Pavilion Arts Centre

Creative Tourist Posted 2 July 2025

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Pavilion Arts Centre

St Johns Road, Buxton, SK17 6BE

01298 72190

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Visit now

The Pavilion Gardens, which also houses the Pavilion Arts Centre, is a beautiful, historic venue dating back to 1871 which superbly shows off the Victorian splendour of Buxton. Set within twenty three acres of magnificent, landscaped gardens and play areas, the venue provides the perfect setting for fun and relaxing family days out, with great food and drink, shopping and over 100 events and festivals throughout the year. — Courtesy of The Pavilion Gardens.

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An elegant part of Buxton’s Pavilion Gardens, the Pavilion Arts Centre is a cultural gem in the handsome Derbyshire spa town. Opened in 1889 and now part of the Buxton Opera House family, it’s a key player in the town’s vibrant arts scene – especially during the annual Buxton Festival and Fringe.

The venue’s 360-seat theatre offers an intimate setting for drama, comedy, talks and live performance, while its role as the home of Buxton Cinema (since 2017) keeps independent film alive and well in the Peaks.

Set within the town’s Conservation Area and just a short stroll from Buxton Opera House, the Pavilion Arts Centre is easily reached from Manchester by train in under an hour, with ample parking nearby. And whether you’re planning a festival weekend or a one-off cultural escape, it’s well worth the trip.

What's on at Pavilion Arts Centre

Four portraits side by side with the word Shorts across the centre: A black woman staring up to the sunrise. A couple in an embrace. The woman looking to the camera, emotionless and the man with eyes closed. A man in flamboyant costume looks straight in to the camera, dancing. A man with his head in his hands, looking at something off to the side.

13 Jul – 25 Jul

TheatreBuxton

Buxton International Festival: Shorts at Pavilion Arts Centre

Buxton International Festival rips up the rulebook with Shorts, a punchy programme of 4 brand-new 20-minute operas.

From £10.00

What's on near Pavilion Arts Centre

13 Jul – 25 Jul

TheatreBuxton

Buxton International Festival: Shorts at Pavilion Arts Centre

Buxton International Festival rips up the rulebook with Shorts, a punchy programme of 4 brand-new 20-minute operas.

From £10.00

11 Jul

MusicStockport

That Night In Manchester

Join the electrifying musical ‘That Night in Manchester’. Immerse yourself in the vibrant Manchester indie scene. Step into the Madchester time machine as you hear a father recount the highs and lows of his life to his only son during the Madchester era spanning his life through the 70’s 80’s & 90’s as you experience the music performed live on stage.

three young women sat a table. A speech bubble reads reads I've Never Read Elizabeth Gaskell

6 Jul – 9 Nov

LiteratureManchester

I’ve Never Read Elizabeth Gaskell at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House

I’ve Never Read Elizabeth Gaskell is an immersive exhibition taking over the Grade II*-listed Elizabeth Gaskell’s House all summer and into autumn as part of the ten-year celebrations.

From £8.50

Drawing Room with 10 year anniversary branding

Until 4 Oct

LiteratureManchester

Elizabeth Gaskell’s House 10 Year Anniversary

Throughout 2025, Elizabeth Gaskell’s House is celebrating its tenth anniversary, having first opened to the public a decade ago.

From £0.00

Colorful artwork showing dolphins and mermaids swimming together in a rich blue ocean.

4 Jul – 4 Jan 2026

ExhibitionsManchester

MIF25: Santiago Yahuarcani – The Beginning of Knowledge at the Whitworth

Santiago Yahuarcani’s otherworldly visions come to the Whitworth, in the artist’s first international solo show as part of MIF25.

Free entry

Until 31 Dec

ActivityManchester

Sacred Harp Singing in Whitworth Gallery

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Free entry

A stormy landscape scene, in watercolour, painting by JMW Turner

Until 2 Nov

ExhibitionsManchester

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Free entry

A painted and collaged artwork, showing three women standing together one holds a baby, they are all wearing clothes made from bright or patterned fabrics.

Until 7 Sep

ExhibitionsManchester

Małgorzata Mirga-Tas at the Whitworth

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Free entry

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