Scores of special events and anniversaries - including the centenary of the launch of the Titanic and the 60th birthday of the Peak District National Park - promise a bumper 2011 tourist season in the Peak District and Derbyshire. 

Everything from arts, music, photography, flower, walking and beer festivals to age-old traditions such as Royal Shrovetide Football and Well Dressing guarantee that there will never be a dull moment across the area throughout the year.

Among the highlights of the 2011 calendar are:

• Jump! The Buxton Opera House Festival of Dance - including events for schools, children and adults, February 14 - 19.

• Royal Crown Derby's TITANIC - History on a Plate exhibition, February 26 - July 2. Featuring hundreds of artefacts from the Titanic and her sister ship the Olympic, plus costumes worn in the blockbuster movie starring Kate Winslet, Leonardo Di Caprio and Billy Zane.

• FORMAT International Photography Festival, QUAD and other venues, Derby, March 4 - April 3.

• The 60th birthday of the Peak District National Park - Britain's first National Park - on April 17, which will be marked with a walking event organised by the National Park Authority, plus others arranged by the Friends of the Peak District and Sheffield Ramblers.

• 40th anniversary celebrations at Sudbury Hall and the National Museum of Childhood - including a 'Museum Comes to Life' event in March.

• Bringing History to Life Festival at Easter with heritage themed events for all the family - including living history displays and Dovedale transformed into a huge outdoor picture gallery.

• Six walking festivals - starting with the Peak District Walking Festival on St George's Day, April 23 and ending with the Bollington Walking Festival in October.

• Weekend of Wonders - a celebration of inspirational inventions and super science from the 6th Duke of Devonshire's time to the present day at Chatsworth. May 28 - 30. 

• Ancient traditions such as Royal Shrovetide Football in Ashbourne, February; Castleton Garland Ceremony in May; Well Dressings in more than 80 towns and villages between May and September; the World Toe Wrestling Championships near Ashbourne in June; the World Hen Racing Championship, Bonsall, in August and the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance in September.

• Arts and family festivals throughout the year, ranging from Buxton Festival and the International Festival of Gilbert and Sullivan to the Spookyshire Festival and Grin Up North comedy festival.

"With such a huge breadth of variety and choice for both visitors and people who live in and around the Peak District and Derbyshire at a host of events, festivals and exhibitions, there's no excuse for being at a loose end, whatever the time of year," said David Thornton, Head of Marketing and Deputy Chief Executive at Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, the area's official tourist board. 

"There's so much going on throughout 2011 - from family events and festivals to age-old customs and special anniversaries - that it's the ideal opportunity to book a short break or longer stay to enjoy the wealth of activities and attractions the area has to offer.

"And with more than 700 quality assured accommodation options, our website - visitpeakdistrict.com - is the perfect place to start planning a holiday to remember."