Lake District Events

*Ambleside Daffodil and Spring Flower Show, 15-16 March, 2008. The Kelsick Centre, St. Mary's Lane, Ambleside LA22 9DG tel:- 015394 32904.

*Brathay Windermere Marathon 18th May

Ambleside Traditional Lakeland Sports 31 July 2008, Rudal Park, Rydal Road, Ambleside, LA229PL. Includes wrestling, fell and cycle races, fairground, exhibitions and more. Contact:- Mr J Hirst 015394 35351

The Gypsy Horse Fair, June 4-11th.

Appleby Carnival, July 12th -13th

Face Your Fears 11th- 24th February 2008

Come along to the Aquarium of the Lakes and face your ultimate fears this February half term. The aquarium will be squirming with scary creatures. We offer the opportunity to handle a number of terrifying critters including snakes, tarantulas, frogs and giant snails. There will also be Bush Tucker Trials were you can freak out family and friends while reaching into boxes filled with scary creatures and also feast on bugs such as tasty worm snacks and chocolate covered ants. There will be daily crafts including making a giant trash bag tarantula and other bugs. Feel free to take part in our face painting.

The Launch of the Worlds First Interactive Dive Bell 24th March - 13th April

Be a part of the Aquariums re-launch not only will it have a new name and new hot features but it will also have the worlds first Interactive Dive Bell where you can experience what it is like to be face to face with life size hippos, alligators and sharks. You can ask questions whilst immersed in the semi-spherical screens, watch them feed and even strip them down to there skeletons. The Aquarium will be buzzing with creature facts and fun crafts.

Festival of Trees 26th May-1st June

The Aquarium will be celebrating trees. Exhibits around the aquarium will give a detailed insight into lake forests around the world, their uses and also the mythical c onnections with them. Learn about how trees a have always played a part in our lives throughout history. We will also be dealing with tree-related ecological issues. Activities will be held throughout the exhibit to highlight the causes and give innovative ways that we can help the environment.

Tribal Global 28th July-15 Aug

The Aquarium is going global and so are its exhibits. This summer holiday, there will be displays of tribes around the globe, and fun craft activities such as head dress making and tribal quizzes. Learn about Apache Indians, Maasai warriors and Pygmy tribes. Learn some of the life and survival skills that tribes still use today!

National Book Week 6-12th October

In order to encourage children to embrace the magical world of books, the aquarium will be host to a number of local authors who will take part in story telling sessions and interactive displays.

Big Draw 13-19 October

We are taking part in the National Campaign to encourage people, young and old to engage in the art of drawing to express themselves. We will have fishy drawing competitions, arts and crafts.

Wizards on Windermere 27 October-2 November

Get into the spirit of Halloween and Hogwarts with Harry Potter type activities including owl displays, creepy crafts and dressing up. Makes wands, consult the sorting hat, meet a scary dementor and take part in Potty Potter competitions. Prize for best fancy dress. This half term event coincides with Lakeside and Haverthwaite’s spooky Ghost Train on the first weekend in November.

Simon Carroll: Suggestion and Statement, Blackwell Arts and Crafts Centre 7th November – 31 December (closed 25 & 26 Dec) This display of Simon Carroll’s contemporary ceramics is an opportunity to see his exuberant, challenging and expressive vessels straight from his workshop in Cornwall. He draws inspiration from an eclectic range of sources including  Elizabethan ruffles, sombreros and wind farms, to create lively, sculptural forms.

June 19-22nd - Lanercost Festival

Cartmel Steeplechases - Race Meetings Saturday 24th, Monday 26th, Wednesday 28th May 2008

April 26th-May 3rd - Cockermouth Georgian Festival.

