Great British Bake Off star Crystelle Pereira, the self-proclaimed ‘Farmer’s Wife’ Helen Rebanks and adventurous chef Fell Foodie, aka Harrison Ward, will all star at this year’s Taste Cumbria Christmas festival in Cockermouth.
In new town centre locations, with more entertainment than ever before, Taste Cumbria Christmas takes place on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 December 2023.
This year’s festival will move to both sides of the town’s Cocker Bridge, which is currently closed to traffic, and use a big section of Market Place too. There will be live music and street theatre, loads of stalls selling food, drink and gifts, fairground rides and children’s crafts. Even Father Christmas is coming to join the fun on the Saturday of the event.
The demo stage, always a firm favourite at the flagship September festival, will be in place for the Christmas event for the first time. Crystelle, Helen and Harrison will be signing copies of their books in The New Bookshop on Main Street following their appearances. Also appearing on stage will be experts in Indian street food, sauces, bread making and more.
The weekend will start with a sold-out Supper Club, hosted by the beautiful Low Hall The Lakes on the outskirts of town, serving a feast from Ambleside’s Smoky Pikes caterers.
Loads of other town organisations are getting involved in the festival too. Kirkgate Arts on Kirkgate is hosting an Etsy Made in Cumbria event and a fun family cooking session, the United Reformed Church on Main Street is home to Cockermouth Arts and Craft market, and the Methodist Church on Lorton Road has an exhibition of nativity cribs.
While the festival is clustered around Cocker Bridge, the rest of Main Street will remain open to traffic, and Station Street will run one-way as usual. The middle section of Market Place will be closed off while vehicle access will still be in place down Castlegate to Bitterbeck car park, and along St Helens Street and Kirkgate.
Councillor Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council’s Executive Member for Vibrant and Healthy Places, said:
“This year’s Taste Cumbria Christmas will bring a fabulous festival atmosphere to Cockermouth, right in the heart of the town.
“These events bring millions of pounds into the local economy, helping our lovely towns thrive. We know visitors will eat, drink and shop while they’re at the event - and Cockermouth is certainly a wonderful place to do all of that!”
This year’s Taste Cumbria Christmas is organised by Cumberland Council, sponsored by Cockermouth Town Council, The Coffee Kitchen Bakery, Holmen Iggesund and Milburns Solicitors, and supported by Cockermouth & District Chamber of Trade. For the full festival line-up, visit www.visitallerdale.co.uk/taste-cumbria-home
For more information about Taste Cumbria email ellie.jones@cumberland.gov.uk