Christmas & New Year is always a magical time of year. Why not make this year even more special and enjoy all the festive fun against the stunning backdrop of Cumbria’s rugged mountains, shimmering lakes and sweeping coastlines.
Soak up the brilliant atmosphere and a warm, friendly welcome at one of these seasonal events or check out our blog for more inspiration on what to see and do this festive season.
Searching for the perfect place to stay? Take a look at these Christmas and New Year breaks and find your idyllic cosy winter getaway. This is a great time of year to slow down, disconnect and enjoy some quality time with friends & family.
Treat yourself to a touch of luxury and choose accommodation with your own private hot tub, get outside for an adventure under Cumbria’s spellbinding dark skies full of millions of stars – or tuck into a scrumptious Christmas dinner prepared by expert local chefs. Whatever you choose to do it’s time to start making some wonderful Christmas memories.
Get into the Christmas spirit and visit one of the many Christmas Markets taking place across the region – there’ll be mulled wine, tasty treats and fabulous Christmas gifts aplenty! If you want to start shopping straight away, look through our Christmas Gift Guide to Cumbria bursting with great gift ideas for friends and family, direct from our fantastic Cumbrian businesses.
Below you will find everything you need to start making some wonderful Christmas plans. Scroll further down for all the events taking place across the region this Christmas.
What could be better than beautiful winter scenery, tasty Christmas dining and magical festive events. There really is something for everyone to enjoy across the Lake District, Cumbria this festive season.
Christmas Inspiration
You may leave the Lake District, but once you’ve been, it’ll never leave you.

Number of results: 40
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Ambleside
Join us on Monday 22nd December for an exciting morning at Wainwrights' Inn at Chapel Stile. Start your day with a hearty full English breakfast with unlimited tea, coffee and juice. Then head out to meet the big guy himself, Father Christmas! …
Bowness-on-Windermere
✨ Santa's Grotto Experience – Just £10 per Child!
(Adults go free!)
Step into the magic of Christmas at The Royalty, where Father Christmas awaits in his enchanting winter wonderland!
Upon arrival, one of our cheerful elves will greet you at the…
Crosscrake, Kendal
Join us for a traditional service of lessons and carols by candlelight in the beautiful surroundings of Crosscrake Church. Come along, join in with well known Christmas carols and enjoy refreshments afterwards. All are welcome.
Conishead Priory, Ulverston
CHRISTMAS EVE & DAY & MEDITATION RETREAT
Celebrate Christmas in a different way
This Christmas, give yourself the most meaningful gift: a peaceful and loving heart.
In the beautiful and relaxing environment of the Kadampa Temple for World Peace,…
Grasmere
What was Christmas like when the Wordsworths lived at Dove Cottage 200 years ago? Have a go at some Regency Christmas crafts, including making pomanders and wreaths. Read Dorothy Wordsworth's gingerbread recipe and decorate some gingerbread stars.…
Sedbergh
Your chance to make something beautiful for Christmas.
Would you like to learn how to make a beautiful beaded Christmas bauble? Join us in Sedbergh this December for a joyful, hands-on workshop. It's a festive, social event complete with hot drinks…
Church St, Ambleside
From the World's Most Spectacular Opera series, experience the love, laughter and loss of La Boheme at the magnificent Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour.
Puccini's beloved classic - the original bohemian love story - has long captivated audiences…
Grasmere
Step back in time to Regency England with this Christmas fireside talk.
Immerse yourself in the cosy, festive atmosphere of Dove Cottage and discover how Dorothy Wordsworth celebrated Christmas 200 years ago.
A glass of non-alcoholic mulled…
Bowness-on-Windermere
Join us for our very first NYE celebration as we welcome 2026 in fine style.
Late Nite Fiasco
Fuse ska, reggae & rock with unstoppable energy. With a huge local following & performances at festivals such as Solfest, CockRock, and Oxjam, LNF are…
Kendal
There's winter wonder for the whole family at the gateway to the Lake District this year. From 21 November - 24 December, make memories with loved ones at Sizergh.
Conishead Priory, Ulverston
NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATION IN CONISHEAD PRIORY
WITH MANTRAS AND MEDITATION
Time for a New Perspective
December 31
Time for a New Perspective ~ Learning to be happy whatever happens!
Begin 2026 with a new perspective that will help you maintain a…
Moresby, Whitehaven
Come and celebrate the festive season with us and enjoy an evening full of great West Cumbrian talent in our great Big Christmas Concert!
Upon arrival you will be welcomed with a Hot Roast Turkey Roll and a glass of something non-alcoholic but very…
Carlisle
We are delighted to welcome Isabella and Charlotte to the Fratry, as they join forces to entertain us. Both have been closely involved in the life of Carlisle Cathedral over the years, and it is an honour to have them return to perform together…
Grasmere
Enjoy a magical evening of Christmas storytelling in Dove Cottage.
We'll first meet in our stunning Museum, where we'll take you on a short Christmas-themed tour and reveal the stories behind some of the special objects on display, including…
Longtail Hill, Bowness-on-Windermere
Served Daily Between 1pm & 5pm
Book now for our afternoon tea with a festive twist.
Our festive deluxe afternoon tea is available from 1st December 2025 - 1st January 2026. Excluding Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Eve and New…
Newby Bridge
Food, glorious food!
Christmas Lunch at The Swan
'Cause food is what Christmas is really about, right? Enjoy your turkey dinner with all of the trimmings, minus the washing up this year! Join us for a fabulously festive 3-course lunch with all of…
122A Highgate, Kendal
Enter the incredible world of Stuff and Nonsense.
There's a wolf coming… but for now, The Three Little Pigs have tricked him onto a bus. If he catches them, he'll huff and he'll puff and we all know how that ends…
On the run and with the need to…
Blackwell - the Arts & Crafts house, Bowness-on-Windermere
Enjoy a fun festive day out with the family at Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts house on Saturday 20 December!
Throughout the day, you can enjoy cheerful storytelling with Taffy Thomas MBE, live folk music, creative hands-on activities and a sprinkle…
Windermere Marina Village, Bowness-on-Windermere
Wednesday 31st December (NYE)
Millie Mac Live, DJ Robin Kershaw & Sax
7pm - 1.30am
️ Tickets - https://buytickets.at/marinaview/1855407
We're ringing in the New Year with another huge lineup of live music and entertainment!
We kick off the…
The Abbey, Carlisle
Every Christmas the Carlisle Cathedral choirs join forces for the annual Christmas Concert; this year our boy and girl choristers, Consort and Lay Clerks will be singing Carols by Candlelight - the perfect pre-Christmas musical treat, including…
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