11 Things to do in Derbyshire between Christmas and New Year – click here for an updated version
I can’t quite bring myself to use the term ‘Twixmas’, but we all know that Chrimbo Limbo can be a funny old time… here’s some suggestions of what to do in Derbyshire between Christmas and New Year. Those strange times when the days all merge into one. Whether you’re feeling like a pig in a blanket, or going a bit stir-crazy with cabin fever… Here’s some suggestions of lovely places to go and things to do in Derbyshire in between Christmas and the New Year – including plenty of things to keep the kids busy for the duration of the Christmas school holidays which seem oddly timed this year – with many schools not returning until the 8th or 9th January 2024.
Please do double check details directly with the venue before making a special journey – especially in adverse weather conditions.
Still feeling Christmassy?
Festive Derby
[AD] Much of the fabulous festive entertainment on offer in Derby city centre under the Festive Derby banner is accessible until the new year. There’s the Cathedral Quarter Ice Rink, and Nordic Bar plus festive food stalls in the Market Place until the 31st December (this is right outside QUAD Derby – so check out the free Northern Lights exhibition too – see below). Find out more on the Festive Derby website.
We absolutely loved our trip to Mother Goose at Derby Arena and would highly recommend booking tickets (on until 31st Dec).
Also well reviewed has been The Babbling Vagabonds’ production of Naughty Meg and the Christmas Elves which is on at Derby Museum and Art Gallery on the Wardwick until 30th December.
Northern Lights at QUAD Derby
Until 9th January, 11am – 6pm each day
Free immersive experience in the QUAD Gallery based on the Aurora Borealis (‘Northern Lights’). Lighting, projection, and sound will transport you across the globe for an ethereal experience. Take Insta-worthy snaps or sit enjoy a peaceful moment amidst the magic. Read my previous review of QUAD.
Christmas at Chatsworth House and Garden
Open until 7th January 2024
Read more about visiting Chatsworth at Christmas. Pre-booking is essential for all visits until 7th January, book here.
Hardwick Wintertide
Now until 7th January 2024
Tour by lantern light and tiptoe around the decadent tapestries, friezes and portraits. Marvel at the festive displays which highlight the very best of Elizabethan winter celebrations, from lavish banquets to the importance of gift giving. These bespoke displays have been designed by Pedro, a local performance designer and lovingly created with our team of volunteers. Find out more, including about the family friendly activities or read my previous review.
Things to do pass the Chrimbo Limbo time and sort out that cabin fever:
Why not blow away the cobwebs by getting out in some fresh air?
Matlock Farm Park is open daily from the 27th December onwards and is only £6 per person on New Year’s Day.
Explore a National Trust place
Read my guide to National Trust places in Derbyshire and just beyond. There’s lots of little tips and cool things to look out for. All of the places are brilliant days out with kids but it’s also the sort of thing I used to do by myself. Grab your camera and get a few hours in the fresh air. Do double check opening details directly – typically gardens/parkland are open whilst Houses are shut.
Many of the Christmas activities, e.g. the free advent trail at Kedleston (normal admission applies) will run for the duration of the school holidays – check directly at your chosen property.
Go for a walk
Regular readers will know that this is not the place to come for detailed walking routes. However, if you want a nice little potter combined with a lovely coffee spot then check out my previous posts on 15 fabulous places for coffee and a walk or this one on pushchair friendly walks (also heavily biased towards where you can get a good coffee and cake!). I haven’t had time to double check the opening hours though so please do look that up online before travelling.
If pub walks are more you thing, check out this great post from Jenny at Peak District Kids. Even if you don’t have children, these are easy going circular walks all featuring a pub!
While away the hours in a cosy pub
There’s nothing I like more on a miserable weather day than a cosy pub and a glass of something lovely. If you’re looking for somewhere new, check out my guide to 20 cosy pubs in Derbyshire and the Peak District. Or if you’re looking for somewhere to take your four legged companion too, there’s lots of dog friendly options here.
While away the hours in a gorgeous book shop
Check out this guide to Derbyshire’s best independent bookshops – do check opening details.
The iconic Scarthins in Cromford is closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day but is then open (see their socials for exact opening times). There’s a popular vegetarian café but it’s also not far from the Barley Mow at Bonsall a right good ‘proper pub’ – so that’s an afternoon sorted – or a whole day if you added a walk in the surrounding countryside.
Potter around somewhere lovely
One of my favourite type of days out is to wander round a pretty little village or town. Start with a great coffee (maybe breakfast?!) somewhere, bit of a mooch, glass of wine somewhere, some shopping, lunch somewhere else etc.
The Christmas rush is over, but the festive lights will still be up, so now is a perfect time for a quieter stroll around Derbyshire’s most festive places. Bear in mind shops/cafés will be operating on different opening hours.
You might also be interested in my previous post on 8 Great Places in and around the Peak District or 6 Pretty Places for Jane Austen Fans. Similarly, if you’ve never been to Derby there’s lots of things to do there (and great eating and drinking), or check out this guide of Things to Do with Kids in and around Chesterfield or 5 Free Days Out.
Plan an adventure
I always think the post-Christmas slump is actually a great time to get organised and start planning some future adventures. Why not start planning something to look forward to? Whether it’s a sunshine holiday or just a list of places you want to go to, or restaurants to try – there’s plenty of inspiration on previous blog posts. Grab a brew, a notepad and pen and start dreaming.
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