Seasonal Events

What an eventful season in Cumbria!
 

The winter season in Cumbria is just kicking into gear with a jam packed calendar of events for every taste and budget and now is the time to make the most of the festive fun with Christmas on the way!  Grab a hot chocolate, get cosy, take a look through our winter events and plan your perfect break or day away.
 

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Family Fun
 

• Magical hidden grotto comes to Honister Between now and Christmas Eve (selected dates), Honister Slate Mine becomes a magical Christmas grotto where a journey through the mines, past elves and other surprises leads to meet Santa Claus himself. Tickets cost from £25 per person which includes entry, a gift for children an a festive drink and snack. Booking is essential.
   
• Father Christmas on the farm at Walby Farm Park - Throughout November and December as we head towards Christmas, Walby Farm Park returns to form with their annual Father Christmas on the Farm event. Expect a host of fun activities including an Enchanted Forest, Gingerbread decorating, meet the Reindeer, meet Father Christmas and much more.
   
• Get your skates on for the first time ever at Another Place, The Lake, Ullswater.  The luxury venue on the shores of Ullswater has launched an ice rink on the lakeside complete with a 16ft Christmas tree, shimmering lights and much more. From 1st December to 4th January there will be daily skating intermingled with other activities and attractions including a festive market on December weekends in the run up to Christmas, wood fired pizzas, festive drinks menu and an opportunity to book to use the hotel’s many other facilities such as the pool and restaurants. Tickets from £10 per child and £13 per adult.
   
• Allan Bank in Grasmere, is offering up plenty of family fun in December including daily Christmas crafts from 1st -22nd December and Santa Paws festive family photoshoot by professional dog photographer Shaun Barr on 1st & 8th December from 10am.  Musical performances will also be taking place regularly including Grasmere Glee singing carols in the house between 1.30 – 3pm on 1st & 8th December and flutes with Kendal based, Flutes & Co on 3rd December from 11am – 1pm.
   
• Greystoke Castle near Penrith will be hosting visits from Father Christmas every Saturday and Sunday in December from 1 – 4pm in their Santa’s Grotto. Tickets cost from £15 per child and must be pre-booked.
   
• Father Christmas afternoon tea at World of Beatrix Potter - While there are meet Father Christmas events right across the UK, how many can claim to also include a festive tour of the World of Beatrix Potter!  This wonderfully quaint family Christmas experience takes place on Saturday 14th December and also includes lunch, gifts for every child, photo opportunity with Father Christmas and a screening of the magical movie The Snowman. Tickets cost from £20.

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Food & Drink
 

• Taste Cumbria is one of the county’s biggest food festival brands and autumn 2024 sees two festivals taking places in Cockermouth on 7th & 8th December.  Both events offer an opportunity to sample and buy food and drink products from right across Cumbria.  From meats and fish to dairy and cake, there is something for everyone, and of course, plenty of opportunities to wash it all down with a range of locals beers, ciders, perries, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages.
• Kendal Whisky Festival - On Friday 6th December, visit Kendal’s historic Town Hall for Kendal Whisky Festival, an event which sees 40 exhibitors showcasing over 200 whiskies from around the world.  There will be tastings and masterclasses and ample opportunities to purchase the perfect liquid gold!

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Festivals
 

• Kendal Mountain Festival - Kendal’s annual Mountain Festival returns to town from 21st – 24th November and is a packed event of live sessions, speakers, films and activities, attracting some 30,000 adventure seekers to the town for a celebration of the great outdoors!.
   
• Ulverston’s Dickensian Festival - is a popular event on the Cumbrian calendar as the town takes a step into the past and celebrates seasonal life as it would have been in Dickensian times.  There will be stalls, crafts, fancy dress and free live entertainment.  Takes place on 23rd & 24th November.

