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Whatever time of year you want to visit the Lake District, Cumbria, we have something planned to keep you entertained, engaged, and energised. From country fairs and garden parties to beer festivals and agricultural shows, this is very much #ThePlaceToBe – at all times of the year. Whether you are looking for what's on in the Lake District, or what's on in Cumbria, we have you covered with the best list of events taking place.
We Cumbrians love to celebrate things – food, music, literature, culture, the great outdoors – and nothing delights us more than sharing the wealth of our heritage and landscape with visitors from all over the world.
The county comes alive to the sound of music – and we mean all kinds of music, from classical to alt rock. We’ve got festivals aplenty, from folk weekends centred on a brewery to a music festival that also includes outdoor activities – hardly surprising given that the Lake District, Cumbria is known for its natural beauty. Walking festivals, fell runs, competitive bike races, orienteering and challenge events… whatever way you like to tackle or enjoy nature, we’ve got something for you.
When you’re done exerting yourself, you’ll be looking for something to eat - and in Cumbria, we know how to celebrate our remarkable food heritage! There are markets and foodie events all over the county spread throughout the year, from a celebration of marmalade to a chili eating competition. Taste Cumbria hosts a series of great festivals between April and October with lots of food stalls and cooking demos.
And don’t forget beer. We’re big fans of it in Cumbria – we like to brew it, drink it and celebrate its very existence with over a dozen brilliant festivals throughout the year. Discover big events spread over a couple of days that draw in crowds from all over England, and smaller events in cosy pubs deep in the heart of rural Cumbria.
Christmas markets, Easter fairs and seasonal celebrations are huge in the county, too. From agricultural shows to festive fun, we’ve got you covered. How about stepping back in time at the Ulverston Dickensian Festival? Check out our Lake District, Cumbria blog for bags of inspiring articles on places to visit and things to see.
We’re having a party. Come and join us.
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Longtail Hill, Bowness-on-Windermere
Served Daily Between 1pm & 5pm
Book now for our afternoon tea with a festive twist.
Our festive deluxe afternoon tea is available from 1st December 2025 - 1st January 2026. Excluding Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Eve and New…
Barrow-in-Furness
A multimedia exhibition at the Dock Museum from 5th December to 23rd February exploring local stories of fragility & survival - of nature, of people - in South Cumbria. Through sound, film, images and words, an unseen, unheard world emerges. A world…
The Dock Museum, Barrow-in-Furness
Kendal
Join us for our Christmas Opening here at Levens Hall this December. We will be opening the House and Topiary area of the Gardens over the first three weekends in December.
5th, 6th, 7th December
12th, 13th, 14th December
19th, 20th, 21st…
Levens Hall, Gardens & Kitchen, Kendal
Blackwell - the Arts & Crafts house, Bowness-on-Windermere
Celebrate the Christmas season in style with a Festive Afternoon Tea in Blackwell's charming Tea room. Featuring glorious Windermere views, Blackwell is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy a delightful festive treat.
Savour a carefully curated…
Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts House, Bowness-on-Windermere
The Abbey, Carlisle
Carlisle Cathedral will once again host their Christmas Tree Festival throughout December, building on the success of the first event held in 2024.
Last year's festival involved 30 local charities, organisations, schools and groups, all of whom…
Carlisle Cathedral, Carlisle
Grasmere
This interactive exhibition celebrates the treasures of the Wordsworth Grasmere trove. Discover grand landscapes by Constable and Turner, a hasty sketch by Dorothy Wordsworth, dramatic watercolours and rarely displayed objects that spark wonder,…
Wordsworth Grasmere, Grasmere
Lake Rd, Keswick
Meet Ted, a cautious old soul living all alone in a busy, bustling town. He likes it that way. It's quieter and safer. Until one extraordinary day, a surprise visitor turns his lonely life upside down.
Told by a very special performer, with a…
Bowness-on-Windermere
✨ Santa's Grotto Experience – Just £10 per Child!
(Adults go free!)
Step into the magic of Christmas at The Royalty, where Father Christmas awaits in his enchanting winter wonderland!
Upon arrival, one of our cheerful elves will greet you at the…
Inspiration
On 17 October 2025 18:00-19:00 Over a period of ten years, Teesdale based artist, Andy Beck,…
Taking inspiration from Beatrix Potter, this years Fungi walks will take place at key locations…
Print, sculpture and sound-based installation exploring bird song. Artist Heather Mullender-Ross…
Step inside Santa's Secret Grotto – hidden deep inside a Lake District mountain! Ho-Ho-Honister is…
What was Christmas like when the Wordsworths lived at Dove Cottage 200 years ago? Have a go at some…
Join JAG Outdoors for a very family friendly festive walk around the forest at night. The event…
Join us for our Christmas Opening here at Levens Hall this December. We will be opening the House…
Our series of free Afternoon Recitals continues, we are delighted to welcome back Sempre Amabile to…
Special Christmas edition of the popular comedy night featuring 4 award winning, Edinburgh Fringe…
November 16th: 1pm-5pm December 7th: 1pm-5pm December 17th: 12pm-4pm Cumbria Tourism's Experience…
Discover life on Windermere through the lens of award-winning artist Juliet Klottrup. This…
Meet Ted, a cautious old soul living all alone in a busy, bustling town. He likes it that way. It's…
This new body of work explores the ever-changing Lakeland landscape. The work is abstract, painted…
4 October 2025 9:45-12:30 The Armitt is excited to be running fungi walks once again this year…
On 5 October 2025 18:00-19:30 We are delighted to bring this project to England this year,…
Celebrate 25 years of ceramic art by Edinburgh-based Frances Priest in Motif | Line | Colour. The…
As Rheged celebrates 25 years of culture, discover the work of 25 exceptional Cumbrian artists…
I grew up in Huddersfield, in the heart of the textile industry, and spent many childhood days…
On 29 October 2025 10:00-17:00 It's that time of year again! Fungi Fest returns! We're…
We are pleased to announce that our new Shipyard Town gallery is fully open. We are honoured to…
There's winter wonder for the whole family at the gateway to the Lake District this year. From 21…
Enjoy a fun festive day out with the family at Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts house on Saturday 20…
The traditional tale of Cinderella, but with hilarious twists! All the traditional elements of…
This autumn, Abbot Hall presents Boat Works, a solo exhibition by Turner Prize-winner Simon…


We’re having a party - come and join us.
Running an event?
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Cumbria Tourism, Windermere Road, Staveley, Kendal, Cumbria, LA8 9PL