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.
Major Annual Festivals
You may leave the Lake District, but once you’ve been, it’ll never leave you.
Number of results: 31
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Old Hutton, Kendal
Bendrigg's infamous 10k course is back with a modern twist! We are thrilled to announce the return of the 'Bendrigg Round', from 1st May to 31st July we are inviting people to come and do the 10k, 4k or both!
Milnthorpe
Taking place between Friday 26th and Sunday 28th July 2024, this FREE event will be a big celebration of Beetham Nurseries' 40th anniversary.
Special guest, Phil Vickery is joining us for a cooking demonstration on Friday at 11am. Plus we have a…
Lake District Music - Summer Festival - 26th July to 4th August 2024.
For almost 40 years the world’s finest classical musicians have performed in the stunning surroundings of the Lake District. Every summer they head to Cumbria for a festival like…
Kirkby Stephen
Join us to celebrate the landscape, heritage and people of the wonderful Westmorland Dales - the corner of Cumbria that is also part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park!
Events, activities and entertainment for all ages over the weekend of Saturday…
Grange over Sands
The biggest Outdoor Arts & Crafts Fair in the North, all categories of Art and Crafts, wheelchair and dog friendly, cafes and toilets on the Prom. FREE entry.
Walney
Mini family-friendly festival of theatre, craft, music and fun! Free for all.
Barrow-in-Furness
Mini family-friendly festival of theatre, craft, music and fun! Free for all.
Brockhole, Windermere
Dedicate a Forget Me Not this summer and support your local hospice.
Available in two colours Blue £35 & Copper £100
Each hand crafted metalwork flower purchased will be publicly displayed at Brockhole on Windermere, Lancaster Castle and our own…
Aynam Rd, Kendal
August Fest is making a grand comeback this summer!
Get ready for an entire month of epic live music, scrumptious food vendors, and plenty of sunshine!
We will be kicking off every Friday in August at 8:30PM with live music at the Barrel House and…
Barrow-in-Furness
Mini family-friendly festival of theatre, craft, music and fun! Free for all.
Barrow-in-Furness
Mini family-friendly festival of theatre, craft, music and fun! Free for all.
Barrow-in-Furness
Mini family-friendly festival of theatre, craft, music and fun! Free for all.
Maryport
Maryport is welcoming back Taste Cumbria on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 August 2024 for the Taste of the Sea festival.
Barrow-in-Furness
Mini family-friendly festival of theatre, craft, music and fun! Free for all.
Workington
Cumberlandia is a new grass roots folk weekend in west Cumbria from 16th – 18th August 2024, with international performers and a host of homegrown talent.
Rayrigg Road, Windermere
Join us for an unforgettable celebration of the lake.
Immerse yourself in a day of festivities featuring captivating talks, live music, vibrant stalls, and exciting lake-themed activities. Come celebrate everything you love about Windermere with…
Windermere Jetty Museum, Windermere
Armathwaite, Carlisle
Eden Valley is a beautiful glamping site, situated in the stunning Cumbrian countryside. Located near Carlisle, Eden Valley Glamping has forests, meadows and pasture-land, hedgerows and ponds, which make it perfect for foraging! High Stand Woods is…
Whitehaven
Whitehaven Harbour
Saturday 31 August 11-5 pm
The festival will once again feature live promenade performances, music, arts and crafts, and lots more, which will illuminate the unique harbour of Whitehaven and celebrate the local community. The…
Egremont
Annual Fair founded by Royal Charter in 1267. A mix of traditional and modern events held in and around Egremont including Egremont Main Street, the Crab Fair Sports Field and Egremont Market Hall. The fair concludes with the World gurning…
Cockermouth
It’s a date fixed in every food lover’s calendar – the flagship Taste Cumbria festival is back in Cockermouth on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 September 2024.
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