Looking for something to do for the 2017 May Day Bank Holiday weekend in the Lake District? From Morris Dancing to Mindfulness, with antiques, sausages, and print exhibitions in between, we have an action packed three day repose here in Cumbria, with events that will appeal to the whole family.
The Lakeland Festival of Light for Nepal – Keswick
Nepalese Prayar Flags
- Date: Saturday, 29th April
- Time: 17.00
- Cost: Suggested minimum donation of £20
Take part in something truly spectacular and help light up the fells of Barrow, Stile End, and Outerside. Using your own head torch you will create a line of light across the fells with hundreds of other walkers. All participants will be asked to donate to PHASE Worldwide who support communities in Nepal, and must meet at the Rawnsley Centre in Keswick.
Visit the Lakeland Festival of Light for Nepal Website
Theatre By The Lake – Keswick
- Date: Friday, 28th April – Monday, 1st May
- Time: Varies by show
- Cost: £10-15
Keswick’s lakeside theatre has four different shows available over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend. The Edge of Darkness is a chilling mystery packed with twists and turns. Heaven Rocks is a lively concert featuring two large local choirs in combination. The Banff Mountain Film Festival features a series of short films celebrating adventures on the mountains. Finally, the Professor of Adventure tells the heart-warming tale of Millican Dalton – a man famous for spending a number of years living in a cave in Borrowdale.
Check the Show Times on the Official Theatre By the Lake Website
Grasmere Antiques and Collectors Fair
- Date: Saturday, 29th April – Monday, 1st May
- Time: 10am-6pm (Saturday & Sunday), 10am-4pm (Monday)
- Cost: 50p
In the pretty village of Grasmere you can pick up a truly unique souvenir at this small, but popular antiques fair, taking place in the village hall. Vintage jewellery and clothing, antique furniture, and decorative pieces are all offered from local dealers.
Find More Information about the Grasmere Antiques & Collectors Fair
Beginners Cooking Class – Keswick
- Date: Saturday, 29th April
- Time: 9.30am
- Cost: £120
Keswick Cookery School is the brainchild of celebrity chef Peter Sidwell, who is best known for his Simply Good range of cook books. The school is holding a class this weekend for beginners who want to grasp the basics of cooking with essentials, such as sauces, meat cooking times, and baking cakes and puddings covered.
Belfagan Morris Day of Dance - Keswick
Traditional Morris Dancers
- Date: Saturday, 29th April
- Time: 10.30am
- Cost: Free
If you are in Keswick this Saturday, then there is a good chance you will meet a Morris Dance side. Belfagan, a local side for women, have arranged this event in collaboration with ten other Morris Dance sides from across the north of England. Various styles will be showcased around the town and at Derwent Water in the morning. Then at midday the groups come together in Hope Park. Donations will be requested from the public to raise money for charity.
Check out More Information about the Belfagan Morris Day of Dance
Cumberland Sausage Festival – Muncaster Castle, Ravenglass
- Date: Saturday, 29th April – Monday, 1st May
- Time: 10.30am
- Cost: Adults £11, Children 5+ £5.50
Celebrate the humble sausage this weekend at Muncaster, where the annual Cumberland Sausage Festival is taking place. Producers from across Cumbria will have stalls where you can try and buy their goods with sausages, cheeses, wines and sweet treats all available. There are lots of activities for kids, and whilst the festival itself is free, normal entrance fees to Muncaster apply.
Attend the Cumberland Sausage Festival
Keswick Ghost Walk – Keswick
- Date: Saturday, 29th April
- Time: 7.30pm
- Cost: £10
Led by local storyteller, Jane Dickens, the Keswick Ghost Walk will take you through the town and explore the local myths, legends, and real events have that taken place through the centuries. Find out if there are any ghosts close to you, and learn more about the more gruesome side of this popular tourist town. Tickets must be booked in advance.
Mindfulness in Wordsworth’s Landscape – Dove Cottage, Grasmere
Wordworth's Dove Cottage in Grasmere
- Date: Saturday, 29th April
- Time: 10am
- Cost: Donations to Wordsworth Trust Requested
William Wordsworth drew great inspiration from the times he spent meditating amongst the natural landscapes of the Lake District. This weekend, his former home, Dove Cottage, is holding a Mindfulness workshop. This meditation technique has been shown to significantly improve mental health and well-being.
Learn More about Mindfulness in Wordsworth Landscape
Peter Rabbit Tea Party – The World of Beatrix Potter, Bowness-on-Windermere
Photo Thanks To: The World of Beatrix Potter
- Date: Saturday, 29th April
- Time: 3pm
- Cost: Adults £15, Children £13
A delightful event for young children is taking place this weekend at the World of Beatrix Potter. A scrumptious high tea is provided, followed by a story-telling session from the guest of honour. Each child will also receive a gift, and the cost of the event includes entrance to the attraction. You must book in advance.
Book Tickets for the Peter Rabbit Tea Party
Q&A with Brian Cox – Zeffirellis Cinema, Ambleside
Brian Cox (Starfrenzy / Bigstockphoto.com)
- Date: Sunday, 30th April
- Time: 6pm
- Cost: £15
Emmy award winning actor Brian Co, best known for his roles in The Bourne Identity and the TV mini-series War and Peace, will be in Ambleside this weekend for a question and answer session accompanying a screening of his latest film, The Carer. The event takes place at Zeffirellis Cinema and tickets must be booked in advance, with refreshments provided.
Find out More about the Q&A with Brian Cox
Bank Holiday Weekend at Rheged – Rheged Centre, Penrith
Everest Basecamp
- Date: Saturday, 29th April – Monday, 1st May
- Time: Varies
- Cost: Varies
As ever, the Rheged Centre, just outside of Penrith, is packed with things to see and do for the whole family. Workshops are being held with Blue Jam Arts to create a huge dragon for the Penrith carnival on Bank Holiday Monday. As well as working on the dragon, you can create your own headdress to take away, and take part in a mini parade at Rheged on Sunday afternoon.
This weekend also sees the launch of the centre’s newest exhibition, Being Human at Base Camp, featuring works by Derek Eland – a Cumbrian local who became the first-ever artist in residence at Everest Base Camp. In addition, the centre has various film screenings, and all of the shops, cafés, pottery painting workshop and soft play centre will be open.
See All Activities at the Rheged Centre
Printfest – Ulverston
- Date: Saturday, 29th April – Sunday, 30th April
- Time: 10am
- Cost: £4
The UK’s premier festival dedicated to the celebration and exhibition of print art is taking place this weekend at the Coronation Hall in Ulverston. Artists from across Europe will be featured here, and there will be a range of affordable art available to purchase.