Taste Cumbria
2021
Cockermouth Christmas
Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 December 2021
Cockermouth Christmas Taste Cumbria festival
Festive cheer is definitely on the menu at this year’s Taste Cumbria Christmas festival in Cockermouth.
The event takes place in the heart of the town on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 December. There will be mince pies and mulled wine, colourful gifts and crafts, all served with a hefty helping of sparkle and glitz amid some of the prettiest Christmas lights in the county.
Throughout the two days there will be a packed producers’ market, a hot food court with meals and snacks, and live music on the festival stage. There will also be plenty of family activities with a fairground and children’s arty workshops. All around the town, the shops will be offering a fabulous array of gifts, food and drink, with everything visitors need for the festive season.
Now firmly established as the biggest and, arguably, the best foodie events in Cumbria, Taste Cumbria began in Cockermouth following the floods of 2009. Since then, events have taken place all over the county – the most recent being held in Maryport and Wigton for the first time this year.
For more information about Taste Cumbria email ellie.jones@allerdale.gov.uk.
Our supporters
The Taste Cumbria festivals couldn’t happen without our supporters and sponsors. Thanks to Allerdale Borough Council, Cockermouth Chamber of Trade, Cockermouth Town Council, Cartmell Shepherd solicitors and The Coffee Kitchen Bakery.
Festival Fast Guide
The Christmas market and festival stage are on Main Street.
Saturday 11th December
10am – 5pm – Producers’ Market & hot food
10am – 5pm – Fairground rides
10am – 5pm – Rainbow Jelly Kids Activities in The Vicky, through the red door down High Sand Lane (at the side of the New Bookshop)
12pm – 5pm – Live music on the Festival Stage
12pm – 4pm – Street Theatre
Sunday 12th December
10am – 4pm – Producers’ Market & hot food
10am – 4pm – Fairground rides
10am – 4pm – Rainbow Jelly Kids Activities in The Vicky, through the red door down High Sand Lane (at the side of the New Bookshop)
12pm – 4pm – Live music on the Festival Stage
12pm – 3pm – Street Theatre
The Festival Stage
Watch some great local bands perform indie pop and rock covers.
Saturday 11 December
11:00 am – Jamming with the Zebra
12:10 pm – Cockermouth Mechanics Band
1:20 pm – Cockermouth Ukuleles
2:30 pm – Collision
3:40 pm – Chelsea Reynolds
Sunday 12 December
12:00 noon – Spud Murphy
1:00 pm – Cockermouth Ukuleles
2:00 pm – TBC
3:00 pm – Mojo Rising
Festive film at Kirkgate Arts
3pm – Saturday 11 December – The Kirkgate will be screening the 2020 remake of A Christmas Carol with Martin Freeman and Carey Mulligan. Tickets cost £6 for adults and £5 for under 18s. www.kirkgatearts.org.uk
Where to #shoplocal
That phrase ‘we’ve got Christmas all wrapped up’ is a bit of a cliché but it definitely applies to shopping in Cockermouth.
This is a town which has something for everyone. Head to Station Street, South Street, Main Street, Market Place, Lowther Went and Kings Arms Lane and shop until you drop!
You can get the ingredients for a Christmas feast – from meat and cheese, to bread and cakes, and even the fruit, vegetables and fish, the herbs and spices, and the larder staples that you need to see you through the festive season.
If you’re searching for homewares, look no further – find the pots, the pans, the crockery, cutlery and glasses you need in its many shops.
There are gifts galore too. Discover quirky artisan crafts for a really unique present, or pick up something pretty in its boutique stores.
There are practical options as well – from hardware for the home or garden, as well as clothes, shoes and wet weather gear.
And don’t forget the little ones… Toys and games, stocking fillers and educational fun are all on offer, and there are even presents for your four-legged friends.
