Keswick Mountain Festival has been postponed due to COVID-19.
The event, due to take place from May 21 to May 23, has been moved to September.
Organisers said they had reviewed details of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown and decided that the May dates were too close to the earliest first date for the resumption of major events.
A statement from the festival said: “By moving the festival to September this year, it will be possible to host the event in its entirety in 2021, and in the style that visitors have come to expect.”
Keswick Mountain Festival was founded in 2007 and attracts thousands of visitors to the town.
The 2021 festival will be based in the open air Festival Village on Crow Park, with the scenic backdrop of Derwentwater and the Lakeland fells.
The majority of the programme for this year’s festival remains unchanged, but the line-up of live music will be different from what was originally planned.
Details of the new acts will be unveiled in the near future, the festival said.
It added that because it was anticipated that Keswick will remain busy for several months once accommodation reopens and availability may still be low in September, the capacity of the festival’s campsite will be increased for one year only.
Paul McGreal, co-owner and director of Keswick Mountain Festival, said: “When the UK Government revealed its planned roadmap out of lockdown, we found ourselves in a hugely difficult position.
“The earliest possible date for events of our type is May 17 and it would be irresponsible to press ahead with preparations to hold a full-scale festival starting only four days later.
“At the same time, it would not be fair to our visitors, or indeed viable, to host a watered-down event for a much smaller audience.
“It’s taken a massive effort from our team, supported by sponsors, exhibitors and local stakeholders, but I am delighted that we have been able to move everything to September.
“We hope that everyone who has already booked a place at Keswick Mountain Festival will join us then for what is sure to be a much-anticipated and needed celebration in a stunning, safe, outdoor setting.”
All bookings from the 2020 Keswick Mountain Festival have already been rolled forward to May 2021, and these will automatically be rolled over again to the new dates of September 10 to September 12.
All new bookings made for May 2021 will be rolled over to the new September dates.
Anyone who has already made a booking will not need to do anything.
Ticket holders who cannot attend on the new dates should email [email protected] by March 31, to be issued with a full refund (less booking fee).
From April 1, standard terms and conditions will apply to refunds. All ticket holders have been sent an email outlining these details.
