The Cumbria Dark Skies Festival takes place annually in autumn and features a host of exciting events to celebrate the wonders of the night sky. The 2026 festival takes place between 23rd October - 20th November.
The winter months are a great time to take advantage of the longer nights, wrap up warm and spend time in the outdoors, getting closer to nature and really appreciating the dark sky above you.
Check out our Cumbria Dark Skies page containing lots more information about making the most of Cumbria's fabulous dark skies and find out more about events taking place over the coming months.
Find out more about Dark Skies Cumbria
Cumbria Dark Skies Festival is a collaboration of partners including Friends of the Lake District, Cumbria Tourism, Forestry England, Cumbria Wildlife Trust and the Lake District National Park. See the full programme below and make sure to check back here for the updated line up.
You may leave the Lake District, but once you’ve been, it’ll never leave you.

Number of results: 28
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Seascale
Discover the Lake District after dark on an unforgettable canoe journey across the spectacular Wastwater. As daylight fades, paddle across the peaceful lake surrounded by the dramatic Wasdale mountains and some of the Lake District's most dramatic…
Grizedale, Ambleside
Our “Dark Sky Astronomy” events take place on moonless nights, providing the ideal conditions to explore the darkest skies. As your eyes adapt you’ll see the universe as you’ve never seen it before – a glittering tapestry of stars, galaxies,…
Braithwaite, Keswick
Join Jo from JAG Outdoors at Whinlatter for a walk around the forest at night.
The walk will cover 3-4 miles of trails enjoying the magic of the forest in the growing darkness using all our senses to explore the world after the sun sets. Weather…
Little Crosthwaite, Keswick
Embrace winter with fresh air, star-gazing and warm waters.
Escape to the Lakes this winter and immerse yourself in our Dark Skies experience. This themed weekend is ideal for those who love nature, serenity and are interested in the night sky. Our…
Grizedale, Ambleside
Meteors, AKA “shooting stars”, always elicit a “wow” when they streak across the skies. It’s no surprise then that meteor showers can be the highlight of the astronomical year – a chance to stand under dark skies and be mesmerised as they trail…
Kendal
Join us for a short 1 – 2km guided walk to see the Kendal Fellside dark sky friendly lighting project, culminating in a chance to stargaze with the Eddington Astronomical Society.
Learn why effective lighting is so important for people, nature,…
Kendal
Join us for a short, guided nighttime family walk up to a viewpoint where you'll be able to stargaze with the Eddington Astronomical Society. Learn about nocturnal wildlife and how we can all reduce nighttime lighting to help them.
Terrain:…
Braithwaite, Keswick
Full Moon Women's Circle in the Lake District
The Full Moon is a powerful time for reflection, release, and renewal. At our special forest site in the Lake District, we gather in circle as women to honour the peak of the Moon's cycle and reconnect…
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