2026 Lake District Events and Festivals
Looking for something a bit different to do while on holiday this year? We’ve listed some of the most exciting and unusual events taking place around Keswick and the Lake District in 2026. You don’t want to miss these!
Please note, Castlerigg Hall isn’t affiliated with any of these events and we recommend you do your own research before attending.
Taking place all year
Exhibitions at the Keswick Museum
Keswick, Lake District
Come rain or shine, a day trip to the Keswick Museum is a great day out
2026 visitors to the Keswick Museum are in for a treat! They have a number of fascinating exhibitions on all year, including a ‘Literature Zone’ and ‘Arts and Crafts Zone’.
Buying a ticket gives you free access to the museum for 12 months, so you don’t have to miss a thing as more events and exhibitions are announced throughout the year.
14th March 6.30pm
Stargazing Events
Whinlatter Forrest Dark Skies Walk
Stars and the Northern Lights above the Castlerigg Stone Circle, close to Castlerigg Hall
The Lake District is one of England’s darkest regions at night and a perfect place to stargaze.
Join JAG Outdoors at Whinlatter only a few miles out of Keswick for a walk around the forest at night.
The walk will cover 3-4 miles of trails, and weather permitting, stop for some amazing star gazing opportunities. As an amateur astronomer Jo from JAG Outdoors can (hopefully!) help you have some fun finding the major constellations and will have star maps and guides on hand.
However, whatever your level of expertise, there are plenty of dark sky and stargazing activities throughout the year in the Lake District.
You can even admire the heavens without leaving Castlerigg Hall holiday park!
15th-17th May
Keswick Mountain Festival
Keswick, Lake District
A runner coming down from Catbells. The festival may be a little busier than this!
Keswick Mountain Festival is an outdoors sports festival with incredible entertainment taking place on 15-17 May, 2026.
You’ll find wonderful sports events to choose from across trail running, hikes, open water swimming, cycling, triathlon, and adventure racing.
The KMF Music Experience offers three fantastic venues to enjoy live music. Our open-air lakeside stage lets festival-goers soak up evening performances while taking in stunning views. Expect brilliant bands and headline DJs performing until 10pm.
For a more relaxed vibe, the Campervan Live Lounge in the heart of the food and drink zone will host acoustic sets, perfect for unwinding after your sporting adventures.
There will be an improved DJ Bar, a much larger venue. Music will once again be hosted by Electric Boutique with various DJs over the course of the weekend.
2026 date tbc
The Lakeland Festival of Light
Keswick, Lake District
Catbells being lit up on a previous year’s Festival of Light
Enjoy the spectacular sight of the path up Catbells being lit up for the Lakeland Festival of Light or even take part in lighting up the fell by bringing along your head torch, all in the name of raising money for charity.
No tickets are needed, simply show up on the evening and don’t forget to wrap up warm. Those taking part can even bring well-behaved dogs!
Take part in the Festival of Light
Or, you can admire the whole event coming together from Castlerigg Hall itself! Those staying in our Hex Pods don’t even have to leave their decks. Our Viewpoint is a great place to congregate and see the whole fell illuminated.
Saturday 25th April
World Marmalade Festival
Dalemain, Penrith, Cumbria
Paddington would love to attend a whole festival dedicated to marmalade
You may not have heard of the Marmalade Awards and Festival, but it’s actually been an annual event for almost 20 years and attracts spread-lovers from around the globe. This free, family-friendly event has stalls and entertainment, as well as grand prizes for the best marmalades in the world.
The Marmalade Festival Weekend
Saturday 25th April
Entry to the Festival is from 10.00am -4.00pm. Announcement of the world’s best marmalade, displays with thousands of jars around the mansion, Artisan marmalade tasting and an opportunity to buy some of this years winners, activities, talks, stalls and meet Paddington Bear.
Penrith Goes Orange On Saturday 25th April businesses and the town centre will go orange, there will be a Marmalade Bus (full timetable will be published on this page before the festival) going between Penrith and Dalemain. Please consider donating any spare change in exchange for your ride. Hospice collection buckets will be in the bus on the day.
