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  1. Photo of Dark Sky above a Path in Grizedale Forest by Ben Bush
    Cumbria Dark Skies Festival
  2. Aurora Borealis over Maryport Harbour in Cumbria
    Cumbria Dark Skies Festival
  3. Dark Sky Cumbria.
    Cumbria Dark Skies Festival

You are here: Home > What's On > Festivals > Cumbria Dark Skies Festival

Cumbria Dark Skies Festival

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.Cumbria Dark Skies Festival partners

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You may leave the Lake District, but once you’ve been, it’ll never leave you.

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  1. A child in a dark setting, illuminated by warm orange light, standing between two glowing lanterns decorated with cut out shapes.
    A child in a dark setting, illuminated by warm orange light, standing between two glowing lanterns decorated with cut out shapes.
    Lantern-making and night-time mine trip - session 2

    Address

    Nenthead, Alston, Cumbria, CA9 3NR

    Telephone

    01388 528801

    info@northpennines.org.uk

    Alston

    Celebrate the dark skies of the North Pennines and join us for a free mine trip like no other at this evening event held at Nenthead Mines, near Alston, on Sunday 1 November (6 to 9pm).

    During this workshop you will learn how to make your own paper…

    Add Lantern-making and night-time mine trip - session 2 to your Itinerary

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  2. A child in a dark setting, illuminated by warm orange light, standing between two glowing lanterns decorated with cut out shapes.
    A child in a dark setting, illuminated by warm orange light, standing between two glowing lanterns decorated with cut out shapes.
    Lantern-making and night-time mine trip - session 1

    Address

    Nenthead, Alston, Cumbria, CA9 3NR

    Telephone

    01388 528801

    info@northpennines.org.uk

    Alston

    Celebrate the dark skies of the North Pennines and join us for a free mine trip like no other at this evening event held at Nenthead Mines, near Alston, on Sunday 1 November.

    During this workshop you will learn how to make your own paper lantern…

    Add Lantern-making and night-time mine trip - session 1 to your Itinerary

    More Details
    More Details
  3. Canoeing at night on Wastwater with red glow sticks on the back of the canoes
    Canoeing at night on Wastwater with red glow sticks on the back of the canoes
    Dark Sky Canoeing - Wastwater

    Address

    Wasdale Cottage, Santon Bridge, Seascale, Cumbria, CA20 1ET

    Telephone

    01229 889183

    info@pathtoadventure.co.uk

    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…

    Add Dark Sky Canoeing - Wastwater to your Itinerary

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  4. Dark skies
    Dark skies
    Dark skies walk

    Address

    Whinlatter Forest, Whinlatter Pass, Braithwaite, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5TW

    Telephone

    07932 015383

    jo.jagoutdoors@gmail.com

    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…

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  5. Brother and sister looking through a large telescope together at night
    Brother and sister looking through a large telescope together at night
    Dark Skies Weekend

    Address

    Cumbria, Keswick, Little Crosthwaite, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4QD

    Telephone

    +441768772255

    bookings@calvertlakes.org.uk

    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…

    Add Dark Skies Weekend to your Itinerary

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  6. Meteors above Blea Tarn in the Lake District, Cumbria
    Meteors above Blea Tarn in the Lake District, Cumbria
    Shooting Stars at Grizedale: The Leonids

    Address

    Grizedale Observatory, Grizedale Forest, Grizedale, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0QJ

    enquiries@grizedaleobservatory.com

    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…

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  7. Moon
    Moon
    Full Moon Women's Circle – Beaver Moon

    Address

    Whinlatter Forest, Whinlatter Pass, Braithwaite, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5TW

    Telephone

    +447810890528

    jen@lakelandwellbeing.co.uk

    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…

    Add Full Moon Women's Circle – Beaver Moon to your Itinerary

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