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: 17
Beetham
Apple Weekend is back for 2023, and this year is going to be bigger and fruitier than ever!
Friday 6th October and Saturday 7th October 2023 9am - 5.30pm, Sunday 8th October 2023 10am - 4.30pm.
Our annual free, family event, celebrating the…
Crosby-on-Eden, Carlisle
The kids are back at school, so now it's time for the parents to have some fun! We know that all you adults secretly love visiting Walby Farm Park – we see you on the slides! We're all big kids at heart, aren't we?
So, we are trying out something…
Walby Farm Park, Carlisle
Kendal
Starts 7pm | Tickets £14 | U16 and Students £7 | Theatre
Lakeland Canoe Club hosts the 2023 Paddling Film Festival, a collection of some of the world's best white water, sea kayak and canoeing films. Be inspired to explore rivers, lakes and…
Penrith
The annual town celebration that is The Winter Droving: a magical celebration of rural life, food, fun, masquerade, and fire in Penrith.
Sedbergh
A wonderful selection of eco stallholders providing information on protecting the environment and selling natural and sustainable products, recycled and upcycled arts & crafts and delicious eco-friendly foods!
St. Andrew's Church, Sedbergh, Sedbergh
Whitehaven
"With Christmas in Mind" A wonderful evening of floral magic with David Ryland
This promises to be a jaw-dropping evening with renowned floral artist and gold medal winner at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, David Ryland.
Raffle tickets will be…
Ambleside
Ambleside Christmas Light Switch-on comprises market stalls, family fun, Santa Cruises, Lantern Parade and Firework Finale.
Cockermouth
Get in to the festive spirit with Taste Cumbria Christmas in Cockermouth on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 December 2023.
We treat you to more than just food and drink at our Christmas event. There will be gifts and homewares, seasonal specials and…
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…
Kendal
Every July and August the finest musicians head to the serene lake District for a summer festival like no other. From string quartets to jazz and baroque specialists to world music, there’s an incredible selection to choose from.
Rayrigg Rd, Bowness-on-Windermere
Featuring some of the biggest names in comics and animation, Windermere Jetty Museum is hosting an exciting programme of creative workshops, drawing challenges, badge-making, competitions and more.
There will be a line-up of talented artists,…
Windermere Jetty Museum, Windermere
Kendal
Save the date for this year's Kendal Torchlight Gathering which will be held on the 23rd September, where we will see the return of the town centre procession that has been the heart of the event since its inception in 1970.
During the day, the town…
Penrith
A fun, family day celebrating apples
Sunday 1st October 10am – 4pm
The grounds and gardens of the beautiful historic house at Hutton-in-the-Forest will make the ideal backdrop of this apple-themed day on Sunday 1st October. The North Cumbria…
Hutton-in-the-Forest Historic House, Penrith
Cockermouth
It’s a date fixed in every food lover’s calendar – the flagship Taste Cumbria festival is back in Cockermouth on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 September 2023.
A great range of attractions are on the menu, giving visitors the chance to eat, drink,…
Rayrigg Rd, Bowness-on-Windermere
Marvel Comics published Amazing Fantasy #15 in August 1962. Written by Stan Lee and drawn by Steve Ditko, it contained a story that was destined to change the world of comics forever. That story is called Spider-Man.
Ditko's original ink art…
Windermere Jetty Museum, Windermere
Rayrigg Rd, Bowness-on-Windermere
Discover the voices of young comic artists as they highlight the trials and tribulations people experience in modern-day life.
In 2022, Comic Art Europe invited applications from young comic artists across Europe. The successful artists spent…
Windermere Jetty Museum, Windermere
Penrith
Artists across Cumbria throw open their doors. Forty seven artists will open their studios or create a pop-up exhibition as part of this free event which combines the opportunity to visit artists' studios, buy their work, and experience…
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