Bakewell Country Festival - What's On
Bakewell Country Festival 2026 will take place on Bakewell Showground on Sunday 12th July. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates!
WHAT'S ON:
FAMILY FUN
FREE: MATLOCK FARM PARK
Visit Matlock Farm Park's area to learn more about their animals and join in an array of activities.
FREE: FAMILY DRUMMING WORKSHOPS
Sheffield's Unbeatable Energy will be hosting lively African drumming workshops in our music tipi. Session times will be detailed on our visitors' map.
FREE: INTERACTIVE MUSIC SESSIONS
Youngsters can visit our music tipi to participate in free interactive musical workshops with multi-instrumentalist Luke Carver Goss and musician and early years specialist Martin Harwood throughout the day. Just turn up and enjoy!
FREE: KENNING PARK COMMUNITY FOREST SCHOOL
Join Michaela and Chris from Kenning Park Forest School to try your hand at some forest school activities. Some activities free, small donation for others.
FREE: CIRCUS SKILLS WORKSHOPS
Join The Circus Academy from Leek to test your skills of juggling, balancing and manipulation!
FAIRGROUND RIDES & TRADITIONAL CAROUSEL
Fairground rides payments will be taken directly by operators.
FACE PAINTING
Because who doesn't want to go home with Spiderman?
GET HANDS-ON
ART HUB
Meet renowned local artist Tom J Newell and decorate one of his bespoke laser cut wooden Derbyshire millstone decorations to take home. These special millstones are being made exclusively for Bakewell Country Festival - so you can own your own piece of original art!
Kids can additionally decrate a gingerbread or make a magnificent scrap creation with the imaginative Kate from Sheffield craft club Timmy Sweetcorn! Simply join in on arrival - no need to book! Activities start from £2.
FREE: THE GROWING HUB
Earthed Up! are an agroecological plant nursery based in Belper Lane End. They grow all their own plants peat-free without harmful chemicals and teach about edible and useful plants. Check out our visitors' map on arrival for details on their talks and activities.
Grow UK is a youth development charity working with 16-24 year olds facing significant challenges in Sheffield. As well as listening to talks about their fantastic work, festival visitors can have a go at activities including a dino dig tray, sunflower seed planting to take home (donation), and an identification activity.
Allotment Society - TBC.
FREE: MEDIEVAL VILLAGE WITH KNIGHTS OF HONOUR
Our medieval encampment is back by popular demand! Witness aspects of medieval life, such as blacksmithing, candle making, combat displays and smelting (tbc)- with huge thanks to Knights of Honour Reenactment.
FREE: ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH SERVICES
Join ARS in our Conservation Corner where they'll be promoting some of their findings from recent Peak District excavations. Visitors are encouraged to bring any artefacts they may have uncovered in and around the Peak District for specialists to inspect and provide information about. Youngsters can also dig into a mini excavation experience in a special sand pit - perfect for budding archaeologists or paleontologists!
ARCHERY & CROSSBOW SESSIONS
Robin Hood wannabes - visit On Point Archery! Say hello to Jason and his team, try to hit the target and win a certificate for your efforts. Fee applies.
CLIMBING WALL
Scale the dizzying heights of our climbing wall with Matlock's renowned adventure activity experts, Acclimbatize. Be sure to chat to the team to find out more about what they do and the courses they offer. Fee applies.
FERRET RACING
The Yorkshire Countryman’s Flat Caps & Ferrets - a live stage show with music, audience participation and lots of excitement!
RAF FLYPAST
TBC
EMERGENCY SERVICES VEHICLES
Look round a decommissioned police car, climb aboard a fire engine and find out how Alfreton's brilliant local large animal rescue team operates - as well as getting to speak to the amazing people who carry out these vital roles. Please note that attendance of vehicles is subject to their availability.
TRACTION ENGINES
Marvel at these huge steam-powered vehicles!
COMPANION DOG SHOW
Enter your four-legged friend into our companion class for £1 and help raise money for the local air ambulance. Visit our Dog Show page for more information.
