The arts and culture scene in The Lake District, Cumbria is thriving, with many events taking place throughout the county year-round. Whether you want to enjoy a play, dance to live music, discover an art exhibition or visit a museum, there’s so much to experience in this vibrant part of the country.
If you’re a theatre enthusiast, you’ll find plenty to enjoy in the Lake District, Cumbria, with performances in some truly spectacular venues. How about catching a show next to a lake, or in a coastal town?
We often welcome touring productions including theatre and opera; while our independent cinemas also show live streams of performances taking place in world-class venues like the National Theatre.
If you’re a film buff, there are lots of fantastic cinemas showing the latest releases as well as art house classics. Did you know? The Lake District, Cumbria has featured in a number of films and TV shows like Star Wars and The Witcher!
Put on your dancing shoes and head out for an evening of live music – whether it’s a concert, a festival or an evening at the pub, there’s something to suit all tastes.
For a real celebration of our local culture, why not head for one of our vibrant festivals? The Winter Droving festival in Penrith is a colourful display held every October, complete with torchlit parade and a festive atmosphere. Meanwhile, museums hold regular events and exhibitions highlighting everything from art and film to our local history.
Search and view what's taking place below and let us introduce you to a world of theatre, music and the arts here in Cumbria.
The Four Horsemen of Rising Crime, Global Warming, AI and Culture Wars are galloping towards us.…
Welcome to Poetry Club! A space for poets and creatives to share their Spoken Word work and explore…
This exhibition brings together two emerging portrait painters. Lela Harris gives depth and…
The Paper Quilt Project is a living exhibition in which a community art piece is created while on…
Based on the classic 1935 RKO movie starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, Top Hat is a sparkling…
Join us for a powerful multi-media exhibition exploring stories of fragility and survival, told…
We look forward to hearing Edward Taylor on Wednesday 22nd July, organised as part of the Free Live…
Celebrating the beauty, behaviour, symbolism and diversity of birds through the work of 57 UK…
The Whitehaven Theatre Group return with another side splitting comedy farce. Made famous by James…
You may leave the Lake District, but once you’ve been, it’ll never leave you.

Number of results: 56
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Kirkland, Kendal
This exhibition brings together two emerging portrait painters. Lela Harris gives depth and humanity to figures who have been overlooked or marginalised by history, while Joshua Donkor collaboratively embeds the personal histories and cultural…
Abbot Hall, Kendal
Kirkland, Kendal
The Paper Quilt Project is a living exhibition in which a community art piece is created while on display in the gallery. This project has been designed in response to the two adjoining exhibitions; Bellwethers and Joshua Donkor & Lela Harris. Both…
Abbot Hall, Kendal
Kirkland, Kendal
Join us for a powerful multi-media exhibition exploring stories of fragility and survival, told through the voices of people in Barrow and Kendal.
Step into an unseen world through immersive sound and film, artwork, poetry, and images created by…
Abbot Hall, Kendal
Penrith
Celebrating the beauty, behaviour, symbolism and diversity of birds through the work of 57 UK artists. Featuring ceramics, painting, print, photography, sculpture and textiles, alongside original children's book illustrations and a spectacular mural…
122A Highgate, Kendal
Based on the classic 1935 RKO movie starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, Top Hat is a sparkling romantic cocktail laced with witty comedy, stunning choreography and tapdancing brilliance, brought to life on stage with lavish sets and gorgeous…
The Abbey, Carlisle
We look forward to hearing Edward Taylor on Wednesday 22nd July, organised as part of the Free Live Music Series at Carlisle Cathedral.
This event is free to enter; there will be a retiring collection at the end of the concert - please give…
Carlisle Cathedral, Carlisle
Moresby, Whitehaven
The Whitehaven Theatre Group return with another side splitting comedy farce. Made famous by James Corden, WTG will have you rolling in the isles.
Cocky wide-boy Francis Henshall legs it to Brighton when he's sacked from his skiffle band. Ever…
122A Highgate, Kendal
Welcome to Poetry Club! A space for poets and creatives to share their Spoken Word work and explore featured poets from across the country. Born from our popular Verbalise events, Poetry Club offers a relaxing and inspiring evening. Sign up and take…
Crag Brow, Bowness on Windermere
The Four Horsemen of Rising Crime, Global Warming, AI and Culture Wars are galloping towards us. Are we on the road to hell? And can we avoid the potholes? In his brand new tour show 'Fair Cop' Alfie has the antidote to the breakdown of law and…
Crag Brow, Bowness on Windermere
Based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo
After captivating audiences worldwide, Private Peaceful returns to the stage with fresh energy and timeless power.
From Michael Morpurgo—beloved author of War Horse—comes the unforgettable story of Tommo…
The Abbey, Carlisle
Our series of Afternoon Recitals continues. For today's recital we are delighted to welcome Lucy Farrimond to the Fratry Hall.
ake some time out of your day and unwind with a free afternoon recital . Whether you're a classical enthusiast or just…
Kendal
Through unheard stories alongside candid photos from his new bestselling book 'No One You Know', Dave Rowntree shares the tales behind Blur's formative years. From their early friendships in Colchester to world tours, and famously going head-to-head…
Keswick
Welcome to the farm.
In The Farmer's Wife, one day holds a lifetime. Three generations of women from the same family – a daughter, a mother and a grandmother – share a kitchen, their stories overlapping as the past and present sit side by side…
Crag Brow, Bowness on Windermere
Something is rotten in Old London Town…
In Victorian England, a rotten, raspberry blower is claiming the lives of the upper-classes. The dark alleyways and moonlit graveyards of London are alive with the repetitive dins of the Phantom.
Inspector…
Ambleside
Presented by Wordsworth Grasmere, Lancaster University, and Trek Therapy.
As part of the YHA's Festival of Walking, Wordsworth Grasmere are celebrating the walking of Dorothy and William Wordsworth and their friends with a film showing and a…
Grasmere
'It is true, we shall be monsters, cut off from all the world; but on that account we shall be more attached to one another.'
― Mary Shelley, Frankenstein, 1818
Join us in the Café for a writing workshop themed around Gothic monsters.
This…
Wordsworth Grasmere, Grasmere
Moresby, Whitehaven
We are thrilled to have Emma return to Rosehill with TWO nights of delving deep into the worlds most MURDEROUS MINDS.
Murderous Minds isn't just a retelling of crimes—it's an unflinching journey into the psyche of killers, exploring the dark…
122A Highgate, Kendal
Twenty Years of the Met in Cinemas is a celebration of the Met's two decades of onstage glory as experienced in cinemas, featuring highlights from the company's collection of more than 185 extraordinary onscreen performances.
Hosted by star soprano…
T, Carlisle
Our series of free Afternoon Recitals continues, we are delighted to welcome Lydia and Ben to the Fratry Hall.
A wonderful way to spend a Wednesday afternoon, come along enjoy lunch in the Cafe before or cake and coffee after! We hope to see you…
122A Highgate, Kendal
Award-winner Sandra Oh (Killing Eve) plays the title role in this razor-sharp reimagining of Molière's classic dark comedy.
Telling the truth isn't always that simple. Alice, a brilliant novelist, despises the carefully constructed lies of modern…
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