Looking for Christmas events in the Lake District? I’ve started gathering some lovely festive outings for 2026, from twinkling light trails and Christmas shows to crafts and visits to Father Christmas.
Some are close to The Pheasant Lodge near Cartmel, while others would make a day trip during your stay.
Last updated: 30 October 2026. Please check the organisers’ websites for current availability, opening days and prices before travelling.
Winter at Sizergh, near Kendal
We absolutely loved Winter at Sizergh last year. It felt magical, and it was such a magical way to spend a few hours in the evening when we might otherwise have stayed in. Exploring the lights and then doing crafts made it much more than a quick walk around a trail.
This year’s event includes an outdoor light and sound trail created by local artists, a Georgian winter celebration inside the house and seasonal crafts in the Great Barn. There will also be festive food and drink.
Dates: 20 November to 24 December 2026, daily from midday to 8pm.
Booking: Book a timed entry slot in advance, particularly for evenings and weekends. National Trust members also need an event ticket.
You can read more about our visit in my Sizergh winter lights blog, or check tickets and plan your visit with the National Trust.
Christmas shows at Theatre by the Lake, Keswick
A Christmas show is the perfect reason to head to Keswick, especially if you can make a day of it with a wander around town and a look at Derwentwater before the performance. Keswick is really beautiful this time of year and it’s often missed by tourists. Snowy topped mountains, the frosty lake and the market square with its famous chocolate shop.
A Town Called Christmas
This musical adventure follows Clementine to a Christmas town that needs rescuing, with an unusual collection of characters along the way. It sounds like a good option for younger children, with a running time of 55 minutes and no interval.
Dates: 8–27 December 2026, with various performance times.
Recommended age: 3+.
Booking: Choose your performance and check current ticket prices on the A Town Called Christmas booking page.
A Christmas Carol
For slightly older children, Theatre by the Lake is putting its own spin on Charles Dickens’ story, with live music, original songs and a Scrooge with a Keswick connection.
Dates: 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, with evening performances and selected matinees.
Recommended age: 6+.
Tickets: From £12.
Find out more and book A Christmas Carol.
Christmas at Windermere Jetty Museum
Windermere Jetty is somewhere I’d happily suggest for a family outing – espcially because I think it has one of the best cafe views in the Lakes. There are several festive activities to look out for this year.
Festive Family Day and Father Christmas
On 12 December, the museum is holding a free family day with seasonal storytelling and decoration-making. The activities run from 10am to 4pm and are available on a drop-in, first-come, first-served basis.
There is also a separate Father Christmas experience that day, with Father Christmas arriving by heritage boat, which sounds so wonderful – how else would he arrive in the Lake District. Children can meet him, have a photo and receive a gift and hot chocolate.
Date: Saturday 12 December 2026.
Tickets: The family-day activities are free, with no ticket needed. The Father Christmas experience costs £12.50 per child, including up to two accompanying adults, and advance booking is recommended. This ticket does not include museum admission.
See the free Festive Family Day details and book the Father Christmas experience.
More festive activities at the Jetty
The wider programme runs from 1 December 2026 to 3 January 2027, with different activities on selected dates. There will be cafe colouring activities during December, free Big Blue Blocks play in the Learning Centre from 19 December to 3 January, and driftwood decoration-making on 12 and 22 December.
Check the festive activity programme and opening days before choosing your date.
Christmas at Blackwell, Bowness-on-Windermere
Blackwell has a mix of festive shopping and family activities this year, so there are a couple of different reasons to visit.
Winter Craft Fair
The Winter Craft Fair takes place across two weekends, each with a different selection of makers. This looks like a lovely opportunity to pick up gifts from craftspeople, with ceramics, jewellery, textiles and more.
Dates: 13–15 and 20–22 November 2026, 10am–4pm.
Tickets: Adults £8, children aged 5–15 £4, under-fives free. Lakeland Arts members and Blackwell Annual Pass holders go free.
Find out more about Blackwell’s Winter Craft Fair.
Festive Family Day
Blackwell’s family day includes making pompom decorations and paperchains, storytelling around the Christmas tree and live harp music during the morning. Father Christmas will also be visiting, with a festive gift for children.
Date: Saturday 19 December 2026, 10am–4pm.
Tickets: Activities are included with house admission. Lakeland Arts members and Blackwell Annual Pass holders go free.
Plan your visit to Blackwell’s Festive Family Day.
Christmas at Muncaster Castle, Ravenglass
If you fancy making a full day of it, Muncaster’s Christmas Festival combines festive castle rooms and gardens with craft stalls, a garden trail and the Hawk & Owl Centre. We’ve always loved our trips to Muncaster Castle – there’s so much to do and the bird of prey are incredible. It’s great to hear the programme also includes an owl flying display and live music on selected dates.
Dates: 5–6, 12–13 and 19–22 December 2026.
Tickets: From £19.95 for adults and £14.50 for children aged 3–15. Under-threes go free.
Meeting Santa: A separate Santa ticket is required for each child, from £3. Everyone also needs a valid festival entry ticket.
Muncaster is over on the western side of Cumbria, so this is one to plan as a day trip from The Pheasant Lodge.
Check the Christmas Festival details and book with Muncaster.
One to watch: Christmas cinema at Brewery Arts, Kendal
A festive film in your pyjamas sounds like a lovely way to spend a winter afternoon. Brewery Arts has a Polar Express Pyjama Party page, but I haven’t yet been able to confirm dates for Christmas 2026.
I’ll update this section when this year’s screenings are confirmed. In the meantime, check Brewery Arts’ cinema listings for the latest programme.
Tinsel Trains at Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway
A festive train ride with Father Christmas visiting your own compartment sounds like a lovely Christmas outing. The Tinsel Trains include Christmas characters, presents for children and seasonal drinks and treats, with the journey lasting around an hour.
Dates: 5–6, 12–13 and 19–20 December 2026.
Departure times: 10am, 11.30am, 1pm and 2.30pm.
Tickets: £125 per compartment for up to four people. Additional passengers cost £30 each, with a maximum of eight people per compartment. All passengers count, including babies.
Booking opens: Wednesday 4 November 2026 at 10am, online only.
Find out more and book your Tinsel Train tickets.
Where to visit Santa in the Lake District
If meeting Father Christmas is top of your children’s Christmas list, I’ve also put together a guide to where to visit Santa in the Lake District, with places to meet him and booking details to help you plan your visit.
Planning your visit for Christmas events in the Lake District?
You don’t need to fill every day with big outings. I’d mix a festive event or two with a short walk, a cafe stop and time to get cosy afterwards.
The Pheasant Lodge sleeps six near Cartmel, with a log burner, games and plenty of space to settle in after a day exploring. It’s a lovely base for a winter break in the South Lakes.
I’ll keep adding to my Christmas events in the Lake District guide as I find them, so do check back if you’re planning a visit later in the season.
It’s going to be magical!
Hannah. Host at the Pheasant Lodge x