Festive things to do

10 unique festive things to do this Christmas

Just another Christmas? Not in Chesterfield!

We’re mixing it up with 10 memorable things to do before 25^th December with our reels on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram.

For a twist on tradition, discover our local flavours from beer and gin to cruffins. Challenge friends to a game of The Crazy Cat Lady and Elf – Who Dunnit? Or take a festive walk with an alpaca!

For those who want more, experience all our playful events. Do the Christmas bop at the Winding Wheel Theatre. See our Crooked Spire illuminated inside and explore over a hundred Christmas trees on display. Or be part of the atmosphere at Christmas Tipi.

Plus, if you have little ones, find unusual ways to meet Santa, including Canal Cruises, on a train, or over breakfast.

We love seeing you enjoy yourselves. So, remember to tag us when you post on TikTok, Facebook or Instagram. Grab your family and friends and tick off all 10 festive things to do.

Thank you to Chesterfield Champions for helping to pull together this list.

To get involved with our activities to promote Chesterfield, please contact Alex.

Tick off all 10 on our Festive Bucket List

1. Try a fruity, local liqueur

Make a delicious festive cocktail with Hogg Norton liqueurs – made by Mike and team.

First, add a few berries. Then your liqueur of choice. Finally, top it off with bubbles.

These bright bottles bring big smiles to your face. Pick them up from Matt at Street Spirit at Vicar Lane Shopping Centre and Chris and John from Brampton Brewery on Chatsworth Road. On a night out, enjoy them at Michelin-listed gastropub The Bulls Head in Holymoorside or take a trip down to Deja vu on Chatsworth road.

Did you know, that Chesterfield-based Hogg Norton has won a dozen Great Taste Awards between 2019 and 2024!

See Josh try a Hogg Norton liqueur on TikTok.

Discover more ways to plan your night with our unique nights out.

2. Treat yourself to a cruffin

When it comes to Christmas nothing beats a sweet treat in a cosy cafe. But we’re not talking about regular mince pies or Christmas pud. Behold the cruffin!

This unique dessert combines a croissant with a muffin. Devour it in Cawa next to Chesterfield’s Market Square.

Discover more local flavours with our 50 food and drink places to visit.

3. Find unique gifts without the hassle

Our shop owners offer a refreshing experience to put a twist on your festive shopping. So, you can skip the hustle of large shopping centres and the stress of delayed deliveries.

Lisa (pictured) from Shop Indie at Vicar Lane is just one of our many friendly boutique owners. She makes suggestions without pressure to buy. Lisa helps you hunt via online messaging if you need to collect quickly. She delivers locally too.

Laura Jo from Adorn Jewellers in The Shambles puts you at ease with her friendly approach and knowledge about her pieces. She also provides an online shopping experience through her weekly live videos on Facebook.

Explore our historic Market Hall to meet several new shop owners like Neil from Fearless Sports, who sells active clothes and equipment.

Alongside these hidden gems, you’ll find well-loved high street names and an array of festive market events from artisan crafts to a cosy tipi.

Join us on TikTok to see how Lisa from Shop Indie helped Josh find a gift for his dad.

Discover more of our retailers to speed up your Christmas shopping with our 50 independent retailers in Chesterfield.

4. Taste a showstopper cheese

How can you add a wow factor to your Christmas buffet?

Josh enjoyed a good natter with Simon at Cheese Factor, who introduced him to sticky toffee cheese. Haven’t tried it before? Feed your curiosity with this unusual blend of sweet and savoury.

Sticky toffee is one of over 130 cheeses to tempt you in our Market Hall-based shop!

See Josh tasting Sticky Toffee Cheese at Cheese Factor via TikTok.

Discover more of our local flavours with our 50 food and drink places to visit.

5. Enjoy a festive treat at our new tipi experience

When it comes to Christmas, there’s nothing quite like enjoying a warm drink inside a cosy tipi to capture the festive feeling.

Meet friends and family in our festive tipi, right in the heart of our market, and enjoy hot chocolate, mulled wine, and seasonal treats by the fire. Santa will even make an appearance every Sunday afternoon to read children a festive story.

Keep an eye on our TikTok for an upcoming sneak peek inside the new tipi.

Discover more of our local flavours with our 50 food and drink places to visit.

6. Find unique, local tea and coffee

Imagine – you arrive home after a chilly walk around our beautiful Queen’s Park. Then, you settle down in your comfiest clothes and slippers with a relaxing cup of Christmas cookie tea from James and the team at Northern Tea Merchants.

Or perhaps you prefer the aroma of coffee? Choose your beans and hear them being ground for the freshest Christmas day latte.

See the upcoming behind the scenes how Savvy baker create their Christmas drinks by keeping an eye on our TikTok channel.

Discover more local tea and coffee shops with our 50 food and drink places to visit.

7. Experience our festive cocktails

Meet friends for cocktails to bring sparkle and fizz to your festive nights out.

Skip the mulled wine and instead savour the unique flavours of Junction Bar‘s signature Christmas cocktail. Find Junction at the end of Chatsworth Road, just ten minutes by foot from Chesterfield’s Market Square.

In the heart of the town centre, try Bavarian Bierhaus, Einstein’s. A fruity cocktail menu at Bottle and Thyme. Or ice cream specials at Chandlers, one of the longest-standing cocktail bars in our town.

Afterwards, head to Chesterfield Theatres for a show to remember. Take on a festive challenge at Chesterfield Escape Rooms. Or party the night away at Real Time Live.

See Josh getting into the Christmas spirit at Junction Bar – on TikTok.

Discover more local gems with our 50 food and drink places to visit.

8. Sup a local Christmas ale on the Brampton Mile

Nothing beats a cosy pub on a winter’s night. Particularly since each pub along Chatsworth Road showcases our town’s uniqueness.

But skip the mass-produced ales.

Josh nipped to Rose and Crown on Chatsworth Road for a proper ale on tap. Brewed by Chris and John at our own Brampton Brewery, the special Christmas ale, Winter Bock boasts generous helpings of roast and flaked barley and leaves a sweet finish. ‘A cracking winter warmer,’ says our Josh.

Join Josh as he samples Brampton Brewery’s festive ale on TikTok.

Discover more ways to plan festive nights with our unique nights out.

9. Book a walk with an alpaca

Perhaps the most memorable of the Festive Bucket List?!

This Christmas, book an alpaca for a walk at Matlock Farm Park for a unique gift experience. The trail organised by Lotty and team passes by many other animals in the park. Including meerkats and highland cows. This one brings a smile to your face no matter your age.

Check out TikTok to see whether Josh and his alpaca were both well-behaved!

Discover more places to visit this Christmas and beyond with our places to visit.

10. Look after your four-legged friend

Of course, your furry friends deserve a treat as well as you! So, complete their Christmas with a festive dinner that includes all the trimmings!

Josh visited Barkworthy Dog Emporium with two furry friends. They certainly gave the wag of approval!

Did you know that Barkworthy Dog Emporium opened in 2021 after owners, Anthony and Carole moved from Manchester. The shop offers portraits, natural treats and remedies, handmade collars, personalised dog-themed gifts, toys and more.

Discover more of our retailers to speed up your Christmas shopping with our 50 independent retailers in Chesterfield.

Spread the word

We love sharing our ideas of festive things to do in Chesterfield.

What’s even better though? Seeing photos and videos of you enjoying Christmas in Chesterfield.

Please remember to tag in Destination Chesterfield or use #LoveChesterfield to help spread the word about Christmas in Chesterfield! Find us on Tik Tok, Facebook and Instagram.

Discover more things to do this Christmas in Chesterfield.