Festive Weekend at Chiltern Open Air Museum
Saturday 5 December – Sunday 6 December 2026
Chiltern Open Air Museum, Newland Park, Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire(HP8 4AB)
Chiltern Open Air Museum is a window on the Chilterns' country past: more than 30 old buildings rebuilt across 45 acres of countryside at Chalfont St Giles in Buckinghamshire, beside a working farm. For its Festive Weekend the cottages and barns are dressed for Christmas and the clock turns back to Victorian times, as a costumed group called the Ragged Victorians shows how the poorer families of the day kept the season. Local choirs and bands play in Hill Farm Barn, there is festive storytelling, and makers from the area fill Northolt Barn, the Thame Vicarage Room and a marquee with handmade gifts. Father Christmas sees visitors in small groups, and horse-drawn carriage rides cost extra. Beyond the stalls are woods, an adventure playground and food in Skippings Barn, and parking is free.
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What to expect
Date & times
Saturday 5 December – Sunday 6 December 2026
Getting there
Chiltern Open Air Museum, Newland Park, Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire (HP8 4AB for sat nav)
Dogs
Dogs welcome on a lead
Accessibility
Available: Accessible toilets, Accessible parking / blue badge parking. Not confirmed: Wheelchair accessible, Step-free access, Accessible viewing areas.
Stalls
Stall list coming soon
Live schedule
Full timetable available when market goes live
Interactive map
Site map with GPS location available when market goes live
Live announcements
Real-time updates available when market goes live
Dogs at this market
Dogs are welcome at this market, on a lead.
Notes
Dogs on short leads are welcome, and must be kept on a short lead at all times. They must not go inside residential buildings. Assistance dogs are allowed inside all the historic buildings.
Assistance dogs are welcome in all areas by law.
Accessibility
Confirmed:
- Accessible toilets
- Accessible parking / blue badge parking
Not confirmed:
- Wheelchair accessible
- Step-free access
- Accessible viewing areas
Notes
Paths are compact gravel, which is not ideal for wheelchairs, and some become very muddy in bad weather; the Woodland Walk is not suitable for wheelchairs. Ramps are provided into some buildings, but not all of the historic buildings are fully accessible. There is a Changing Places toilet at the entrance and another accessible toilet at the far end of the site. Blue badge spaces are close to the museum entrance. Mobility scooters can be borrowed free (pre-booking advised) but cannot go inside the buildings, and sensory backpacks with ear defenders can be borrowed, subject to availability.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Festive Weekend at Chiltern Open Air Museum in 2026?
It runs on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December 2026.
What time does the Festive Weekend open?
Activities run from 10am to 4pm on both days.
How much are tickets for the Festive Weekend?
The Festive Weekend is a Premium Admission Day, one of the museum's peak days with special events. The 2026 premium prices are adult £16.50 booked in advance or £17.50 on the door, concession (over 65s, students, registered disabled people and those receiving DLA or PIP, with evidence) £15.50 or £16.50, and child aged 4 to 17 £11.50 or £12.50. A disabled person and an essential companion pay the adult premium price, £16.50 in advance or £17.50 on the door. Children under 4 and Annual Members go in free. Prices include a 10% voluntary donation. Horse and carriage rides cost extra.
What makes the Festive Weekend at Chiltern Open Air Museum special?
It is a Victorian-style Christmas set among the museum's historic buildings, with costumed re-enactors showing how poorer Victorians marked the season, festive music in Hill Farm Barn and artisan craft stalls. The museum covers 45 acres, with woodlands and an adventure playground.
Where is the Festive Weekend held?
At Chiltern Open Air Museum, Newland Park, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire, HP8 4AB.
How do I get to Chiltern Open Air Museum?
By road, the museum is a short drive from Junction 17 of the M25; follow the brown tourist signs via Denham Way and Chalfont Road. The lane to the museum from the Maple Cross direction is particularly narrow. Look for the large green Newland Park boarding that marks the driveway entrance. By train, take the Chiltern Line from Marylebone or the Metropolitan Line from Baker Street to Chalfont & Latimer or Chorleywood, then a short taxi ride. No buses go to Newland Park; the nearest stop is on King's Road in Chalfont St Giles, about a 30-minute walk, served by routes 101, 104 and 106/107.
Is there parking at the Festive Weekend?
Yes, free. Parking for the event is in the museum car park and in the development next door, a short walk from the entrance. There are dedicated disabled parking spaces close to the museum entrance, and racks for securing bicycles.
Can I bring my dog to the Festive Weekend?
Dogs on short leads are welcome, but must not go inside residential buildings. Dogs must be kept on a short lead at all times. Assistance dogs are allowed inside all the historic buildings.
Is the Festive Weekend wheelchair accessible?
Ramps are provided into some buildings, including the prefab, Henton Mission Room, WWI Nissen Hut and Borehamwood Cattle Byre, but the museum's 37 historic buildings are not all fully accessible. The paths are compact gravel, which is not ideal for wheelchairs, and some can become very muddy in bad weather. There is a Changing Places toilet at the entrance and another accessible toilet at the far end of the site, and blue badge spaces close to the entrance. The museum also lends off-road wheelchairs and mobility scooters free, with a security deposit; scooters cannot go inside the buildings. Sensory backpacks with ear defenders can be borrowed from the ticket office, subject to availability.
What food and drink is there at the Festive Weekend?
Light lunches, drinks, cakes and snacks are on sale at Skippings Barn. There are also picnic benches around the site if you would rather bring your own lunch.
What craft stalls are there at the Festive Weekend?
Artisan craft stalls are in Northolt Barn, Thame Vicarage Room and Norwich Marquee. The museum shop is also stocked with gift ideas for Christmas.
Can children meet Father Christmas at the Festive Weekend?
Yes, Father Christmas is joining the weekend. Visits are done as a group and do not include a gift.
What music and entertainment is there at the Festive Weekend?
Local choirs and bands play in Hill Farm Barn through the day, and costumed re-enactors known as the Ragged Victorians show what Christmas was like for poorer Victorians. Horse and carriage rides are available for an extra charge.
Is there a Christmas event near Chalfont St Giles?
Yes. The Festive Weekend is held at Chiltern Open Air Museum in Newland Park, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles, a short drive from Junction 17 of the M25.
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