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What's On in Keswick

Our guide to the best events and festivals in Keswick.

Clockwise from top left: (1) Keswick Jazz & Blues Festival. (2) Keswick Christmas lights switch on. (3) Keswick Mountain Festival. (4) The Lakesman

All Year

Theatre by the Lake

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Theatre by the Lake is a year-round professional producing and presenting theatre. The core programme is home-produced professional drama productions, including a six month Summer Season of six plays in repertoire, a major Christmas production and at least one other production in the Spring of each year.

January

New Year Celebrations

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Ring in the New Year in Keswick. Market Square is alive on New Years Eve and in Keswick it is tradition for everyone to gather just outside the Moot Hall. Celebrate the New Year with locals and visitors alike as they assemble just before midnight in the Market Square. There’s no better way to welcome in the New Year than a New Years Day walk in our breathtaking landscape and a traditional pub lunch with a roaring fire.

February

Keswick Film Festival

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Experience over 30 of the best UK independent and international films over four days and all in the spectacular surrounds of Keswick

March

Words by the Water

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A 10-day programme of literary talks, lectures, discussions, workshops, book launches and special exhibitions at the Theatre by the Lake.

Buttermere 10 Trial Run

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An incredible route around the shores of Buttermere & Crummock Water. It’s ideal route for all abilities, you do not have to be super fast or an elite athlete to enter, perfect if you are new to trail running and looking for a new challenge.

April

Easter Events in Keswick

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Spring is a brilliant time to visit Keswick and the Lake District. The snow on the tops of the mountains is melting, the daffodils are blooming and new born lambs are appearing in our fields. As the days are getting longer and warmer, it is a great time to get out and about.

May

Keswick Half Marathon

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Said to be one of the most scenic half marathons in the country. The challenging course takes you around Derwentwater with an extra loop into the Newlands valley.

Keswick Jazz & Blues Festival

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This four day festival brings together many of the world’s best exponents of New Orleans, Swing, Hot Club, Classic, Traditional, Mainstream Jazz and Blues.

Keswick Mountain Festival

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The Keswick Mountain Festival attracts thousands of visitors to Keswick for a wide range of sporting and outdoor events, live music  and legendary speakers. With more than 250 activities to choose from, there’s plenty of choice no matter what your age or ability.

June

Keswick Beer Festival

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Over 250 barrels of beer, lager and cider are available to sample, with live bands providing the entertainment. The Keswick Beer Festival is always a sell-out, attracting nearly 6000 beer enthusiasts over two days, so be sure to book early.

The Lakesman Triathlon

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A classic 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile cycle and full marathon run. The Lakesman Triathlon is designed to appeal to both the experienced or novice endurance athlete.

10in10 Challenge

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Ten peaks in the Lake District to be completed in ten hours – or a five peaks in five hours challenge in aid of MS Society UK.

Woolfest

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Founded to provide a showcase and a celebration of the best of wool and wool crafts. The event is all about creativity and design with beautiful quality, amazing colours and skilled craftsmanship.

July

Derwentwater Regatta

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A weekend of mayhem and madness afloat, with the chance to climb aboard in a variety of races on Derwentwater.

Derwent Epic Swim

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Derwentwater is the opening event of a series of three open water Epic Lakes Swims. There are 3 distances to choose from which provides novices, intermediates and elite swimmers with a challenge to match.

Keswick Christian Convention

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A three-week Convention, which attracts some 15,000 Christians from the UK and around the world.

August

Cockermouth Agricultural Show

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An action-packed day for all the family. The annual show first began in 1849 and the animal classes include cattle, sheep, goats, horses, poultry and ostriches.

Bassenthwaite Regatta

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Bassenthwaite’s annual regatta week offers wonderful sailing in a great family environment and in a setting of unrivalled natural beauty and ranks amongst the most popular open events in the North of England.

Keswick Agricultural Show

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A traditional agricultural country show with animal exhibits, industrial marquee, trade stands, arts & crafts marquee, Cumberland & Westmorland wrestling, poultry classes, working sheep dogs, terriers, foxhounds and children’s pets.

September

Taste Cumbria Cockermouth

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Around 40,000 people cvisit Taste Cumbria Cockermouth each year – a sure sign that this is a fantastic event, with foodies across the county looking forward to the county’s biggest culinary treat.

October

Lakeland Monster Miles

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The Cycling Weekly / mbr Lakeland Monster Miles starts and finishes at Fitz Park, Keswick. Both picturesque and challenging, offering something for everyone.

November

Derwentwater Ten

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A spectacular 10 mile road race run clockwise round Derwentwater.

The Vintage Sports Car Club Lakeland Trails

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Over 100 vintage sports cards from the 1920’s and 30’s coverage on Honister Slate Mine in a throwback to the golden age of motoring.

Keswick Christmas Lights Switch-on

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An exciting afternoon and evening of lights, music, food and craft stalls.

December

Keswick Live Advent

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A series of pop-up (and annual) festive events held each day between 1st-24th December and the lighting of an illuminated shop window.

Father Christmas Derwentwater Cruises

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Join Keswick Launch Company for a festive cruise around Derwentwater with Father Christmas during weekends in December.

Keswick Victorian Christmas Fayre

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A day of family fun! Keswick’s Victorian Fayre has lots of decorated food, gifts and charity stalls, and a host of live music, street entertainment, and a Lantern Parade. A small fun fair and a visit from Father Christmas guarantee it will be a hit with the children.