Towns across Cumbria are getting ready to sparkle for this year’s festive season.
So to help you get organised, we’ve put together a round-up of light switch-ons, festive fairs, late night shopping events and more happening across the county.
Planning a festive day out? We’d love to see your photos and videos from the event you’re going to! Email us at [email protected].
Have we missed an event? Let us know by emailing us at [email protected]
Whitehaven
Whitehaven’s Christmas light switch event will begin today and will last until 5pm this evening.
Entertainment includes a live stage, aerial simulator and a festive market, hosted by TEG Markets.
Local musicians, schools, and theatre groups will perform – including DJ Tony pierce, Grace Savage, Lee Adams and Committed2Rock choir.
The lights will be switched on at 4.30pm at the event, which has been organised by Whitehaven Town Council.
Free parking will be available across the town on Senhouse Street, Schoolhouse Lane, Castle Meadows and The Ginns from 11am until 5pm.
On Friday December 5, the town will also host a Christmas market from 10am until 4pm in St Nicolas Gardens and its annual firework show on the harbour from 5.15pm until 5.30pm.
Barrow
Barrow’s lights switch-on also takes place today and will last until 7pm tonight.
Entertainment will include free festive activities, craft workshops, a live stage, alpacas from Low Sunbrick Farm, a food court, a free photohoof photobooth, funfair, a Santasaurus show, extreme mountain bike show, Boom Dang procession and more.
Musicians and personalities including Emma Howarth, Zac Thompson, The Sidemen, Jack Dale, Aerobees, Shelly’s Bane, Wallis and the South Lakes Rock School Choir will perform.
Live music will start on the main stage on Dalton Road at 10am until 6.30pm.
The big switch on and countdown will take place from 6pm until 6.15pm.
The event is sponsored by BAE Systems.
Ambleside
Ambleside’s light switch on will take place today at 5pm.
A children’s fun zone, Santa crusies, stalls with mince pies and mulled wine, Santa sliegh and lantern procession will take place.
A firework display will also take place at around 5.30pm until 5.45pm in Rothay Park.
Eventgoers are recommended to use public transport to get to the town Buses run from Kendal and Keswick on an hourly base and land in the town.
Parking in the town is available in Rydal Road Car Park, Lake Road Car Park and Miller Bridge Town Centre Car Park – all are pay and display.
Extra toilet facilities will be around the town.
Maryport
The town’s switch on will take place from late morning today until 5pm this evening on Senhouse Street.
Eventgoers can expect fairground rides, an outdoor stage hosted by Cookie, free tea and coffee and a Santa’s Grotto at the Labour Club (tickets required) with free festive facepainting for children.
Mince pies and mulled wine will also be available before the switch on goes ahead at 5pm.
Carlisle
Carlisle’s light switch on will take place on Sunday November 16 from 3pm until 5.30pm.
Pop star Amelle, best known as a member of the Sugababes, will headline this year’s event.
It will also be hosted by Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist and singing magician Lewis Fuller.
Local musicians and community groups will also perform, including Razzamataz Carlisle, Northern Heights Dance School, Norman Street Primary School, Carlisle Dance Academy, Longtown Primary School and singer Claudia Page.
The lights will officially be switched on at 5pm.
A serious of Christmas themed markets will also take place this year on Saturday November 29, Saturday December 6 and Saturday December 13.
Each event will include live entertainment, a festive bar, fair rides and stalls.
Keswick
Keswick’s light switch on will take place on Friday November 21.
A Christmas food and gift fayre will take place from 10am and live entertainment will start at around 4.45pm. A funfair will also go ahead.
Local musicians and community groups will perform, including St Herbert’s CofE School Choir, Keswick Amateur Operatics Society Singers, Theatre by the Lake, Music by The Kasios.
Peter Rabbit will switch on Packhorse Court’s Christmas lights at 5.15pm.
The Market Square light switch on will take place at 7pm by Keswick Community Housing Trust, in recognition of the receipt of the Kings Award.
As the Market Square will be very busy – people are being asked to not bring dogs.
This year’s Christmas tree has been sponsored by Hope Park Games and Café.
The town’s Victorian Fayre will also take place on Sunday December 7 throughout the day.
People are encouraged to dress up for the fayre, which will feature a range of stalls, fair rides and more.
Festive entertainment at the fayre is also set to include:
- North Lakes Brass and the renowned Cockermouth Mechanics Band
- Committed2Rock choir and Keswick Amateur Operatic Society
- Local talent including performers from Keswick School Band and Hunter Hall School
- Traditional and festive delights from Greystoke Hand Bell Ringers, the joyful Cockermouth Ukulele Band, and the traditional clog dancing of Belfagan Women’s Morris
- Bjamba samba band and modern pop energy from Kiki
Penrith
The town’s sparkle light switch on will take place on November 22.
As part of the festivities, the Winter Droving will take place, and the parade will start at 5pm from Ullswater Community College.
It will lap the town before the lights are turned on at 6pm.
This year, local superstars pressing the plunger will be Santa, Mayor Val Bowen and local legend Roland Bateman.
