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.
A great day out for everyone. Featuring locos from the railway’s fleet, guest locos, heritage…
This exhibition brings together two emerging portrait painters. Lela Harris gives depth and…
Join us for a powerful multi-media exhibition exploring stories of fragility and survival, told…
The Paper Quilt Project is a living exhibition in which a community art piece is created while on…
HAWKSHEAD PARISH CHURCH MUSIC FOR A SUMMER EVENING 2026 All concerts start at 7.30 pm Tues. 2nd…
A check-up from the neck up about autism. How we interpret the world means everything to us. Our…
London, 1660. The theatres are alive, the monarchy's restored, and women are finally allowed on…
Our series of free Afternoon Recitals continues, we are delighted to welcome Dominic Downs,…
You may leave the Lake District, but once you’ve been, it’ll never leave you.

Number of results: 92
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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
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
Hawkshead
HAWKSHEAD PARISH CHURCH
MUSIC FOR A SUMMER EVENING 2026
All concerts start at 7.30 pm
Tues. 2nd June: James Williams, oboe and cor anglais; Kate Halsall, piano.
James and Kate perform music from Baroque to the present day,…
The Abbey, Carlisle
Our series of free Afternoon Recitals continues, we are delighted to welcome Dominic Downs, Pianist, Composer and Conductor back to perform for us.
While entry to our concerts is complimentary, we encourage contributions during the collection at…
Keswick
London, 1660. The theatres are alive, the monarchy's restored, and women are finally allowed on stage. One woman is about to take it by storm.
Orange-seller, wit, trailblazer, Nell Gwynn is a woman who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to go…
Station Rd, Alston
A great day out for everyone. Featuring locos from the railway’s fleet, guest locos, heritage carriages, photo opportunities, signal box tours, footplate rides and railway nostalgia.
Barrow-in-Furness
A check-up from the neck up about autism.
How we interpret the world means everything to us. Our day to day existence can change dramatically based on our understanding of simple prompts
Where's Your Head At? takes the synapses less travelled in a…
Portinscale, Keswick
Join us for a fun-filled evening of live outdoor theatre with The Three Musketeers performed at the gorgeous Lingholm Estate, on the outskirts of Keswick.
A wonderful event for the whole family, the talented Illyria Theatre Company celebrates this…
Grasmere
We are celebrating our new exhibition in style – with a Gothic summer garden party!
Step into a Gothic tale as you explore our immersive exhibition, where moonlit woodlands, haunted villas and eerie seascapes surround rare treasures, including a…
Wordsworth Grasmere, Grasmere
Tarn Road, Brampton
Outdoor theatre suitable for all ages at Talkin Tarn Country Park.
Join the critically-acclaimed Pantaloons Theatre Company on a breathless race through the centuries in this delightfully inventive show that tells the entire story of Britain in…
Talkin Tarn Country Park, Brampton
Crag Brow, Bowness on Windermere
Take your seats and join the fun as Peter Rabbit and his friends hop from page to stage in a delightful musical spectacular! With beautiful puppets and enchanting songs, this theatrical treat is perfect for the whole family.
️ Thanks to the…
Crosby-on-Eden, Carlisle
Looking for the ultimate family day out in Cumbria this summer?
Get ready for Summer of Fun on the Farm at Walby Farm Park – back for 2026 with weeks of adventure, fresh air and memory-making moments for the whole family.
Running throughout the…
Walby Farm Park, Carlisle
Kendal
Immersion Theatre will be putting on their outdoor production of The Jungle Book at Levens Hall this season on Sunday 19th July.
Immersion Theatre are thrilled to bring their trademark energy to their wildly entertaining musical adaptation of the…
Levens Hall, Gardens & Kitchen, Kendal
Long Lane, Carlisle
You've read the novels,
You've listened to the audio books,
You've got all of the special signed editions...
now it's time to step into those books.
Periodic Fables and The Crown Lane Cellar are proud to host a truly magical…
The Abbey, Carlisle
We are delighted to welcome Jonathan Pilgrim to the Cathedral as part of the Free Live Music Series at Carlisle Cathedral, and we very much hope you can join us and offer him a warm welcome
This event is free to enter; there will be a retiring…
Carlisle Cathedral, Carlisle
Longtown, Carlisle
Georgia Cécile is a UK award-winning jazz vocalist, championed by Gregory Porter and Jamie Cullum. A rising star of the UK jazz scene, she has headlined sold-out shows at Ronnie Scott's, wowed audiences at international festivals, and performed with…
Grasmere
A spellbinding evening of Gothic tales in candlelit Dove Cottage.
Discover the origins of modern horror and fantasy fiction in this bewitching storytelling event. This time the theme is HEROINES: the ingénues, femme fatales, anti-villains and…
Wordsworth Grasmere, Grasmere
122A Highgate, Kendal
Verbalise is one of Brewery Arts' most beloved community events, where emerging voices meet world-renowned artists on a shared stage. Sign up and take part, or sit back and enjoy!
Jake Wild Hall is an award-winning poet and one half of Bad Betty…
Hawkshead, Ambleside
Beth Williams, a local Beatrix Potter researcher, and welcome manager at Hill Top, will be joining us to explore how WWI impacted Beatrix Potter & the residents of these Lakeland villages. Beth will talk about local genealogy & the complexities in…
Hawkshead Grammar School Museum, Hawkshead
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