DOG FLYBALL
Another fun opportunity for doggy pals! Let them run off some energy on a flyball course. £3 per go.
CLASSIC CAR DISPLAY
Back for a second year due to demand! Sincere thanks to Mr Andrew Harrison for bringing classic cars back to Bakewell Showground. Please visit our Classic Car Display page for information on how to enter your vehicle.
CULINARY THEATRE
IN ASSOCIATION WITH PURE PEAK MAGAZINE
Visit our cookery marquee for demonstrations by renowned local chefs in a programme curated by renowned local food writer, Lesley Draper. Chefs will be showcasing ingredients sourced locally where possible.
Please visit our Culinary Theatre page for details about the programme and demonstration times.
FESTIVAL STAGE
LIVE MUSIC
We'll be joined by The Old Time Rags, The Lah Di Dahs and Tom Phillips & the Whiskey Chasers for uplifting live sets on our stage throughout the day.
LOCAL FOOD & DRINK
STREET FOOD, BARS & TRADERS
Peruse our food vendors and enjoy refreshments from local producers and breweries around the Showground. Once you've chosen your fare, pull up a straw bale and sit down while you enjoy entertainment on our stage or simply watch the world go by.
COMPETITIONS & CENTRE RING PROGRAMME
SHEEP COMPETITIONS
Sheep competitions will be back for their second year thanks to local farmer Harry Madin. Details and entry information to be announced.
HEAVY HORSE COMPETITIONS
Schedules and entry forms are available on our heavy horse competition page.
Classes include a Young Handlers class - winner qualifies for the Young Handler championship at the Midland Shire Foal Show in September. Thanks to Mike Bingham for our commentary.
HAWKEYE FALCONRY DISPLAY
Enjoy a static display throughout the day as well as two 30-minute flying displays in our centre ring. Please consult your visitor map for timings on arrival.
MOUNTED GAMES
Hosted by the Barlow branch of The Pony Club. Teams' riders and ponies will take part in a series of exciting and exhilarating races that involve a mix of turns, handovers, skill, vaulting and galloping against other teams.
VINTAGE TRACTOR PARADE
Wwitness this fun, noisy spectacle in our centre ring. With thanks to Liz, Martin and Josh Ambrey.
CONSERVATION CORNER
PEAK DISTRICT CONSERVATION
We are passionate about providing a platform for local conservation and agricultural organisations to promote what they do and have an opportunity for our visitors to learn more about their great work. Organisations participating so far include:
Peak District Moorland Group
Chesterfield & District Beekeepers' Association
Moors for the Future
Peak District National Park Foundation (TBC)
Derbyshire Amphibian & Reptile Group (TBC)
Archaeological Research Services
Rural Action Derbyshire (TBC)
The Shire Horse Society
The NFU
Heartwood Community Forest
Travel Derbyshire (TBC)
Ashgate Hospice
RSPB
Blood Bikes
Guide Dogs
RURAL CRAFTS
RURAL CRAFT DEMONSTRATIONS
Witness a variety of fascinating demonstrations from local rural craftspeople, including farriery demonstrations, dry stone walling and besom broom making.
VINTAGE TRACTORS & ENGINES
EXHIBITION
Our vintage tractor and engine exhibits are being arranged by Martin Ambrey of Ambrey Agricultural. If you are interested in exhibiting please send your details using our contact form. We also hope to have a traction engine on display.
BAKEWELL DOG SHOW
SUNDAY 12TH JULY
For more information please visit our Dog Show page. The Bakewell Dog Show schedule and entry form will be available via Fosse Date. Please refer any questions to the secretary, as detailed in the schedule.
SHOPPING
LOCAL PRODUCERS
Shopping opportunities will focus on local producers who will be selling everything from handmade art, crafts and jewellery to food, drink and more.
Bakewell Country Festival is a fundraising event for Bakewell Agricultural & Horticultural Society (Charity No. 1045165).