Live music, food, a funfair and drinks will also be on during the day.
For more information on the droving and switch on, read on here.
Workington
The town’s light switch on will take place on Saturday November 29 from 11am until 5.15pm in the town centre.
Liberty X – Jessica Taylor, Michelle Heaton, and Kelli Young – will headline the event and perform their biggest hits including the Brit Award-winning number one single Just A Little.
The main stage, managed by Rock With, will host continuous entertainment throughout the day, featuring local artists including Paul Nicholson, Laura Bailey, Palo Alto, Electric Circus, Annie Jackson-Elliott, Razzmataz, and The Window View.
Free activities running throughout the day include:
The Christmas lights will be officially switched on at 5pm, followed by a final performance from Liberty X
The event is sponsored by Milburns Solicitors.
Free parking will also be available from 11am until 7pm at the following locations:
- Allerdale House
- Brow Top
- Brow Top Annexe
- Elizabeth Street
- Horse Close
Cockermouth
The town’s light switch on will take place on Sunday November 23 from 1pm until 6pm
Entertainment will include live performances form local talent, food, music Christmas stalls and a funfair as well as a Santa’s Grotto.
The main light switch on will take place at 5pm.
Late night shopping events will also take place in Cockermouth, read on here.
The town will also host Taste Cumbria Christmas, read on here.
Aspatria
Aspatria’s light switch on will take place on Sunday November 30 from 3pm until 5pm at Beacon Hill School and Brandraw Car Park.
Food stalls, a funfair, stalls and more will take place including:
- Dirty Dogs
- Dinky Donuts
- Fletcher’s Fair Rides
- Cre8tive Facepaints
- Divas Dancing
- Harlequin Choir
- Gift & Craft Stalls
- A visit from Santa
- Free hot drinks inside
Egremont
Egremont’s winter wonderland fair will take place on Sunday December 7 at 1pm.
Over 50 stalls will be in the town, along with reindeers, a main stage and other entertainment.
Wigton
Wigton’s Christmas light switch on will take place on Saturday November 29 from 12pm until 5pm on the High Street.
Christmas market stalls, street entertainment, reindeer, face painting balloon modellers and Taylor’s Funfair will go ahead.
Live music will start at 3pm an the light switch on will take place at 5pm by The Voice winner Jenna Cole.
Free parking is available at Nelson Tomlinson’s sports hall.
Kendal
Kendal’s Christmas light switch on will take place on Friday November 28 from 5pm until 7.30pm in the town centre.
The town’s farmers market will be open for the duration of the event and live performers and musicians including Drum Nation, The Dance Atikk, Amabile Choirs and Matt Hayton will perform.
Kendal Concert Band will also perform and Santa will be visiting the town for little ones.
Local cafes and shops are staying open late and Ragtag Arts and Community Scrapstore will bring their scrappy van for interactive play.
A funfair and mulled wine stand by Kendal Rinteln Association will also take place.
The big light switch on will go ahead at 5.30pm.
Kirkby Stephen
Kirkby Stephen’s light switch on will take place on Saturday November 22 from 10am onwards.
Festive entertainment will go ahead throughout the day including food stalls, rides, Christmas windows, a treasure hunt, fair Euphoric Circus, a singalong and more.
A tractor run will also go ahead at 6pm.
Silloth
The town’s light switch on will take place on Saturday November 2025 from 3pm until 6pm at Christ Church Silloth and Silloth Green.
Entertainment will include Santas Grotto, children’s rides, crafts and a memory tree.
The church will be filled with local stalls and refreshments and Wilmots will have a few children’s rides on the green that will be free of charge.
Ulverston
The town’s lights will be switched at its annual Dickensian Festival on Saturday November 29 at 4pm.
The festival lasts for two days, on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30, and will feature a wide range of festive entertainment throughout both dates.
Eventgoers can expect roving street performers, hot mulled wine, a town-full of wonderful stalls, and costume parades through the streets.
People are encouraged to dress up and performers include brass bands, singers, magicians, fire eaters, jugglers, stilt walkers, and more.
Almost all entertainment is provided free of charge.
Brampton
Brampton’s lights switch-on takes place on Sunday November 30 from 2pm to 6pm.
It takes place on Market Place and Front Street and includes a parade from the showfield at 4.45pm, with the lights being switched on at 5pm.
Entertainment includes Explosive Productions, the Show Globe, Jordyn Louise Dance, Cheeky Charlie, Nikki Mayson, O’Hehir Irish Dancers, Brampton Primary School Choir, Santa, Taylors Amusements, Will Taylor, Studio A Dance Co and street food, plus more.
There will be free refreshments and face painting in the Moot Hall.
Hawkshead
Hawkshead will host a Christmas fair on Saturday December 6 and Sunday December 7 from 10am until 4pm
Festive entertainment will include craft and local produce stalls, food and drink stalls, live music and street entertainment throughout the weekend.
A Santa’s Grotto will also be in place for children and a lantern parade and Christmas carols will go ahead in the square on the Saturday.
Extra car parking will be available.
Have we missed a light switch-on or Christmas fair? Let us know by emailing us the details at [email protected]
