Chatsworth Country Fair returns Friday 29 – Sunday 31 August, with a thrilling programme of performances and activities attracting tens of thousands of visitors from around the country. One of England’s most spectacular annual outdoor events, it won the gold award in the brand new ‘Festival or Event of the Year’ category at the 2025 Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Tourism Awards.

Chatsworth Country Fair is held in the 1000-acre parkland surrounding Chatsworth House and offers everything from family entertainment and inspirational cookery masterclasses to delicious local produce and have-a-go country pursuit activities.

This year’s event promises another three action-packed days of entertainment in the heart of the Derbyshire countryside. The Country Fair President for 2025’s event is Harriet Cowan, who recently starred in the hugely popular Clarkson’s Farm series. Derbyshire-born Harriet has quickly become one of the most exciting new voices in British farming. Through her candid insights into rural life and the challenges of modern farming, Harriet has emerged as a powerful advocate for young farmers. 

This year will see more than 75 hot air balloons take to the skies as part of the popular hot air balloon display. Eye-catching balloon designs include everything from screwdrivers and cows to aliens and birds. The 2025 Country Fair will welcome favourites to the Grand Ring, with freestyle motocross stunt teams, medieval jousting displays, falconry demonstrations and a Lancaster Bomber flypast being just some of the entertainment on offer throughout the weekend. 

For visiting foodies, renowned chef Nisha Katona, founder and CEO of Mowgli Street Food, will be joining James Martin and Phil Vickery in this year’s cookery demonstration theatre, alongside some of Derbyshire and the Peak District’s most acclaimed chefs as they showcase dishes that champion locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. The Fine Food Village will also offer the perfect chance to sample and buy high-quality local produce.

Highlights for families include the vintage funfair, a climbing wall, and bungee trampoline, as well as the opportunity to try pony riding, archery, fly-fishing and more under expert guidance. Visiting dogs can also have-a-go at dog agility and join in the Family Fun Dog Show.  

For those wanting a break from the action, the shopping village hosts over 250 different stalls, with the chance to browse homeware, clothing, accessories and gifts from talented local makers as well as Peak District based businesses, and Chatsworth’s Farm Shop and gift shops. 

Event organiser, Sarah Green, commented: “The Country Fair has become a highlight in the calendar for people across the UK, and we’re thrilled to welcome visitors back for another unforgettable year.

“While favourites like the stunt performances, flypasts and hands-on activities remain as popular as ever, we’re always looking to create new, lasting memories, and this year’s jousting displays and record number of hot air balloons promise to do just that. We’re especially excited to welcome Harriet Cowan as our Country Fair President, and renowned chef Nisha Katona, both making their debut appearances at the event.”

Grand Ring Entertainment: 

Every day from 10:45am to 6:30pm, watch dynamic displays on land and in the air in the Grand Ring, plus an opening ceremony at noon. The Grand Ring Entertainment will kick off with its incredible opening ceremony at 11:45am, featuring a display by the Parachute Team (Royal British legion), followed by the West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service Band, freestyle motocross stunt team Boldgod FMX, a medieval jousting display, vintage car parade and more, all concluded by the closing ceremony and hot air balloon ascent. 

Hot Air Balloon Ascent: 

Weather permitting, the summer celebration will welcome over 75 pilots and their hot air balloons to the country fair, to take to the skies as part of the popular hot air balloon display. 

Wind conditions on the day determine the timing and location of their take-off, flight path and landing but look to the skies above Chatsworth to see a multitude of different balloon designs – from fire hydrants and screwdrivers to traditional globe shapes. Eye-catching balloon designs include everything from screwdrivers and cows to aliens and birds. 

On Friday and Saturday evenings, following the closing ceremony, there will be an inflation demonstration and take off in the Grand Ring. The balloons commence their inflation from 6am. Country Fair ticket holders who want to watch the balloons take off may park in the west car park from 6am.

Fine Food Village: 

Explore the fine food village and experience cookery master classes from TV and local chefs alike, with a chance to shop and sample high-quality food and drink from British producers. 

The cookery demonstration theatre will feature James Martin (Friday), British chef and television presenter, best known for the cookery series Saturday Kitchen and Nisha Katona (Saturday), British restauranteur, TV personality, and founder of Mowgli Street Food restaurants. Sunday will see Phil Vickery, celebrity chef best known for his appearances on ITV’s This Morning, and expertise in gluten-free cooking. 

Each session will be followed by a book signing in the book signing tent. Also taking to the stage will be celebrated chefs from across Derbyshire and the Peak District, demonstrating dishes that showcase locally sourced seasonal produce, including Mark Aisthorpe from The Bulls Head, Holymoorside, John Shuttleworth, Head Chef from Fischers Baslow Hall, Eva Humphries from Wholefood Warriors, and Chris Mapp from The Tickled Trout, Barlow. The Fine Food Village will also include The Chilli Jam Man, Flapjackery, The Bakewell Tart Shop, Cambridge Artisan Cheese and many more, all available for visitors to sample and purchase. 

Tickets:

Adult tickets are priced at £32.50 if booked online before 28 August, or £35 on the gate. Carers and children aged 15 years and under are admitted for free, when accompanied by a paying adult. 

Membership: 

As part of Chatsworth’s commitment to making the estate more accessible, the price of family memberships was reduced at the start of the year. Chatsworth Friends memberships not only offer great value for families all year round but also include a range of other benefits such as complimentary tickets to the Chatsworth Country Fair.

Information: 

Follow Chatsworth on social media:

• Facebook: @ChatsworthHouse
• Instagram: @ChatsworthOfficial
• Twitter: @ChatsworthHouse

For more information about the programme of events for 2025, please visit the website, www.chatsworth.org/events/chatsworth-country-fair/