‘Culture vultures’ and fun-seeking families will find rich pickings in the Peak District and Derbyshire as three of the area’s main arts events celebrate key milestones – and the area is re-branded as ‘Spookyshire’ – during an action-packed summer and autumn.
Hot on the heels of the success of the 31st Leek Arts Festival in May, Buxton Festival Fringe will mark its 30th birthday with a record-breaking 140 entries in categories ranging from comedy and dance to spoken word and street theatre between July 8 and 26.
Ashbourne Arts Festival is gearing up to mark its 10th anniversary in style – with an International Street Fest, appearance by top impressionist Jan Ravens, comedy, music, drama and much more – from June 19 to July 5.
Melbourne Festival of the Arts and Performance will herald its fifth anniversary with its popular Art & Architecture Trail on September 12 and 13 and Festival of Performing Arts from September 4 to 20.
And Visit Peak District & Derbyshire (VPD&D) – the area’s official tourist board – will re-brand the area ‘Spookyshire’ from October 24 to November 1, co-ordinating nine days of bewitching family fun, featuring everything from creepy stately homes to campfire ghost stories.
Other festival highlights will include:
Swadfest ’09 – including a Festival of Leisure – in Swadlincote, South Derbyshire, from June 26 to July 3
The first Three Shires Textile Festival throughout Cheshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire from July 4 to 19
The award-winning Buxton Festival and its Literary Series, from July 10 to 28
The Buxton Puppet Festival – with performances and workshops for all ages – from July 27 to August 1
The 16th International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival, again in Buxton, from August 1 to 23
Derby Festé 09 – featuring parades, pyrotechnics and street theatre – from September 4 to 6
Art, music, comedy, film, spoken word, specialist trails and street entertainment during Wirksworth Festival, from September 11 to 26
Everything from Chamber music to fire sculptures during Chesterfield Arts & Market Festival, from October 29 to 31
“The Peak District and Derbyshire plays host to a huge variety of festivals to appeal to visitors of all ages, interests and tastes – particularly during the spring, summer and autumn,” said David Thornton, Head of Marketing at VPD&D.
“This year more people are planning ‘stay-cations’ to discover or rediscover the delights of holidaying closer to home – so what better excuse to come and stay in our unique and beautiful area to savour a wealth of entertainment and culture and enjoy everything from opera to events for all the family?
“We’d particularly like to hear from attractions and event organisers who are currently planning autumn half-term activities and local accommodation providers if they are interested in promoting a ‘Spookyshire’ short break or overnight stay package, so that they can get involved in the action.”
For plenty of ideas about where to stay and what to do in the Peak District and Derbyshire, visit www.visitpeakdistrict.com.
Anyone interested in promoting a ‘Spookyshire’ event is invited to contact David Thornton at david.thornton@visitpeakdistrict.com. Accommodation providers wanting to offer special deals should get in touch with VPD&D’s Marketing Executive Helen Critchlow at helen.critchlow@visitpeakdistrict.com.
