Last updated: 11 November 2024
Explore the festive season in Workington with our comprehensive guide. Find all the must-see holiday events. Whether you know Workington like the back of your hand or you're just finding your way, this guide is your festive roadmap.
This season, families can enjoy a delightful experience at Dobbies' Santa's Grotto, where children can meet Father Christmas and share their Christmas wishes. With a charming winter wonderland setting, the event promises a magical atmosphere. Another highlight is the Santa Express, a scenic train journey where passengers can enjoy festive treats while taking in the stunning views of the Cumbrian countryside. And the Father Christmas on the Farm event at Walby Farm Park offers a unique twist, with animal encounters and seasonal activities for all ages. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Workington Holiday Light Displays
Ambleside Christmas Lights
- What to Expect
- Unique blend of festive activities and community spirit.
- Description
- Ambleside Christmas Lights features two Father Christmas Cruises, community stalls with live music, a family fun zone with food outlets, and a main procession with Father Christmas and lantern bearers. The event culminates in a firework display, creating a vibrant and joyful atmosphere around the town.
- Where
- Ambleside | More Info : Ambleside Christmas Lights
Workington Holiday Markets and Shopping
Hawkshead Christmas
- What to Expect
- Traditional family event with live street music and carol singers.
- Description
- The Hawkshead Christmas Fair is a traditional event featuring local artisanal gifts, food tents, and entertainment in the picturesque village of Hawkshead. Enjoy live street music and carol singers amidst over 50 stalls offering homemade crafts, local produce, and Christmas decorations.
- Where
- Hawkshead | More Info : Hawkshead Christmas
Workington Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Farrington's Scary Fairy Saves Christmas
- What to Expect
- Interactive storytelling through music.
- Description
- Farrington's Scary Fairy Saves Christmas is a musical story-telling piece where each character has its own melody, following the action in a fairy tale narrative.
- Where
- Kendal | More Info : Farrington's Scary Fairy Saves Christmas
Theatre Royal Workington Halloween Party
- What to Expect
- Public domain Mary Poppins in a new Christmas adventure.
- Description
- Happy Thoughts Drama Company presents a brand new adventure with Mary Poppins this Christmas, featuring the iconic character in a fresh and exciting way.
- Where
- Workington | More Info : Theatre Royal Workington Halloween Party
Workington Other Holiday Activities
Father Christmas on the farm, Walby farm park
- What to Expect
- Interactive festive activities with real reindeer.
- Description
- Meet Father Christmas and his friends at Walby Farm Park for a day filled with festive activities, including visiting real reindeer, decorating gingerbread biscuits, and making Reindeer Food. Enjoy interactive experiences like the Enchanted Forest with 3D glasses and the Naughty and Nice machine. All activities are included in your ticket price, along with access to the Adventure Play Barn and outdoor play areas.
- Where
- Carlisle | More Info : Father Christmas on the farm, Walby farm park
Santa’s Grotto, Dobbies
- What to Expect
- Train-themed journey with interactive elements and a meeting with Santa.
- Description
- Dobbies' Santa's Grotto offers a train-themed journey for children and families, complete with interactive elements and a meeting with Santa. The event includes snowy scenes, woodland characters, and hidden nutcrackers, culminating in a chance to share wishes and receive a wrapped gift from Santa.
- Where
- Carlisle | More Info : Santa’s Grotto, Dobbies
Santa Express, Ravenglass and Eskdale
- What to Expect
- Interactive Santa meet-and-greet with festive treats.
- Description
- Join the Santa Express at Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway for a 40-minute journey to Dalegarth Grotto, where Santa Claus and his team await. Children will meet Santa, receive gifts, and enjoy festive refreshments. Grown-ups will also receive treats and drinks.
- Where
- Ravenglass | More Info : Santa Express, Ravenglass and Eskdale
Holker Hall Christmas Grotto
- What to Expect
- Interactive Christmas activities with Father Christmas and the Elves.
- Description
- At Holker Hall Christmas Grotto, meet Father Christmas and the Elves in the grand library. Enjoy activities like making magical reindeer food, participating in a Christmas treasure hunt, and crafting festive treats. Receive a gift and indulge in hot chocolate or mulled wine.
- Where
- Grange-over-Sands | More Info : Holker Hall Christmas Grotto
Tinsel trains at Lakeside and Haverthwaite railway
- What to Expect
- Private compartment with personalized presents from Father Christmas.