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Christmas
 

With a backdrop of fells, lakes and picturesque rural towns and villages, no where does Christmas quite as beautifully as Cumbria and there are a host of festivities to enjoy:

• Carlisle Teenage Christmas Market: - Head to the city of Carlisle on 23^rd November for a Christmas market made up of young traders this festive season. Pick up unique and locally made Christmas gifts, and enjoy live entertainment throughout the day. The market offers young people aged between 8 and 25 the chance to have an invaluable experience at a fantastic showcase for their work.
   
• Netherby Hall Christmas Craft Fair - Find an array of unusual handcrafted gifts from Cumbrian artisans at the Netherby Hall Christmas Craft Fair, a unique opportunity to purchase one off Christmas gifts that won’t be found elsewhere on a high street. Entry is free and the event takes place on 23rd & 24th November 2024.
   
• Winter at Sizergh is the first time the house has opened its doors to the public in winter and takes place from 22nd November until 24th December. Highlights, both indoor and outdoor, will include immersive light and sound installations, creative crafting and seeing how the magnificent property brings Christmas to life through decoration and festive food and shopping in the visitor centre.
   
• Workington Christmas Festival and light switch on - The west coast of Cumbria will be celebrating the start of the festive season with a Christmas Festival and light switch on from 11am – 5pm on Saturday 30th November in Workington. There will be live entertainment throughout the day, plus a host of fun activities including face painting, crafts, workshops and an opportunity to meet Robbie the Reindeer! Nearby in Whitehaven, the Beacon Museum has a whole programme of events throughout December.
   
• Keswick Victorian Fayre - Celebrate the Christmas season in the north Lakeland town of Keswick, at the popular Victorian Fayre on 1st December. Stall holders and fair goers alike dress in Victorian costume; there’s also live music, festive games and more to enjoy.
   
• Kendal Christmas Celebration - Festive cheer comes to the market town of Kendal as this Christmas celebration brings Christmas stalls to the centre on 1st December 2024.
   
• Sedbergh Late Night Christmas Shopping Event - On Wednesday 4th December, the streets of Sedbergh will turn into a late night festive shopping experience with their Christmas shopping event. Fun for all the family, there will be street entertainment, food, a craft market, Santa’s grotto and a live Nativity in the church yard.
   
• Beetham Christmas Market Weekend - From 5th – 8th December, Beetham Nurseries transforms into a wonderfully festive Christmas market with festive chalets selling all types of gifts, live music, Christmas tree sales, family activities, festive workshops and a host of festive food treats in the café.
   
• Kirkby Lonsdale’s Christmas Fair once again returns to the picturesque town from 6th – 8th December. Expect to see wooden huts filled with all types of crafts, foods and gifts, plus live entertainment and a truly festive feel.
   
• Hawkshead Christmas Fair - The pretty village of Hawkshead will once again become a picture postcard setting for their annual Christmas Fair on 7th & 8th December 2024. With a range of local artisanal gifts, food tents and entertainment it’s got plenty of ideas for Christmas gifts.
   
• 'Another Local Christmas Market' in Barrow - The amusingly titled ‘Another local Christmas Market’ returns to Barrow-in-Furmess on Sunday 8th December for a second year complete with stalls and live entertainment. It’s free to enter and open from 11am – 3pm, with a quiet hour for the first hour to enable enjoyment for everyone, including neuro divergent visitors.
   
• Georgian Christmas at Wordsworth Grasmere - On 21st December, experience what Christmas was like 200 years ago during the time of the famous Lake District poet Wordsworth. Make Georgian Christmas crafts, decorate gingerbread stars, and dress up in Georgian costumes as part of the Georgian Christmas event.

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Post-Christmas Events

After the turkey and tinsel, join proud classic vehicle owners at the Lakeland Motor Museum for the Boxing Day Ride & Drive In Day (26th Dec), jump on a ‘Winter Warmer Train’ on Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway (26th Dec – 1st Jan) or enjoy the Little Mermaid Christmas Pantomime at Rheged (29th & 30th Dec). With a Burns Night Supper at the Borrowdale Hotel (17th Jan) and the Egremont farmers craft and Fairtrade market (17th Jan), there’s plenty to keep you busy into the New Year.