Christmas events across Cumbria - take a look at our definitive guide

The list is split down by area - and there's plenty for everyone.

THE LAKE DISTRICT

Ambleside Christmas Lights

Town centre

Sat, November 18

The annual Ambleside Christmas lights switch-on involves Father Christmas cruises followed by a parade through the Lake District town at dusk, featuring hundreds of paper lanterns. There is also a family fun zone, local entertainers and musicians, stalls throughout the town and a firework display.

Jingle Bell Jog

Bowness-on-Windermere

Sun, December 17

Dress up as an elf, snowman or the big man himself for a family fun run around a buggy-friendly, wheelchair-friendly 2km course. Organised by Lakes Lions; proceeds to local charities. Begins and ends at Cockshott Point; race starts 11am (£10 adult; £5 child; £25 family (2+2); under-fives free).

The Christmas Gift

The Old Laundry Theatre,

Bowness-on-Windermere

Tues, December 19 to Thurs, December 21

Heart-warming, family friendly show with four famous Christmas stories magically bound together, with music, storytelling and readings. Theatre Voices Ambleside presents the perfect Christmas. There will be a visit from Father Christmas.

The Secret Garden

Theatre by the Lake, Keswick

Sat, November 25 to Sat, January 13

The Theatre by the Lake’s annual Christmas show this year is Jessica Swale’s adaption of The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, one of literature’s most enduring and magical adventures.

Keswick Live Advent

Town centre

Fri, December 1 to Fri, December 24

A pop-up live event takes place at a different venue each day as an illuminated seasonal window is unveiled. See Keswick Live Advent on Facebook for more details.

Displayed until early January.

Keswick Victorian Fayre

Town centre

Sun, December 3

Join the festive spirit at the 31st Victorian Fayre. About 30 charities and not-for-profit organisations sell gifts and run competitions, alongside craft, gift and festive food stalls and live entertainment. Costumes optional, but encouraged.

Keswick’s Own Christmas Proms

Theatre by the Lake, Keswick

Sun, December 3

The Rotary Club of Keswick presents a Christmas concert featuring a variety of acts to suit all musical tastes. Professional singers and husband and wife team Graeme Danby and Valerie Reid will lead the concert with a special performance by St Herbert’s CE Primary School Choir.

KENDAL & KIRKBY LONSDALE

Craft Market

Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal

Fri, November 24 to Sun, November 26

Prestigious showcase of Cumbrian art and craft, featuring textile artists, jewellers, ceramicists and more alongside live music and seasonal refreshments. (Fri 5.30pm-8.30pm; Sat 10am-5pm; Sun noon-5pm; £1).

Kirkby Lonsdale Christmas Fair

Town centre

Fri, December 1 to Sun, December 3

A chalet village in the heart of the town sell gifts from near and far.

There’s a festive parade, lights switch-on, Santa’s grotto and street entertainment, with the annual Santa’s cycle events on Sunday. Indoor market at Lunesdale Hall with more gift and craft stalls. (Fri 4pm-8pm; Sat 10am-6pm; Sun 10am-4pm).

The Young’uns: We Three Sings

Kendal Parish Church

Sat, December 9

The Young’uns present their popular festive concert ‘We Three Sings’ at Kendal Parish Church. The folk group from Stockton, County Durham won the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards Best Group award in 2015 and 2016. (Tickets £16).

CARLISLE

Gold, Frankincense and More

The Shepherds, Rosehill, Carlisle

Wed, November 15 and Thurs, November 16

Enjoy the festive party atmosphere at a Christmas shopping fair with independent pop-up shops offering high quality original gifts, clothing, home wares and food. Raising funds for the NSPCC. (Wed 5.30pm-8pm, £7, including glass of fizz; Thurs 10am-3.30pm, £4).

Carlisle Christmas Market

City centre

Thurs, November 23 to Sun, December 3

Made in Cumbria market showcasing local foods and crafts.