Our Traders
The Coffee Kitchen Bakery
Cockermouth-based creators of real bread, scones and patisserie
Shaw Meats
Premium meats and game
Barkelicious
Meaty, natural and gluten-free dog chews, paw-made in Cumbria
Jeni’s Cupcakes and Brownies
Hand-crafted cakes and brownies
Fellside Candle Co
Natural wax candles handmade on Mosser Fell
Wiga Wagaa
Handmade, award-winning chilli products
Wilde Bakery Artisan Flapjack
Sticky sweet treats from a family business
Kick-Ass Cheese
Family-run business famed for its strong cheddar
Blueberry Hill Preserves
Big flavours, great tastes and no artificial ingredients
Red Welly Food Co
Bacon jam, sauces, spicy rubs and oils
SA Sauces Ltd
Gluten-free sauce concentrates to make stir fries, marinades and more
Lakeland Artisan Ltd
Preserves, relishes and liqueurs
Kin Vodka
Hand blended toffee vodka from the heart of the Lakes
Mr Vikkis ltd
Award-winning spiced chutneys and sauces
Yardies
Fantastic Jamaican street food
Cartmel Cheeses Limited
Award-winning cheese maker and seller
Wild & Fruitful
Keswick-made chutneys, jams and marmalade
The Churros Bar
Light, fluffy and crunchie snacks with mouthwatering dips
The Brownie Bar
Gloriously gooey brownies and blondies
Vie’s Jamaican Rum Cakes
The rummiest cakes in Cumbria
The Cartmel Spirit Company
Purveyors of Belgrove hazelnut rum
Sweet Treats by Martin Frickel
Naughty brownies, blondies, cookies and treats
Spirit of The Lakes
The home of Bedrock gin and Standing Stones vodka
Shirley’s pies
Premium quality pies like grandma used to bake
Pie Demand
Eat pie, be happy
Hallsford Catering
Suppliers of top quality lamb, beef and pork
Osprey Cheerleading Academy
Cockermouth’s local cheerleading team
Legendary Sauce Company
Handcrafted sauces, salts, gift sets and dried chillies
The Smokery
HMP Haverigg’s specialist smoked meats and fish
PiggeryDesigns
Handmade housewares made from reclaimed timber
West House Pottery
The local charity helping people with learning difficulties and disabilities
The Yolker
Handmade gourmet Scotch eggs
Ben Bush Photography
Award-winning landscape and astro photography – also owner of Cockermouth’s Bridge Gallery
Watermill Café
The team from Caldbeck’s tasty cafe
Fyne Fish
Cockermouth’s fishmonger and seafood deli
The Torpenhow Cheese Company
Handmade, rich and creamy cheeses
The Sunrise Patisserie
Portuguese tarts specialists, plus baked goods including vegan and gluten free
Cakes from the Lakes
Keswick’s creator of tiffin, scones and cakes
Newsquest Cumbria
The publishers of Cumbria Life and the Times & Star
Event tickets
'In conversation with Redmayne'
Tour of Redmayne's historic premises
Trader pitches are still available for the Producers’ Market and Hot Food Court. For more information, email ellie.jones@allerdale.gov.uk.
Follow Taste Cumbria on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates.
Taste Cumbria is organised by Allerdale Borough Council and supported by Cockermouth Town Council and The Coffee Kitchen Bakery of Market Place, Cockermouth.
More Taste Cumbria dates for your diary
Taste Cumbria Christmas in Cockermouth – 11 & 12 December 2021
Getting here
The nearest mainline train station is Penrith the Lake District. Connecting buses take about an hour to transport you to Cockermouth. Alternatively, arrive via Carlisle Railway Station, then take the train to Maryport, then the number 68 bus or a taxi. If you are travelling by car, leave the M6 at junction 40, take the A66 west and you should be here in 40 minutes.
Parking
If you’re coming to our festivals by car, here’s a handy link to some of the car parks in Cockermouth. If you’re parking on the street, please check local signs for restrictions. You’ll need a timing disc for many of them – these are available from many local businesses.
Accommodation
Make a weekend of it by booking some accommodation. Allerdale has an excellent range of accommodation from hotels, campsites and B&Bs to self catering. And don’t forget to visit the wealth of independent businesses in Cockermouth.
Book tickets
Insider information