The Lake District is magical, rain or shine, the peaks and valleys of our beautiful area are soaked in history and natural beauty. The only thing that’s better than the Lakes is the Lakes at Christmas! The fells are dusted with powdery snow, the streets are bustling with Christmas shoppers, and our communities come together to celebrate the festive season with events like the annual Christmas markets, winter festivals, family festive days, and much more.
This guide will walk you through the many things the Lake District has to offer at Christmas, including when and where to find them!
Christmas Markets
As the festive season approaches, the Lake District sparkles with exciting events to celebrate Christmas in style. Whether you’re in the mood for festive shopping, indulging in seasonal treats, or soaking up the holiday atmosphere with family and friends, our region offers a variety of activities to make your Christmas truly special. Discover what’s happening in the run-up to the holidays with these must-visit events in the Lake District.
Winter Craft Fair at Blackwell, Windermere | 13th – 15th November 2026, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
The Blackwell Arts & Crafts home is a glittering jewel of the Lakes, and it only shines brighter during the festive season.
Lakeland Arts holds the Winter Craft Fair over two weekends in November in one of the country’s most well-preserved Arts & Crafts houses. You can wander through the historic halls and marvel at the home where time seems to stand still, all the while shopping for one-of-a-kind gifts and browsing the stalls of handmade creations.
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Hawkshead Christmas Fair, Hawkshead | 5th – 6th December 2026, 10:00 am – 4/5:00 pm
Hawkshead village centre turns into a bustling hub of colour and music during the annual Christmas Fair in December.
There is live music played all day by various local bands and artists, and in the last few years, there has been a lantern procession where beautifully crafted paper lanterns are paraded through the streets to shine a little bit of light on us all.
The roads are lined with stalls selling arts & crafts, local produce and warm food, where you can pick up handmade gifts and treats made with love. There is usually a Santa’s Grotto set up in the village somewhere for children!
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Taste Cumbria Christmas Market, Cockermouth | 5th – 6th December 2026
Some of the most well-known events in the area, Taste Cumbria Events are made by foodies for foodies with stalls bursting at the seams with yummy foods made from local produce, cookery demonstrations from seasoned chefs, and activities for the whole family.
The Christmas event treats us even more: Stalls will be filled with classic festive delicacies like crumbly mince pies and mulled wine that will scare away the chilly December weather in the Lakes.
They have a fully kitted out Grotto where your little ones can meet Santa Claus, alongside fairground rides and live music – and this is all completely free to attend! You won’t want to miss out on this!
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Christmas Market, Bowness-on-Windermere | 5th – 6th December 2026, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
There are markets in Bowness every Sunday, but the Christmas ones that take place every year are just magical. Alongside the usual stalls, handmade gifts are displayed, Christmas treats and festive produce line the street, surrounded by Christmas lights and good cheer.
Father Christmas is likely to make an appearance too, weaving in and out of the stalls to the backing track of live music, carol singers and street entertainers.
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Christmas Light Switch-ons
Christmas Lights Switch–On, Keswick | Wednesday 18th November 2026, 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
It’ll soon be that time of year when were all walking home quicker than usual to avoid the chill of winter, wrapped up in layers of scarves and hats and gloves, and missing the sunshine, but there’s one thing that makes it all worth it – Christmas lights, they line the streets and scatter warm, light from canopies above, warming not only the dark of the late afternoons but souls too.
Keswick throws its light switch on every year, right in the centre of the lively town. The entire market square is draped in lights, shining gold and silver, and every colour of the rainbow, bringing everyone together in the welcoming atmosphere to enjoy the festive community spirit; locals and visitors alike.
They also have a Christmas Food & Gift Fayre, a performance of The Wizard of Oz by the talented actors from Theatre by the Lake, and live music. Peter Rabbit himself may even make an appearance to switch some lights on, so keep an eye out for him!
