Best events in the Lake District 2011
Wherever you decide to visit in the Lake District, you will find plenty to see and do. Even during the winter months, there are plenty of events, festivals and fairs to keep you entertained. Whether you want to visit Dove Cottage, former home of William Wordsworth, swim across Windermere or visit one of the many theatres or museums, you won´t be far from some of the best events in England.
January, 2011
- Friday 7th, Sat 8th, Wed 12th and Sat, 15th at 7.30pm - Aladdin at the Bryce Burnside, Kendal, with matinees on the 8th, 9th and 15th
- Sat 8th, at 3pm - Bindman Talk at Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Museum
- Sun 9th, from 7.30pm to 10pm - Philip Higham with Simon Lane at the Theatre by the Lake, Lakeside, Keswick
- Fri 28th Jan, from 7.30 to 10pm - Lenny Henry - Cradle to Rave at the Sands Centre, The Sands, Carlisle
- Sun 30th Jan, at 7.30pm - North Westmorland Arts Concert, at Appleby Public Hall, Boroughgate, Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria
- Mon 7th-Sat, 12th Feb at 7.30pm - Going Home, at Carlisle City, Cumbria
February, 2011
- Mon 7th, from 8pm to 10pm - Stephen K Amos - The Best Medicine - The Sands Theatre, The Sands, Carlisle
- Wed 9th, from 7pm to 10pm - The Saturdays - The Sands Centre, The Sands, Carlisle
- Sat 12th, from 7.30pm to 10pm - BBC Philharmonic Orchestra - The Sands Centre, The Sands, Carlisle
- Sat 26th, from 11am - Bindman Talks at Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Museum, Grasmere
March, 2011
- Fri 11th, from 7.30pm to 10pm - Royal Scottish National Orchestra - The Sands Centre, The Sands, Carlisle
- Sun 13th, Whinlatter Mountain Bike Challenge - A 30 mile endurance event in Whinlatter Forest Park
- Sat 19th, 8pm to 10pm - John Bishop: Sunshine - The Sands Centre, The Sands, Carlisle
- Sun 20th - Whinlatter Mountain Bike Challenge
- Mon 28th to Sat, 2nd April, 7.30pm - Little Shop of Horrors - Carlisle City, Cumbria
April 2011
- Fri 1st, from 7.30pm to 10pm - Halle - The Sands Centre, The Sands, Carlisle
- Fri 1st, Tom Fool´s Day at Muncaster Castle
- Sat 2nd, Lakeland Trails in Cartmel
- Sat 2nd, Trail Plus Adventure Challenge at Grizedale
- Sun 3rd, Mountain Hardwear Open 5 - Lake District
- Sat 9th and Sun 10th, Coniston Walk to Coniston Old Man and/or Dow Crag, all organised by Arrampica Vertical Adventures, Lake District National Park, Cumbria. Also Langdale Walk to Bowfell and Crinkle Crags, from 0900 to 5pm, Langdale Walk to Esk Pike, Bowfell and Crinkle Crags, Langdale Walk to Loughrigg.
- Sat 9th, Coniston 14 Road Race
- Sun 17th, Wrynose or Bust Cycle Challenge
- Fri 22nd to Mon 2nd May, Royal Wedding Flower Festival at Muncaster Castle. Daily guided walks through the stunning gardens of Muncaster, plus cookery demonstrations.
- Fri 29th April to 8th May - Ulverston Walking Festival
- Sat 30th, from 7.30pm to 10pm - The Bon Jovi Experience, from The Sands Centre, The Sands, Carlisle
- Mon 16th April to 21st May, from 7.30pm to 10pm - Blue Remembered Hills - Carlisle City, Cumbria
- Friday 29th April to Sunday 8th May - Ulverston Walking Festival, including guided walks with local history and geology explained
- Sat 30th, from 7.30pm to 10pm - The Bon Jovi Experience - The Sands Centre, The Sands, Carlisle
May, 2011
- Sat 7th, Lakeland Trails in Hawkshead
- Wed 18th to Sun 22nd May, Keswick Mountain Festival - including live music, sporting events and guest speakers, including Sir Chris Bonington and Ray Mears
- Fri 20th, from 7.30pm to 10pm - Bolshoi Symphony Orchestra - The Sands Centre, The Sands, Carlisle
- Sun 22nd May, Brathy to Windermere Marathon
- Sun 22nd May, Keswick Triathlon
- Fri 27th, from 5pm to 00.30 - Ireby Festival at Ireby Village Hall
- Sat 28th, from 10am to 5pm - Country Fest at County Show Ground, Crooklands, Milnthorpe
- Sat 28th to Friday, 1st June - The Festival of Fools at Muncaster Castle - Held in honour of the original Tom Fool, who lived at the castle more than 400 years ago. Great fun for all the family with street entertainers and court jesters
- Sat 28th, from 10.30am to 11.30pm - Ireby Festival at Ireby Village Hall
- Sun 29th, from 10am to 4pm - Country Fest at County Show Ground, Crooklands, Milnthorpe
June, 2011
- Thu 2nd to Wed 8th - Appleby Horse Fair at Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria
- Sun 5th at 2pm - Burneside Brass Band Concert, at Park Road Gardens Bandstand, Grange-over-Sands
- Mon 4th to Sat 9th - Many Happy Returns at Carlisle City, Cumbria
- Friday 17th to Sunday 19th June - The Great North Swim, Windermere - One of the most famous swimming events in the UK, over distances of half a mile, one mile and two miles
- Sun 19th at 11am - Lakes Race for Life at Westmorland County Showfield
- Sun 26th - A Day in the Lakes Triathlon
- Sat 28 May - Wed 1st JuneThe Festival of Fools, RavenglassBased at Muncaster Castle, a fun event with jesters, entertainers and more, all competing for the prestigious title of 'Fool of Muncaster'. A tomfoolery event which is entertaining for all the family.
