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Chapel-en-le-Frith is a town with strong traditions and a lively community spirit.

MAY DAY

May Day begins on the summit of Eccles Pike, where the Chapel Morris Men carry out their traditional dancing as the sun rises over the hills of the High Peak. On the May Day Bank Holiday, shopkeepers emerge from their premises to sell their goods from stalls on the Market Place. Families are entertained by jugglers, fire-eaters, Morris dancers and, of course, Maypole dancers. Children enjoy fairground rides and a trampoline, and there is food and drink for all the family.

CARNIVAL

The annual carnival takes place in the third week in June. The Carnival Queen and her retinue carry out functions on Carnival Day and throughout the year. On Carnival Day, a large procession weaves its way through the town to the Memorial Park where there are stalls, competitions and a fun fair. The streets are decorated and there are prizes for fancy-dress, decorated floats and for the best-dressed windows in commercial premises.

WELL DRESSING

It is thought that the ancient Peak District custom of well dressing may have originated as a thanksgiving for a supply of spring water at a time of drought or as a thanksgiving for pure water at the time of plagues. Whatever its origin, it is a tradition that is much appreciated by locals and visitors alike.

Chapel-en-le-Frith hosts one of the largest well dressing events in the Peak District, with flower-pictures on display at five different venues in the town. A different theme is chosen each year and a Wells Trail pamphlet is sold in local shops.
The dressings are erected on the first Saturday in July and are left on display throughout the following week. Visitors can watch two of the dressings being constructed in the Visitor Centre and in the Town Hall on the three days before they are erected.

CHURCH ANNIVERSARY

Each July, the anniversary of St Thomas Becket Church is celebrated in style. Events have ranged from a Scarecrow Festival in the church and around the town to an exhibition devoted to the history of clocks. al.