The Lake District has one of the most distinctive events calendars in Britain — a summer and autumn full of traditional Lakeland sports (guides' fell races, Cumberland & Westmorland wrestling, hound trailing), agricultural shows and shepherds' meets, plus music, food, literary and film festivals and some gloriously odd local traditions. This page lists what's on month by month, each tagged with its nearest town (linked to our full guide), whether it's indoor or outdoor, and whether it's family-friendly.
We only show a firm date once it's confirmed against the organiser's own site; where a date isn't out yet we say “usually [month]” and link the organiser. Dates change — always check the official link before you travel.
Coming up
- Ambleside SportsThu 30 Jul 2026
One of the great traditional Lakeland sports meetings — fell racing, Cumberland & Westmorland wrestling, hound trailing and track-and-field in a field below the fells, on the last Thursday of July.
- Hawkshead Agricultural ShowTue 18 Aug 2026
A traditional one-day agricultural show near the pretty village of Hawkshead — prize livestock, Lakeland sheep, horticulture, crafts, food and a busy show ring — on Tuesday 18 August 2026.
- Grasmere Lakeland Sports & ShowSun 30 Aug 2026
One of the oldest and best-known traditional Lakeland sports days — guides' fell race, Cumberland & Westmorland wrestling and hound trailing — in a natural amphitheatre of fells, on the late-August bank holiday Sunday.
Month-by-month calendar
July 2026
- Ambleside SportsThu 30 Jul 2026
One of the great traditional Lakeland sports meetings — fell racing, Cumberland & Westmorland wrestling, hound trailing and track-and-field in a field below the fells, on the last Thursday of July.
August 2026
- Grasmere Rushbearingusually August
A centuries-old ceremony in which villagers carry rushes and floral 'bearings' through Grasmere to St Oswald's Church — a charming, free piece of living Lakeland tradition, usually in early August. Confirm the date on the official listing.
- Keswick Agricultural Showusually August
The big northern-Lakes agricultural show — Herdwick sheep, cattle, horses, hounds, horticulture and the show ring — held on the August bank-holiday Monday near Keswick. Confirm the 2026 date on the official site.
- Hawkshead Agricultural ShowTue 18 Aug 2026
A traditional one-day agricultural show near the pretty village of Hawkshead — prize livestock, Lakeland sheep, horticulture, crafts, food and a busy show ring — on Tuesday 18 August 2026.
- Grasmere Lakeland Sports & ShowSun 30 Aug 2026
One of the oldest and best-known traditional Lakeland sports days — guides' fell race, Cumberland & Westmorland wrestling and hound trailing — in a natural amphitheatre of fells, on the late-August bank holiday Sunday.
September 2026
- Egremont Crab Fair & World Gurning Championshipsusually September
One of England's oldest fairs (dating from 1267), famous for the gloriously daft World Gurning Championships (pulling faces through a horse collar), plus greasy-pole climbing, pipe-smoking and the apple cart. In the western Lakes, usually mid-September — confirm the date on the official listing.
November 2026
- Penrith Winter Drovingusually November
A magical evening of folk theatre, fire and music ending in a torchlit, masked procession through Penrith — costumed animals, lanterns and street food, marking the old droving tradition. Free to watch, usually late October/early November. Confirm the date on the official listing.
- World's Biggest Liarusually November
A wonderfully Cumbrian competition to tell the most convincing tall tale — held in a pub at Santon Bridge, reputedly in honour of a 19th-century landlord and champion fibber. An evening event for adults, usually in November. Confirm the date on the official listing.
- Kendal Mountain FestivalThu 19–22 Nov 2026
The world's leading mountain and adventure film, book and culture festival — films, speakers, athletes and exhibitions across venues in Kendal — 19–22 November 2026.
December 2026
- Keswick Victorian Fayreusually December
Keswick's festive kick-off — costumed stalls, street entertainment and Christmas shopping through the town centre, with traders and visitors in Victorian dress. Free to wander, usually the first Sunday of December. Confirm the date on the official listing.
By type
Agricultural shows & shepherds’ meets
- Keswick Agricultural Show — usually August
- Hawkshead Agricultural Show — Tue 18 Aug 2026
Traditional Lakeland sports
- Ambleside Sports — Thu 30 Jul 2026
- Grasmere Lakeland Sports & Show — Sun 30 Aug 2026
Literary, film & culture
- Kendal Mountain Festival — Thu 19–22 Nov 2026
Traditional & quirky
- Grasmere Rushbearing — usually August
- Egremont Crab Fair & World Gurning Championships — usually September
- Penrith Winter Droving — usually November
- World's Biggest Liar — usually November
Seasonal & Christmas
- Keswick Victorian Fayre — usually December
Events near each town
Pair an event with one of our in-depth town guides for parking, getting there and the best walks nearby.
Events near Keswick
- Keswick Agricultural Show — usually August
- Keswick Victorian Fayre — usually December
Events near Ambleside
- Ambleside Sports — Thu 30 Jul 2026
Events near Grasmere
- Grasmere Rushbearing — usually August
- Grasmere Lakeland Sports & Show — Sun 30 Aug 2026
Events near Hawkshead
- Hawkshead Agricultural Show — Tue 18 Aug 2026
Plan your visit around an event
Make a day of it: most events sit right under the fells, so check the live best fells today, browse our walking routes and fell guides, and use the relevant town guide for where to stay, parking and buses.