Events
It is recommended to check with organisers and/or web-sites to confirm dates and contents of the events before making arrangements to attend.
January 2008
February 2008
8th - 10th - The 9th Keswick Film Festival February Mini-Fest - www.keswickfilmfestivalorg - This year the Theatre by the Lake is not fully available in February so we are having '7 films and a bit of a do' over the weekend 6.30 pm on Friday evening and running till Sunday afternoon. We will be having a theme, guest directors and all the buzz of the big festival focussed on the Alhambra. Our selectors have started to put together a great programme of film for February.
10th - Marmalade Festival - Held at Dalemain Historic House & Gardens, Penrith. Competition to find the best marmalade at the worlds first marmalade festival. Demonstrations, tasting, refreshments. Proceeds to Hospice at Home.-www.marmalade festival.com
March 2008
100 very special Easter Eggs will appear across Cumbria on 19 March. There is no need to climb, dig or delve, just keep your eyes peeled as you enjoy the Lake District countryside. Find one of the special eggs, which celebrate 100 years of Jemima Puddle-duck and you will win one of a range of amazing prizes. -www.hop-skip-jump.com/special_events.php
1st - Malcolm Wilson Raleigh, Cockermouth. 8.15am - 9pm. - Motor stage rally, part of National Championships governed by MSA. The start is at Cockermouth High Street and the competition takes place in Lake District forests. Motorsport at its finest. Car park fee payable £5, foot spectators free. www.malcolmwilson.co.uk
15th & 16th - Ambleside Spring Flower Show - http://www.ambleside-show.org.uk
21st - Easter Eggstras - Brockhole Lake District Visitor Centre, Windermere.
Easter with Easter egg hunts, the Brockhole bunny and fun for all the family.
29th & 30th - Spring Garden & Food Market - Holker Hall & Gardens, Cartmell. 10.30am-5.30pm. - Delicious tastings, fabulous displays, fascinating demonstrations and great gift ideas. Come to Holker and meet some of the very best Artisan producers.Adult £2.50 for parking. www.holker-hall.co.uk
April 2008
1st - Tom Fools Day - Muncaster Castle, Ravenglass, Cumbria. - Tom Fools Day fun with mayhem. Two jester performances by the Fool of Muncaster 2007, Paul Garbanzo. Foolish Football with Muncaster mascot Max Meadow Vole, score a goal and win. - www.muncaster.co.uk
6th - Astral Circus - Brockhole Visitor Centre, Windermere. - Meet our popular courtyard entertainer for fun and frivolity. Two performances, one morning and one afternoon. Also balloon sculptures to amuse all.
10th - 13th - The 9th Keswick Film Festival -The Big One - www.keswickfilmfestival.org - We will be having the usual 4 days of film moved from February to April. There will be more guests, events, almost 30 films, the opening buffet on the Thursday for Pass Holders, a 'Script to Screen' workshop to find out how it happens and other excitements.
18th - 20th - Lakeland Trails Festival - Hawkshead Village - www.lakelandtrails.org - Festival of running and walking, on Hawkshead Hall Showground and village, events for all ages and abilities, live music, on-site parking, childrens' entertainments: face painting, bouncy castles, storytelling, beer tent, food stalls, retail stands, professionally organised. Free entry to Hawkshead Hall showground. Entry charges for events and competitions.
19th - Damson Day - Low Farm, Lyth Valley, Crossthwaite - 10.30am - 4.30pm - Annual festival celebrating the damson orchards in spring. Family day out, entertainment, food and craft stalls. - http://www.lythdamsons.org.uk
May 2008
3rd - Cockermouth Georgian Festival - www.cockermouth.org.uk - Period street market, fete, live entertainment and discovery walks. Circus skills workshops, redcoat military re-enactment, sedan-chair racing and costurme parade. Exhibitions and demonstrations of forgotton skills. Volunteers from Workington Transport Heritage Trust will be running free park & ride services from Mitchells auction mart car park to Main Street using their restored ex-Cumberland motor services buses. Most events are free but there will be charges for separte events, which have yet to be established. Charges will be published in our programme, advertising and on our website.
7th - 11th - Keswick Jazz Festival - http://www.keswickjazzfestival.co.uk - Keswick’s 5-day festival will once again bring together many of the world’s finest exponents of mainstream and traditional jazz.
