With less than 100 days until Christmas, Cumberland Council has announced their autumn and festive programme of events for Carlisle.
Some of this year’s activities will take place in different locations within the city centre to accommodate the multi-million-pound improvements currently underway.
A Cumberland Council spokesperson said:
“The delivery of the improvement works to the Greenmarket and Market Square will have a temporary impact on how we deliver events within the city centre. Despite this, we are determined to continue with the delivery of a comprehensive programme in support of the city centre and will be encouraging visitors and residents to make a visit and shop local.”
The following events are planned, with more in the pipeline:
- Quirky Eclectic producers’ market on Saturday 19 October in the city centre (to be continued monthly on the third Saturday of every month)
Featuring local crafts and products.
- Yarn bombing in Carlisle city centre from Saturday 26 October
As part of the build-up to Remembrance Day commemorations and the launch of the Poppy Appeal on Saturday 26 October, hundreds of knitted and crochet poppies, produced by community groups will be displayed around the city centre including The Lanes, with a cascade of poppies on the Town Hall steps. The project has been months in the planning and has been supported by Carlisle Matters and The Lanes.
- Carlisle Fireshow: Bitts Park on Saturday, 2 November
The sparkling event will start at 6.30pm. There will be centre piece bonfire and more than 2,000 spectacular sparkling fireworks, set to music, will also light up the sky.
It will be the 35th Fireshow event to be held in Bitts Park and is the biggest event in the region attracting more than 35,000 people. This year’s event is organised in conjunction with Merlin Fireworks Ltd. The programme will include a fairground funfair in Castle car park (formerly known as Devonshire Walk car park) during October half term.
- Taste Cumbria: Carlisle Cathedral grounds on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 November
To coincide with the Fireshow weekend, a two-day open-air market will feature local food retailers, music and entertainment and will build on the success of the events in Maryport and Cockermouth.
- Carlisle Teenage Market on Saturday 23 November in the Lanes Shopping Centre
Building on the success of previous Teenage Markets, this is an opportunity for young entrepreneurs to trade in The Lanes.
- Devonshire Street Christmas Party on Sunday 24 November
Local community groups, schools and performers will take to the stage for an afternoon of free entertainment. A programme is being drawn together and more information about the event will be announced soon. In the meantime, save the date in your diary! If you would like to get involved, email events@cumberland.gov.uk before Friday 25 October.
The Christmas Tree will continue to be placed in the city centre, and for one year only, may be in a slightly different location. The thousands of Christmas lights will be lit from Sunday 17 November in readiness for the Devonshire Street Christmas Party the weekend after.
Cumberland Council will also be supporting the promotion of Small Business Saturday on 7 December.
Additional events are in the process of being confirmed and will be announced soon.