Christmas Craft Fair

Dacre Hall, Lanercost

Fri, November 24 to Mon, November 27

More than 40 stalls selling handcrafted gifts, with home-made refreshments (10am-5pm; £1).

Alston Christmas Craft Fair

Alston Town Hall

Fri, November 24 to Sun, November 26

Annual showcase for designer makers from the North Pennines, with local food and drink and live music (Fri and Sun 10am-4pm; Sat

10am-5pm).

Christmas Fun Weekend

Tullie House, Carlisle

Sat, December 9 and Sun, December 10 Santa’s grotto, Christmas crafts and midwinter storytelling. £5 child (accompanying adults free).

Santa Special

South Tynedale Railway, Alston Sat, December 9 and Sun, December 10; Sat, December 16 - Tues, December 19 Travel by steam train to meet Santa in his grotto. Adult £13, child £10, under-twos free. Five trains run each day. Booking advised.

Christmas Crafts

Tullie House, Carlisle

December 19, 21 and 23

Drop-in holiday craft sessions from 1pm to 4pm. Free admission.

COCKERMOUTH & WEST CUMBRIA

Taste Cumbria Christmas Market

Main Street, Cockermouth

Sat, December 9 and Sun, December 10

Fill the Christmas larder with food from Taste Cumbria’s finest producers. Seasonal hot food, Christmas craft and gift stalls, plus a fairground for younger visitors. (10am-4pm).

Santa Express

Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway

Every Friday and Saturday in December before Christmas and Mon, December 18-Sat, December 23 Enjoy a magical journey onboard the Santa Express to meet Father Christmas and explore his Dalegarth grotto.

PENRITH & EDEN VALLEY

Cumbria Life Christmas

Rheged, near Penrith

Sat, November 18 and Sun, November 19

With talks, masterclasses and a carefully selected market of

exquisite finds.

Christmas Craft and Shopping Fair

Lazonby, near Penrith

Sun, November 19

30 stalls of crafts, gifts and clothing (10am to 4pm).

Christmas Family Festival

Rheged, near Penrith

Sat, November 25 and Sun, November 26

A festive family weekend offering an array of craft activities, live musical performances, dance, films and Santa and the Snow Queen parade. With performances from Squeeze Box and Kendal Calling favourite Eliza Gutteridge, Sue Lala of Astral Circus and choirs and performers from the Eden area. (10am-4pm).

Tunes and Tipples

Rheged, near Penrith

Sat, December 2 and Sun, December 3

A blend of live music and mixology – the art of blending cocktails – will take place in the Mountain Hall at Rheged. With live performances from Kendal Calling favourite Eliza Gutteridge and Squeeze Box.

Christmas at Lowther Castle

Lowther Castle & Gardens

Fri, December 8 and Sat, December 9

Celebrate the festive season Under the Stars. Four nights of exclusive entertainment across two weekends with beautiful illuminations, upbeat live music, food and a range of beautiful art installations to explore across the castle grounds. Also on on Fri, December 15 and Sat, December 16.

Orton Christmas Farmers’ Market

Orton

Sat, December 9

The food-lover’s Christmas starts here, with nearly local 40 producers selling their wares amid lots of seasonal atmosphere. (9am til 2pm).

Arts and Antique Weekend

Rheged, near Penrith

Sat, December 9 and Sun, December 10

More than 20 local artists who include painters, potters, sculptors, printmakers, musical instrument makers and mixed media artists display their work. Colin Caygill antique fair on Sunday. (10am-4pm. £1.20 admission).

Star Wars Opening Weekend: The Epic Party

Rheged, near Penrith

Thurs, December 14 to Sun, December 17

Rheged is hosting an epic Star Wars weekend packed with quizzes, character meet and greets, mask making workshops and prizes as well as daily screenings of Stars Wars: The Last Jedi. Dress up as your favourite Star Wars character and take part in the costume contest.

