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Written by: Alex
Date posted: 31 October, 2025
The festive season is fast approaching, and the Lake District, Cumbria, is the perfect place to get into the Christmas spirit. Explore pretty towns and villages, mulled wine in hand; or browse the stalls at a city centre market. Here's our run down of festive events taking place this Christmas. For more, see our What’s On page here.
Christmas Markets
Get into the festive spirit with a visit to one of our Christmas markets: enjoy seasonal food and drink, and pick up local gifts to take home.
Carlisle Christmas Markets: 29 November, 6 & 13 December
Head to the city of Carlisle for three Saturday Christmas markets across November and December 2025. Taking place on the newly revamped Greenmarket and Market Square, visitors can expect live entertainment, festive food and drink, fair rides and plenty of local stalls to shop. Watch out for more details!
Sedbergh Late Night opening: 3 December
Head to the traditional market town of Sedbergh this December for an evening of Christmas shopping, as local shops stay open ‘til 8pm. Father Christmas will be in attendance with Santa’s Grotto open for families to visit. There will be street food, market stalls, and more. 5 – 8pm.
Kirkby Lonsdale Christmas Fair: 5 - 7 December
The charming market town of Kirkby Lonsdale is the perfect place to get into the Christmas spirit, with the annual Christmas Fair bringing a weekend packed with festive fun! There'll be plenty to enjoy, including a Christmas Chalet Village, Lantern Parade, Christmas Lights Switch On, Santa’s Grotto, Christmas markets and more.
There's also the town's popular weekly Charter Market on 4 December to kick things off.
Hawkshead Christmas Fair: 6 & 7 December
An ever-popular event in the picturesque village of Hawskhead, with plenty of stalls offering crafts, gifts and local produce as well as delicious food and drink. Stroll along the vilage’s cobblestone streets, mulled wine in hand, as you soak up the festive atmosphere. There’s fun for all the family with Santa’s Grotto, street performers, live music and plenty more to enjoy.
Taste Cumbria Christmas: 6 & 7 December
If you like festive food and drink, you’ll love Taste Cumbria Christmas. Held in Cockermouth, this popular food festival highlights the best of Cumbrian produce, with producers’ stalls, an outdoor picnic area, live music, and a hot food court. Plus, enjoy cooker demonstrations, fairgrounds rides and children’s activities too.
Christmas Market in Bowness-on-Windermere: 6 & 7 December
Local stalls, Father Christmas, music and entertainment at the festive edition of this popular market on The Glebe in Bowness on Windermere.
Keswick Victorian Fayre: 7 December
Celebrate the Christmas season at Keswick’s popular Victorian Fayre this December. Stall holders and fair goers alike dress in Victorian costume; there’s also live music and entertainment, festive games and more to enjoy.
Barrow Christmas Market: 13 December
A magical Christmas market in Barrow's town centre with everything from unique gifts to tasty treats. There’ll also be live music, street buskers, and fantastic stage entertainment.
Top tip: don't miss a FREE Santa Express Land Train in Barrow over the weekend of 6 - 7 December. There will also be festive music and the chance to meet Santa.
These events have now passed - keep an eye out for 2026 dates!
Holker Winter Market: 31 October – 2 November
Holker Hall kicks off the festive season with their annual Winter Market, featuring a variety of craftspeople, gifts and streetfood vendors to the grounds of this beautiful country hall and gardens. This year sees over 140 artisan stalls offering crafts, food, drink and unique gifts, alongside live music. Tickets are available online or on the door.
Christmas Markets at The Swan, Newby Bridge: 15 & 16 November
Christmas cheer galore at The Swan Hotel & Spa, Newby Bridge. Their barn area and beyond will be packed with stallholders; the hotel will be beautifully decorated; and there'll be music, Santa's grotto, and plenty more.
Ulverston Dickensian Christmas Festival: 29 & 30 November
Step back in time at Ulverston’s popular Dickensian Festival and welcome in the festive season at this Christmas market with a traditional twist. The smell of mulled wine and roast chestnuts fills the air as you wander along cobblestone streets, sampling local produce and picking up gifts made in Cumbria.
Kendal Christmas Celebration & Market: 30 November
Festive cheer in the market town of Kendal as this Christmas celebration brings Christmas stalls, street food, live performances and street entertainment to the town centre. Enjoy a family-friendly atmosphere and shop local beneath twinkling lights, mulled wine in hand.
Christmas Lights Switch On Events
Our towns & villages are all lit up for Christmas. Take a stroll and see them for yourself - they look simply magical.
Ambleside Christmas Lights Switch On | 15 November
This popular community event in Ambleside includes Father Christmas boat cruises (tickets bookable in advance), local market stalls, a lantern procession and a fireworks display.
Maryport Christmas Lights Switch On | 15 November
An afternoon of festival fun, packed with family friendly entertainment leading up to the big event in Maryport, which will see the town sparkle with Christmas lights. Lights switch on at 5pm.
Barrow Christmas Lights Switch On | 15 November
Head to the coastal town of Barrow for a full day of festive fun. There’ll be everything from music to crafts, dinosaurs to mountain bikes, as well as live music and Christmas shopping in the town centre. 10am – 6:30pm (lights on at 6pm).
Carlisle Christmas Lights Switch On: 16 November
A sparkling event outside the Old Town Hall in Carlisle, which sees a packed family entertainment programme with performances from local community groups and performers. Amelle, best known as a member of the Sugababes, will headline the event which will also be hosted by Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Lewis Fuller. 3pm to 5.30pm (lights on at 5pm).
Keswick Christmas Lights Switch On | 21 November
See this picturesque market town sparkle at Keswick's Annual Christmas Lights switch on, with entertainment for all to enjoy and a food & gift fayre from 10am. Peter Rabbit will turn the Packhorse Court lights on at 5:15pm; Market Square lights on at 7pm.
Kirkby Stephen Christmas Lights Switch On | 22 November
Enjoy a day of festive celebrations in Kirkby Stephen, culminating in a superb Tractor Run at 6pm.
Penrith Christmas Lights Switch On | 22 November
Head to Penrith for an afternoon of festive fun, with live music, Santa and a Lit Up Parade. 2pm - 7pm (lights on at 6pm).
Cockermouth Christmas Lights Switch On | 23 November
Enjoy entertainment, Christmas stalls, Santa’s Grotto and plenty more at this family friendly Christmas lights switch on in Cockermouth. 1pm - 6pm (lights on at 5pm).
Kendal's Christmas Lights Switch On: 28 November
Santa, live music and sparkling lights in the market town of Kendal as part of the Lights Switch On event. Shops will be open late, and there’ll be stalls from Kendal Farmers’ Market too. 5pm – 7:30pm (lights on at 5:30pm).
Workington Christmas Festival and Light Switch On | 29 November
Head to Workington Town Centre for a day of festivities, culminating in a Christmas lights switch on event. Pop group Liberty X will headline the event; there’ll also be gingerbread workshops, fun fair rides, a giant snow globe, VR sleigh rides and more.11am – 5:15pm (lights on at 5pm).
Wigton Christmas Lights Switch On: 29 November
A magical event for all to attend in the market town of Wigton. There will be live entertainment, reindeer, Santa’s Grotto, a Christmas Market and more. Winner of The Voice 2023, Jenna Cole, will take on the role of switching on the town’s Christmas lights at 5pm. 12 – 5pm.
For more festive events ideas and inspiration, keep an eye on what's on in the Lake District, Cumbria on our events page.
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