14th - 18th - Keswick Mountain Festival - http://www.keswickmountainfestival.co.uk
18th - Brathay Windermere Marathon - tel:015394 39730 - www.brathay.org.uk
24th, 26th & 28th - Cartmell Races - http://www.cartmel-racecourse.co.uk - National Hunt and Jump Racing, unique course allows racegoers chance to get up close to the action. Large fun fair for the children, trade stands, market stalls, fun day out for all the family.
Adult paddock, £18, adult course £9, senior paddock £13, senior course £7, children free. Discounts available on line/advanced booking.
30th - 1st June - Holker Garden Festival - http://www.holker-hall.co.uk - The Chelsea Flower Show of the North' - Imagine...three days in the middle of summer devoted entirely to indulging the senses. A Festival celebrating the best of garden, countryside and food...set in one of the most perfect landscapes nature can offer.
30th - 1st June - Lakeland Trails Festival ( www.lakelandtrails.org )
June 2008
1st - Holker Garden Festival - (see above) http://www.holker-hall.co.uk
4th - 11th - Appleby Horse Fair - Visit the lovely historic town of Appleby as it comes alive with gypsy culture during this fascinating gathering of horse traders - the largest of its kind in Britain
017683 51177
6th & 7th - Keswick Beer Festival - http://www.keswickbeerfestival.co.uk
6th -8th - Windermere on Water Festival (WOW)- www.wow2008.co.uk - Experience Lake Windermere as never before! World class performances, activites, festivities & fireworks... Participate or simply spectate!
The Glebe, Glebe Road, Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria, LA23
July 2008
11th - 12th - Coniston Water Festival - http://www.conistonwaterfestival.org.uk - An eclectic fusion of the arts, sport, food and a celebration of local enterprise, focused on and around the unique water-related culture of this stunning and iconic lake.
11th - 13th - Staveley Carnival - www.staveleyvillage.co.uk - Friday fiesta an evening of music and entertainment, bar and food available.Saturday workshop day, come and have a go at many workshops on offer from costume and flag making to singing and juggling.Sunday carnival day. Funky Brazilian style fuel-free carnival procession followed by carnival festival, stalls, entertainment, music, marquees, bar, barbeque, food and a carnival atmosphere. Free entry.
17th - Cartmell Races - http://www.cartmel-racecourse.co.uk - National Hunt and Jump Racing, unique course allows racegoers chance to get up close to the action. Large fun fair for the children, trade stands, market stalls, fun day out for all the family.
Adult paddock, £18, adult course £9, senior paddock £13, senior course £7, children free. Discounts available on line/advanced booking.
20th - Coniston Country Fair - http://www.conistoncountryfair.com - Enjoy a real insight into traditional Lakeland life and culture with a wonderful opportunity to experience local pastimes and traditions - set in the stunning grounds of Coniston Hall on the shores of Coniston water.
?? - Ambleside Summer Flower Show - http://www.ambleside-show.org.uk
26th & 27th - Cumbria Steam Gathering - Flookburgh - 1200 classic exhibits - http://www.steamgathering.org.uk - This 2-day event brings together vintage and steam vehicles from across the world for one massive summer event. A whole host of entertainment, a traditional fair, displays, specialist caterers and vintage transport favourites as diverse as tractors, majestic steam engines, commercial vehicles and motorcycles. Adult £10, senior citizens £7, children free, 10% reduction for groups.
26th & 27th - Windermere Air Show - tel:015394 46499 - www.militaryairshows.co.uk - The Glebe, Glebe Road, Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria, LA23
10am – 5pm
Airshow plus ground displays, stalls, bands, fair and flight simulator. Free airshow with charges for displays and rides.
31st - Ambleside Sports - http://www.amblesideonline.co.uk/clubs/sports/main.html - Rydal Park, Rydal Road, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9PL
10am – 6pm
Traditional Lakeland sports and full programme of hound trails, Cumberland & Westmorland wrestling, fell races, cycle and running events and childrens races. Lots of trade stands, craft marquee, Made in Cumbria and much, much more. Adult £5, youths £2, under 12yrs accompanied, free.
August 2008
1st - 17th - Lake District Summer Music Festival - http://www.ldsm.org.uk - Lake District Summer Music operates summer schools as well as our internatioanlly renowned classical music festival held every summer amongst the stunning scenery of the English Lake District featuring some of the best artists Ticket prices begin at £6.
6th - Cartmel Show - www.cartmelagriculturalsociety.org.uk - Traditional country show set in beautiful parkland. Cattle, sheep, heavy horses, showjumping, driving and light horse classes all day. Craft exhibits, village industires, horticulture, poultry, food hall, dog show, hound trailing and much more. Adult £7.50, senior citizen £6.50, children under 16yrs £1.
