Christmas at Chatsworth

Event details

7 November 2026 - 3 January 2027
All tickets must be booked in advance.

A Christmas classic, brought to life

This Christmas, step inside The 12 Days of Christmas as one of the season’s best-loved songs is brought to life in new and unexpected ways.

From a partridge perched high in a magnificent seven-metre pear tree to delicate paper calling birds, leaping lords, and twelve drummers with a distinctly Chatsworth twist, encounter familiar characters and playful interpretations of the song as you explore the house and garden.

Reimagined by our Christmas design team, alongside new commissions from British and international artists, designers, and makers, this year’s experience celebrates the creativity and craftsmanship that have long been part of Chatsworth’s story.

Inspired by the house and its history, sculpture, illustration, animation, sound and contemporary installations retell the festive story in surprising new ways, incorporating decorative motifs, architectural details and objects from the Devonshire Collections.

The State Apartments feature in the Christmas experience for the first time since 2020. In the Great Chamber, watch exotic birds and butterflies from Chatsworth’s distinctive Chinese wallpaper take flight across the walls; meet Inigo Jones’ dancing ladies in the State Bedroom; and in the State Music Room, encounter a dramatic reinterpretation of ‘eight maids a milking’ by Andy Singleton, one of five commissions by the Wakefield-based paper artist.

Elsewhere, discover new work by returning willow artist Emma Stothard alongside commissions from American illustrator Lukas Palumbo and Danish installation artist Sophie Nielsen, each bringing their own creative response to the familiar Christmas song.

Look out for intricate handcrafted details from independent makers including Peak District-based Waney Grain, Wirksworth Pottery, and Everdenes, as well as Wiltshire marbling artist Jemma Lewis.

The 12 Days of Christmas marks the culmination of a year devoted to the magic of words and imaginative storytelling at Chatsworth. As Christmas draws near, we invite you to make Chatsworth the setting for joyful new stories of your own and memories to revisit for years to come.

In the garden – entry is included with your Christmas at Chatsworth ticket

As darkness falls, follow a new light and sound trail through the garden where scenes from the festive song unfold among Chatsworth’s best-known landmarks.

Created by Orpheo Group, who have also produced animations in the Great Chamber, State Drawing Room, and Great Dining Room, the trail leads through the Rock Garden, around the Maze, through Bamboo Walk, and the Broad Walk before culminating in a spectacular animated light show, projected onto the South Façade of the house.

Please note: The trail takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes to complete, with the opportunity to stop off for refreshments on the way. Last entry to the garden is 90 minutes before closing. The projection on the house may finish slightly earlier than the published garden closing time. Please allow enough time to complete the full trail. The trail is best viewed from dusk. View opening times.

The trail includes flashing light sequences in certain areas, which some visitors may find uncomfortable. Please speak to a member of our team on arrival, and they will identify these areas for you.

At the farmyard and adventure playground – entry is included with your Christmas at Chatsworth ticket

The farmyard will be dressed for Christmas with decorations and lights. Meet our friendly farm animals and cuddly guinea pigs. There will be Christmas crafts, and children can explore our woodland adventure playground.

Last entry is at 4.30pm, one hour before closing.

Booking Information

All tickets must be booked in advance, including Friends and pass holders.
Please read our Important Information before booking.

Christmas at Chatsworth tickets include:

• Admission to the decorated house
• Admission to the garden, including the light trail
• Admission to the farmyard and playground
• One car parking space per transaction
• Christmas market access (selected dates only - please see below)

Christmas market access

• Visit between 7 November and 13 December (inclusive) - your tickets include the Christmas market
• Visit between 14 December and 3 January (inclusive) - your tickets do not include the Christmas market (market closes 13 December)

Ticket Prices

Adults (17+ years): £40.00 (£36.36 without donation)

Children (3-16 years): £12.00 (£10.90 without donation)

Children (0-2 years): free (no ticket required)
 
Parking charges apply to blue badge holders. Please ensure you select a blue badge parking space when purchasing your tickets. These tickets are not valid for vehicles with 10+ seats.

Concessions and Support

Essential Carer tickets

Visitors with disabilities may bring an accompanying carer free of charge when paying for a full price ticket. Learn more.

Universal Credit tickets - sorry sold out

Reduced-price tickets for eligible households were released in April 2026 and have now sold out. Supporting documents are required at the entrances.

Chatsworth is a Charity

When you book online, you will have the opportunity to add a small donation to the Chatsworth House Trust charity to your booking.  If you select the 'with donation' ticket option and you are a UK taxpayer, you can add Gift Aid to your booking at no extra cost. 