FURNESS, CARTMEL & SOUTH CUMBRIA

Cinderella Slipper Hunt

Barrow Town Centre

Saturday-Sunday November 25-26, December 2-3 and December 9-10.

The competition, organised by the Barrow Business Improvement District team, involves following a series of clues in a bid to find a glass slipper which has been hidden somewhere in Barrow town centre.

To take part collect an entry form from The Forum each Saturday or Marks & Spencer each Sunday (between 11am and 2pm, last forms handed out at 1pm) before handing it back in once the hunt has been completed. The winners will be picked on December 10.

The top prize is a family ticket to see the pantomime on Sunday December 16 for two adults and two children. The winners will be picked up in a limo and driven to The Forum for a meal before the show. The second prize is a family ticket to the pantomime along with drinks during the interval and third prize is a family ticket for the show.

Elf on the Shelf

Barrow Town Centre

Thursday December 21

On the day when the schools break up for Christmas, ten of Santa’s mischievous elves will be hiding in various locations around the town centre.

Participants can collect an entry form that will include clues to the whereabouts of the elves with all participants being entered into a draw to win some Christmassy prizes.

Santa comes to Millerbeck

Millerbeck Light Railway, Staveley-in-Cartmel

Fri, November 17 - Sun,

November 19

Take a family trip on the Santa Express to see Father Christmas in his grotto. Daytime specials only. (Adult £10; child, including present, £11. Booking essential).

Ulverston Dickensian Festival

Town centre, Ulverston

Sat, November 25 and Sun, November 26

Victorian costumes and horse-drawn carriages set the scene for a festive fair, with Christmas market, roast chestnuts, mulled wine, brass bands and carol singers.

Dalton Christmas Tree Festival

St Mary’s Church, Market Place

Every Fri, Sat and Sun throughout December

More than 40 Christmas trees - decorated to the theme of All Kinds of Everything - will be exhibited. Also Dalton Christmas Craft Market is at Dalton Community Centre on Sat, December 2, offering an array of handmade gifts and Christmas goods.

Christmas Market

Yew Tree Barn, Low Newton

Fri, December 1 - Sun, December 3

Soak up the festive atmosphere in the barn and heated marquee, where 40 stallholders sell their wares alongside musicians and food stalls.

Milnthorpe’s Christmas

No17 Restaurant & Lounge

Sat, December 2

Formerly known as Christmas on the Green, Milnthorpe’s Christmas is a community organised Christmas fair. There are performances from local acts, market stalls, Santa’s grotto, arts and crafts, face painting and a lucky dip.

Santa Special

Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway, Ulverston

Sat, December 2 and Sun, December 3

Father Christmas and his helpers take the 90 minute return journey between Lakeside and Haverthwaite. Take a seat in a decorated carriage and enjoy festive treats, carol singing and gifts. Also on Sat, December 9, Sun, December 10, Sat, December 16 and Sun, December 17. (£13 admission).

Holker Art and Christmas Food Markets

Holker Hall & Gardens, Cark-in-Cartmel

Sat, December 9 and Sun, December 10

A specialist art market with local printmaker and painters’ work followed by a Christmas food market the next day for local artisan produce.

Christmas Market

Coronation Hall, Ulverston

Sat, December 9

Indoor Christmas market and festive street market taking place in the Coronation Hall and throughout the streets of Ulverston. Wide variety of craft stalls selling handcrafted gifts, organised by Ulverston Day Services (10am-5pm).

Christmas Art Market at Home

Crofts Farmhouse, Leasgill, Milnthorpe

Sat, December 9 and Sun, December 10

Jeweller and ceramicist Jan Huntley-Peace and nine hand-picked artists sell unusual gifts (10am-4pm. Free entry).

Cartmel Christmas Food Market

Unsworth’s Yard, Cartmel Village

Fri, December 15

Stallholders include Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding, Kitridding Farm Shop, The Pudding Room and more. A Christmas special for this monthly food market.