A round-up of events around the county
21st Nov-24th Dec: Midland Railway Santa Special Trains Visit Santa onboard a train and enjoy entertainment. Selected dates and times. Midland Railway, Butterley Station, Ripley. Contact 01773 570140, www.midland-railway
27th Nov-5th Jan: Derby Ice Rink Open-air rink, open daily apart from Christmas Day and New Year’s Day . Tickets can be purchased from 01332 255800 or at derbylive.co.uk
3rd-6th December: The Pantomime Adventures of Robin Hood A unique pantomime with more than its fair share of mayhem and merriment, performed by the Kaleidoscope Players. Guildhall Theatre, Derby, 01332 255800
4th-5th December: Shakespeare’s Widows University of Derby’s final year Theatre Arts students present their annual offering of Shakespeare In Performance. Derby Theatre, 01332 593939
4th-6th December: Denby Pottery Christmas Fair Purchase delicious food and unique gifts from a variety of stalls. Denby Pottery Visitor Centre, Denby, near Ripley. Tel: 01773 740722
4th-6th December: Repton Christmas Tree Festival In aid of Repton Village Hall Appeal and St Wystan’s Church. 4th Carols and Christmas songs; 5th Young musicians from 3pm and Christmas Story at 4pm; 6th Christmas music requests with Derventio Quartet from 3.30pm. 11-6pm daily and 1-6pm on Sunday, Wystan’s Church, Repton
4th-6th December: Victorian Christmas Weekend Over 150 themed stalls, entertainment, a Christmas parade on Saturday and fireworks on Sunday evening. Hall Leys Park, Matlock
5th-8th December: Christmas Tree Festival See Pleasley church filled with Christmas trees and enjoy concerts from Pleasley Welfare Band on 5th, 7.30pm and Take Note choir on 6th, 3pm. St Michael’s Church, Pleasley. Tel: 01623 810035
5th December: Christmas Fair Stalls, games, refreshments and entertainment. Hulland and District Millennium Village Hall, 10-12.30pm
6th December: Belper Christmas Food Festival Open-air market offering everything needed to create the perfect festive feast. King Street, Belper
6th December: A Night to Remember Magical melodies and toe-tapping dance tunes with Chesterfield Symphony Orchestra. The Winding Wheel, Chesterfield, 01246 345222
5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, 19th, 20th December: Wonder of the Peak Festive tram tours Catch the Christmas Tram at 2pm and 3pm from outside Cavendish Arcade, Buxton and embark on a festive tour of the town. Booking essential. Contact 01298 7964 or www.discoverbuxton.co.uk
5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, 19th-24th December: Peak Rail Santa Specials Journey by steam train from Rowsley South Station with Santa – a treat for adults and children alike. Times vary. Contact 01629 580381 or visit www.peakrail.co.uk
5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, 19th, 20th December: Santa Special Boats A festive trip along Chesterfield Canal. Includes a toy for children and mince pie and drink for adults. Tapton Lock Visitor Centre, Chesterfield. Tel: 01629 533020
5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, 19th, 20th December: Ecclesbourne Valley Railway Specials Visit Santa on the railway, times may vary. Includes Wednesdays. Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, Wirksworth Station. Tel: 01298 823076 or see www.e-v-r.com/santa
5th December: Piatti String Quartet One of ‘the UK’s foremost young string quartets’. Ecclesbourne School, Duffield, 7.30pm. Tel: 01332 841503
6th December: Beyond the Barricade at Christmas Festive concert with some of the best-loved songs in musical theatre. Buxton Opera House, 0845 127 2190
6th & 13th December: Needwood Singers Carols by candlelight at St Peter’s Church Yoxall on 16th and at Alrewas Methodist Church, Burton-on-Trent on 13th, 7.30pm. Tel: 01283 716790
10th-20th December: Christmas Tree Festival A ‘magical Christmas experience.’ Bakewell Parish Church, open daily
11th December: Christmas Market: Combining traditional and farmers’ market stalls with festive stands. fairground rides and carol singing.The Delph, Swadlincote
