be, but it’s Arctic in that cavern too, so layer up and bring a blanket. On <strong>every weekend throughout December</strong> from Sat 7 until Christmas Eve.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-jack-and-the-beanstalk-buxton-opera-house"><a href="https://buxtonoperahouse.org.uk/event/jack-and-the-beanstalk">Jack and the Beanstalk</a>, Buxton Opera House</h2>



<p>A festive family treat worth booking ahead, Buxton Opera House’s Christmas panto sounds like fun this year. On from <strong>Fri 6 Dec to Wed 1 Jan</strong>, it promises to be a musical extravaganza of fun. Panto too much for littlies? Book up tot-friendly  <a href="https://buxtonoperahouse.org.uk/event/rumpelstiltskin-a-buxton-opera-house-production">Rumplestiltskin</a> instead <strong>Sat 14&nbsp;to&nbsp;Mon 23 Dec</strong> at Pavilion Arts Centre which puts a new spin on the traditional tale featuring puppetry, songs and interactive festive fun.</p>


Book now! 8 local Christmas events that will sell out fast

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