This year’s Taste Cumbria Christmas is set to return even bigger and better than before, organisers have said.
The festival and its Christmas market will take place on Saturday December 9 and Sunday December 10 in Cockermouth and promises something for everyone.
Taking place in new town centre locations, with more entertainment than previous years – even Santa himself will be making an appearance.
Great British Bake Off star Crystelle Pereira, the self-proclaimed ‘Farmer’s Wife’ Helen Rebanks and adventurous chef Fell Foodie, aka Harrison Ward, are the stars at this year’s event.
The demo stage, always a firm favourite at the flagship Taste Cumbria September festival, will also be in place for the Christmas event for the first time.
Crystelle, Helen and Harrison will be signing copies of their books in The New Bookshop on Main Street following their appearances. Also appearing on stage will be experts in Indian street food, sauces, bread making and more.
This year’s festival will move to both sides of the town’s Cocker Bridge, which is currently closed to traffic due to an unsafe building, and use a big section of Market Place too.
Visitors can expect live music and street theatre, stalls selling food, drink and gifts, fairground rides and children’s crafts and more.
The weekend will start with a sold-out Supper Club, hosted by the beautiful Low Hall The Lakes on the outskirts of town, serving a feast from Ambleside’s Smoky Pikes caterers.
Several other town organisations getting involved in the festival incluidng Kirkgate Arts on Kirkgate is hosting an Etsy Made in Cumbria event and a fun family cooking session, the United Reformed Church on Main Street is home to Cockermouth Arts and Craft market, and the Methodist Church on Lorton Road has an exhibition of nativity cribs.
While the festival is clustered around Cocker Bridge, the rest of Main Street will remain open to traffic, and Station Street will run one-way as usual.
The middle section of Market Place will be closed off while vehicle access will still be in place down Castlegate to Bitterbeck car park, and along St Helens Street and Kirkgate.
Councillor Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council’s Executive Member for Vibrant and Healthy Places, said: “This year’s Taste Cumbria Christmas will bring a fabulous festival atmosphere to Cockermouth, right in the heart of the town.
“These events bring millions of pounds into the local economy, helping our lovely towns thrive. We know visitors will eat, drink and shop while they’re at the event – and Cockermouth is certainly a wonderful place to do all of that!”
This year’s Taste Cumbria Christmas is organised by Cumberland Council, sponsored by Cockermouth Town Council, The Coffee Kitchen Bakery, Holmen Iggesund and Milburns Solicitors, and supported by Cockermouth & District Chamber of Trade.
