Your go-to resource for holiday fun in Carlisle is here! Explore our guide for all the best events and activities. Whether you're here for the first time or the hundredth, our guide will lead you to Carlisle's holiday highlights.
The Carlisle Christmas Market is a must-see, filled with charming stalls offering unique gifts, festive foods, and holiday cheer. Experience the magic as Carlisle transforms with dazzling lights at the Carlisle Christmas Lights Switch On, a spectacular evening event. And the Tullie House Christmas Craft Fair is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring a variety of handmade crafts perfect for holiday shopping. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Carlisle
- Carlisle Christmas Market
- Carlisle Christmas Lights Switch On
- Tullie House Christmas Craft Fair
- Carlisle Cathedral Christmas Concert
- Carlisle Christmas Pantomime
- Santa’s Grotto at Carlisle Castle
- Christmas Tree Festival
- Christmas Wreath Making Workshop
- Santa's Express at Carlisle Railway Station
- Gelt Gladiator Santa Dash
Carlisle Holiday Light Displays
Carlisle Christmas Lights Switch On
What to Expect:
Incorporates a lantern parade led by local schoolchildren
Description:
Carlisle's Christmas Lights Switch On ignites the city with a dazzling display of illumination. The event kicks off with a charming lantern parade, where local schoolchildren guide the way through the historic streets. As you follow the procession, the aroma of mulled wine fills the air. This annual tradition dates back to the 1950s when Carlisle first introduced electric Christmas lights to replace the gas lamps that once lit up the city during the festive season.
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Carlisle Christmas Lights Switch On
Carlisle Holiday Markets and Shopping
Carlisle Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Local artisans showcase traditional Cumbrian crafts
Description:
Carlisle Christmas Market transforms the city center into a bustling hub of local artistry. Stroll through rows of wooden chalets adorned with twinkling lights, where skilled Cumbrian craftspeople display their wares. You can watch live demonstrations of traditional techniques like dry stone walling and wool spinning. The market pays homage to Carlisle's rich history as a border town, with many artisans drawing inspiration from centuries-old Celtic and Roman designs found in the region.
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Tullie House Christmas Craft Fair
What to Expect:
Held in a 17th-century Jacobean mansion
Description:
Tullie House Christmas Craft Fair brings together artisans and makers in a stunning 17th-century Jacobean mansion. The event showcases contemporary crafts against the backdrop of historical architecture, creating a unique juxtaposition of old and new. Visitors can try their hand at traditional craft techniques guided by expert artisans. The fair continues Tullie House's long-standing tradition of supporting local creativity, which began when it first opened as a museum in 1893.
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Tullie House Christmas Craft Fair
Carlisle Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Carlisle Cathedral Christmas Concert
What to Expect:
Features a mix of traditional carols and contemporary compositions
Description:
Carlisle Cathedral Christmas Concert fills the ancient stone walls with a harmonious blend of voices and instruments. The program interweaves beloved carols with innovative contemporary compositions, creating a musical journey through time. Listen as the cathedral's impressive organ, dating back to 1856, resonates throughout the space. The concert continues a centuries-old tradition of music at the cathedral, which has been a center of worship and culture since its founding in 1122.
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Carlisle Cathedral Christmas Concert
Carlisle Christmas Pantomime
What to Expect:
Incorporates local Cumbrian folklore into classic pantomime stories
Description:
Carlisle Christmas Pantomime injects local flavor into beloved fairy tales, weaving Cumbrian folklore into the fabric of classic stories. The show bursts with energy, featuring slapstick comedy, audience participation, and vibrant costumes. You might spot characters from local legends like the Helm Wind or the Luck of Eden Hall. This unique twist on pantomime has become a cherished tradition, blending the art form's 16th-century Italian roots with Carlisle's rich cultural heritage.
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Christmas Jazz at Carlisle Blues Club
What to Expect:
Fuses traditional Christmas songs with jazz and blues styles
Description:
Christmas Jazz at Carlisle Blues Club reinvents holiday classics through the lens of jazz and blues. Local and visiting musicians improvise on familiar tunes, creating a fresh and dynamic soundscape. The club's intimate atmosphere allows you to experience the music up close, feeling the rhythm pulsing through the room. This event continues Carlisle's rich musical tradition, which has seen the city host influential artists since the early days of the British jazz and blues scene.
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Christmas Jazz at Carlisle Blues Club
Carlisle Other Holiday Activities
Santa’s Grotto at Carlisle Castle
What to Expect:
Set within the medieval walls of Carlisle Castle
Description:
Santa's Grotto at Carlisle Castle transports visitors to a winter wonderland nestled within ancient stone walls. The medieval fortress provides an extraordinary backdrop for meeting Father Christmas, with its rich history spanning over 900 years. Children can explore the castle's nooks and crannies before their special encounter. This unique setting connects the joy of Christmas with Carlisle's storied past, offering a glimpse into the castle's role as a guardian of the English-Scottish border.
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Santa’s Grotto at Carlisle Castle
Christmas Tree Festival
What to Expect:
Showcases trees decorated by local community groups and businesses
Description:
Carlisle's Christmas Tree Festival brings together a forest of uniquely adorned evergreens, each telling a different story of the city. Local community groups and businesses showcase their creativity through imaginative tree decorations, reflecting Carlisle's diverse culture and heritage. You can vote for your favorite tree, supporting local charities in the process. This community-driven event embodies the spirit of collaboration that has defined Carlisle since its days as a Roman settlement.
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Christmas Wreath Making Workshop
What to Expect:
Uses locally foraged materials from the Cumbrian countryside
Description:
Carlisle's Christmas Wreath Making Workshop celebrates the natural beauty of Cumbria. Participants craft unique wreaths using materials foraged from the surrounding countryside, such as pine cones, holly, and winter berries. The workshop revives traditional wreath-making techniques that have been practiced in the region for generations. As you weave your wreath, you'll learn about the symbolism behind different plants in British folklore and their historical uses in winter celebrations.
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Christmas Wreath Making Workshop
Santa's Express at Carlisle Railway Station
What to Expect:
Combines a train ride with storytelling and carol singing
Description:
Santa's Express at Carlisle Railway Station whisks passengers away on a jolly journey through the Cumbrian countryside. The vintage train carriages buzz with excitement as storytellers weave tales of Christmas past and present. Join in with traditional carols as the landscape rolls by your window. This unique experience pays homage to Carlisle's important role in Britain's railway history, dating back to the opening of the first passenger line in 1836.
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Santa's Express at Carlisle Railway Station
Gelt Gladiator Santa Dash
What to Expect:
Combines a Santa run with obstacle course challenges
Description:
The Gelt Gladiator Santa Dash injects adrenaline into the holiday season, challenging participants to conquer obstacles while dressed as Santa Claus. Runners navigate through mud, water, and climbing challenges in the picturesque Gelt Woods. The event's unique blend of festive cheer and physical endurance creates a memorable experience. This Santa Dash draws inspiration from the area's Roman history, with obstacles named after ancient gladiatorial challenges.
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Nearby Events
Lanercost Priory Christmas Fair (Brampton)
What to Expect:
Held in the ruins of a 12th-century Augustinian monastery
Description:
Lanercost Priory Christmas Fair unfolds amidst the haunting beauty of a 12th-century Augustinian monastery. The ancient stone arches frame stalls brimming with handcrafted gifts and local produce. Visitors can join guided tours exploring the priory's rich history, including its connections to Edward I and Robert the Bruce. The fair breathes new life into this historic site, continuing its legacy as a gathering place for the community, a role it has played since its founding in 1169.
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Lanercost Priory Christmas Fair