The Vintage & Retro Festival of the English Lakes

Friday 14 – Sunday 16 July

Ulverston hosts a weekend of retro fun and vintage events bringing together the finest retro music, cycling challenges and vintage and classic cars with stalls of homewares, fashion, jewellery and stylish gifts. With plenty of live music and events visit: www.retrorendezvous.co.uk

À L’ancienne is the classic, 84km retro bike challenge taking in Coniston Water, Windermere, Esthwaite Water and Wray Castle and there’s the option of a final ride up the track to the Sir John Barrow Monument, before returning home. For more information about the cycling events visit: veloretro.co.uk

Music on the Marr

Thursday 20 – Sunday 23 July

This family festival set in the beautiful village of Castle Carrock offers a celebration of folk and international music, comedy and real ale by local brewers. Visit the ‘Artisans’ Market’ full of paintings, photography, ceramics and crafts, which will be located in the hall between the main music marquee and the Magnificent Tea Emporium. Headline acts include Wolfstone with Duncan Chisholm, hot Scottish property The Elephant Sessions and the legendary Kanda Bongo Man from The Congo bring world music to Castle Carrock, while the trio Moore Moss Rutter rework English folk tunes. For the full line-up of music visit: musiconthemarr.com

Cartmel Food Market

Friday, July 21

This busy food market takes place every third Friday of the month beside the historic medieval Cartmel Priory Church and features stalls from local farmers, growers and artisan food producers including seasonal meats, cheeses, pies, breads, preserves and cakes. For more information telephone: 015395 36025

Penrith Show

Saturday, July 22

Established in 1833, Penrith Show brings together rural and urban communities in competition in a wide spectrum of classes for farm livestock, arable, horses, rabbits, poultry, show jumping, industrial and horticulture. The food hall and rural crafts marquee display regional fare in a village context and the main ring attractions provide entertainment for all the family. Visit: penrithshow.co.uk

Cartmel Races

Saturday 22 July and Monday 24 July

Enjoy National Hunt racing at this popular race course set against a backdrop of the Lakeland fells. Visitors gather in the centre of the racecourse which is bisected by the finishing straight. Tickets can be purchased for the Course Enclosure, which includes a large fairground, trade stands and market stalls. But many visitors opt for tickets that allow access to the Paddock Enclosure and Parade Ring. Bring a picnic or purchase a BBQ pack from Furness Fish & Game (which can be booked for collection in advance). Visit: http://cartmel-racecourse.co.uk

Coniston Country Fayre

Sunday, July 23

Held at Coniston Hall, beside the shores of Coniston Water this traditional Lakeland Show offers visitors an enthralling insight into Cumbrian Life. There’s something for everyone with shows for Fell foxhounds, terrier racing, beagles and lurchers and a Childrens’ Pet Show. Farming is represented with shows for Herdwick sheep and sheepdogs, as well as traditional Cumbrian Walking Sticks. There’s a competition of Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling, have a go at archery, and a Fell Race takes place from the show field to the top of the mighty Coniston Old Man. Peruse the stalls in the Craft Marquee offering the best of Lakeland crafts and food. Visit: conistoncountryfair.co.uk

Ambleside Sports

Thursday, July 27

Offering an enjoyable day out, whatever the weather, Ambleside Sports is a truly tradition Lakeland show with a long history going back 200 years. Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling is believed by some to have been introduced by the Vikings over 1000 years ago and the wearing of traditional costume is a must! Watch the sports in the large tented area and displays of Juggling and Ju-jitsu. Peruse the stalls of the Made in Cumbria craft marquee or watch the Hound Trails and fell races. Visit: amblesidesports.co.uk

Cumbria Steam Gathering

Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 July

The Cumbria Steam & Vintage Vehicle Society Ltd has been bringing together vintage vehicles to Cark Airfield in Flookburgh, near Grange-over-Sands, for over four decades. A huge colourful and noisy weekend event with a variety of entertainments, the Steam Gathering features splendid steam engines and vintage commercial vehicles, as well as hundreds of classic transport favourites including cars, motorcycles, military vehicles and pedal cycles. Attractions include the Craft exhibition, Food Hall, and plenty of musical entertainment. Visit: steamgathering.org.uk

Cartmel Agricultural Show

Wednesday, August 2

A profusion of family entertainment packed into the picturesque parkland setting at Cartmel Racecourse. This traditional Country Show has its roots firmly within the agricultural community, and on a manageable scale for families with small children. Sample the delights of rural life and produce at its best and enjoy the equestrian events, dog shows and livestock exhibits. Visit: cartmelagriculturalsociety.org.uk

MAKE MY DAY!