- Description
- Join Father Christmas and his Railway Elves on a one-hour journey from Haverthwaite to Lakeside in a private compartment. The compartment will be decorated with Christmas decorations and filled with seasonal tunes. Adults will receive a seasonal drink and snack, while children will receive a personally labelled, age-specific present. Father Christmas will visit each compartment to give out presents to all good children onboard.
- Where
- Ulverston | More Info : Tinsel trains at Lakeside and Haverthwaite railway
Santa's Secret Grotto
- What to Expect
- Exclusive underground journey to meet Santa Claus.
- Description
- Embark on an underground adventure to Santa's Secret Grotto at Honister Slate Mine, where you'll meet Santa Claus and receive a special gift amidst twinkling lights and cozy nooks.
- Where
- Keswick | More Info : Santa's Secret Grotto
Silent Night: a festive evening with owls at Muncaster
- What to Expect
- Rare opportunity to see owls in flight under the night sky.
- Description
- Join Muncaster Castle for a unique evening with owls, featuring a two-course meal, owl displays, and expert commentary on conservation efforts.
- Where
- Ravenglass | More Info : Silent Night: a festive evening with owls at Muncaster
Christmas Wreath Workshop
- What to Expect
- Guided wreath-making with expert florists using seasonal materials.
- Description
- Join Bluebell & Ivy Florists at BAHA Bowness-on-Windermere for a festive wreath-making workshop. Learn professional techniques using fresh, seasonal materials to create a personalized masterpiece. This workshop is an opportunity to unleash your creativity and take home a piece of Lake District Christmas charm.
- Where
- Bowness-on-Windermere | More Info : Christmas Wreath Workshop
Festive Afternoon Tea
- What to Expect
- Seasonal menu with festive flavors.
- Description
- Indulge in a delightful Festive Afternoon Tea at Bassenthwaite Lake Station, featuring seasonal savoury and sweet treats, including smoked bacon and leek quiche, mini breaded brie with homemade chutney, and tonka bean panna cotta with sour cherry compote.
- Where
- Keswick | More Info : Festive Afternoon Tea
Santa themed cruises, Ambleside
- What to Expect
- Santa-themed boat cruise with scenic Lake District views.
- Description
- Embark on a festive journey around Ambleside with Santa-themed cruises on Windermere Lake, offering breathtaking views of the Lake District.
- Where
- Ambleside | More Info : Santa themed cruises, Ambleside
Walby Farm Park’s Bonfire Bonanza
- What to Expect
- Family-friendly fireworks display with exclusive food and drinks.
- Description
- Join us at Walby Farm Park for a spectacular Bonfire Bonanza, featuring a fabulous fireworks show, exclusive food and drinks, and entry to our Indoor Adventure Play Barn and undercover Milecastle 62.
- Where
- Carlisle | More Info : Walby Farm Park’s Bonfire Bonanza
Muncaster Castle Halloween Family Festival
- What to Expect
- Spine-tingling family-friendly activities with a vampire theme.
- Description
- Muncaster Castle's Halloween Family Festival offers a variety of spooky and fun activities for all ages, including a haunted maze, pumpkin patch, live entertainment, and more.
- Where
- Ravenglass | More Info : Muncaster Castle Halloween Family Festival
Brockhole Halloween Experience
- What to Expect
- Immersive live scare experience in a haunted forest.
- Description
- Immerse yourself in a spine-chilling Halloween adventure at Brockhole, featuring a Haunted Forest filled with frights and delights. Enjoy a variety of family-friendly activities, including ghost scavenger hunting, interactive ghost stories, and zombie archery. The event is perfect for all ages, offering a fun and spooky atmosphere that captures the Halloween spirit.
- Where
- Windermere | More Info : Brockhole Halloween Experience
Cockermouth firework display
- What to Expect
- Vibrant fireworks display in a picturesque setting.
- Description
- The Cockermouth Firework Display is a spectacular event held in Memorial Gardens, featuring a dazzling display of fireworks that light up the evening sky. This family-friendly event is organized by Cockermouth Town Council and offers a fun-filled evening for all ages.
- Where
- Cockermouth | More Info : Cockermouth firework display
Holker Hall Halloween
- What to Expect
- Family-friendly Halloween activities with a vampire theme.
- Description
- Holker Hall Halloween offers a family-friendly celebration with activities like a Halloween maze, pumpkin patch, haunted castle, live entertainment, and a vampire-themed trail. Enjoy the spooky atmosphere and festive fun across two days.
- Where
- Grange-over-Sands | More Info : Holker Hall Halloween