Whatever time of year, Cumbria is celebrating something. From music and film to food, beer and a dash of marmalade; Cumbria and the Lake District is home to a wide selection of fantastic festivals all year round.
Popular music and arts festivals include Kendal Calling, Lake District Summer Music Festival and Cockermouth Live.
If you fancy trying something a little different, the Dalemain Marmalade Awards and 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; which takes place every October/November and makes full use of the tremendous opportunities to experience the truly magical dark skies here in Cumbria - we would argue one of the best places in the UK to do so. And raise a glass and grab a sausage for Oktoberfest Cumbria - the fabulous festival imported from the home of The Schuhplattler, dirndl and lederhosen!
There are also annual events like the Winter Droving in Penrith, and the Carlisle City of Lights festival which are experiences not to miss.
Whatever time of year, there is something happening here in the Lake District, Cumbria. Check out some of the festivals taking place below.
Festivals throughout the year
You may leave the Lake District, but once you’ve been, it’ll never leave you.

Number of results: 36
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Keswick
The annual Keswick Convention has been taking place since 1875. A completely free event offering life-changing Bible teaching, worship and fellowship, with fantastic Kids & Youth programme for 3-18 year olds, in the heart of the beautiful Lake…
Ambleside
Excitement is in the air as Lake District Music announce the programme for the 2026 Summer Festival. Featuring a captivating blend of music, and world class performers and emerging artists, the Summer Festival takes place from 31 July to 9 August…
Ravenglass
Join us for a very special edition of Muncaster's monthly Open Mic Night, with some invited guests along with the same open invitation for performers of all stripes to take to the stage! Plus there will be full video recording available for all…
Muncaster Castle, Ravenglass
Ambleside
Part of the Lake District Music Summer Festival
Haydn String Quartet in F Op.50, No.5 'Dream'
Webern Langsamer satz
Mark-Anthony Turnage Laura
Britten String Quartet No.1
Kindly supported by the Kirckman Concert Society
From the elegant wit of…
Ambleside
Part of the Lake District Music Summer Festival
Ruby Hughes - Soprano | Huw Watkins - Piano
Bach Sarabande from Partita No.4
Purcell By Beautious softness arr. Ades
Purcell Music for a while arr. Tippett
Britten Folk Song arrangements
Huw Watkins…
Grange-over-Sands
Part of the Lake District Music Summer Festival
Coleridge-Taylor Five Fantasiestücke for String Quartet, Op.5
Elgar String Quartet in E minor
Kindly supported by Ian & Susan Pettman
Coleridge-Taylor's graceful, characterful miniatures are paired…
Kendal
Part of the Lake District Music Summer Festival
Beethoven Piano Sonata No.14 in C sharp minor Op.27, No.2 'Moonlight'
Ravel Gaspard de la nuit
Dobrinka Tabakova Nocturne
Dobrinka Tabakova Halo
Beethoven Piano Sonata No.21 in C Op.53…
Kendal
Part of the Lake District Music Summer Festival
Playful, witty and inventive, 'the world's first genetically modified string quartet' will take you on a whistle-stop journey through the history of music. Using electric instruments, String Fever's…
Kendal
Part of the Lake District Music Summer Festival
Showtimes: 11am, 1pm & 2.30pm
Join Concerteenies for the musical story of The Duck With No Luck.
'When Dizzy the duck oversleeps and misses the flight South, he knows that he must, somehow, catch…
Abbot Hall, Kendal
Kendal
Summer Sundays are making a triumphant return!
Join us for the ultimate experience as undeniably sensational bands take the stage in our vibrant garden this summer! Delicious food and refreshing drinks will be available to purchase at each Summer…
Kendal
Part of the Lake District Music Summer Festival
Kirsty McClean - Santuzza | Jay Broadhurst - Turiddu | Anna Elizabeth Cooper - Lola | Jemima Gray - Lucia | Alex Riddell - Alfio | Lilly-May Woodward - Violin | Northern Chamber Orchestra | Lake…
Crosby-on-Eden, Carlisle
Summer Sizzler on the Farm is a one-off summer evening event at Walby Farm Park, especially for the grown-ups, combining the best of the farm with a relaxed outdoor festival atmosphere.
Explore the Flower Fields and Maize Maze, board the tractor &…
Walby Farm Park, Carlisle
Keswick
Join us for a lively summer afternoon of country music, Texan barbecue and outdoor entertainment at the beautiful Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa in the Lake District.
Set on the stunning terraces overlooking Derwentwater and award-winning gardens, our…
Kendal
Summer Sundays are making a triumphant return!
Join us for the ultimate experience as undeniably sensational bands take the stage in our vibrant garden this summer! Delicious food and refreshing drinks will be available to purchase at each Summer…
Kendal
Summer Sundays are making a triumphant return!
Join us for the ultimate experience as undeniably sensational bands take the stage in our vibrant garden this summer! Delicious food and refreshing drinks will be available to purchase at each Summer…
Ravenglass
Established micro festival at Muncaster Castle celebrating great music, poetry, art and beautiful landscape, wildlife and nature.
Muncaster Castle, Ravenglass
Ambleside
Join us for a day of live music, family fun and festival vibes in the heart of the Langdale Valley.
Returning on Saturday 29th August 2026, the Langdale Live Family Festival brings together fantastic live music, great food and drink, children's…
Wigton
Come along to Party in the Park for an afternoon of live entertainment, family fun and great community spirit. Enjoy live music, children's activities, fair rides, food and drink, local stalls and plenty more throughout the day. With something for…
Whitehaven
A brand-new festival comes to Whitehaven Harbourside
Whitehaven Weekender is a new two-day celebration of music, creativity and community, created through a partnership between the teams behind Harbour Fest and Pride by the Harbourside. Taking place…
Whitehaven
Tickets are now available for the main arena on the Sunday of Whitehaven Weekender, a vibrant new festival brought to you in partnership by Rosehill, Northern Equality and Diversity CIC and Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners, bringing music,…
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