Sunday, August 6 (12 noon - 5pm)

This FREE festival will be jam-packed with creative activities, taking place in the West End Gardens on Morecambe promenade. Grab a bundle of recycled wood and a hammer and get building, or pick up a brush and help to ?ll in the giant paint-by-numbers. With junk-modelling, placard printing and mini-boat making on offer too - there’ll be lots and lots to see and do. No experience is necessary and all activities will be supervised by a friendly team of artists and makers. Entertainment includes a duo of dancing jelly?sh, a troupe of Lancashire Cloggers, an orchestra of ?utes and Punch & Judy. Visit: www.makemyday.org.uk

Lunesdale Show

Tuesday, August 8

A traditional country show offering the best of local farming, food and crafts held at Underley Park, Kirkby Lonsdale. See the Holstein and Jersey dairy cows, around 17 different sheep breeds, poultry, waterfowl and eggs and over 120 dog classes with the different breeds competing for the Best in Show title. For equestrian lovers there are show ponies, native breeds, hunters, coloured horses and ponies, agricultural horses and show jumping classes. Admire the traditional rural craft of Sticks and Crooks and in the Home Industries & Produce marquee you will find a stunning display of flowers, vegetables, home baking and needlecraft. Look for gifts in the Craft Marquee among the stalls including knitwear and woodturning. Cheer on the competitors in the Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling and watch the Parade of Hounds from the Vale of Lune Hunt. Visit: lunesdaleshow.org.uk

Orton Farmers’ Market

Saturday, August 12

On market day (The second Saturday of each month, 9.30am – 2pm), this normally tranquil fell farming village is transformed by the sights, sounds and smells of a thriving country market. Peruse the stalls of over 25 regular local stallholders selling a tremendous variety of speciality and award-winning produce. Everything is local within 50 miles of the market and all of the produce on offer will have been grown, raised, caught or processed by the producer. Visit: ortonfarmers.co.uk

Lowther Show

Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 August

Taking place within the beautiful grounds of Lowther Castle, this year’s Lowther Show will bring to you a full line-up of activity, which already includes the Horse Carriage Driving Trials and the Lowther Hound Show.

The event brings together world-class sporting championships, including the Great Wall Motor World Series Clay Shooting and Great Wall Motor World Series Gundog Championship, top-class main arena acts, demonstrations and hundreds of top-line, quality driven, local exhibition stands.

The Lowther Show also hosts an array of family-inspired features including a crafts and antiques fairs, a superb Food Festival offering home-grown food-stuffs and produce, a licensed bar and picnic areas, countryside sports and championships, plus countryside stores selling the latest clothing and accessories Visit: lowthershow.co.uk

Lakeland Country Fair

Sunday, August 20

A family friendly event in the village of Torver near Coniston displaying Herdwick and Swaledale sheep, sheep shearing contests, shows of terriers and lurchers and a horn blowing competition. Watch Cumberland & Westmorland Wrestling, junior and senior fell races and a ferret show. Watch traditional skills such as stick making and basket making, bee keeping and chainsaw carving and have the opportunity to see birds of prey close up. For the kids there's a bouncy castle, donkey rides, a climbing wall and a roundabout. Visit: www.lakelandcountryfair.co.uk

Hawkshead Agricultural Show

Tuesday, August 22

A family day out with displays of livestock, horticulture, and local food and crafts. See the fine breed examples and native and rare breeds of cattle, and sheep classes including Herdwick, Swaledale,Texel, Rough Fell and Blue-Faced Leicester. Enjoy the displays of horses, horse jumping, dog and childrens’ pet competitions in the main ring. Visit: hawksheadshow.co.uk

Kendal Farmers’ Market

Friday, August 25

Visit the market place in Kendal town centre to shop for the very best in local foods to take home and street stalls selling everything from a hog roast to warm curried delights. Visit: www.madeincumbria.co.uk

Solfest

Friday 25 - Sunday 27 August

This non-commercial music and arts festival, set between the Solway Firth and the Lake District mountains in picturesque West Cumbria, features a massive range of musical and cultural adventures. Expect around seven stages of entertainment to be announced in total with a host of other folk, pop and rock bands appearing across the weekend. There’s something for everyone with food from around the world, walkabout performances and theatre, fire performances, an acoustic music session tent, craft stalls, sculptures, a healing area, and adult workshops where you can try things such as belly dancing and wood turning. Visit: solfest.org.uk

