Christmas in the Lake District 2019 – Looking for Christmas events in the Lake District/Cumbria? Looking to visit Santa, or a Christmas market in the Lake District? See our list of fantastic Christmas events in the Lake District with kids. Also have a look at our list of suggestions for great family hotels in the Lake District.
Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway 2019
Santa Express 2019 – Various dates from the 30th November 2019 onwards – check their website.
All aboard! Our favourite Santa Express is back! Enjoy a magical train journey and keep your eyes peeled for Santa! At Dalegarth meet Santa in his grotto and receive your own gift.
Your ticket includes return train journey, gift for the children, 50% travel voucher for the 2020 season for adults, complimentary drink and mince pie. Please note, dogs are not permitted at this event.
Add a festive extra with a Christmas lunch to make your day even more special. Lunch time slots are specific for the train you are booked onto. If you are travelling on the 10.00am train lunch is after your return at 12.50pm; for the 12.50pm train lunch is before the departure at 11.30am and for the 3.40pm train lunch is also before your departure at 2.30pm.
Muncaster Castle, The Lake District 2019
This experience is available on Sunday 15th and Sunday 22nd December 2019 and tickets are £34.50.
Christmas Tea in the Castle 2019 – Come along for a festive Afternoon Tea in the run-up to Christmas this year! The ideal way to brighten those dark pre-Christmas days; meet by a roaring fire in the Great Hall decorated for Christmas for a warming glass of mulled wine or hot spiced apple. Then enjoy a special afternoon tea at your private table in one of the Castle’s elegant state rooms decked out in their festive finery.
Christmas Afternoon Tea comprises the mulled wine on arrival plus a seasonal selection of sandwiches, homemade cakes and scones with jam & cream, plus choice of tea or coffee and is served in the Castle at 2.15pm.
Also included in the price is general entry for the day to Muncaster’s Gardens and Hawk and Owl Centre (from 11am) with ‘Sky Hunters’ bird of prey display at 1.30pm PLUS entry to the Castle’s public rooms from 11.30am. Complete your day with a browse round the scenic woodlands and terraces (lovely in all seasons) and catch the display before heading back to the Castle for tea.
Lowther Castle, Penrith, Cumbria 2019
The Lowther Christmas Market – Friday 22nd, Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th November 2019.
If you are an exhibitor and would like to take a stand, you should contact us now. Last year’s event was a runaway success – some producers, including one very experienced food producer, told us that it was the best market they had ever attended. Send an email please to info@lowthercastle.org asking for a booking form.
Please note that applications are now open and that this is a carefully curated event. We want to make sure that the spread is wide and that all items on sale are ‘not on the high street’ and speak of quality and charm.
See our review of Lowther Castle.
The World of Beatrix Potter
Father Christmas Tea Party 12pm & 3.30pm
- December 14, 2019
- December 15, 2019
- December 21, 2019
- December 22, 2019
- December 23, 2019
The World of Beatrix Potter are hosting a ‘Father Christmas Tea Party’ during the dates before Christmas. You receive entry to the attraction, a party lunch, or afternoon tea, a meeting with Father Christmas with a gift for every child and a screening of The Snowman.
Peter Rabbit Tea Party in a Winter Wonderland 12pm & 3.30pm
- December 27, 2019
- December 28, 2019
- December 29, 2019
- December 30, 2019
- January 2, 2020
- January 3, 2020
- January 4, 2020
Ullswater ‘Steamers’
Festive Afternoon Tea with Inn on the Lake
Santa Cruise & Christmas Magic
15th December 2019
Your ticket includes a 90 minute cruise, magic show, Christmas balloon, a gift for the children, return voucher for the adults and complimentary drink with a mince pie.
The event departs from Glenridding at either 10:30am or 1:30pm. £16.00 per person. Dogs not permitted.
See our review of Ullswater ‘Steamers’ here.
Christmas Events Lake District
Lakeside and Haverthwaite
Train times are 10:30, 12:30 and 14:30 for each date.
- Saturday 30th November 2019
- Sunday 1st December 2019
- Saturday 7th December 2019
- Sunday 8th December 2019
- Saturday 14th December 2019
- Sunday 15th December 2019
Santa Specials Weekends
Join Father Christmas and his helpers on a magical family journey aboard our ‘Santa Express’. Presents for the children, festive treat and seasonal drink for the adults, with Carols and a good time for all. Take the 1hr 20min return journey between Haverthwaite & Lakeside, absorbing the festive spirit from all the colourful elves to experience a journey you’ll never forget! The excitement builds as you sit in your decorated carriage, the doors close, and on the platform is a procession of elves and of course, Father Christmas, waving to all the children as they pass.
As carols play, adults are given a festive treat and seasonal drink. You are teased while you hear a ruckus from a neighboring carriage- he must be on his way! With a boom the carriage door opens and chief elf ‘JoJo’ enters, followed by more elves the ‘panto’ atmosphere is alive, after introductions there is carol singing, getting everyone on-board into the Christmas spirit. In all the excitement, a tall figure in red enters the carriage, watch the children’s faces ‘light-up’, it’s Father Christmas! With the help of his elves he visits every child, delivering a handpicked present.
Take this magical journey and create memories you’ll treasure for a lifetime. (Please note: special fares apply. The train will pause numerous time throughout the 3 1/2 mile journey from Haverthwaite- Lakeside, to allow time for Santa to visit every child)
Christmas in the Lake District 2019
Carlisle Christmas Market 2019
Saturday 30 November to Sunday 8 December
Carlisle city centre will stage an open-air festive market between Saturday 30 November and Sunday 8 December. The chalets will be based outside the Old Town Hall and will include a wide range of food, drink and gifts.
The opening times are:
- 9.30am-5.30pm: Saturday 30 November, Monday 2 to Wednesday 4 December, Friday 6 December and Saturday 7 December
- 9.30am-8.30pm: Thursday 5 December
- 11am-4pm: Sunday 1 December and Sunday 8 December
Carlisle Christmas Lights Switch On
Sunday 17 November
Local dance groups and school choirs will join celebrity acts at this year’s event. The headline celebrity acts will be announced later this year. The star-studded Christmas Lights Switch On stage will be in place in the city centre pedestrianised area, outside the Old Town Hall. Organised by Carlisle City Council, it will provide a packed family entertainment programme, to suit all ages.
The Mayor of Carlisle, Cllr Marilyn Bowman will trigger a brand-new galaxy of Christmas lights in the city centre at 5pm. The Christmas Lights Switch On is part of Carlisle’s countdown to Christmas. The annual sparkling spectacular will be held between 3.30pm and 5.30pm. Please note that times are subject to change.
Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs – Christmas Pantomime
Saturday 14 to Tuesday 31 December 2019
Mirror, Mirror on the wall… What’s the greatest panto of them all? It’s Snow and the Seven Dwarfs at The Sands Centre in Carlisle. Featuring the songs ‘Heigh-Ho’ and ‘Whistle While You Work’ from the movie! Join them for the most magical pantomime ever told, where poor Snow White is doomed to live UN-happily ever after with her horrid stepmother the Wicked Queen. In a true rags to riches story Snow White manages, with the help of her madcap friend Muddles, to meet a handsome Prince and make all her dreams come true.
A pantomime bursting with great songs, fantastic dance routines and plenty of laughter, this is a tremendous treat for all the family you won’t want to miss! So Heigh-Ho… Heigh-Ho… It’s off to panto we go!
Christmas Jumper Day – Race Meeting
Join us for Jumper for a Jumper Day on our last race meeting of 2019. (prize for the best Christmas jumper)
