Whatever the time of year, Cumbria is celebrating something. From music to film and food to beer, Cumbria and the Lake District is home to a wide selection of fantastic festivals.
When it comes to music, we’ve got you covered with popular festivals welcoming international and local talent. Artists including the Kaiser Chiefs, Editors, and Tom Jones have all performed in the county – and every year, there’s more to discover.
Why not try something a little different with a quirky food festival? The Dalemain Marmalade Festival takes place annually at the impressive Dalemain Mansion and Historic Gardens and is a celebration of all things (you guessed it!) marmalade. There are tastings, activities, and the world-famous Marmalade Awards. Later in the year, Holker Fest features a popular chilli eating festival as well as artisan stalls selling local food and drink.
Celebrate the wonder of the night sky at a Dark Skies Festival; experience the great outdoors at a celebration of our mountains and outdoor activities; or get cultural at a film festival. There are also annual events like the Winter Droving in Penrith, and the Carlisle City of Lights festival.
For comic art lovers, the Lakeland Comic Arts Festival is a must. Held in Bowness-on-Windermere, it highlights the best comic artists, writers and creators over a weekend in October.
Take a look at our list and find what celebration works for you.
Upcoming Festivals
A weekend festival for all the family with camping, music, food, and fitness. Guided running, wild…
Velo Retro is ready for its 8th year. The only retro and vintage cycling festival in the English…
Retro Rendezvous is a full weekend of fabulous retro fun. Music, food, dance, clothes, markets,…
Following the success of the inaugural event last year, the Carlisle Hawker Festival will return to…
Funcaster Family Festival offers our now well- known variety of mischief and family fun from our…
Thursday 02 June 2022 - Hadrian's Wall Beacon Event at Gilsland Village Hall & Willowford 7:00 -…
The UK's Premier Mountain Festival, May 20-22 2022 Hike, Run, Bike, Swim, Triathlon Live…
Music . Heritage . Ale . Scran! Music and community event at Stones Barn near Bewcastle, North…
You may leave the Lake District, but once you’ve been, it’ll never leave you.
Number of results: 18
Keswick
The UK's Premier Mountain Festival, May 20-22 2022
Hike, Run, Bike, Swim, Triathlon
Live Music | Speakers & Film | Festival Village Activities | Guided Activities | Stalls | Street Food
To find out more about KMF, visit www…
Carlisle
Music . Heritage . Ale . Scran! Music and community event at Stones Barn near Bewcastle, North Cumbria with the theme of both 'Light' and 'Roman'. Bands include The Trials of Cato, Hex Pistols, Errant Thieves, Spud Sinclare, Ian K Brown Maddy…
Kirkoswald, Penrith
A weekend festival for all the family with camping, music, food, and fitness. Guided running, wild swimming in the river, films from Keswick Mountain Festival, yoga and fitness sessions, and lots of children's activities. Choice of camping options…
Cumbria
Funcaster Family Festival offers our now well- known variety of mischief and family fun from our past and present Fools of Muncaster!
There will be plenty of shows and activities for every member of the family!
We have a selection of family fun,…
Muncaster Castle, Ravenglass
Brampton
Thursday 02 June 2022 - Hadrian's Wall Beacon Event at Gilsland Village Hall & Willowford
7:00 - 9:00pm: Swing dance band, The House Of The Black Gardenia will lead a short swing dance taster session to help you dust off your shoes then enjoy the…
Carlisle
Following the success of the inaugural event last year, the Carlisle Hawker Festival will return to the city centre this June.
The Carlisle Hawker Festival will feature street food, seating areas and entertainment from local performers and…
Ulverston
Velo Retro is ready for its 8th year. The only retro and vintage cycling festival in the English Lake District, where for one weekend, steel is real and retro cycling jerseys rule the roost!
Based in the small and very lovely market town of…
Ulverston
Retro Rendezvous is a full weekend of fabulous retro fun. Music, food, dance, clothes, markets, cars, motorcycles, drink and the famous Velo Retro old school cycling events through the Lake District. It's about as much fun as you can have with your…
Pooley Bridge
WELCOME TO HIGHLANDER,
THE LEADING LONG-DISTANCE HIKING EVENT SERIES IN THE WORLD.
100 KILOMETERS LONG TRIAL & FIVE DAYS TO COMPLETE IT.
WORLD'S ICONIC LOCATIONS, NATIONAL PARKS & WORLD HERITAGE SITES.
HIGHLANDER IS NOT A RACE, IT IS AN ADVENTURE…
Kendal
Starts 7.30pm | Tickets £18.50 | Conc £10.50 | Theatre
Unleash your adventurous side…
Join us for an evening of film and talks celebrating adventure from some of the most spectacular places on earth, brought to you by the team behind Kendal…
Whitehaven
Rosehill and Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners are proud to present the very first Harbour Fest on Saturday 2 July 2022
The festival will feature live promenade performances, music, arts & crafts, and lots more, which will illuminate the unique…
Cumbria, Boot
An Arts & Music Festival in a stunning location of Eskdale Valley.
Kendal
Lake District Summer Music Festival 29 July - 7 August 2022 events will take place at various venues across the Lake District.
From string quartets, jazz ensembles and solo recitals to family events, walks and the next generation of exciting young…
CARLISLE
Returning to Bitts Park in Carlisle this August, the Fake Festival is a fabulous opportunity for families and local communities to enjoy a fun packed music day out together. It's a chance to meet up with friends and to listen to some great live…
Bitts Park, Cumbria
Grange-over-Sands
This year sees our beloved Chilli Fest take on a little revamp and we welcome our first ever Holker Fest!
Do not fear – the chilli eating competition will still take place at the end of the day, but Holker Fest will be our very own carnival full of…
Holker Hall and Gardens, Grange-over-Sands
CARLISLE
Nick Westgarth is the driving force behind Real Live Music, a venture which organises and promotes live music events in Carlisle and Cumbria. One such event is the the Carlisle Blues/Rock Festival which is recognised as one of the top five Blues…
The Lakes International Comic Art Festival will be held in Bowness-on-Windermere, within the heart of the Lake District National Park, for its 10th anniversary year from October 14 – 16th 2022.
The Lakes International Comic Art Festival brings the…
Carlisle
Immerse yourself in a fantastic sound and light experience and be transported through time from the present day to Roman times in Luguvalium – Carlisle.
Explore illuminated landmarks throughout the city and enjoy immersive sound and light…
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