There are lots of exciting events and activities planned to keep families entertained in Chesterfield during the summer holidays.
Across the town centre, leisure centres and in parks there will be a bumper programme of events and activities during the school holidays in Chesterfield. With lots of free and low-cost options it will help ensure that every family can spend time together this summer.
Councillor Amanda Serjeant, deputy leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “We want to ensure that Chesterfield is a fantastic place to live and by providing a great range of days out over the summer - every family can have the opportunity to make memories together in our borough. Across all our venues we have some brilliant events and activities for families to do this summer that give the opportunity to have fun and stay active. Take a look through our website to see everything on offer this summer and start making your plans now.”
Queen’s Park Sports Centre and the Healthy Living Centre
Splash sessions with toys, floats and sinkers will take place every Wednesday afternoon at Queen’s Park Sports Centre and afternoons on every Thursday and Saturday at the Healthy Living Centre. Booking is only required for the small pool at Queen’s Park Sports Centre.
The Healthy Living Centre will also be offering parent and toddler sessions with the moveable floor creating a shallow splash pad. Taking place every Monday and Thursday, these sessions are aimed at children up to age five, there will be toys, floats and music.
One to one swimming lessons will be available at Queen’s Park Sports Centre. Lessons will be provided at the same time every day over the course of one week with the aim of helping children master a skill or give beginners a great start to lessons. More information about these courses is available by emailing: courses-enquiries@chesterfield.gov.uk
Queen's Park Sports Centre will be hosting taster gymnastics sessions on 19, 26, 20 and 27 August. These sessions give children the chance to learn skills on the floor, beam, vault and other apparatus. These sessions must be pre-booked by calling reception on 01246 345555.
Qualitas summer camps will be held at Queen’s Park Sports Centre from 27 July until 14 August. The sports camp for children aged four to twelve years with activities including football, swimming, netball, dodgeball, gymnastics and much more. Advance booking for the summer camp is required; it can be booked on the Qualitas website.
Beginner climbing sessions for children from ages seven to seventeen will be held at the Healthy Living Centre every Thursday and Friday from 30 July until 4 September. Children will learn essential climbing skills including safety techniques, top-roping, bouldering, and basic climbing moves. These can be booked by calling reception on 01246 345666.
Queen’s Park Sports Centre will be offering discounted racket sports sessions for families. Families can play badminton, pickleball or squash for only £6 per court when visiting between 9am and 3pm, Monday to Friday.
The giant soft play area at the Healthy Living Centre will be open every day throughout the summer holidays. Set over five floors it is packed with fun activities including a mini climbing wall, ball pool, wave slide and helter-skelter.
More details about all the leisure activities on offer is available on our children's holiday activities page.
Chesterfield Parks
Puffin Billy, the miniature train, will be open for rides in Queen’s Park from 10.30am to 4pm every day except Mondays during the summer holidays. Rides cost £2.50 with under threes riding for free.
The miniature train is also celebrating an important milestone, with its 50th anniversary this year.
There will be a family fun day on 18 August - young riders will receive a sweet treat when taking a ride on the train and there will be a free activity to create a model train, which can be entered into a golden anniversary competition to win a prize.
On 19 August the track will be used to showcase other miniature engines from across the country, visitors will be able to walk around the track and get close to some fantastic examples. Puffin Billy will then be back in action from 1pm for riders.
Chesterfield Borough Council will once again be partnering with Samba Sports to provide free sessions in parks across the borough. Due to the funding requirements these sessions are for children aged eleven to sixteen who receive free school meals. These sessions will be taking place in New Whittington, Loundsley Green, Barrow Hill and Staveley. For more information and to book places visit the it's about me website.
There is also a selection of other funded sessions for children aged eleven to sixteen who receive free school meals at community venues across the borough.
Chesterfield Markets
There are some fantastic free events happening at Chesterfield Market in August.
The Great Chesterfield Feast will be taking over New Square on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 August – it will feature a vibrant mix of street food, drinks, and market stalls. There will also be entertainment including a live DJ and a selection of walkabout entertainment.
On Saturday 15 August Chesterfield will host its own Emergency Services Day. Visitors will be able to celebrate the incredible work of our local and national emergency services, with hands on activities, demonstrations, and plenty to discover for all ages. The Emergency Services Museum will also be bringing historic vehicles for visitors to get a picture with.
Chesterfield will be transported to Africa on Saturday 22 August as Chesterfield On Safari takes centre stage in New Square. Realistic puppets and animatronic animals will be appearing in a mixture of live shows and walkabout performances. There will also be free animal themed face painting and a safari themed trail around the Main Square market stalls.
Peddler Market will be back in Chesterfield on 29 and 30 August – you can expect a fantastic selection of street food, craft drinks, unique traders and music.
As well as activities and events organised by Chesterfield Borough Council there are lots of other things happening across the borough. More details can be found on the Destination Chesterfield website.
