Events and Festivals
Events and Festivals
Lake District Events & Festivals Calendar 2024
Please check on individual event websites for the latest information and cancellation / postponement details.
Whinlatter Forest Park is a centre for events and activities for all ages including a challenging 10k. Cockermouth is taken over by the area’s biggest and best food festival, Taste Cumbria Cockermouth for a weekend in September and December. Keswick hosts our major outdoor festival, Keswick Mountain Festival, as well as a wide range of other great events such as Words by the Water. Silloth is home to the fabulous annual Music and Beer Festival on the famous town Green and each of our towns put on some fabulous Christmas events each year.
January 2023
7th January 2023
Dark Skies Walk
Location: Whinlatter Forest & Visitor Centre
Join Cumbria Dark Skies Ambassador Jo for a walk through the forest at night. Experience the sounds and atmosphere of being amongst the trees after dark, and maybe see some stars if the weather allows. We will talk about the importance of maintaining dark skies, and after the walk there will be a chance to learn more about the night sky using our virtual sky.
Booking is essential – Adults £12.00, Adult & 1 under 12 £18.00, 2 Adults & up to 3 under 12s £30.00
21st January 2023
Dark Skies Walk
Location: Whinlatter Forest & Visitor Centre
Join Cumbria Dark Skies Ambassador Jo for a walk through the forest at night. Experience the sounds and atmosphere of being amongst the trees after dark, and maybe see some stars if the weather allows. We will talk about the importance of maintaining dark skies, and after the walk there will be a chance to learn more about the night sky using our virtual sky.
Booking is essential – Adults £12.00, Adult & 1 under 12 £18.00, 2 Adults & up to 3 under 12s £30.00
February 2023
24th February 2023
Dark Skies Walk
Location: Whinlatter Forest & Visitor Centre
Join Cumbria Dark Skies Ambassador Jo for a walk through the forest at night. Experience the sounds and atmosphere of being amongst the trees after dark, and maybe see some stars if the weather allows. We will talk about the importance of maintaining dark skies, and after the walk there will be a chance to learn more about the night sky using our virtual sky.
Booking is essential – Adults £12.00, Adult & 1 under 12 £18.00, 2 Adults & up to 3 under 12s £30.00
March 2023
17 April 2022
Easter Park Trail
Vulcans Park, Workington are holding an Easter Trail between 11am – 4pm.
You may even find some treats along the way, but be quick because once they’re gone they’re gone!
Please follow the link for the activity sheet and map: https://www.workingtontowncouncil.gov.uk/
23 April 2022
Taste Cumbria Wigton
Wigton is hosting its second Taste Cumbria festival on Saturday 23 April 2022.
We brought lots of foodie fun to this pretty town for the first time last year and the feedback was fabulous. Our aim is to make the event bigger and better with even more for all the family to enjoy.
May 2024
4th - 6th May 2024
Muncaster Castle Sausage Festival
After a sizzling 2023 event, Sausage Festival is back for 2024. Join us for a family friendly festival to celebrate all things sausage!
Enjoy a fun day out with the whole family with local sausage maker stalls, food & drinks, kids activities, sausage dog competition and more!
17th - 19th May 2024
Keswick Mountain Festival - Trail Running Weekend
Keswick Mountain Festival Trail running Weekend will have a small selection of food and drink in the event village.
There will be a bespoke 5k, 10k, 25k, and 50k trail running event plus cultural activities throughout Keswick.
June 2024
Back in 2022
Woolfest
An extremely popular event held at Mitchell’s Lakeland Livestock Centre, Cockermouth, Cumbria CA13 0QQ.
Woolfest was founded by members of The Wool Clip cooperative to provide a celebration of natural fibres and a showcase for the best of wool and wool crafts.
7th - 8th June 2024
Keswick Beer Festival
Great Beer Festival atmosphere both inside a huge marquee and outside on the wonderful green, green grass of Davidson Park, the home of Keswick Rugby Club, surely one of the most scenic rugby grounds in the country, under the watchful gaze of Skiddaw, the 4th highest mountain in England.
8th June 2024
Solway Cycling Festival
Sign up for one of the Cumberland Cobbler races at the Solway Cycling Festival, Silloth.
There are five races; Mini Cobbler at 10.30am, Youth Cobbler at 11.15am, Regional Cobbler at 12.30pm, Women’s Cobbler at 1.25pm and Men’s Cobbler at 2.30pm. The deadline to sign up is Saturday 25 May and you can sign up via the link below.
This year’s event will also include a Talk Tipi with Q&As with GB cyclist Philip Hines, Crank It cycling activities including jump track, time trail course, skills challenge coaching and balance bike races, BMX showcase, lead cycle rides, fun fairs, live music and a producer’s market.
16th June 2024
The Lakesman
Ranked as one of the best UK triathlon events, the Lakesman offers full and half-distance iron-man courses in the heart of the stunning Lake District. The swim takes place in Derwentwater, Keswick, with the bike and run routes taking competitors through beautiful countryside with views of the fells.
July 2024
20th - 21st July 2024
Silloth Vintage Rally
Steam engines, classic cars, vintage tractors, classic motorcycles – Silloth Vintage Rally has it all and more. On the Green in the centre of town every June, the rally has plenty of food, drink and music to keep you mightily entertained.
1st - 3rd July 2022
Cockermouth Live!
This year’s headliners are Alfie Moore and the fantastic Gigspanner Big Band with their first ever gig in Cumbria!
We also have lots of local talent at local venues including on Sunday afternoon, the Papcastle Community Orchestra
23rd July 2022
Solway Coast Cycling Festival
The Solway Coast Cycling Festival is taking place again this on the beautiful Silloth Green on Saturday 23 July 2022 from 10am to 4pm.
