Kendal Christmas Events & Things to Do 2025
Your complete guide to the best christmas events in Kendal and surrounding areas
Kendal sparkles for the festive season with holiday activities and community events across the market town and historic sites like Kendal Castle. Attend the Kendal Christmas Light Switch On, Levens Hall 'Silhouettes and Song' or Winter at Sizergh for seasonal attractions, atmospheric markets and family-focused events beneath the town's lights. From cozy evenings to outdoor winter festivals, Kendal offers a mix of things to do and holiday experiences framed by scenic Lakeland surroundings.
Find the best Kendal Christmas happenings this year!
Start Here
Christmas Parties
23 eventsLake District's hottest New Year's Eve party destination.
Christmas Markets
18 eventsAnnual Christmas Fair with parade, markets, and lights switch-on.
Christmas Lights
17 eventsSix miles of free, world-famous light displays.
Christmas Shows
8 eventsInnovative dramatization of Handel's Messiah with theatrical elements
Christmas Activities
34 eventsImmersive theatrical train ride based on THE POLAR EXPRESS™
Editor's Picks (6)
-
Blackpool Illuminations 2025
(Blackpool)
Six miles of free, world-famous light displays.
-
Christmas By The Sea
(Blackpool)
Festive village on Tower Festival Headland
-
Ambleside Community Christmas Lights & Fireworks
(Ambleside)
Community-driven Christmas lights switch-on with fireworks and Santa cruises.
-
BAHA Bowness New Year's Eve Party 2025
(Bowness on Windermere)
Lake District's hottest New Year's Eve party destination.
-
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride at Wensleydale Railway
(Northallerton)
Immersive theatrical train ride based on THE POLAR EXPRESS™
-
Kendal Christmas Light Switch On
Kendal's official Christmas light switch-on ceremony.
Events Happening Soon (6)
Kendal Christmas Events Map
See every Christmas event, light display, and market on one map.
Also Near Kendal
Kendal Christmas FAQ
The biggest events include the Kendal Christmas Lights Switch On in late November and the Kendal BID Christmas Celebration, featuring markets, live music, and festive activities.
Kendal celebrates with a mix of historic and community traditions, including a festive parade during the lights switch-on and local artisan markets that highlight the town’s creative spirit.
Beloved neighborhood favorites near Kendal offer some of the best light displays, with streets that come alive with community-decorated homes and creative holiday lighting.
Christmas markets and local makers can be found mainly in Kendal town center and at nearby venues hosting artisan fairs and seasonal vendor stalls throughout the holiday season.
Enjoy free neighborhood light displays, festive walks along decorated trails, and community events like the Farmers' Market during the Christmas season for budget-friendly fun.
Families can enjoy the Christmas Lights Switch On event with children’s entertainment, meet Santa at local markets, and explore festive walking trails suitable for all ages.