The Festival Experience

Buxton is a beautiful town, home to breath-taking architecture on every corner. There are plenty of green spaces to enjoy, an abundance of lovely cafes and restaurants, and our venues are all within a few minutes walking distance of each other, on fl at terrain. Admire views of the Peak District countryside from the town centre and get involved in the buzz of Festival life.

Live performance and music abound during the Festival. You can delve into one event, or make a day, a weekend, or a week of it, or join us for the entirety! Here’s what a typical day might look like:

10am Start your day with an opinion-forming book talk

11.15am Relax at a concert in the glory of St John’s Church

12.30pm Join the big conversations of the day at a pre-lunch book event

3pm Indulge in more world-class music at St John’s 4pm Hear from leading academics, writers and speakers at an afternoon book talk

6pm Get insights into the operas or musical from BIF’s creative teams at an opera talk

7.15pm Spectacular opera, featuring world-renowned singers, at Buxton Opera House (and enjoy a glass of champagne in the Pavilion Gardens conservatory)

10.30pm Late night jazz at the Palace Hotel, or on selected nights, jazz and a post-opera supper at the jazz café at Pavilion Gardens

Our History

Buxton International Festival has been thrilling audiences since 1979. We have a reputation for offering often once-in-a-life-time opportunities to hear sublime but rarely-performed operas. Initially founded to help restore Buxton Opera House, the Festival has been running every year, bar 2020 when our Digital Series was launched. Internationally-acclaimed singers, musicians and speakers are all attracted to the spa town, and our Young Artists Programme continues to introduce audiences to the rising stars of the future.