Throughout the festive season

Carlisle is a renowned shopping destination. At Christmas there are many festive events happening over the festive period throughout the district and Cumbria, including those listed below.

Please note that Markets and Fairs are listed separately further down the page, as are Santa’s Grottos and Events.

Friday 15 November to Sunday 5 January – The Jungle Book at Theatre By The Lake. For further information visit www.theatrebythelake.com

Wednesday 27 November to Saturday 7 December - Hansel And Gretel pantomime at West Walls Theatre. Further information

Saturday 30 November to Tuesday 31 December (except for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day) - Christmas Tree Festival at Carlisle Cathedral. For further information visit carlislecathedral.org.uk

Wednesday 4, Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 December - Wreath Making Workshops at Larch Cottage. For further information visit larchcottage.co.uk

Saturday 7 December and Saturday 4 January - The Winter City Walking Tour. Further information

Saturday 7 December - The Market Hall Festive Fun Day. Further information

Saturday 7 December - City of Carlisle Orchestra: Winter Concert at St. John's Church, London Road. For further information visit www.cityofcarlisleorchestra.co.uk

Saturday 7 December - Christmas Wreath-Making Workshop at Carlisle Cathedral. For further information visit carlislecathedral.org.uk

Saturday 7 December - Christmas Coffee Morning at the Victory Hall in Dalston, in aid of St Michael's Church (Dalston) and St John's Church (Cumdivock), 10am-12pm. Homemade mince pies, shortbread, and scones, plus cake stall, Tombola, raffle, books, and greenery for a seasonal wreath. Entry: adults £3.50, school age £1, under 5s free.

Saturday 7 December - A Christmas Carol at Carnegie Theatre and Arts Centre, Workington. For further information visit carnegietheatre.ticketsolve.com

Sunday 8 December - Carlisle Community Choir Christmas Concert at The Salvation Army, Abbey Street, Carlisle, CA3 8TX. Featuring Upperby Primary School Choir. 4pm start. Free entry (donations gratefully recieved).

Tuesday 10 December - G4 Christmas at Carlisle Cathedral. Further information

Tuesday 10 to Saturday 28 December – Tinsel at Theatre By The Lake. For further information visit www.theatrebythelake.com

Wednesday 11 December - Handel's Messiah at Carlisle Cathedral. Further information

Wednesday 11 December - Joint Services Christmas Carol Concert at St Aidan's Church. Doors open 6.30pm, concert starts 7pm. Free tickets available from the Carlisle Tourist Information Centre.

Wednesday 11 December - A Christmas Carol at The World of Beatrix Potter, Bowness-On-Windermere. For further information visit www.hop-skip-jump.com

Thursday 12 December - The History and Making of The Bells at Carlisle Cathedral by Ronald East BEM MSc. For further information visit carlislecathedral.org.uk

Thursday 12 December – The Royal Ballet present Cinderella at Brewery Arts. For further information visit www.breweryarts.co.uk

Friday 13 to Sunday 15 December - Wizard Of Oz Community Pantomime at Harraby Theatre. For further information visit harrabytheatre.co.uk

Friday 13 December - Christmas Carols at Netherby Hall. For further information visit netherbyhall.co.uk

Saturday 14 December - Massaoke: Christmas Live at The Old Fire Station. Further information

Saturday 14 December - Party Eh! Vs Fascino: Xmas Party Special at The Brickyard. Further information

Saturday 14 December - Solway Singers: Carols at Christmas concert, with Cumwhinton Primary School Choir and the Border Concert Band, at St Cuthbert's Church. For further information visit www.solwaysingers.org

Saturday 14 December - Wigton Choral Society Christmas Concert at St Mary's Church, Wigton. For further information visit www.wigtonchoral.org.uk

Saturday 14 December - Carlisle Refugee Action Group (CRAG) International Bazaar at the Border Kirk on Chapel Street, Carlisle, 10.30am-3.30pm. Fun for all the family with food, drink, music, and songs from around the world. Plus, arts and crafts, children's games, tombola, and much more. For further information about CRAG visit www.crag.uk.com

Saturday 14 December - Christmas Pudding 10K at New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel, Great Langdale. For further information visit www.brathaychallenges.com

Sunday 15 December - Christmas Jumper Raceday at Carlisle Racecourse. Further information

Sunday 15 December - Brampton Chamber Choir present Heavenly Light, featuring music for Christmas by Palestrina, Bach, and more, at Lanercost Priory. 3pm, tickets £10 (juniors £2) on the door. For further information visit bramptonchamberchoir.co.uk

Friday 20 December - A Christmas Killing: Murder Mystery With Highly Suspect at Tullie. Further information

Friday 20 December - Hardwicke Circus at The Brickyard. For further information visit www.thebrickyardonline.com

Saturday 21 December - Ice Ice Baby: Alternative Christmas at Tullie. Further information

Saturday 21 December - An Absurd Christmas Carol at West Walls Theatre. Further information

Saturday 21 December - Fever Candlelight Concerts present Christmas Movie Soundtracks at The Coro, Ulverston. For further information visit www.thecoro.co.uk

Saturday 21 to Sunday 22 December – The Royal Ballet present The Nutcracker at Brewery Arts. For further information visit www.breweryarts.co.uk

Saturday 21 December - Georgian Christmas at Wordsworth Grasmere. For further information visit wordsworth.org.uk

Saturday 21 December - Women's Winter Solstice Cacao Ceremony at Whinlatter Forest, Keswick. For further information visit www.forestryengland.uk

Thursday 26 to Monday 30 December - Dick Whittington pantomime at Carnegie Theatre and Arts Centre, Workington. For further information visit carnegietheatre.ticketsolve.com

