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Written by: Alex
Date posted: 28 October, 2026
The festive season is fast approaching, and the Lake District, Cumbria, is the perfect place to get into the Christmas spirit. Here's our run down of festive events taking place this Christmas. For more, see our What’s On page here.
We will be updating this page as more information becomes available - so keep checking back to see what's on!
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.
Holker Winter Market: 6 - 8 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. Over 100 artisan stalls offer crafts, food, drink and unique gifts, alongside live music. Tickets are available online or on the door.
Christmas Markets at The Swan, Newby Bridge: 14 & 15 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.
Carlisle Christmas Markets
Head to Carlisle for five Christmas themed markets, taking place alongside the city's regular Friday markets. There'll be live entertainment, a festive bar, fair rides and lots of traders offering gifts and locally made goods. The markets take place on the following Sundays: 22 Nov, 29 Nov, 6 Dec, 13 Dec, 20 Dec.
Ulverston Dickensian Christmas Festival: 28 & 29 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.
Rosehill Christmas Market: 28 November
Enjoy some festive retail therapy at Rosehill, Whitehaven, with locally made gifts and Christmas spirit. As well as market stalls, there's also food & drink, festive crafts, and a comedy show by Andy Parsons in the evening.
Sedbergh Late Night opening: 2 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, street entertainment, carols and more. 5 – 8pm.
Kirkby Lonsdale Christmas Fair: 4 - 6 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 3 December to kick things off.
Hawkshead Christmas Fair: 5 & 6 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: 5 & 6 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, fairground rides and children’s activities too.
Keswick Victorian Fayre: 6 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.
Kendal Christmas Celebration & Market: 6 December
Festive cheer in the market town of Kendal as this Christmas celebration brings Christmas stalls, seasonal food, entertainment and more to the town centre. Enjoy a family-friendly atmosphere and shop local beneath twinkling lights, mulled wine in hand.
Barrow Christmas Market: 12 December
A magical Christmas market in Barrow's town centre with everything from unique gifts to tasty treats. You'll find a fantastic selection of independent traders, offering the perfect opportunity to shop local.
Top tip: don't miss a FREE Santa Express Land Train in Barrow over the weekend of 5 & 6 December. There will also be festive activities across town.
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.
Barrow Christmas Lights Switch On: 14 November
Head to the coastal town of Barrow for a day of festive fun. There’ll be everything from music to creative workshops, alpacas to mountain bikes, as well as ride on train and Christmas shopping in the town centre. Exact timings TBC.
Carlisle Christmas Lights Switch On: 15 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. 3pm to 5.30pm (lights on at 5pm).
Keswick Christmas Lights Switch On | 18 November
See this picturesque market town sparkle at Keswick's Annual Christmas Lights switch on, with entertainment for all to enjoy. There'll be live music and carols in Packhorse Court and on the Main Stage in Market Square. Peter Rabbit will turn the Packhorse Court lights at 5:30pm, with the Market Square lights switch on at 7pm.
Ambleside Christmas Lights Switch On | 21 November
This popular community event in Ambleside includes Father Christmas boat cruises (tickets bookable in advance), local market stalls, a lantern parade and festive lights switch on. New for 2026 are additional Grinch-themed boat cruises on Windermere - bring a small present which the Grinch will collect to be donated to a local children's charity.
Maryport Christmas Lights Switch On | 21 November
An afternoon of festival fun, packed with family friendly entertainment including Santa's Grotto and fairground rides, leading up to the big event in Maryport, which will see the town sparkle with Christmas lights. Lights switch on at 5pm.
Penrith Christmas Lights Switch On | 21 November
Head to Penrith for an afternoon of festive fun, with live music, Santa, local performers, rides and crafts, food & drink and a Lit Up Parade. 3pm - 7pm (lights on at 6pm). This year, visitors are welcome to wear something you can light up at 6pm too!
Cockermouth Christmas Lights Switch On | 22 November
Enjoy entertainment, Christmas stalls, Santa’s Grotto and plenty more at this family friendly Christmas lights switch on in Cockermouth. 1pm - 6pm (lights switch on at 5pm).
Kendal's Christmas Lights Switch On: 27 November
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.
Workington Christmas Festival and Light Switch On | 28 November
Head to Workington for a day of festivities, culminating in a Christmas lights switch on event. There’ll be market stalls, live music, food & drink and the big switch on! gingerbread workshops, fun fair rides, a giant snow globe, VR sleigh rides and more.11am – 5pm.
Plus, don't miss the Workington Lightworks: from 5pm - 7pm, there'll be illuminated artworks, projection, music, dance and a lantern parade across the historic grounds of Workington Hall Park.
Kirkby Stephen Christmas Lights Switch On | 28 November
Enjoy a day of festive celebrations in Kirkby Stephen from 11am, including Christmas market, food stalls, Santa's Grotto and more. The day culminates in a superb Tractor Run following the turning on of the lights at 6pm.
Wigton Christmas Lights Switch On: 28 November
A magical event for all to attend in the market town of Wigton. There will be live entertainment, Santa’s Grotto, Christmas stalls, Taylor's Fair and more.
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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