Full programme revealed for the award-winning Buxton Georgian Festival
The countdown is on to the Buxton Georgian Festival, with the full programme now revealed for seven days of historic spectacle, live entertainment, fascinating talks, creative workshops and immersive experiences across the town.
Organised by Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust, the award-winning festival returns for its third year from Monday 21 to Sunday 27 September 2026, bringing Georgian and Regency Buxton vividly to life in the town’s historic buildings and streets.
Following the festival’s Silver Award for Festival/Event of the Year at the 2026 Visit Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Tourism Awards, this year’s programme offers more opportunities than ever to discover the people, fashions, music, crafts and social history of the Georgian era.
There is something happening throughout the week, from intimate talks and hands-on workshops to music, dancing, living history and the spectacular Regency Ball.
Monday 21 September
The festival opens with Polydolci Harmonies – Recorder Music of the Georgian Age, from 7pm to 8pm, with a performance by the Buxton Recorder Group featuring a selection of charming music from the period. Donations are welcome.
Wednesday 23 September
The Georgian Group Talk: Conserving Georgian Heritage takes place from 6pm to 7pm at The Pump Room. Join Tom, The Georgian Group’s Senior Conservation Adviser for the North of England, for an exploration of Georgian architecture across the North West, from grand urban buildings to rural and vernacular structures, and the challenges of conserving them today.
Thursday 24 September
Thursday offers a packed programme of Georgian-inspired experiences.
Visitors can start the day with a Regency Public Breakfast Brunch Buffet at the Buxton Crescent Hotel from 11am to 1pm, inspired by the fashionable breakfasts enjoyed by visitors to Buxton.
At the same time, from 10am to 1pm, Gabrielle Helena Couture will lead a Regency Turban Workshop, where participants can create their own Regency-inspired toque turban as an alternative to a traditional Regency bonnet.
At midday, there will be a Hot Chocolate Meet-Up – a relaxed and sociable gathering inspired by one of the Georgian era’s most fashionable drinks.
At 2pm, Afternoon Tea and Talk: “Page-Turner” by Richard Foulkes takes visitors on a journey into 18th-century society, inspired by the portrait of Sir Gregory Page-Turner and exploring connections to the Grand Tour, Georgian high society and royal circles.
At 4.30pm, Peterloo – A Musical History with Sean Cooney offers a combination of part talk and part performance, drawing on historic first-hand accounts to tell the story behind Sean Cooney’s latest musical odyssey, Peter’s Field.
The day concludes with an Evening Performance by the Volta Quartet at the Pump Room from 7pm. The award-winning ensemble, presented by students from the Royal Northern College of Music, will perform a programme of classical and contemporary string quartet music.
Friday 25 September
Friday continues the creative theme with a Millinery Workshop: Regency Headwear with Jane Walton (organised by Hatsperiod) from 10.30am to 12.30pm. Participants can create their own Regency-inspired feathered headdress using traditional techniques and materials, with all supplies included.
The Regency Public Breakfast Brunch Buffet returns at the Buxton Crescent Hotel from 11am to 1pm, followed at 2pm by Afternoon Tea and Talk: What’s in a Georgian Ladies’ Wardrobe? with Serena Dyer and Gemma Esvelt, exploring Georgian fashion accompanied by afternoon tea.
Also starting at 2pm, Anna Seward: Woman of Enlightenment will offer a lively promenade performance portraying the poet and social commentator and providing a rare female perspective on Georgian society.
At 5pm, the Pump Room Talk: The Royal School of Needlework with Lucy Martin, Head of Contemporary Programmes, explores the history of the Royal School of Needlework and its work to preserve traditional techniques for the future.
Friday evening brings one of the festival’s two most popular social events – the Cavendish Ceilidh, from 7pm, promising an evening of lively music and dancing.
Saturday 26 September
Saturday is the festival’s big day of outdoor spectacle and living history.
The day begins at 11am with the Promenade & Parade of Troops, a costumed procession through Georgian Buxton accompanied by troops around the Crescent.
From 10am to 4pm, visitors can step into the past during Living History Day, with re-enactors, demonstrations, exhibits and interactive activities bringing Georgian life vividly to life. Entry is free, with donations welcome.
Alongside the living history will be the Georgian Market, also from 10am to 4pm, offering historic goods, costume items and other period-inspired finds.
At 11am, Anna Seward: Woman of Enlightenment will offer a lively promenade performance portraying the poet and social commentator and providing a rare female perspective on Georgian society.
There will also be two opportunities to join a Gentle Promenade with ‘Anne Lister’, at 1pm and 3pm, exploring Anne Lister’s time in Buxton with a costumed interpreter.
For those looking to develop a new creative skill, Calligraphy Workshop: organised by Happy Lettering with H takes place from 10am to midday, teaching the art of pointed-pen calligraphy in a relaxed workshop. Materials and a take-home kit are included.
And then comes the evening’s spectacular finale – the Buxton Regency Ball, from 7.30pm. Held in the magnificent historic setting of the Crescent, the Ball promises to be the event everyone wants to experience during the Georgian Festival. Please note however, that the 2026 Regency Ball is now fully booked.
Sunday 27 September
The festival’s final day continues the immersive Georgian experience with Living History from 10am, featuring talks and demonstrations throughout the day.
The Regency Public Breakfast Brunch Buffet returns to the Buxton Crescent Hotel from 11am to 1pm, while visitors can also take part in another Regency Turban Workshop with Gabrielle Helena Couture, running from 10am to 1pm.
A Georgian Dye Workshop with Dr Lindsay Holmes, with sessions at 10.30am and 1pm, explores traditional and modern fabric dyeing techniques using natural materials. Participants will be able to create their own samples and learn skills to continue at home.
Finally, Anna Seward: Woman of Enlightenment will offer a lively promenade performance portraying the poet and social commentator and providing a rare female perspective on Georgian society for the last time this week.
Matthew Howarth, Events Manager at Buxton Crescent Heritage Trust, said:
“We’re delighted to be able to reveal the full programme for this year’s Buxton Georgian Festival. We’ve created a week that offers a real mix of experiences – whether you want to learn something new in one of our workshops, hear fascinating stories about Georgian life, enjoy live music and dancing, or simply step back in time during our Living History events.
“The festival is about bringing Buxton’s Georgian heritage to life in ways that are engaging, accessible and enjoyable for everyone. There’s a wonderful sense of anticipation building around this year’s event, and we’re looking forward to welcoming visitors and local residents to what promises to be our most exciting festival yet.”
With events taking place across the historic heart of Buxton, the Buxton Georgian Festival 2026 offers visitors the chance to experience the town as it might have looked and felt during its fashionable Georgian heyday.
Tickets for festival events are available now, with some events having limited places. The Regency Ball is already fully booked.
For the full programme and to book tickets, visit:
https://buxtoncrescentexperience.com/tour/georgianfestival2026/