On the build-up to the festive season, Cumberland Council is encouraging residents to shop local and support local businesses.
The Cumberland area is set to host a packed programme of events, including lights switch-on events, markets and much more.
Cumberland Council and town councils are lining up events to attract visitors and showcase the shops and traders within the area.
Upcoming events include:
- Friday 17 November - Keswick Christmas Lights Switch-On. For further information visit the Visit Keswick website.
- Saturday 18 November - Whitehaven Christmas Lights Switch-On. For further information visit Whitehaven Town Council's website.
- Sunday 19 November - Carlisle Christmas Lights-Switch On. For further information visit Discover Carlisle's website.
- Sunday 19 November - Cockermouth Christmas Lights-Switch On. For further information visit the Cockermouth Town Council website.
- Thursday 23 November - Cockermouth late night shopping.
- Friday 24 November - Cleator Moor Christmas Event and Market. For further information visit the Cleator Moor Town Council website.
- Saturday 25 November - Distington Walled Garden Christmas Fete. Visit the Cumberland Council website for more information.
- Saturday 25 November - Carlisle Market Hall Festive Fun Day. Visit the Discover Carlisle website.
- Saturday 25 November - Christmas Festival and Light Switch-On in Workington Town Centre. For further information visit the Visit Workington website.
- Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 November - Egremont Winter Wonderland Christmas Fayre. For further information visit the Egremont Christmas Wonderland Facebook
- Sunday 26 November - Brampton Christmas Lights Switch-On. For further information visit the Brampton Parish Council website.
- Sunday 26 November - Wigton Christmas Lights Switch-On. For further information visit the Wigton Parish Council Facebook page.
- Late Night Shopping in Carlisle - every Thursday, starting on Thursday 30 November and ending on Thursday 21 December
- Saturday 2 December - Millom Christmas Market and Christmas Lights Switch-On. For further information visit the Millom Town Council website.
- Saturday 2 December - Carlisle Teenage Market. For further information visit the Cumberland Council website.
- Saturday 2 December - Carlisle Christmas Farmers’ Market at Carlisle Cathedral. For further information visit Carlisle Cathedral's website.
- Sunday 3 December - Keswick Victorian Fayre. For further information visit Visit Keswick website.
- Sunday 3 December - Aspatria Christmas Lights Switch-On. For further information visit the Aspatria Town Council Facebook page
- Friday 8 December - Whitehaven Christmas Fair. For further information visit the Whitehaven Town Council website.
- Friday 8 December - Whitehaven Harbour Lights Show and Christmas Firework Display. For further information visit the Whitehaven Town Council website.
- Saturday 9 to Sunday 10 December - Taste Cumbria Christmas in Cockermouth. For further information visit the Taste Cumbria website.
- Friday 1 to Sunday 17 December - Carlisle Christmas Market in Carlisle city centre. Visit the Discover Carlisle's website.
In support of some events, Cumberland Council is providing free parking in the following car parks on these dates:
- Keswick Central car park - all day free parking on Friday 17 November - Keswick Christmas Lights Switch-On and Sunday 3 December - Keswick Victorian Fayre.
- All day free parking in all car parks (apart from Fairfield car park) on Sunday 19 November - Cockermouth Christmas Lights-Switch On.
- Free parking in all car parks (apart from Fairfield car park) from 2.30pm on Thursday 23 November - Cockermouth late night shopping.
- Workington Multi Storey car park - all day free parking during opening hours on Saturday 25 November - Christmas Festival and Light Switch-On in Workington Town Centre.
- Egremont Chapel Street car park - all day free parking on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 November - Egremont Winter Wonderland Christmas Fayre.
- Bitts Park; Lowther Street; Castle; Caldew Riverside; The Sands; Swifts Bank; Viaduct; Civic Centre and West Walls car parks free parking after 3pm on the following dates: Thursday 30 November, Thursday 7 December, Thursday 14 December and Thursday 21 December. To coincide with late night shopping.
Councillor Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council’s Executive Member for Vibrant and Healthy Places, said:
“The Cumberland area has lots planned on the build-up to Christmas and we encourage local residents and visitors to support the many events planned over the weeks running up to the festivities.
“We also encourage people to shop local and support local businesses.
“We are offering free parking on some key dates, and we hope this serves as an incentive to make a visit to local towns and our city.”
For a full list of events planned for the Cumberland area, visit the Discover Carlisle's website.