Christmas is coming, and with it celebrations, love from our families, carol concerts, special markets, and much more. Of course, some of us need a little practice to get into the Christmas spirit every year – so we’ve lined up a few events that may help.
So which of these seems fun to you?
Multi-Date Events
The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway will be running the Santa express every weekend before Christmas, with three outings at 10:00, 12:50 and 3:40. A great old steam train experience that’s not to be missed!
Also available for steam fans are the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway Santa Specials which run every weekend between the 3rd and the 18th. Great fun to be had on a 1 ½ hour return journey.
Windermere Lake Cruises has three days coming up where they’ll offer their famous Santa Cruise. On the 10th, 11th, and 18th of December at 11:30 and 2:00, you can enjoy a 90-minute cruise with sherry, mince pies, and festive cheer.
The famous Lancaster Grand Theatre is putting on Cinderella, a traditional family pantomime, at 7:30pm every night from Friday the 2nd to Thursday the 29th.
Festive Markets
The Kirkby Lonsdale Christmas Fair begins on Friday the 2nd and runs through to the 4th, with parades, street entertainment, and even Santa cyclists – but the Santa’s grotto and the indoor craft and food market also make it a must-see for anyone looking for gifts for their family or simply excellent winter fare.
Also running on the 3rd and 4th is the Christmas Fair & Beer Festival in Hawkshead village. Everything from handmade rugs to the Hawkshead brewery’s 25 selected winter ales will be available, and carol singing and a lantern parade take place on the Saturday in the afternoon.
The following weekend, on the 10th and 11th, Windermere plays host to the brand new Ja Windermere German Christmas Market, with live music from a local brass band and choir as well as the traditional German-style Christmas Market. The German markets are famous the world over and here’s a local chance to see why!
On the 11th between noon and 4pm at the Masons Arms in Cartmel Fell will be a Christmas market with a difference. All the best local produce and gifts on offer with a BBQ in the afternoon and a carol evening with hotpot supper from 7pm!
Christmas Events
December the 3rd will see Lancaster’s Dalton Square play host to the famous Coca-Cola Christmas truck from 1pm to 9pm. The later you visit, the better the chance of seeing it fully illuminated!
On Monday the 12th, the Staveley Choral Society have their Christmas concert at Staveley Village Hall. Performances begin at 7:30pm.
If that’s not your thing, however, the Dukes at Lancaster has arranged a 2pm showing of the classic film White Christmas. A chance to see this in on the big screen – and with free teas, coffees, and pastries laid on from 12:30 for ticket holders – is not to be missed! You can book tickets here.
Flookburgh Band will perform at the Victoria Hall in Grange-over-Sands on the 17th at 7:30, and on Christmas Day itself Carols on the Square in Flookburgh will be led by the band again!
On Wednesday the 21st and Thursday the 22nd, Lancaster’s Priory will be host to the Choir and Festival Orchestra presenting an evening’s Christmas music, with popular songs and carols interspersed in a Candlelit Spectacular.
Thursday the 22nd also sees award-winning male quartet VOCE perform Songs for Christmas at the Victoria Hall in Grange-over-Sands.
Posted on