Saturday 28 to Monday 30 December - The Great Baldini presents The Christmas Family Magic Show at The World of Beatrix Potter, Bowness-On-Windermere. For further information visit www.hop-skip-jump.com

Sunday 29 December - The Piccadilly Sinfonietta at Carlisle Cathedral. Further information

Sunday 29 to Monday 30 December - The Little Mermaid pantomime at The Rheged Centre, Penrith. For further information visit rheged.com

Tuesday 31 December - Anything Goes Silent Disco at The Brickyard. Further information

Tuesday 31 December - New Year’s Eve Ceilidh at Netherby Hall. For further information visit netherbyhall.co.uk

 

Markets and Fairs

Thursday 5 to Sunday 8 December – Christmas Market at Beetham Nurseries, Beetham. For further information visit www.beethamnurseries.co.uk

Friday 6 December - Christmas Traders Market and Fireworks at St Nicholas Gardens in Whitehaven. For further information visit www.whitehaventowncouncil.co.uk

Saturday 7 December - Denton Holme Christmas Fayre at St James Parish Centre. For further information visit their Facebook page

Saturday 7 December - The Happy Herdwick Monthly Craft And Gift Fair at Carlisle's Old Town Hall. Further information

Saturday 7 December - Carlisle Christmas Farmers' Market at Carlisle Cathedral. For further information visit carlislecathedral.org.uk CANCELLED

Saturday 7 to Sunday 8 December - Taste Cumbria Christmas in Cockermouth. For further information visit visitallerdale.co.uk CANCELLED

Saturday 7 to Sunday 8 December - Hawkshead Christmas Fair. For further information visit www.hawksheadchristmasfair.co.uk

Sunday 8 December - Christmas Crafts at Greystoke Castle. For further information visit www.visiteden.co.uk

Saturday 21 December - Quirky Eclectica Monthly Artisan Craft Fair at Carlisle Cathedral. Further information

 

Santa’s Grottos and Events

Saturday 2 November to Monday 23 December (various dates) - Hayesville Chrinchmas Grotto at Hayes Garden World, Ambleside. For further information visit www.hayesgardenworld.co.uk

Saturday 16 November to Sunday 22 December (Saturdays and Sundays only) – Santa’s Grotto at The Swan Hotel and Spa, Newby Bridge. For further information visit www.swanhotel.com

Saturday 23 November to Tuesday 24 December (various dates) - Father Christmas On The Farm at Walby Farm Park. For further information visit www.walbyfarmpark.co.uk

Thursday 28 November to Tuesday 24 December (various dates) - Santa's Grotto at Dobbies Garden Centre. For further information visit events.dobbies.com

Saturday 30 November to Sunday 22 December (Saturdays and Sundays only) - Santa's Grotto at The Lanes Shopping Centre, 11am-2.30pm. For further information visit www.lanescarlisle.co.uk

Saturday 30 November to Tuesday 24 December (various dates) - Santa's Breakfast at Dobbies Garden Centre. For further information visit events.dobbies.com

Saturday 30 November to Sunday 1 December, Saturday 7 to Sunday 8 December and Saturday 14 to Sunday 15 December – Santa’s Grotto at Beetham Nurseries, Beetham. For further information visit www.beethamnurseries.co.uk

Saturday 30 November to Sunday 1 December and Saturday 14 to Sunday 15 December - Breakfast with Santa at Beetham Nurseries, Beetham. For further information visit www.beethamnurseries.co.uk

Friday 6 December - Santa's Quiet Grotto at Dobbies Garden Centre. For further information visit events.dobbies.com

Saturday 7 December - Santa's Christmas Cracker at Harraby Theatre. For further information visit harrabytheatre.co.uk

Saturday 7 to Sunday 22 December (various dates) - Santa Paws at Dobbies Garden Centre. For further information visit events.dobbies.com

Saturday 14 to Sunday 15 December - Christmas At The Museum at Tullie. Further information

Saturday 14 to Sunday 15 and Saturday 21 to Sunday 22 December – Christmas Grotto at Holker Hall and Gardens, Grange-Over-Sands. For further information visit www.holker.co.uk

Saturday 14 to Sunday 15 December – Father Christmas Tea Party at The World of Beatrix Potter, Bowness-On-Windermere. For further information visit www.hop-skip-jump.com

Sunday 15 December - Santa’s Sunday Lunch at Inn on the Lake, Ullswater. For further information visit www.lakedistricthotels.net

Friday 20 to Tuesday 24 December – Santa’s Christmas Cracker at The World of Beatrix Potter, Bowness-On-Windermere. For further information visit www.hop-skip-jump.com

 

Late Night Shopping

Late Night Shopping in Carlisle will take place every Thursday from the 28th November until Christmas Day. For further information visit www.lanescarlisle.co.uk

Cumberland Council will be supporting the local high street by providing Free after 3pm parking on Late Night Thursdays.

Starting on Thursday 28 November, the free parking scheme will be available in the following city centre car parks: Bitts Park, Lowther Street, Castle, Caldew Riverside, The Sands, Swifts Bank, Viaduct, Civic Centre, and West Walls.

The offer will be available on the following Thursdays: 28 November and 5, 12, 19 December.

The Free after 3pm scheme aims to support high street businesses in Carlisle by encouraging more visitors to park-up, stay local, and shop local.

The car park barriers in Carlisle Castle, Caldew Riverside, and West Walls will close at 11.30pm on each Late Night Thursday.

For further information visit the Cumberland Council website.

 

Carlisle Cathedral

The Cathedral will have a number of other Christmas events and services taking place. For further information visit carlislecathedral.org.uk

 

This events list has been compiled with the best possible intention. If you have an event that you would like to feature on this page, please email us at [email protected]