The Lake District Guide

See also our gallery and exhibition listings, our theatre and cinema page, and our monthly what's on guide.

If you want your event or venue to be listed here, just email us: suppliers@lake-district-guides.co.uk and we'll see to it in double quick time!

Lake District Music 2010

Venues where you can see live music performances and festivals in the Lakes include:

• Yewdale Guest House

• The Brewery Arts Centre Kendal

• Zeffirelli's Jazz Nights, Ambleside - The perfect venue for contemporary Jazz, with a restaurant for dining

• The Theatre By the Lake, Keswick

• Cockermouth's Kirkgate Theatre

• Bowness's Old Laundry Theatre

• The Sands Centre, Carlisle - Orchestral concerts, recitals, shows and more

• Arts Out West Concerts and events across West Cumbria

• The Kirkgate Centre in Cockermouth All-year-round music and film entertainment

• Cumbria Folk Music Folk music concerts and gigs in Cumbria

• Carlisle Cathedral Frequent concerts and recitals in addition to regular choral services

• Lake District Summer Music  This is a famous and important music festival which features a lot more than classical performances.

• Keswick Music Society  Enjoy regular concerts organised in Keswick throughout the year

• Westmorland Orchestra presents and orchestral concert series based in Kendal

Times and Star - What's On in Cumbria A potentially useful guide to what's on across Cumbria each week

Lake District Festivals 2010

January

Fri 22 - Sun 24 Jan: Arts and Books Festival, Grasmere

February

Sat 13 - Sun 14 Feb: Marmalade Festival at Dalemain

Thu 25 - Sun 28 Feb: The 11th Keswick Film Festival

Main House and Studio, The Theatre By The Lake, Keswick

How to follow the 10th anniversary festival last year, where feedback included 'best film festival anywhere', 'another wonderful festival, can't wait for next year!' and 'we come each year specially and hope to do so again' ? If you haven't been to the festival do come and try it out. It begins with the opening party and Gala Screening at the theatre for passholders and invited guests on the evening of Thu 25 February, followed by three days of around 30 films, visiting directors and filmmakers. Each year there is something different at Keswick. Visit the websites at Keswick Film Festival and www.keswickfilmclub.org for regular updates or send your enquiry to info@keswickfilmfestival.org

March

Fri 5 - Mon 14 Mar: Words By The Water Literature Festival in Keswick

Another word-packed, idea-filled programme: Friday 5 March - Sunday 14 March, The Theatre By The Lake, Keswick, Main House and Studio

Facts and fiction, ideas and inspiration: there will be a cacophony of words from the 5-14 March at Theatre by the Lake when the ninth Words by the Water Literature Festival takes place. A crowd of readers and writers will jostle together in a book-induced euphoric haze. The organisers say: "We can't claim to provide something for everyone or to please all the people all of the time but we feel confident that those with an open mind, love of words, and a curiosity about the world will enjoy the sheer diversity of the programme. Be adventurous, be curious, try the unknown, and treat yourself to many events at the festival."
Theatre by the Lake, Lakeside, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5DJ   Phone: 017687 74411
Web: Theatre By The Lake

Sat 20 and Sun 21 Mar: Ambleside Flower Show

Sun 21 Mar: Cumbrian Commotion - Helly Hansen Adventure Challenge, Grizedale

Sat 27 Mar: Coniston 14 Road Race

April

Sat 17 Apr: Damson Day near Kendal

Sat 24 Apr: Lakeland Trails - Hawkshead

Fri 30 Apr - Sun 8 May: Ulverston Walking Festival - call 01229 587 120

May

Fri 30 Apr - Sun 8 May: Ulverston Walking Festival - call 01229 587 120

Thu 13 - Sun 16 May: Jennings Keswick Jazz Festival

Wed 9 - Sun 23 May: Keswick Mountain Festival

Sat 16 - Sun 23 May: Festival of Fishing

Sun 16 May: Windermere Marathon organised by Brathay Hall Trust

Sun 30 May - Thur 3 June: Muncaster Castle Festival of Fools

June

Sun 30 May - Thur 3 June: Muncaster Castle Festival of Fools

Thu 3 - Wed 9 June: Appleby Horse Fair

Fri 4 - Sat 5 June: Keswick Beer Festival

Thu 10 - Sun 13 June: Boot Beer Festival

Sat 5 June: Lakeland Trails - starting from Staveley

Fri 25 - Sat 26 June: Woolfest in Cockermouth

July

Thu 1 July - Sun 1 Aug: Barrow Walking Festival

Fri 2 - Sun 4 July: Coniston Water Festival

Fri 9 - Sun 11 July: Staveley Carnival

Sat 12 July: Grasmere Rusbearing - read more here: Traditions page.

Sat 10 - Sun 11 July: Lakeland Rose Show near Kendal

Sat 17 July: Cumberland County Show

Sun 18 Jul: Community Spirit Cumbria from 12pm at Lake District Visitor Centre at Brockhole - call 015394 46601

Sat 24 July: Penrith Show

Sat 24 and Sun 25 July: Cumbria Steam Gathering

Thu 29 July: Ambleside Traditional Sports Day

Friday 30 July to Sunday August 15 Lake District Summer Music International festival index

August

Friday 30 July to Sunday August 15 Lake District Summer Music International festival index

Wed 4 Aug: Cartmel Show

Thu 5 Aug: Lake District Sheep Dog Trails near Kendal. Call 01542 71584

Fri 6 - Sun 8 Aug: Ambleside Flower Show

Sat 14 Aug: Appleby Agricultural Show - call 01931 714571

Tues 24 Aug: Hawkshead Show

Sun 29 Aug: Grasmere Lakeland Sports and Show

Mon 30 Aug: Keswick Agricultural Show

September

Thu 2 - Sun 5 Sept: Mintfest - International Festival of Street Arts in Kendal

Sat 4 - Sun 5 Sept: Great North Swim in Windermere supported by Lake District National Park

Sun 5 Sept: Lakeland Trails - starting from Keswick

Thu 9 Sept: Westmorland County Show

Sat 18 Sept: Egremont Crab Fair and Sports including the World Championship Gurning Competition

Sun 19 Sept: Borrowdale Shepherds' Meet and Show

Sat 25 Sep: Eskdale Show

October

Sat 2 Oct: Lakeland Trails, Coniston

Sun 10 Oct: Wasdale Head Shepherds Meet and Show - call 019467 25340

November

Dates to be confirmed: Kendal Mountain Festival supported by Lake District National Park

Dates to be confirmed: Powerboat Speed Records Week on Coniston

December

Sun 5 Dec: Keswick Traditional Christmas Fayre