Best Things To Do In The Peak District This Weekend (May Bank Holiday 2026)
- Jen Bell I Editor I Good Life List Peak District
- May 1
- 5 min read
If you’re in the Peak District this long weekend, there’s loads going on. However, it can sometimes be difficult to figure out what's happening where as there's not one single events calendar. That's where we come in!
We've checked and Saturday is the day to get out - around 19 degrees, light cloud and some sun later on. Sunday is cooler, with rain expected from mid-afternoon, so it’s a good one for shorter plans or something under cover. Monday sits somewhere in between with rain starting at around 2pm.
From food festivals and town events to walks, live music and a few quieter ideas, here’s what we have our eyes on this bank holiday weekend.
Tideswell Food Festival
Saturday
One of the bigger events of the weekend.
Tideswell fills up with stalls, street food and local producers, along with live music and plenty to keep families occupied. We're planning on heading there in the morning when the pastries are still super fresh and there is plenty to choose from. For more tips, read our guide here.
Combs Sailing Club Open Day
Saturday
A great way to make the most of the weather.
Head to the reservoir near Chapel-en-le-Frith to try sailing, paddleboarding or canoeing. No experience needed, open to anyone aged eight and over.
Runs from 12.30pm to 5pm. You can join in or just watch. There’s tea and cake as well. Sold.
Hope Valley Beer & Cider Festival
All weekend
So popular and you can see why. Over 50 real ales and ciders, live music from midday into the evening, and food throughout the day.
The festival is held at a 16th-century coaching inn in the Hope Valley and raises money for local charities, including Edale Mountain Rescue.
If you’re nearby, it’s worth dropping in for an hour or two. You could even tie it in with a walk as there are plenty in the area (perhaps, before the beer and cider rather than after...) There's a short walk from Castleton to Hope via Lose Hill, which is lovely and not too arduous (five miles). Start at the green public footpath sign to Hope, which you will find on How Lane towards the end of the village.
If you're in Hope already then you're sweet. If not, we recommend getting a bus in as it will be absolutely rammed.
Buxton Spring Fair
Monday
If you want something fun and lively to finish the weekend, Buxton’s Spring Fair takes over much of the town centre. We go most years with the kids and always enjoy it.
More than 100 stalls, street food, local bars and live music spread across The Slopes, The Crescent, Spring Gardens and the Market Place.
There are classic cars, performances, rides for children and plenty to wander through.
Expect crowds and road closures - that’s part of it. Again, a bus might be a smart choice!
Buxton Pavilion Gardens
Sunday & Monday
A good option if you’re already in town.
Live music on the bandstand across the weekend, plus cafés, ice cream, the boating lake and the miniature train (weather depending).
Comic Con is also taking place in the Octagon Hall on Monday.
Monsal Head Walk and Wild Swim
Monday
If you want to start the day outside, there’s a guided walk and wild swim session running from Monsal Head on Monday morning. Tickets are still available.
It’s a circular route through one of the White Peak dales, around 5–6km, with time built in to stop, take in the views and get into the water at a safe river spot along the way.
The session runs from 9am to around 1pm and is suitable for beginners as well as those with more experience. Everything is guided, with kit available to borrow if you need it.
Groups are kept small (maximum six people), and there’s cake included at the end.
Over 18s only. £45 per person.
Magical May at the National Tramway Museum
Sunday & Monday
A family day out with a bit more going on than usual.
Woodland trails, craft activities, character meet-and-greets and live demonstrations, all included with admission. Find all the details here.
Paint Your Own Ghost Workshop, Matlock
Sunday
We love the sound of this! A what a good option for Sunday afternoon, especially with rain on the way.
Design and paint your own ceramic ghost to take home. Sessions run from 1pm for a couple of hours.
Open to ages nine and over (under 18s need to be accompanied). They get booked up super quickly but don't worry - if you miss out this time, they have lots of other sessions planned throughout May, June and July.
Guided Parkland Walk, Haddon Hall
Saturday morning
A chance to access parts of the estate not usually open.
The walk runs for 2–3 hours through medieval parkland that has been largely untouched for centuries, with a focus on wildlife and how the land has been used over time.
Tickets include reduced entry to the hall and gardens afterwards. It looks like there is still availability for this weekend so get in quick!
Classic Peak District Days (All Weekend)
If you’d rather keep things simple, this is a good weekend to do the classics.
Chatsworth, Haddon Hall and Thornbridge Estate are all open.
Chatsworth is the busiest, but you can make a full day of it - house, gardens or a walk through the estate with a stop at the farm shop.
Haddon Hall works well paired with a riverside walk. Thornbridge is a bit quieter and easy to combine with a brewery visit.
Bluebell Walks
This is the time to do it.
Woodland areas across the Peak District are starting to come into bloom. Take your camera (or your phone) - it’s one of the better chances you’ll get for photos this year.
Padley Gorge and Longshaw are the obvious choices, along with woods around Grindleford and Ladybower.
If you can, go early or later in the day.
You could also pick up a few things from a farm shop on the way and turn it into a picnic.
A Longer Walk (And Where To Avoid)
If you’re planning a walk, it’s worth thinking about where not to go.
Places like Dovedale stepping stones, Mam Tor and even parts of the Monsal Trail will be very busy, and parking can be difficult.
Instead, try one of the less obvious routes:
Coombs Dale from Eyam
Lantern Pike and the surrounding hills
Axe Edge Moor above Buxton
Ramshaw Rocks as an alternative to The Roaches
South Head and Chinley Churn
You’ll still see people, but it’s a different experience.
Sunday works well for this if you head out earlier, before the rain comes in.
Drop us a line at hello@thegoodlifelist.co.uk or via the website if you want walk details - we're more than happy to help.
Have we missed anything? Pop a message across to us at hello@thegoodlifelist.co.uk and we'll add it to the list.
