The Christmas spirit is slowly creeping up on us and Cumbria’s towns are getting ready to celebrate.
We’ve put together a round-up of light switch-ons, festive fairs, late night shopping events and more happening across the county in the run up to the big day.
We’d love to see your photos and videos from the event you’re going to! Email us at [email protected] – tell us where you are and what your favourite part of the event was!
Carlisle
Late night shopping will start in the city on Thursday 30 November and end on Thursday 21 December to give shoppers a chance to snag gifts just in time for Christmas.
On Saturday 2 December, Carlisle’s Christmas farmers’ market will take place at Carlisle Cathedral, supporting dozens local artisan producers, crafters and artists.
A Christmas market will also take place in the city centre on Friday 1 December to Sunday 17 December, featuring local and visiting traders in a market made up of over 40 Alpine style chalets and festive themed trading units selling gifts, crafts, food and drink.
The Carlisle Christmas Teenage market supporting young entrepreneurs will also go ahead on Saturday 2 December.
Penrith
Running from 10am, a host of gift stalls will fill Little Dockray, later joined by Santa and his elves. From 5pm live music and entertainment will go ahead on a main stage.
A parade of Christmas-themed tractors are also set to travel through town, keen to get votes to help win the top prize. Money raised will go to help Penrith Mountain Rescue Team.
Keswick
Keswick’s Christmas light switch-on will take place on Friday 17 November. The day will begin with a festive food and gift market starting at 10.00am.
Entertainment will take place in Packhorse Court from 4.45pm and entertainment on the main stage will start from 6.00pm.
The lights will be switched on at 7.00pm Andy, Mike and Tim, the three Dads Walking, who are actively raising awareness of suicide.
The town’s Victorian Fayre is also going ahead this year and will take place on Sunday 3 December.
Free live entertainment will go ahead on a main stage in the Market Place and in Packhorse Court, including bands, choirs, dancers and more.
Over 30 charity stalls and a children’s funfair will also be set up, selling a selection of Christmas homemade crafts, produce, festive food and drink plus games, tombola’s and raffles.
Aspatria
Taking place on Sunday December 3, Aspatria’s switch on will feature hot drinks, cakes, rides and a visit from Santa Claus.
The event will start at 4pm at Beacon Hill School and Brandraw Car Park.
Maryport
Maryport’s light switch on will take place on Saturday November 18 from 10am until 5pm, when the main attraction begins.
An outdoor stage boasting live entertainment and music will begin at 2pm and a Christmas grotto will be set up in the Labour Club from 11am.
Wilmots fair ground rides will be outside on Senhouse Street from 11am and the town’s Mayor and representatives from local schools will turn the lights on at 5pm.
A food van will also be on site and free tea, coffee and hot chocolate will be on offer.
Senhouse Street will be closed to traffic from 10am.
Whitehaven
The town’s light switch-on will take place on Saturday 18 November and will feature entertainment on a main stage hosted by CFM. The town’s festive lights will be switched on by the mayor. The event will start at 10am and run until 5pm.
A Christmas fair will also take place on Friday December 8 alongside a lights show on the harbour and Christmas fireworks display starting at 11am and lasting until 7.30pm.
Cockermouth
Cockermouth’s light switch-on will take place on Sunday 19 November. Entertainment will start at 1pm with the Dancing Divas taking to a main stage on the town’s main street.
Late night shopping will also go ahead in the town on Thursday November 23.
On Saturday 9 to Sunday 10 December the town’s popular Taste Cumbria Christmas will go ahead.
More than just food and drink – the Taste event will feature gifts and homewares, seasonal specials and all the sweet and savoury treats you could ask for.
Egremont
Egremont will host a light switch on alongside its winter wonderland Christmas fayre on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 November from 9.30am to 4.30pm.
Different sellers and stalls will be visiting on both days and live festive music will be performed. A Santa’s Grotto pop-up will also be set up for children.
Workington
On Saturday 25 November Workington will have a Christmas light switch-on alongside a Christmas Festival from 11am to 5pm.
Activities including face painting, crafts and food stalls will go ahead alongside live entertainment on a main stage.
The lights will be switched on by The Mayor of Workington and her Christmas card competition winners on stage by Benson’s for beds.
Wigton
Wigton’s Christmas light switch on will take place on Sunday 26 November from 11am.
Live music, food and gift stalls, a funfair and live entertainment are all to be expected – with the main switch on taking place at 5pm.
Barrow
Barrow’s light switch-on will take place on Saturday 18 November at 3pm with the lights being switched at around 5.45pm.
A variety of entertainment will go ahead on a main stage including a Taylor Swift tribute act and a visit from Santa himself.
Each year, Barrow residents vote for members of the community to switch-on the lights. This year the town has selected Annabelle and Louis McKenna.
Kendal
People are invited to Kendal Mountain Festival Basecamp, at Abbot Hall Park, for welcome films at 5pm.
A colourful family parade will take place and Santa and his sleigh will also be in Market Place from 5pm, and there will be mulled wine, music and a classic fairground to add to the Christmas magic.
Kendal’s mayor Julia Dunlop will lead the countdown to the lights switch-on, but not before a Kendal Mountain Festival special – spectators will be invited to watch the skies as renowned Slackliner Lukas Irmler performs his daredevil antics overhead.
Where can I find free parking for the Christmas events?
In support of some events, Cumberland Council is providing free parking in the following car parks on these dates:
- Keswick Central car park – all day free parking on Friday 17 November – Keswick Christmas lights switch-on and Sunday 3 December – Keswick Victorian Fayre.
- Cockermouth Christmas light switch-on – all day free parking in all car parks (apart from Fairfield car park) on Sunday 19 November
- Cockermouth late night shopping – free parking in all car parks (apart from Fairfield car park) from 2.30pm on Thursday 23 November
- Workington Multi Storey car park – all day free parking during opening hours on Saturday 25 November – Christmas festival and light switch-on in Workington Town Centre.
- Egremont Chapel Street car park – all day free parking on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 November – Egremont Winter wonderland Christmas fayre.
- Bitts Park; Lowther Street; Castle; Caldew Riverside; The Sands; Swifts Bank; Viaduct; Civic Centre and West Walls car parks free parking after 3pm on the following dates: Thursday 30 November, Thursday 7 December, Thursday 14 December and Thursday 21 December. To coincide with late night shopping.
Councillor Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council’s executive member for vibrant and healthy places, said: “The Cumberland area has lots planned on the build-up to Christmas and we encourage local residents and visitors to support the many events planned over the weeks running up to the festivities.
“We also encourage people to shop local and support local businesses. We are offering free parking on some key dates, and we hope this serves as an incentive to make a visit to local towns and our city.”
Have we missed a light switch-on or Christmas fair? Let us know by emailing us the details at [email protected]