Gift Aid allows the Chatsworth House Trust charity to claim an additional 25% from the government. All income from ticket sales, donations and Gift Aid goes to the charity to be reinvested in the preservation and improvement of Chatsworth.

Planning Your Visit

Opening times vary over the Christmas and New Year period. 

Please check the opening times of our cafes, shops, and other facilities, including the market (7 Nov - 13 Dec), before booking your tickets.

View opening times

You may arrive at Chatsworth at any time after 9am on the day of your visit. 

You may enter the garden before your house entry time.

Bringing Dogs

Except for assistance/service dogs, dogs are not permitted in the house, the farmyard, or the adventure playground. Dogs on leads are welcome in the garden, woodland, and parkland. Please do not leave your dog in a vehicle.

Important Information - please read

Visiting between 7 November and 13 December

Your tickets include access to the Christmas Market (the market runs from 7 Nov - 13 Dec).

Market opening times:

Mon - Thurs: 10am - 5.30pm
Fri - Sun: 10am - 6pm

Over this period, parking arrangements will be different to those you are used to. 

As well as in the main car park, vehicles will be parked on a trackway across the parkland, with a tractor and trailer shuttle service operating between shuttle stops.

The tractor and trailer service ends 15 minutes after the closure of the garden (view garden opening times). 

The tractor and trailer shuttle service is wheelchair accessible. Visit our accessibility web pages for more information. 

View a map of parking arrangements during the Christmas market here.

Visiting between 14 December - 3 January

Your tickets do not include access to the Christmas market (market runs from 7 Nov - 13 Dec).

Over this period, cars will be parked in the main car park with some overflow parking within a short walking distance on parkland or a trackway.

Parking and arrival guidance (all dates)

• Please have your booking confirmation and any passes, including blue badges, ready to show to our car parking team on arrival. 

• Every vehicle included in your booking must have a copy of the booking confirmation and QR code to be scanned on arrival. If you are visiting in a large group, consider making separate transactions for passengers in each car to take advantage of the free parking offer (select the same house entry time to visit together). 

• The trackway and immediate areas may become slippery and muddy during wet weather - wear sturdy shoes suitable for walking on uneven ground and in muddy and wet conditions.

• We recommend you have access to a torch. 

• We will not take responsibility for any damage to footwear or other personal possessions, including prams and pushchairs. 

• There are no dedicated parent and child parking spaces, and we cannot guarantee a parking space close to the house or the toilets/ baby changing facilities. 

Please be respectful to our team; they are working hard in all weathers to park vehicles quickly and safely, following a system that manages traffic flow on site throughout the day. 

Late house entry (4.30pm or later)

We recommend visiting the light trail before entering the house, so you have enough time to enjoy the full experience. 

Last entry times

Unless you are entering the garden from the house, last entry to the garden is 90 minutes before closing. Our light trail takes approximately 45-60 minutes to experience and is best viewed from dusk. 

Please be aware that the projection may finish earlier than garden closing time, so please allow plenty of time to complete the trail.

The Orangery shop and Flora’s Temple Tearoom close with the garden. 

Weather and safety

In high winds, access to some areas of the garden will be restricted. This is part of our health and safety protocols, designed to help ensure the safety and well-being of our visitors and colleagues. 

Chatsworth Supporters

Admission to Christmas at Chatsworth is included with Patrons and Friends membership. Guest tickets can also be booked at 10% off.  

Friends-only time slots are available on selected days. Learn more about these and how to book your complimentary Friends tickets in the Friends Hub.

Tickets for all Friends Christmas visits must be booked in advance.

FRIENDS HUB

Not yet a member? Learn more about the benefits of membership and how you can support the Chatsworth House Trust charity.

VIEW FRIENDS

VIEW PATRONS

Accessibility

View more information about accessibility at Chatsworth over the Christmas period here.

Christmas at Chatsworth FAQs

View our Frequently Asked Questions here.

Please note: Please be aware that for technical, operational or safety reasons, some facilities may be removed or closed, or entertainment and event timetables cancelled and/or altered at any time, including at short notice.  Chatsworth reserves the right to change the programme of attractions and entertainment if, at any time, it is deemed necessary or appropriate to do so, this may also include closing attractions or areas of the estate. We apologise in advance for any disappointment caused should this need arise.

*Select rooms on the upper floor of the house may be closed for annual conservation during Christmas at Chatsworth.

Images and footage shown here reflect previous years' events and are provided for illustration only.

Illustrations © Andy Singleton