Country shows and festivals
2012
We run over 500 events from guided walks to family-friendly events, many of which are free. There's also loads going on in and around the National Park. Check out our selection below.
The following links to websites are offered in good faith. The Lake District National Park Authority has no control over the content of the sites and no endorsement of any of the products or services contained on the sites is implied. All links open in a new window.
May
Thu 3 - Sun 6 May: Keswick Jazz Festival
Sat 5 May: Nether Wasdale May Day Festival from 1pm - including maypole dancing
Sat 12 - Sun 13 May: Western Lake District KiteFest - Haverigg
Wed 16 – Sun 20 May: Keswick Mountain Festival
Sun 20 May: Brathay Windermere Marathon
Sat 26 May: Lakeland Trails - starting from Staveley
June
Fri 1 – Sat 2 June: Ireby Music Festival
Fri 1 - Sat 2 June: Keswick Beer Festival
Fri 1 – Sun 10 June: Black Combe Walking Festival
Thu 7 – Wed 13 June: Appleby Horse Fair
Sat 9 June: Cumberland County Show
Thu 14 - Sun 17 June: Boot Beer Festival
Thu 21 June: Olympic Torch Relay through South Lakes and evening celebration
Fri 22 - Sun 24 June: Great North Swim in Windermere
Fri 22 - Sat 24 June: Woolfest in Cockermouth
July
Sun 1 July - Lakeland Trails – Marathon in Coniston
Sat 7 July – Ambleside Rushbearing
Fri 13 - Sun 15 July: Staveley Carnival
Thu 26 July: Ambleside Traditional Sports Day
Sat 28 July: Penrith Show
Sat 28 and Sun 29 July: Cumbria Steam Gathering
August
Wed 1 Aug: Cartmel Show
Sat 4 - Sun 5 Aug: 10k and 10 mile Total Warrior Challenges - near Shap
Fri 17 - Sun 19 Aug: Masquepony street arts camping festival - Cartmel
Tues 21 Aug: Hawkshead Show
Sat 25 Aug: Millom and Broughton Agricultural Show
Sun 26 Aug: Grasmere Lakeland Sports and Show
Mon 27 Aug: Black Combe Country Fair
Fri 31 - Sun 2 Sept: Mintfest - International Festival of Street Arts in Kendal
September
Fri 31 - Sun 2 Sept: Mintfest - International Festival of Street Arts in Kendal
Sat 1 Sept: Lakeland Trails - starting from Keswick
Thu 6 – Sun 9 Sept: Heritage Open Days
Thu 13 Sept: Westmorland County Show
Sat 15 Sept: Egremont Crab Fair and Sports including the World Championship Gurning Competition
Sun 16 Sept: Borrowdale Shepherds' Meet and Show
Sat 22 – Sun 30 Sept: Ullswater Outdoor Show Ullswater Outdoor Show
Sat 29 Sept: Eskdale Show
October
Fri 5 - Sun 7 Oct: Beer 'n' Bangers Festival between Ravenglass and Broughton
Sat 6 Oct: Lakeland Trails, Coniston
Sat 13 Oct: Wasdale Head Shepherds' Meet and Show Tel: 019467 25340
November
Sat 3 and Sun 4 Nov: Lakeland Trails, Helvellyn
Mon 5 - Fri 9 Nov: Powerboat Speed Records Week on Coniston
Thu 15 - Sun 18 Nov: Kendal Mountain Festival
Thu 15 Nov: World's Biggest Liar, Holmrook
December
Sun 2 Dec: Keswick Traditional Christmas Fayre
Want even more visitor information?
Visit Golakes (opens in new window), the official website of the tourist board for The Lake District and Cumbria. Browse and book accommodation and attractions online and see what's on in the area.