Sunday 26th April
A Marmalade Church Service taking place at St. Andrews, Dacre, then come for a cup of tea at Dalemain and view the beautiful classic cars for The Classic Car ‘Drive It Day’ which will be happening immediately in front of the house. Entry to this is free of charge.
11th – 15th March 2026
words by the water
Theatre by the Lake Keswick
12th – 14th June
Great North Swim
Windermere, Lake District
Did you know the Lake District is home to the UK’s largest open-water swimming event?
Coming this June, the ALRA Great North Swim is a weekend-long celebration of open-water swimming that is fun for novices and experts alike. Located at Windemere, you can take part in courses from 250m all the way to 10km.
If you prefer to keep your feet on the ground, we can promise beautiful lake views of Derwentwater from Castlerigg Hall, no getting wet required!
5th – 6th June
Keswick Beer Festival
Keswick, Lake District
Have you tried a pint of Castlerigg Stone CircAle?
2026 marks the 28th Anniversary of the Keswick Beer Festival. This ticketed event is always popular (and does tend to sell out ahead of time.)
There’s great entertainment, tasty food and, of course, hundreds of beers and ales. Whatever type of pint you like, there will be something new to try at the Keswick Beer Festival.
Saturday 20th June
10in10 Walking Challenge
Starting/Ending at the Swinside Pub, close to Derwentwater
The Castlerigg Hall team taking on the 10in10 challenge
Walking in the Lake District can be relaxing and revitalising, but if you’re the sort who finishes a walk and wishes they could be back up in the fells already, we have the challenge for you!
The 10in10 challenge is to complete 10 peaks in 10 hours! (In 2026, they are Causey Pike, Sail, Crag Hill, Wandope, Whiteless Pike, High Snockrigg, Robinson, Dale Head, High Spy, Maiden Moor. The whole route is about 27km). Or there is the slightly less strenuous Family 5in5.
But even if the walk itself doesn’t appeal, you can support the teams as they charge through the Lakes onto the next fell.
Saturday 27th June
Keswick Mid Summer Festival ‘Party in the Park’
Keswick
Crowds mingle at Fitz Park Festival
This all-day music festival in Fitz Park, Keswick is completely free to attend. There’s all sorts of local singers and bands on throughout the day from pop classics to a brass band, from jazz to a classical soprano. Basically, there’s something for everyone.
You can bring your own picnic or pick up food and drink which will be available throughout the day.
18th July
Penrith Agricultural Show
Brougham Hall
Typical fun to be had
Whilst retaining the tradition of a genuine agricultural emphasis, the show has gathered much momentum in recent years. Agricultural shows have always been special occasions enabling rural and urban communities to come together in competition in a wide spectrum of classes for farm livestock, arable, horses, rabbits, poultry, show jumping, industrial and horticulture.
Trade stands make an invaluable contribution to the essential atmosphere at the show. The food hall and rural crafts marquee, displaying regional fare in a village context, are other integral aspects. All of this and the tremendous variation of main ring attractions provide entertainment for all the family and friends.
11th and 12th July
Summer Art Exhibition
Dufton, Cumbria
David Jackson and Alan Hinkes at the Art in the Hill exhibition 2022
The Art in the Hills Art Exhibition showcases the works of local artists and photographers (including Castlerigg Hall’s David Jackson, whose Lake District photos you can find on our Instagram). Now in its 13th year, this lovely event is a great place to admire the artwork and maybe even take a bit of the Lake District home with you.
September: Dates to be confirmed
Taste Cumbria Food Festival
Cockermouth
A range of cake
Calling all foodies! The Lake District is a hotspot for great restaurants, cafes and pubs and so why not come to celebrate them at The Taste Cumbria Food Festival?
Visitors to the festival can expect children’s entertainment, live music and a wide variety of tasty food to sample. Entry to almost all of the festival is free too (with the exception of some talks).
20th September
Keswick Half Marathon
Keswick, Lake District
Keswick Half Marathon with Derwentwater and Blencathra behind
Billed as the most scenic half marathon in the country, this beautiful route goes around Derwentwater with an extra loop into the Newlands valley. There are also children’s fun runs so no one has to miss out.
Take part in the 13-mile route or cheer on the runners as they pass by close to Castlerigg Hall!