11th December: Ashbourne Late Night Shopping Seasonal food, entertainment, artisan and craft market and the chance to visit local shops until 9pm. Ashbourne Town Centre
12th December: Christmas Concert Festive entertainment from Harmony Plus. Hulland Ward & District Millennium Village Hall, 7.30pm. Tel: 01335 370334
11th December: Olga Stezhko Award-winning and highly-acclaimed pianist. Abbotsholme School, nr Rocester, 8pm. Tel: 01543 263304
11th & 16th December: Melbourne Operatic Society Concerts at St Edward’s Church Hall, Castle Donington on 11th and at Melbourne Assembly Rooms on 16th, 7.30pm. Tickets: 01332 863030. For more details see melbourneoperaticsociety.com
11th-13th December: Young Ideas Christmas Market A magical market on Friday 11th December 4pm-9pm, Saturday 12th 11am-5pm and Sunday 13th 11am-4pm. A selection of local businesses including food and crafts, children’s craft activities and workshops, Santa’s grotto, hog roast and a Christmas bake-off on the Sunday. Young Ideas, The Greenman, St John’s St, Ashbourne
12th December: Belper Singers Christmas carols at Eyam Hall. Eyam Hall (NT), Eyam, Hope Valley, 2pm. Tel: 0115 9302590
12th December: Derby Bach Choir ‘Christmas is Coming’ concert with Derby Central Salvation Band. St John the Evangelist Church, Bridge St, Derby, 7.30pm. Tickets from Foulds on 01332 344842
12th & 14th December: Sitwell Singers An uplifting Christmas concert at Duffield Parish Church on 12th, 4pm, and St John’s Church, Bridge St, Derby on 14th, 7.30pm.
Tel: 01332 662519
12th & 17th December: Derwent Singers Traditional carol concerts at St Werburgh’s Church, Spondon on 12th and at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Mickleover, on 17th. Tel: 01283 561826
12th December: Belper Town Wind Band ‘Music for Christmas’. Belper Market Place, 9.30am-12pm. Tel: 01332 880510
13th December: Carols at Shipley Join Marlpool URC Theatre Company for a sing-along of carols to celebrate the festive season.
Shipley Country Park, Heanor. Tel: 01773 719961
13th December: Celebration of Animals Service Ashbourne Animal Welfare’s much-loved Christmas service, with small animals and dogs welcome in church. St Oswald’s Church, Ashbourne, 2pm. Tel: 01335 300494
13th December: Carol Concert at Revolution House A festive concert in the atmospheric surroundings of Revolution House, decorated for a traditional 17th century Christmas. Revolution House, Chesterfield, 6.30pm. Tel: 01246 345727
12th & 13th December: He Wore A Red Hat Part-time detective, part-time poet, Josh Rogan is on a mission to save Christmas. New Perspectives Theatre Company’s funny and festive twist on the crime genre. 12th at Tideswell Theatre, 13th at Parwich Memorial Hall, 7.30pm. Visit newperspectives.co.uk
13th December: Sarah Millican One of Britain’s most popular comedians presents her stand-up show ‘Outsider’. Derby Theatre, 01332 593939
13th December: Jonny Awsum & Friends A night of laughter with special guests from the world of comedy. Guildhall Theatre, Derby, 01332 255800
16th December: Alfreton Male Voice Choir Traditional Christmas carols. South Wingfield Social Club, 7pm. Tel: 01773 608112
17th-19th December: Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs Centre Stage Theatre Arts. Robert Ludlam Theatre, Duffield Road, Derby, 7.12pm. Sat mat 2.15pm. Tel: 0800 048 8659
19th December: Swing Commanders and GI Jive Acclaimed Western swing band. Whitworth Centre, Darley Dale, 8pm. Visit peakconcerts.co.uk
19th December: Dickensian Leek Victorian Christmas extravaganza with market stalls and choir singing. Leek Town Centre, www.visitleek.co.uk
24th December: Christmas Dance Take part in a mix of ballroom and sequence dancing in the elegant Winding Wheel Ballroom. The Winding Wheel, Chesterfield, 01246 345222
Though care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of dates and times, it is advisable to verify the details.