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Christmas Lights, Ambleside | Saturday 21st November 2026
The Ambleside Light Switch-on is one of the most beloved events of the year here in the Central Lakes. Windermere Lake Steamers cross the iconic lake twice, so you and your little ones can look for Santa Claus in the mist over the water, a Christmas fun fair with festive rides and stalls is set up in the town, and the Parish centre holds the beloved craft fair.
The highlight of the day is always the iconic lantern parade, where members of the community dance light through the streets holding paper lanterns in every shape you can imagine. Following the end of the parade, you and your family can take the lovely walk through the centre to Rothay Park, where a firework display will be set off, brilliant colours bursting across the winter sky, starbursts of sparkles joining the stars for a little while.
The event is run entirely by the community and funded by donations and fundraising, so make sure you drop by to see all their hard work and join the efforts to keep this an annual tradition.
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Christmas Lights Switch On, Kendal | Friday 27th November 2026, 05:00 pm – 8:00 pm
One of our favourite things here at the Herdwick Cottages HQ is when all the twinkling Christmas Lights are strung up through the town and switched on – it makes working in the centre all the more special, and it helps with the chilly walk home after the sun has set.
The switch-on is a very popular event here in Kendal, the fair comes to town, the shops stay open later, and the centre is filled with locals and travellers alike coming to experience the joy and warmth of the community. It’s truly a family event, getting all cosied up in your warmest coat, hat and scarf, scaring the winter frost away with a big hot chocolate with all the toppings from a local vendor and gathering with your loved ones to watch the iconic tree get switched on, oohing and aahing as the streets are lit up with a myriad of colours.
It brings everyone together to bask in the excitement of the festive season.
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Festivals
Kendal Mountain Festival | 19th– 22nd November 2026
The Kendal Mountain Festival comes back this November with a vibrant programme of speakers, family events, trail runs and film screenings, along with so much more. The bustling base camp is the heart of the event, located in Abbot Hall, which is completely free to enter, and features speaker stages, interactive stands from well-known and local brands, and wellness workshops. Running events are held all through the weekend, alongside live music events, movie screenings, and book events for locals and visitors alike to come together and enjoy. Bear Grylls will even be joining in this year!
You may even manage to find one of the Montane secret sessions, one-of-a-kind events dotted over the weekend with completely mysterious speakers and locations. This event is one of the most highly anticipated in Lakes every year. Make sure you don’t miss it!
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Dickensian Festival, Ulverston | 28th – 29th November 2026
You can step back in time to the period of top hats and silk if you travel to Ulverston this November. The famous Dickensian Festival is back for another year; the streets of the centre are filled with stalls serving warm mulled wine and festive foods, street performers, and a live brass band dancing through the area.
Dressing up is not required, but it is highly praised; you’ll fit right in with the rest of the town, who get fancied up in their best Victorian era attire and parade through the streets.
The independent shops in the town boast unique and handmade gifts for your loved ones this Christmas too, make sure you’re checking those out between the free entertainment and family events.
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Victorian Fayre, Keswick | Sunday 6th December 2026, 10:30 am – 4:00 pm
The Victorian Fayre is a very popular Christmas tradition here in the Lakes. Keswick transforms into a Victorian Christmas town, complete with stalls filled with warm winter foods and mulled wine, all to the backdrop of wonderful live entertainment from performers and live music.
Stall handlers, volunteers and visitors alike dress up in proper Victorian era outfits and take to the streets, everyone is enthusiastically encouraged to dress up and join in the festive fun, you can give winning the costume contest a go! You may even catch a glance of the famous Queen Victoria, so keep your eyes peeled.
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Kirkby Lonsdale Christmas Fair, Kirkby Lonsdale | 4th – 6th December 2026
The beloved Christmas Fair is back in Kirkby Lonsdale this year, and we are all looking forward to it. The market square gets a complete festive makeover, complete with colourful Christmas lights, market stalls and a Ferris wheel standing proud in the middle.
It’s the perfect weekend out for your family or a romantic trip, walking the streets of the gorgeous high street of the town, seeing the creative window displays the shops set up every year, buying some extra special homemade gifts for the big day.