- Thursday 2nd - Wed 8th JuneAppleby Horse FairAn annual gathering of gypsies and travellers from all over the country makes for a very colourful event with fortune telling, palm readers and horse sales and merchandise.
- Friday 3rd - Sat 11th JuneUlverston International Music FestivalA wonderful schedule of events celebrating all kinds of classical music, set in a historic market town.
- Friday 17 - Sun 19th JuneThe Great North Swim, WindermereA 1 mile open swim with stunning views over the Lakeland fells with 10,000 competitors.
- Friday 24th - Sat 25th JuneWoolfest, CockermouthA celebration of all things woolly! Stalls selling woven and knitted products, with displays of work, animals, wool spinning a fun filled event not to be missed.
- Friday 24th - Sunday 26th JuneSedbergh FolkfestFamily fun in this beautiful south cumbrian town, with a large marquee full of events with kids activities, workshops, puppetry, street theatre, dance and music displays.
July, 2011
- Sat 2nd - 10 Peaks Challenge
- Sun 3rd, Lakeland Trails Marathon
- Sat 9th to Sun, 10th - Lakeland Rose, Garden and Craft Show, 10am to 5pm (Sat) 10am to 4.30pm (Sun) at the County Show Ground, Crooklands, Milnthorpe
- Sun 17th, 6pm to 10pm, Car´s the Star Classic Show, Heaves Hotel, Kendal Cumbria
- Sat 23rd and Sun 24th, The Windermere Air Show
- Fri 29th to Sun 31st, from 10am to 5pm, Potfest in the Park, Hutton in the Forest, Old Park, Penrith
- Fri 29th to Sun, 31st, The Lakeland 100 - A trial race, starting and finishing in Coniston, covering the Lakeland fells, and including public bridleways and footpaths
- Saturday 2nd JulyConiston Water FestivalA festival-type event combining new ideas with traditional pastimes, popular with local people and visitors alike. A great family day out and a fun-filled time on and off the water...
- Sat 16th JulyCumberland County ShowA rich awakening of historical Cumberland life on show in this annual Cumbrian event with hundreds of stands and amazing displays showcasing the agricultural heritage of the area and all day entertainment at Carlisle Racecourse.
- Sat 23rd July - Sun 24th JulyWindermere Air Festival, Bowness on WindermereAlways a great weekend to visit the lakes, there are many stalls and entertainment with spectacular ground and air based displays covering the whole weekend.
August, 2011
- Sat 13th, Lakeland Triathlon
- Fri 26th to Mon 29th, Adidas Terrex Adventure Race - The C2C
September, 2011
- Sat 3rd, Lakeland Trails in Keswick
- Sun 4th Sept, Helvellyn Triathlon, including a 1mile swim in Ullswater, a 38 mile cycle route over Kirkstone Pass and a 9 mile run up Hellvellyn, the third highest peak in England
- Sat 24th to Sun, 2nd October, Ullswater Outdoor Festival
October, 2011
- Sat 1st, Lakeland Trails in Coniston
November, 2011
- Sat 5th, Lakeland Trails in Helvellyn
- Sun 6th, Lakeland Trails Finale
December, 2011
- Sundays in December, half hour tours led by servants in period costumes from 1885.
Other fantastic events taking place in the Lake District in 2011, some of which are yet to confirm times and dates, include:
- February half term at Muncaster Castle, which includes fun for all the family and also Darkest Muncaster illuminations on some evenings
- From mid-March to mid-June at Muncaster Castle, Riot of Rhododendrons, which is a must for all fans of flora and fauna
- From mid-April, Bluebell in the woodlands around Muncaster
- Late April to early May, the Cockermouth Georgian Festival in the Market Place and Main Street
- April/May - Feast of Flowers at Muncaster Castle, and guided tours by the head gardener, plus flower arranging demonstrations
- Early May - Lake District and Keswick Half Marathon around Derwent Water
- Mid-May - Jennings Keswick Jazz Festival at the Theatre by the Lake in Keswick
- Mid-May - Cumberland Ale Keswick Mountain Festival, around Keswick
- May to August - The Lakelander Vintage Steam Train Journey, running on selected Saturdays and travelling around the Cumbrian coast to Ravenglass
- Early June - The Keswick Beer Festival
- Early September - Derwent Water Trail - a fun run event through the Lake District
- Halloween Week - ghost tours of Muncaster Castle
The Lake District is famous for its countryside, lakes, mountains and fells, and the landscape provides a stunning backdrop for all outdoor pursuits and events. Make the most of your stay in the Lake District, by planning your itinerary before you arrive, and choose from a great range of accommodation in Windermere and elsewhere in the region, including guest houses, bed and breakfast accommodation and themed spa hotels.