This celebration of all things cycling is your chance to explore the beautiful Solway Coast by bike on one of our guided rides, follow our way-marked routes at your own pace, or simply come along to Silloth town centre and watch or join in one of the many activities planned.
Back in 2022
Aspatria Music Festival
August 2024
30 July 2022
Cockermouth & District Agricultural Show
An action packed day for the whole family. Based on the Fitz near Lakes Home Centre in Cockermouth.
Animals, Cumberland & Westmorland Wrestling, crafts, beer tent and much more!
10th to 11th August 2024
Taste of the Sea Maryport
A brand new event for Maryport. Everything that you’ve come to expect from Taste Cumbria – big producers’ markets, expert demonstrations, beer tents, hot food courts, children’s entertainment, live music, comedy and more.
22nd - 25th August 2024
Solfest
Solfest is a family friendly music festival spanning many musical genres and eras. There’s plenty to enjoy in addition to the music from walkabout performers, the green area workshop and the healing garden.
25th August 2024
Silloth Carnival
Firmly established in Allerdale’s events calendar Silloth carnival provides a great day out full of excitement and colour. Watch the amazing floats and participants glide by and then make the most of everything that this great seaside town has to offer.
September 2024
28th - 29th September 2024
Taste Cumbria Cockermouth
The much loved Taste Cumbria returns to Cockermouth for the last full weekend of September.
8th - 11th September 2022
Silloth Music and Beer festival
Around 60 real ales, many from Allerdale are featured with 22 draft ciders. For the non-real ale drinkers, there is lager, perry ciders, wine, soft drinks and water! Add in a fine selection of tribute bands, it has all the right ingredients for a great weekend. Every early September.
8th September 2022
The Great British Bloodbath Murder Mystery & Dinner
Around 60 real ales, many from Allerdale are featured with 22 draft ciders. For the non-real ale drinkers, there is lager, perry ciders, wine, soft drinks and water! Add in a fine selection of tribute bands, it has all the right ingredients for a great weekend. Every early September.
October 2022
November 2022
Back in 2022
Cockermouth Lantern Parade 2020
Join the spectacular Cockermouth lantern parade as winds its way through the pretty market town. An evening the kids will love.
19th November
Keswick Christmas Lights Switch-on
Come and join us for the Christmas Lights Switch on in Keswick on Friday 18 November.
The day will begin with a festive food and gift market from 10.00am, with entertainment from Local Vocals starting on the main stage at 6.00pm. The lights will be switched on at 7.00pm by Community First Responders.
Christmas Food and Gift Fayre from 10.00 am
Pack Horse Court
4:45- 5:15 pm St. Herbert’s School Choir
5:15 – 5:30 pm Pack Horse Court Lights Switch on by Peter Rabbit
Immediately following to 6:00 pm North Lakes Brass Band
Market Square
6:00 – 7:00 pm Music from Local Vocals
7:00 pm Lights Switch on by Community First Responders
20th November
Workington Christmas Festival
Taking place every December, Workington Christmas Festival is an event jam packed with entertainment including live music, walkabout entertainers, face painting, fun fair, and storytelling. A local market stretches out onto the main street with a fabulous mix of independent local businesses selling tempting treats and beautiful hand-made gifts.
21st November
Cockermouth Christmas Lights Switch-on
Head to Cockermouth town centre for live music, reindeer, charity stalls, a giant snowglobe and much more. Plenty of fun for all of the family and a great festive atmosphere!
27th November
Maryport Christmas Lights Switch-on
Maryport Christmas lights will be switched on on Saturday 27 November this year. The Town Council will be making arrangements for a programme of family entertainment, with children at its heart of course, to be held during the afternoon of that day, leading up to the big switch-on at 5pm. Further details to follow!
December 2024
1st to 24th December
Keswick Live Advent Calendar
A festive-themed window is illuminated in a different Keswick business from the 1 to the 24 December. Alongside this each day will be a different festive event, from story-telling to fancy dress canoe racing! The illuminated windows stay lit until early January, forming a magical and festive window trail around town which visitors and residents can follow and enjoy.
3rd & 4th December (6pm to 9pm)
Workington Hall Light and Sound Evenings
Workington Hall and Parklands will be magically illuminated during the first weekend of December, with a specially commissioned soundscape creating a fantastic festive atmosphere. The event is free to attend and takes place between 6pm and 9pm on Friday the 3 and Saturday the 4 December 2021. No need to book in advance, just turn-up and see Workington Hall in a brand new light!
5th December
Keswick Victorian Fayre
Keswick Victorian Fayre takes place every December and it’s a great opportunity to do some Christmas shopping and supporting a wide range of charities and good causes. Fun for all the family.
7th - 8th December 2024
Taste Cumbria Christmas
A host of artisan producers, a covered live music stage, kids activities and Cockermouth’s great independent shops – a great day out and the perfect opportunity for some Christmas shopping. Join us in Cockermouth town centre for the Taste Cumbria Christmas Festival. Eat, drink and be merry!
18th & 19th December
Workington Christmas Market
Our final event of the year will be a Christmas market in Workington town centre on the 18 and 19 December. Along with an eclectic Christmas market, we will have a ‘Live and Local’ stage organised in partnership with HMV and the Carnegie Theatre and our social village where local outreach organisations will be available for anyone and everyone to speak to. These events would not happen without the kind support of our sponsors – Cartmel Shepherd, Cockermouth Town Council, Cumbria County Council and Sovereign Centros.