7th - Lake District Sheep Dog Trials - Hill Farm, Ings - Trials, foxhound show, hound trials, crafts & displays. Friday 8 th – Sunday 10 th August 2008
Lowther Driving Trials. Lowther Castle, Estate Office, Lowther, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 2HG 9am – 6pm
Three-day carriage driving event, 3-day shopping village/trade stands, 2-day country fair and 2-day main arena programme. Adult £9 on Fri, £16 on Sat and £15 on Sun to be confirmed. - tel:015242 71584
17th - Lakeland Country Fair - Torver (Nr Coniston) - http://www.lakelandcountryfair.co.uk - Traditional Cumbrian country fair, fell races, terriers, lurchers, foxhounds, beagles, sheepdogs, pet dogs, ferrets, Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling, horn blowing competition, children's sports, fell pony display, falconry display, demonstrations of traditional skills, trade stands, refreshments, bar etc. Adult £5, children £2.50.
19th - Hawkshead Show - http://www.hawksheadshow.co.uk - Agricultural and horticultural show with sheep, horses, dogs, trade stands, homecraft and flowers. Adult £6.00, Children 5-16 £2.00, Under fives free.
23rd & 25th - Cartmell Races - http://www.cartmel-racecourse.co.uk - National Hunt and Jump Racing, unique course allows racegoers chance to get up close to the action. Large fun fair for the children, trade stands, market stalls, fun day out for all the family.
Adult paddock, £18, adult course £9, senior paddock £13, senior course £7, children free. Discounts available on line/advanced booking.
26th - Grasmere Sports and Show - http://www.grasmeresportsandshow.co.uk
25th - Keswick Agricultural Show - http://www.keswickshow.co.uk - Keswick agricultural show incorporating Cumbria championship sheepdog competition. Poultry tent. Industrial tent and vintage machinery display. Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling, horses, show jumping, trade and art and crafts stands.
September 2008
??? - Kendal Gathering & Torchlight Procession - http://www.kendaltorchlightcarnival.co.uk - Spectacular cavalcade over 100 entries, 2 miles long with a cast of 2000 people in a super festival of light, colour, music and merriment. Superb themed floats with classic cars, foot groups, veteran cycles, commercial vehicles, street entertainers, 10 horse teams, steam engines and 20 marching bands and carnival display bands. Street art performers. Free entry
015395 63018
11th - Westmorland County Show - http://www.westmorland-county-show.co.uk - One of Britain's oldest and Cumbria's biggest livestock shows featuring sheep, cattle, pigs and goats, also horses, poultry, hounds, dogs, heavy horses and rare breeds with Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling. W I learning for life and craft marquees, over 350 trade stands and the areas largest local products food hall. Free car parking and free bus. Adult £9, seniors £7.50, children £1 for pre-booked tickets. On the day prices adults £11, seniors £9, children £2.
??? - Borrowdale Shepherds Meet & Show - http://www.borrowdaleshow.org.uk
20th - Egremont Crab Fair - www.egremontcrabfair.org.uk - The Egremont Crab Fair includes traditional and unusual sporting event and competitions including the world renowned gurning (pulling of grotesque faces) competition. The rules of the gurning competition are very straightforward. Competitors put their heads through a horse collar and have a set time in which to contort their faces into the scariest / silliest expression possible. False teeth may be left in, taken out or turned upside down if desired. The person who gets the most applause for their ugly face wins! (A little bit of history: The Egremont Crab Fair was first held in 1267 to celebrate the time when the local lord of the manor wheeled a cart of crab apples through the village of Egremont dispensing fruit to the poor. Crab apples have a sharp taste and it is said the gurning competition originates from the faces the locals made when they bit into the sharp apples)
21st - Grizedale Mountain Bike Challenge - http://www.gmbc.co.uk
??? - November 18th - Bowness Theatre & Film Festival
October 2008
All - Bowness Theatre & Film Festival
November 2008
1st - 18th - Bowness Theatre & Film Festival
22nd - Ambleside Lantern Procession & Christmas Lights - http://www.amblesidechristmaslights.co.uk - Every year on a Saturday in mid-November, the people of Ambleside parade through the town at dusk, carrying hundreds of paper lanterns. Young and old turn out to witness this spectacular procession, as traffic is halted and Christmas street lights throughout the town centre are switched on as if by magic by Santa Claus. Then there are FIREWORKS......
??? - Grasmere Festival of Stars - http://www.grasmerestars.co.uk
December 2008