What's on in the Lake District: December 2025

Christmas is coming to the Lake District with Christmas gift markets, food festivals, festive high teas, Santa’s grottos, and plenty of festive cheer.

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Christmas Markets

If you’re looking for the perfect Christmas gift, be sure to check out one of the many Christmas Markets in the Lake District this December. Markets typically feature local sellers with handmade goods with some featuring visits from Santa and his elves, as well as food and live entertainment.

Santa Claus Appearances

There are plenty of opportunities to meet Santa Claus in the Lake District this December with Santa’s grottos dotted across the Lake District. There are also opportunities to meet him on a train, such as the Ravenglass & Eskdale Santa Express, with various Christmas markets also taking place where Santa and his elves pay a visit.

Christmas Theatre & Pantomimes

Here are some of the Christmas theatre productions, as well as pantomimes, that are happening in the Lake District this December:

  • The Wizard of Oz: Theatre by the Lake, Keswick, CA12 5DJ | 14 Nov 2025 to 4 Jan 2026 | Website
  • Little Red Riding Hood: The Green Room, West Walls, Carlisle | 27 Nov to 6 Dec 2025 | Website
  • A Christmas Carol: Rosehill Theatre, Whitehaven, CA28 6SE | 5 Dec 2025 | Website
  • Little Gift: Theatre by the Lake, Keswick, CA12 5DJ | 10 Dec to 27 Dec 2025 | Website
  • Cinders: Penrith Playhouse Theatre, Penrith, CA11 7JG | 17 Dec to 20 Dec 2025 | Website
  • Three Little Pigs: Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal, LA9 4HE | 20 Dec to 28 Dec 2025 | Website

Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway: Santa Express

The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway Santa Express experience starts out with elf-lead storytelling, followed by a 40-minute steam train ride through the Eskdate Valley where kids will get to meet Santa Claus. The train will have festive refreshments for both kids and grown-ups. This year, kids will also receive a special 150th anniversary teddy bear. 

Christmas Lunches at Dalemain

Enjoy a festive three-course menu at the Old Hall in Dalemain mansion, which will be decked for Christmas. Be sure to check out the shop when you're finished for last minute marmalade presents, Christmas hampers, and other gifts. 

Father Christmas on the Farm

Walby Farm Park will be having another fantastic Christmas extravaganza, including a visit from Father Christmas, an interactive snow zone, gingerbread decorating, marshmallow toasting, as well as plenty of other festive activities taking place!

Christmas Market at Beetham Nurseries

The Christmas Market at Beetham Nurseries will feature a Christmas chalet with trades stalls from local producers, along with live music by bands, choirs, and singer-songwriters. You can also pick up your Christmas tree, including freshly cut and potted trees for you to take home and decorate. Be sure to check out the Garden Café, which will host festive games for the whole family. There will also be an elf hunt and if you manage to find all six missing elves, you can earn yourself a chocolate from the Info Desk.

Yew Tree Barn Christmas Festival Market

The family-run Yew Tree Barn is throwing a three-day Christmas festival with local artisan producers, live music each day, as well as festive food and drinks. Tickets are £5 and children are free with the money going to local charities. There will also be real Christmas trees and wreaths and available for sale.

The World of Beatrix Potter: Christmas Events

The World of Beatrix Potter (Crag Brow, Bowness-on-Windermere, LA23 3BX) is hosting a few different Christmas events throughout December. These include wreath making, a festive play entitled Santa's New Sleigh, and a winter puppet show.

  • Wreath Making: 5-6 Dec 2025 | Website
  • Santa's New Sleigh: 20-24 Dec 2025 | Website
  • The Snow Queen - Puppet Show: 28-30 Dec 2025 | Website

Christmas at Muncaster

Christmas at Muncaster includes an array of events, including a winter garden stroll and Christmas trail, a Santa’s grotto, a Santa letter writing station, Christmas shopping, festive treats, and more. They will also be having a Festive Afternoon Tea with music and other festive activities taking place.

Taste Cumbria Christmas

Taste Cumbria will be having their Christmas themed food market on the 7th and 8th of December with market stalls, hot food, live music, places to eat, cookery demonstrations, children’s activities and more.

Christmas at Tullie House

Christmas at the Museum is taking place again at Tullie House on the first two weekends of December with the opportunity to meet Santa Claus in his winter woodland grotto. Children will receive a gift from Santa, a sweet treat, with photo opportunities. Additionally, there will be an elf trail and Christmas crafts in the museum.

Keswick Victorian Fayre

The Keswick Victorian Fayre offers free live entertainment in the Market Place and Packhorse Court, with bands, choirs, and dancers set to perform. There is also a children's funfair, along with over thirty different charity stalls, selling a selection of homemade crafts, produce, festive food and drinks.

Lindeth Howe Hotel Holiday Market

The Lindeth Howe Hotel Holiday Market is in aid of Windermere Food Bank and will feature locally made crafts. There will also be an appearance by Santa Claus and his elves.

New Year's Eve

If you’re in the Lake District over the New Year, be sure to check out one of the New Year’s Eve festivities taking place in the Lake District. Many towns will organise local fireworks, which tend to be advertised locally and there are a few hotels that put on dinner and fireworks.