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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.
Number of results: 515
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Kirkland, Kendal
This exhibition brings together two emerging portrait painters. Lela Harris gives depth and humanity to figures who have been overlooked or marginalised by history, while Joshua Donkor collaboratively embeds the personal histories and cultural…
Abbot Hall, Kendal
Barrow-in-Furness
The Dock Museum are proud to bring you the latest exhibition from John Duffin, "Look North" The exhibition will be full of new and unseen paintings. The exhibition is accessible to all and is free to enter.
The Dock Museum, Barrow-in-Furness
Kirkland, Kendal
The Paper Quilt Project is a living exhibition in which a community art piece is created while on display in the gallery. This project has been designed in response to the two adjoining exhibitions; Bellwethers and Joshua Donkor & Lela Harris. Both…
Abbot Hall, Kendal
Garsdale Rd, Sedbergh
Seven perspectives, bound by a mutual reverence for natural form, fragility, and transformation.
As artists, we see Common Land not only as a reflection on the physical terrain, but as an exploration of the emotional and ancestral ground we all, in…
Garsdale Rd, Sedbergh
Seven artists explore shared landscapes, material connections, and personal perspectives on land, memory, and transformation.
Common Land: Septenary Perspectives brings together seven artists united by a shared reverence for natural form,…
Garsdale Rd, Sedbergh
Nothing Lasts – Sue Dawes (15 April – 12 July 2026)
Nothing Lasts presents sculptural ceramics exploring the transience of human achievement. Working with hand-built stoneware crank clay and a low-firing copper glaze, Sue draws inspiration from…
Garsdale Rd, Sedbergh
Vibrant woven sails and textiles inspired by nineteenth-century Welsh shipwrecks and coastal histories.
Untangling Colour is an exhibition of bold, expressive rugs and wall hangings by artist weaver Vicky Ellis, inspired by shipwrecks along the…
122A Highgate, Kendal
Tue 21 Apr-30 June (10 wks) | 1-3pm | 18+ yrs
This course is an open theatre group aimed at those over 60 to develop new skills, stretch their creativity, build their confidence and have lots of fun.
The group works towards independent projects…
122A Highgate, Kendal
Tue 21 Apr-30 Jun (10 wks) | 1-2.30pm | 7+ yrs
Art Explorers is a creative and sociable mixed media arts class for young people in the home education community. Classes are tutor led but creative interpretation is encouraged in a relaxed and…
122A Highgate, Kendal
21 Apr – 30 Jun (10wks) | 4-5.30pm | 7-16yrs
Open for sign-ups throughout the term. If the start date has passed, bookings may still be available, please contact the box office at 01539 725133. Join our mailing list for updates on future courses…
122A Highgate, Kendal
Tue 21 Apr-30 Jun (10 wks) | 4.15-5.45pm | 11-14 yrs
Open for sign-ups throughout the term. If the start date has passed, bookings may still be available, please contact the box office at 01539 725133. Join our mailing list for updates on future…
122A Highgate, Kendal
Tue 21 Apr-30 Jun (10 wks) | 6-7.30pm
Open for sign-ups throughout the term. If the start date has passed, bookings may still be available, please contact the box office at 01539 725133. Join our mailing list for updates on future courses.
This…
Inspiration
A packed weekend celebrating off-road running. The festival aims to bring together trail runners,…
Vibrant woven sails and textiles inspired by nineteenth-century Welsh shipwrecks and coastal…
In this hysterical comedy, Armand and Albert have built the perfect life for themselves tending to…
Discover two striking new collections of original artworks that celebrate the creative potential of…
Visit our Farm for this totally bespoke and fun farmer experience tailored especially for children.…
Our series of free Afternoon Recitals continues, we are delighted to welcome Tilly Green and Jamie…
Looking for something creative to do with the kids this May half term? Join us at Blackwell – the…
Join us for a powerful multi-media exhibition exploring stories of fragility and survival, told…
Discover the art of craft distilling in the Gateway to the Lake District, with a guided tour of…
A 5km circular guided walk around an estate that has recently undergone extensive nature recovery…
Our popular Introduction to outdoor swimming course takes place at either Rydal Water or Waterhead,…
Tue 21 Apr-30 Jun (10 wks) | 1-2.30pm | 7+ yrs Art Explorers is a creative and sociable mixed…
The Rosehill Players return with the ever heart warming tale of Calendar Girls. After the death of…
Thu 23 Apr-2 Jul (10 wks) | 5-6pm | 7-11 yrs Open for sign-ups throughout the term. If the start…
Tue 21 Apr-30 Jun (10 wks) | 11.30am-12.30pm | 18+ yrs Mature Movers is an open dance class for…
Thu 24 Apr-2 Jul (10 wks) | 6-8pm | 16+ yrs Design and make your own pieces, learning all the…
In 2026, we're back for a great retro weekend in Ulverston town centre. On Saturday 30th May, we'll…
Come and enjoy our botanical-inspired Afternoon G&Tea! Zoe’s created the sweet treats using some of…
Wed 22 Apr- 24 Jun (8 wks) | 11.15am-1.45pm | 16+ yrs Open for sign-ups throughout the term. If…
We, the bell ringers of Carlisle Cathedral are delighted to have been given the opportunity by the…
Beneath the ancient skyline of Carlisle, hidden stories linger in every red-brick shadow and echo…
Join us for a trip back in time and discover over 200 iconic objects and artworks that bring the…
*WORLD PREMIERE From Tom MacRae, the writer of Everybody's Talking About Jamie, comes a brand-new…
On May 30, the Metropolitan Opera's 2025–26 Live in HD season comes to a close with a live…


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