Derbyshire is awash with fabulous festive events.
Here is a selection, happening over the next few days.
A three-day giant Bavarian style Christmas Market takes place in Tansley, near Matlock, this weekend with food and drink, German beer and stalls selling a variety of Christmas goodies.
You can go along and meet the reindeer, see Santa's sleigh and enjoy a huge firework display on Sunday evening. The market is open from 10am to 10pm on Friday and Saturday and 10am to 8pm, Sunday.
Also in Tansley, Holy Trinity church is holding a Christmas Tree festival starting on Saturday with free entry from 10am to 4pm daily.
On Friday evening, Ashbourne will be open for late night shopping with many independent retailers open until 9pm. There will also be street entertainment plus craft and gift stalls around the town. Shoppers are also encouraged to take part in the free Ashbourne Christmas Crawl which offers prizes of up to £200.
If you're near Buxton, why not join the traders at the Cavendish Arcade in Buxton for a special shopping evening on Friday, when from 7pm to 9pm, shoppers will have the chance to browse the array of lovely shops inside the restored Buxton Baths, selling beautiful clothes and accessories, vintage items for you and your home, cards, china, footwear, foodie gifts, unusual jewellery and much more.
As well as the usual shops and boutiques there will be additional stalls, complimentary mulled wine and mince pies, live music, wine tasting and a raffle.
Barry and Fi Coope, Lester Simpson and Jo Freyer will be performing a Christmas Concert "To drive the cold Winter away" at Christ Church in Bridge Street, Belper on Friday evening. Admission is £12 for adults and £6 for under 16s and the concert starts at 8pm. To book tickets call 01773 853428.
David Dickinson and the dealers from Dickinson's Real Deal are coming to Arc Leisure Matlock on Saturday looking for some more bobby dazzlers brought in by members of the public.
It's a free, non-ticket event so just turn up on the day and doors are open 9am to 5pm. Why let your antiques collect dust in the attic when you can sell them for cash? Take money on the spot from a dealer or if you think your item is worth more… why not take a gamble at auction!
Belper Players Amateur Dramatic Society have been performing their production of Nickleby, A Tale of Christmas, since Tuesday and there are daily performances until Saturday evening at the Strutts Community Centre. All performances start at 7.30pm with a matinee at 2.30pm on Saturday afternoon. Tickets prices are £7 for adults, £6 concessions, under 16's are £5 and a family ticket is £22. To book tickets or for more information phone Joyce Towle on 01335 370827.
Haddon Hall, near Bakewell, opens its doors in the run up to Christmas with beautiful decorations using natural materials sourced from the estate and Christmas trees will be on sale in the car park. The fires will be lit and the house is sure to look wonderful for visitors.
This year, Ashbourne Town Council will be staging a production of 'Puss in Boots' at 1.30pm in The Empire Ballroom on Saturday. Tickets are free and on a first come first served basis from the Town Hall. For more information call 01335 342291.
The village of Cromford is holding a Christmas Market between 11am and 5pm on Saturday with a day of festive music, food and shopping. There will be over 30 under cover stalls offering some wonderful present ideas and treats with clothes, crafts and festive foods available. Hot food and refreshments include roast chestnuts and mulled wine. Bonsall, Cromford and Middleton school choirs will perform and Cromford band will play before a visit by Santa.
On Saturday, Sustainable Youlgrave are hosting the Youlgrave Village Christmas Market in the village Hall with fresh local food, locally produced crafts, locally grown produce and plants between 10am and noon. Refreshments will be available.
There will be lots happening at Cromford Mills this weekend to get you in the mood for Christmas, including live reindeer, mulled wine and homemade mince pies and Father Christmas will make an appearance while you browse the Christmas gifts and crafts.
The Agricultural Centre in Bakewell will come alive on Saturday with stalls inviting you to browse for a gift at the Bakewell Christmas Bazaar, creating a great market atmosphere with a selection 45 stalls including hampers, crafts and gifts, jewellery, soft furnishings, food and more.
Three of Derbyshire's heritage railways are offering Santa Special rides this weekend starting with the opportunity to join Father Christmas and his helpers for a festive time on board one of Ecclesbourne Valley Railway's Santa Specials with a chance to see Santa in his on-board grotto plus a present for the children, a mince pie and something warming for the adults. Santa specials depart from Wirksworth for the 'North Pole' at 11:15am and 2:15pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Midland Railway near Ripley is offering a Santa's grotto on the train and the chance to meet Santa during the ride, with a gift for every child while every adult receives a mince pie and a miniature bottle of spirits. The Pinxton Puppets will also be putting on a show in a heated marquee at the station.
Peak Rail in Rowsley, near Matlock, invites children to join Santa as he boards his festive steam train for a truly wonderful start to the festive season. As you chuff merrily along, Santa assisted by his elves, will take a stroll through the train bearing quality gifts, sweets and a drink for every boy and girl. Mums, Dads and other family members can sit back and relax with a glass of hot mulled wine and a mince pie whilst enjoying the professional entertainers. All Santa Trains depart from Rowsley South Station only at: 10:45am, 12:15pm, 1:45pm and 3:15pm and fares for the event are adults and senior citizens £10.00, children 0 - 15 Months (No Seat) £5.50, children 16 months up to 15 years £9.00.
Father Christmas will also be dropping in to Poole's Cavern, near Buxton this weekend where you can pay him a visit inside his genuine limestone cavern grotto while exploring the caverns, illuminated for the festive season. Tickets cost £5 per person, to include a present from Father Christmas, a visit to Poole's Cavern and a drink in the Cavern Café but pre booking is essential. Call 01298 26978 to book or for further information.
On Sunday, St Oswald's Church in Ashbourne is holding a Celebration of Animals Service and all are welcome to take part in this special service to give thanks for the pleasure and companionship that pets give. Animals will be welcome in the church, dogs on leads, other small pets in secure baskets, and a donkey from The Derbyshire Donkey Sanctuary will be led into church accompanied by the carol "Little Donkey Carried Mary".
Buxton Musical Society, choral choir and orchestra will be performing a traditional carol concert at Buxton Opera House on Sunday when they will be joined by The Choir of Worcester College, Oxford, singing lots of traditional carols and songs to get you in the mood for Christmas. Audience participation is very welcome and the performance starts at 7.30pm.For more vents check out our Entertainment channel