The best part is that we have a nice range of stunning holiday cottages in the area, each one as cosy as the last. Corn Meadow is a pretty property tucked into the countryside of Kirkby Lonsdale, furnished in bright, airy colours to complement the scenery outside the floor-to-ceiling windows. Staying here gives you access to Kirkby Lonsdale, the Yorkshire Dales and the Health and Spa club next door, something for every guest.
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Family Events for the Kids
This festive season, the Lake District offers an array of enchanting activities perfect for families. From magical train rides and whimsical grotto visits to historical Christmas experiences, there’s something to delight children of all ages. Explore these exciting events to create unforgettable holiday memories with your little ones.
Winter at Sizergh | 20th November – 24th December 2026, 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm
If you’re looking for a family evening out this winter, Winter at Sizergh comes highly recommended. The National Trust castle turns into an immersive outdoor light experience, where you and your family can bundle up in your winter coats and wander through the iconic gardens along a trail designed by local artists and illuminated with light projections.
The house itself is also made up for the festive season, you will take a step back in time to the 1700’s, where you can be a guest at a highly anticipated and glamorous engagement party, it’ll be you and your family’s job to uncover gossip and solve the mystery underfoot. The shop and on-site café are highly rated and stock an array of beautiful festive gifts.
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Santa Express, Ravenglass & Eskdale | 21st November – 24th December 2026
The Santa Express is the perfect family day out. You’ll start the experience in the Ravenglass Railway Museum for a story time of timeless Christmas stories told by Santa’s elves.
You will then be allowed to board the magical train decorated for the festive season and taken on a tour through the gorgeous Eskdale Valley to the destination: Dalegarth Grotto. Santa Claus himself and a team of his best elves will be waiting to greet you, you’ll enjoy a festive meal, and the little ones will get to meet Father Christmas one at a time to receive an early present and have a jolly chat.
This experience combines the beauty of the Lakes and festive spirit fantastically, ensuring there’s something for every member of the family to enjoy.
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Honister Slate Mine, Cockermouth | 14th November – 23rd December 2026
If you’re more of an outdoorsy family, Santa’s Secret Grotto at Honister Slate mine is an absolute must-attend. The mine is filled with festive spirit, lit up throughout with colourful decorations and lights.
You can climb, slide, and explore; you may even come across the hidden workshop where the Elves work. You and your family will be met at the bottom of the pass by Chief Elf Merry, who will make sure you’re all suited and booted in the correct safety gear before getting you settled in the bus, ready to take you up to the secret entrance of the experience.
Once you’ve explored, Santa will meet you and your little ones in the Grotto with gifts and laughs.
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Skate By The Lake at Another Place, Ullswater | 3rd December – 3rd January 2026
For the second year in a row, Another Place is bringing back Skate By The Lake! For over 30 days, there will be an ice-skating rink right on the shore of Ullswater Lake for first-time and experienced skaters alike to enjoy.
Get bundled up in your warmest winter attire, strap up your skates and have a go around the rink under the glow of twinkling Christmas lights, warmed by the community atmosphere and yummy festive hot chocolates.
You and your family can skate on the same ice as the Olympic skaters who frequent the event during winter, take in the stunning grounds of the Ullswater venue and indulge in festive treats.
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We hope this guide helps you plan your visit to the Lake District this Christmas. With an array of festive events and activities, from enchanting Christmas markets to magical family experiences, the Lake District offers a truly memorable holiday season.
To make the most of your visit, remember to book early—Christmas is a popular time, so securing your accommodation and events ahead of time is crucial. Dress warmly to stay comfortable in the chilly weather, and plan ahead by checking event schedules and booking tickets in advance for popular attractions and activities.
Whether you’re seeking large accommodations for family gatherings, dog-friendly stays, or a cosy retreat with a hot tub, Herdwick Cottages has a variety of options to suit every preference.
Enjoy your holiday and make the most of all that this picturesque region has to offer!
