Events and Festivals
Events and Festivals
Lake District Events & Festivals Calendar 2021
Allerdale’s 2021 festival and events calendar unfortunately continues to be hit-hard by the Covid-19 outbreak. 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.
February 2021
Keswick Film Festival
A celebration of world and independent cinema in the heart of the Lake District. Over 25 films with the latest work from some of the world’s leading directors and new talent.
March 2021
Words by the Water
Malcolm Wilson Rally
April 2021
Cockermouth Daffodil Day
Unfortunately Cockermouth Daffodil Day 2020 has been cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak. The event will return on the first Saturday in April 2021.
May 2021
Workington Party in the Park
A great annual community festival held in Vulcan’s Park, Workington.
A packed programme of entertainment including live music, a local market, fun fair, children’s entertainment, crafts, face painting and more…
All of the entertainment, except for the fun fair, is free of charge!
Silloth Green Day
Fun fair, craft stalls, food stalls, live music, kids entertainment and much more on Silloth Green. Free entry!
June 2021
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.
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.
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.
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.
July 2021
Aspatria Music Festival
August 2021
Cockermouth 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!
Workington Festival of Running
Organised by Workington Town Council in conjunction with Cumberland Athletic Club, you can do a 1km fun run, or a 5km or 10km run.
Whether you are taking part yourself or cheering someone on, there will be something to keep you entertained with our craft activities, children’s entertainment and stalls.
Races will start at Workington Leisure Centre and will take you out and around Workington allowing you to take in the beautiful scenery while motivating you to run your fastest race.
- Timetable
- 12pm – 1k fun run
- 12.30pm – 5k
- 1.30pm – 10k
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.
Solfest 2021
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.
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 2021
Keswick Mountain Festival
Keswick Mountain Festival is your ultimate outdoors weekend. Challenge yourself with a world class sporting event, get inspiration from top speakers, then finish it all off with two evenings of live music.
Solway Coast Cycling Festival
The Solway Coast Cycling Festival is a brand new event that takes place on the beautiful Silloth Green on Saturday 11 September 2021 from 10am to 4pm. The day after the Tour of Britain comes to Cumbria, 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.
Taste Cumbria Cockermouth
Taste Cumbria returns to Cockermouth for the last full weekend of September.
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.
October 2021
November 2021
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.
Keswick Christmas Lights Switch-on
Come and join us for the Christmas Lights Switch on in Keswick on Friday 19 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
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.
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!
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 2021
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