Coniston Water Festival, Coniston Friday 11th and Saturday 12th July 2008

Coniston Country Fair, Coniston Sunday 20th July 2008

October 4th - The Lakeland Trails Festivals

Coniston Walking Festival Friday 26th to Sunday 28th September 2008

8th & 10th February, 2008 -Marmalade Festival

27th April - National Gardens Scheme Open Day

10th May - Fell Pony Stallion Show

11th May - Eden Valley Vintage Tractor Rally

18th May - North West Carriage Driving

22nd June - Cumbria Life & Dalemain Plant Festival NEW

11 - 13 th July - Dalemain Food & Craft Fair**

24thth August - Classic Car Show

19th – 30th October Apple & Conker Celebrations in the Medieval Hall Tearoom

Sun 23 Mar 2008 Easter Trail

Evening Bat Walk August 2008

*Grasmere Lakeland Sports and Show August 2008

Grizedale Forest Mountain Bike Challenge- September 2008

Hawkshead Agricultural Show Tuesday 19th August 2008

Hawkshead Music for a Summer Evening August 2008 -Hawkshead Parish Church

Damson Day at Low Farm, Crosthwaite, Lyth Valley - April 2008

Lakeland Rose Show, Crooklands, Near Kendal Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th July 2008

*The Kendal Gathering, a large, well planned festival which runs for seventeen days, is held in late August. It provides varied entertainment and culminates with an atmospheric torch lit procession through the town.

*The Westmorland County Show is also held at Kendal on the second Thursday in September. It features an agricultural exhibition, crafts, farm produce and dog shows, as well as the sporting displays of show-jumping and the local Cumberland wrestling.

Abbot Hall, Kendal:-

Prunella Clough 18 January - 5 April, 2008

Frank Auerbach: Etchings and Drypoints 1954 - 2007 15 April - 21 June

Ben Nicholson 7 July - 20 September

Craigie Aitchison: The Complete Prints 6 October - 20 December

February 7-10th - Keswick Film Festival

*May 2008 - Cumbria Life Food and Drink Festival at Rheged

*July 12-13th - Langwathby Scarecrow Festival

*August 8-10th - Lowther Show. Livestock, side shows and trade displays.

*Langathby Scarecrow Festival, near Penrith, July, 2007. Tel:- 01768 867 466

Lowther Horse Trials and Country Fair 8th, 9th and 10th August, 2008

Millom and Haverigg Scarecrow Festival July 2008

May 10-18th 2008 Ullswater Walking Festival- a week long festival offering visitors the opportunity to enjoy guided walks with qualified and informative knowledgeable local guides.

Helvellyn Triathlon, Glenridding Friday 15th to Sunday 17th September 2008

Ulverston Walking Festival- Friday 25th April to Sunday 4th May 2008

Print Fest, Ulverston Saturday 3rd - Sunday 4th May 2008 10am-5pm, Coronation Hall

Furness Tradition Folk Festival, Ulverston Saturday 12th to Monday 14th July 2008

CAMRA Beer Festival, Ulverston August 2008

September - Egremont Crab Fair and Sports.

Whitehaven Male Voice Choir:-

Christmas Celebration Concert - Saturday 15th December 2007 7:30pm St Begh's Church, Coach Road, Whitehaven. Concert Including Christmas favourites with special guest soloist Giuseppe Deligia.

Concert - Tuesday 26th February 2008 7:15pm Village Hall, Gt. Broughton, Nr Cockermouth. A concert of the Choir's varied repertoire plus a female guest soloist.

Concert - Friday 9th May 2008 7:30pm The Church of The Holy Spirit, Church Road, Distington, Nr Workington. A concert of the Choir's varied repertoire plus a female guest soloist.

Annual Concert with guest soloist - Sunday 8th June 2008 8:00pm Civic Hall, Lowther Street, Whitehaven. The Choir's eagerly awaited 'Annual Concert' featuring professional guest soloist, soprano Jo Appleby

*The Windermere Brathay Marathon - Sunday, 18th May, 2008, 10.30 Brathay Hall, near Ambleside

National Garden Scheme Open Day Wednesday 30th April 2008- Lakeside Hotel, Lake Windermere

Gummers How Fell Race June 2008 - first race starts 5.30pm, second race starts at 6.30pm

Windermere Airshow Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th July 2008