What's On in Kendal
Things to do in and around Kendal: events, days out and family activities, with the practical details.
Top story
Forty Farms Fair Returns to Rheged on Saturday 21 November
Forty Farms Fair brings over 40 Cumbrian food and craft stalls to Rheged on 21 November, 10am to 3pm, with free entry and talks. Checked November 2026.
Dates for the diary
- Sat 7 Nov Windermere RUFC Annual Fireworks and Bonfire
- Sat 7 Nov Cartmel Fell Bonfire and Fireworks
- Sat 7 Nov Ritual: Running Standard + Tilda Gebhardt + Dave Shurr
- Sat 7 Nov Rioghnach Connolly and Honeyfeet
- On now to 8 Nov Holker Winter Market
- 7 to 8 Nov Indie Lane Christmas Market
- Sun 8 Nov Remembrance Sunday in Kendal
- Tue 10 Nov Carmen, The Royal Opera
- Wed 11 Nov Armistice Day wreath laying, Kendal
- Wed 11 Nov Armistice Day wreath laying
- Wed 11 Nov 3000 Feet, with director Q&A
- Wed 11 Nov Ian Stone: Looking for the Wow
More stories
Christmas
Christmas Shopping in Kendal 2026: Independent Shops
We checked 19 shops in Kendal and the south Lakes, from the 1657 Chocolate House to Grasmere Gingerbread, for hours and what they sell. Updated November 2026.
Christmas
Where to Buy a Christmas Tree Near Kendal 2026
We checked 4 Christmas tree sellers near Kendal, from Beetham Nurseries to a Lake District tree you rent and return, for dates and prices. Updated November 2026.
Food & Drink
Christmas Dinner in Kendal and the Lakes: Who's Cooking and What It Costs
Eight pubs and hotels around Kendal with Christmas Day lunch prices, from £62.95 to £119 a head, plus children's prices and deposits. Checked November 2026.
Christmas
Kirkby Lonsdale Christmas Fair 2026: 4 to 6 Dec, Lights 6pm
Kirkby Lonsdale's Christmas Fair runs Friday 4 to Sunday 6 December: lights on at 6pm Friday, Santa parade 2pm Saturday, free parking at Booths all weekend.
Christmas
Lights of Lowther: light trail from 14 Nov, adults £20
Lowther Castle's new light trail runs 24 evenings, 14 November to 30 December, entry 4pm to 8pm. Adults £20, children £15, family £65, parking free.
Christmas
Low Wood Bay lights switch-on: Fri 20 Nov, 7.30pm, free
Low Wood Bay's first Christmas lights switch-on is free, Friday 20 November, 5pm to 9pm, lights at 7.30pm. A free Gingerbread House Festival runs to 22 Nov.
Christmas
Ice Rinks Near Kendal: Seven Places to Skate, From Ullswater to Blackpool
We checked seven ice rinks near Kendal, from Lancaster on Ice to Another Place on Ullswater, for 2026 dates and prices. Updated November 2026.
Ambleside
Ambleside Christmas lights 2026: 21 Nov, no fireworks
Ambleside's lights go on Saturday 21 November: stalls from noon, lantern procession at 4.30pm, no fireworks this year. Updated November 2026.
Live Music
Ritual at Lunesdale Hall: live music 7 November, from £12.50
Ritual's next live music night is Saturday 7 November at Lunesdale Hall, Kirkby Lonsdale: Running Standard, Tilda Gebhardt and Dave Shurr, doors 7pm, bar.
Christmas
Christmas at Levens Hall 2026: Three December Weekends
Christmas at Levens Hall runs Fridays to Sundays, 4 to 20 December 2026: carols in the Great Hall, £9.50 entry, and Father Christmas at £25, booked now.
Christmas
Kendal Whisky Festival 2026: 4 and 5 December, New Venue
Kendal Whisky Festival is 4 and 5 December 2026, moving to Brewery Arts: three four-hour sessions, about 40 exhibitors, tickets £45 on the booking page.
Halloween
Kendal Halloween 2026: pumpkin patch, ghost tours and trails
Lakeland Maze's pumpkin patch is open daily 24 to 31 October, Levens Hall runs candle-lit ghost tours 29 Oct to 1 Nov and Holker has Halloween on 30 and 31 Oct.
Christmas
Christmas Markets Near Kendal: Holker 6 Nov From £5
Holker Winter Market opens 6 November from £5, Indie Lane fills J36 at Crooklands free on 7 and 8 November, and Ulverston's Dickensian line-up is now out.
Events
What's On in Kendal: Bonfire Weekend, Mountain Festival
Halloween at Holker and Levens this week, Windermere's fireworks on 7 November, Remembrance on the 8th, then the Mountain Festival from 19 to 22 November.
Kendal
Kendal Remembrance Sunday: 8 November, Silence at 11am
Kendal marks Remembrance Sunday on 8 November 2026 with a Parish Church service and a two-minute silence at 11am at the Market Place war memorial.
Christmas
Kendal Christmas Shows 2026: No Panto, Four Family Plays
Kendal has no traditional panto this year. Brewery Arts stages The Elves and the Shoemaker from 19 December; Bowness has two shows and Kendal a Treasure Island.
Christmas
Where to See Father Christmas Near Kendal in 2026
Haverthwaite's Tinsel Trains go on sale at 10am on 4 November; Levens Hall's Father Christmas and the Ambleside Santa cruise are on sale now. Dates and booking.
Christmas
Winter at Sizergh 2026: Light Trail From 20 November
Winter at Sizergh runs daily from 20 November to Christmas Eve 2026, noon to 8pm: a light trail, Christmas in the house and crafts. Non-members £13 an adult.
Kendal
Kendal Mountain Festival 2026: Bear Grylls on 21 November
Kendal Mountain Festival runs 19 to 22 November 2026. The film programme is out and 32 events have sold out: day passes, venues and the race-day road closures.
Kendal
Kendal Christmas lights switch-on: Friday 27 November
Kendal's lights go on Friday 27 November in Market Place; times are still TBC. The Christmas Celebration with Santa's grotto is now fixed for Sunday 6 December.
Kendal
Kendal fireworks 2026: Windermere Rugby Club Sat 7 Nov, £10
Kendal has no announced display, so look to Windermere Rugby Club, 7 November from 5.30pm, £10 adults, and Cartmel Fell at 6pm. Checked October 2026.
Kendal
Kendal Torchlight postponed for 2026, back in 2027
Kendal Torchlight 2026 was postponed, not cancelled: organisers paused it on 5 May over costs and funding. What they say about 2027 and what is on instead.