🎃 October half term is creeping up! See what’s on across the Lake District.
Christmas markets are a lovely way to get into the festive spirit, and the Lake District has plenty of opportunities to browse local crafts, pick up Christmas gifts and enjoy festive food and entertainment. From larger events in popular towns and villages (such as Bowness-on-Windermere and Keswick) to smaller community fairs, there’s a good variety of festive shopping opportunities throughout November and December.
This guide focuses specifically on Christmas markets and fairs within the Lake District National Park, rather than the wider Cumbria area. Many are free to visit, although some events charge for entry or individual activities, so make sure you check the details before travelling. Popular Lake District villages can also get extremely busy during Christmas events, so arriving early or travelling by public transport can be a good option where possible.
The Lake District Christmas markets and fairs are ordered below according to their start date, making it easy to see what’s happening throughout the festive season.
If you specifically want to book at time slot to check in with the Big FC this Christmas then this is the guide for you. We have compiled all the best places in the Peak District to meet Father Christmas this year.
Paid advertising may affect placement on this page
1. Coniston Festive Fayre
Saturday 14th November 2026 (10am to 4.30pm)
FREE entry
Click here for more information.
The Coniston Festive Fayre is a great way to kick off the Christmas season, with 22 indoor stalls and four outdoor stalls at Coniston Institute, alongside festive food and drink.
There’s plenty for families too, with Santa’s Grotto from 10am to noon, a children’s party, lantern parade and choir carol singing. The festive fun continues into the evening with quizzes and live music at local pubs.
2. Blackwell Winter Craft Fair
Friday 13th to Sunday 15th November & Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd November 2026 (10am to 4pm)
Adults £8, children aged 5-15 £4, under 5s FREE
Click here for more information.
Just 1.5 miles south of Bowness-on-Windermere, The Winter Craft Fair returns to Blackwell – the Arts & Crafts house (located here) for two weekends in November, with a different selection of makers taking part each weekend.
The fair takes place throughout Blackwell’s historic rooms, with stalls selling jewellery, ceramics, textiles, leatherwork, woodcraft, homeware and other handmade goods. It’s a lovely setting for Christmas shopping, and visitors can also explore the M H Baillie Scott: Architect & Designer exhibition during their visit.
Tickets are available in advance or on the day. Lakeland Arts members and Blackwell Annual Pass holders go free.
3. Rydal Hall Annual Christmas Craft Fair
Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd November 2026 (10am to 4pm)
Click here for more information.
Rydal Hall’s Annual Christmas Craft Fair returns in November, with local makers and craftspeople selling handmade gifts and festive goods.
The fair takes place at Rydal Hall, just outside Ambleside, making it easy to combine with a festive day out around Ambleside and Rydal. Perhaps combine this with our Rydal Caves walk.
4. Ambleside Christmas Lights & Festive Market
Saturday 21st November 2026
FREE entry
Click here for more information.
Ambleside’s annual Christmas Lights event is much more than a simple lights switch-on, with festive stalls, entertainment, a lantern parade and an opportunity to meet Santa.
Ambleside Christmas Lights is much more than a Christmas market and one of the festive highlights of the Lake District, with the town coming alive for a full day of Christmas celebrations. Market Cross stalls open from noon, with festive food, shopping and entertainment.
Families can also book a Santa Cruise from Waterhead, with Father Christmas travelling across Lake Windermere before the festivities continue in town. Later, the Lantern Parade makes its way through Ambleside before Santa performs the magical Christmas lights switch-on.
In 2026, the event is returning to its traditional roots, with the firework display cancelled, but the Christmas lights switch-on and parade going ahead.
5. Muncaster Christmas Festival
Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th, Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th, and Saturday 19th to Tuesday 22nd December 2026
Adults from £19.95, children aged 3–15 from £14.50, under 3s FREE
Click here for more information
Muncaster Castle’s Christmas Festival is more than a Christmas market, but the event includes a festive craft fair alongside plenty of other family activities. The castle and gardens are decorated for Christmas, with craft fair stalls selling handmade gifts and seasonal items. There’s also a family-friendly festive trail, live music on selected dates, the World of Owls flying display and festive food and drink.
Santa’s Grotto is available as a separate bookable experience, while the main Christmas Festival ticket includes entry to the castle, gardens and Hawk & Owl Centre.
6. Grasmere Village Hall Christmas Fair
2026 dates TBC
FREE entry
Click here for more information.
Grasmere Village Hall hosts an annual Christmas Fair with craft stalls, food, drinks and plenty of community Christmas cheer. The fair usually includes Santa’s Grotto, alongside a Grand Christmas Raffle supporting the village hall and local conservation projects.
The 2025 fair ran across two days in early December, but the 2026 dates have not yet been confirmed, so check the village hall for the latest information.
7. Bowness-on-Windermere Christmas Market
2026 dates TBC
FREE entry
Click here for more information.
The Christmas Market at The Glebe in Bowness-on-Windermere is a festive lakeside market with local stalls, food and drink, live music, carol singing and a visit from Father Christmas.
The market has traditionally taken place in early December, although the exact 2026 dates haven’t officially been announced. Previous events have been held at The Glebe, making it easy to combine Christmas shopping with a walk along the shores of Lake Windermere or other attractions in Bowness.
Windermere Christmas Market appears not to be taking place in 2026, so this Bowness event is the one to look out for around Windermere and Bowness this year.
8. Hawkshead Christmas Fair
Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th December 2026
Hawkshead
Click here for more information
Hawkshead Christmas Fair takes over the village for the first weekend in December, with stalls, festive food and drink, live music and street entertainment.
There are more than 50 stalls selling handmade crafts, local produce and Christmas gifts, while children can visit Santa’s Grotto. A lantern parade and Christmas carols add to the festive atmosphere.
The fair takes place in the centre of Hawkshead, which is pedestrianised, with parking available outside the village.
9. Keswick Victorian Fayre
Sunday 6th December 2026
Keswick
Click here for more information
The Keswick Victorian Fayre brings a traditional Christmas atmosphere to the centre of Keswick, with festive stalls filling the Market Square and Packhorse Court.
Stalls offer handmade crafts, local produce, Christmas gifts and festive food and drink, while live entertainment takes place throughout the day. There is also a children’s funfair, and visitors are encouraged to dress in Victorian costume to get into the spirit of the event.
Lake District Kids is a free online resource. If you have found this website useful for planning your family adventures, you can show your support by buying us a coffee. Thanks so much!
Also, feel free to share your walk photos in our Lake District Kids Facebook Group or on Instagram using by tagging @lakedistrictkidsuk in your caption so we can share with our wider community.
Want more ideas for family walks? Use the search walks page to find the perfect family walk.
And if you’re hiking with little ones, check out our tips for hiking with kids under 5 to help you get a extra mile or two out of those little legs.