Cartmel Races

Saturday, August 26

Enjoy National Hunt racing at this popular race course set against a backdrop of the Lakeland fells. Despite its small size, Cartmel racecourse often attracts the third-highest average attendance of any jumps track in Britain after Aintree and Cheltenham. Visitors gather in the centre of the racecourse which is bisected by the finishing straight. Tickets can be purchased for the Course Enclosure, which includes a large fairground, trade stands and market stalls. But many visitors opt for tickets that allow access to the Paddock Enclosure and Parade Ring. Visit: http://cartmel-racecourse.co.uk

Medieval Muncaster

Saturday 26 – Monday 28 August

Step back in time at Muncaster Castle near Ravenglass to experience what life was like in the 15th century. The Red Wyvern re-enactment society will have a camp and stage battles in the castle grounds. Visit: www.muncaster.co.uk

Grasmere Lakeland Sports and Show

Bank Holiday Sunday, August 27

Grasmere Sports has been a regular annual event since 1868, unbroken except for the two periods of the First and Second World Wars. Now one of the most popular traditional events in the English Lake District, participants compete in a variety of sports, including Cumberland Wrestling, Fell Running and Hound Trails. The event is held on the Showfield, on Stock Lane in Grasmere. Visit: grasmeresports.com

Cartmel Races

Bank Holiday Monday, August 28

Enjoy National Hunt racing at this popular race course set against a backdrop of the Lakeland fells. Despite its small size, Cartmel racecourse often attracts the third-highest average attendance of any jumps track in Britain after Aintree and Cheltenham. Visitors gather in the centre of the racecourse which is bisected by the finishing straight. Visit: http://cartmel-racecourse.co.uk

Keswick Show

Bank Holiday Monday, August 28

Founded in 1860, this show attracts large numbers of competitors, exhibitors and spectators. Held on the Pump Field at Braithwaite Old Bridge, there’s a wide range of animal exhibits for judging, including classes for Herdwick and Swaledale sheep, cattle and horses. The large Industrial marquee exhibits produce including home baking, flowers, honey and a strong children's section for three different age groups. The Art & Craft marquee offers 28 stalls including leather craft, paintings, photography, jewellery, Horn craft and hand spun wool items. There are displays of traditional Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling and classes for showing working sheep dogs, terriers and foxhounds. Visit: www.keswickshow.co.uk

Grasmere Guzzler Beer Festival

Friday 1 – Sunday 3 September

With a BBQ all weekend, visitors flock to see all the bands and performers, whilst sampling numerous different craft ales on offer at Grasmere’s popular Dale Lodge & Tweedies Bar. Visit: dalelodgehotel.co.uk

Vintage by the Sea

Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 September

Visitors flock to Morecambe for Wayne Hemmingway’s annual Vintage by the Sea event, which attracted 40,000 visitors in 2016. This free family-friendly celebration of the brilliance of 20th century design, fashion, vehicles and entertainment has a special focus on all the fun of the British seaside. Morecambe’s Midland Hotel is transformed into a multi-venue playground where you can learn the dances of the mid-20th century and enjoy the tunes of yesteryear. The free family entertainment includes a programme of live music, street food in eye catching vintage vehicles, street performances and interactive making and craft workshops. Women can take advantage of getting a vintage hair and beauty makeover before perusing the array of vintage shopping on offer. Visit: www.vintagefestival.co.uk

Helvellyn Triathlon

Sunday, September 3

One of the toughest triathlons in the world: Swim in crystal clear Ullswater; Cycle to the top of the Kirkstone Pass; and run down Helvellyn (3118ft). For application forms contact: www.trihard.co.uk/helvellyn-triathlon

Silloth Music and Beer Festival

Thursday 7- Sunday 10 September

Taking place on Silloth Green, this family friendly festival offers an enjoyable, relaxed and entertaining four days for local people and to attract visitors to Silloth-on-Solway to help local businesses. Offering both music and beer in equal quantities, the festival will have headline acts and promote local bands (line-up TBC). Visit: www.sillothbeerfestival.co.uk

Holker Chilli Fest

Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 September

A two-day festival of all things hot and spicy, held in the grounds of Holker Hall & Gardens at Cark-in-Cartmel. Meet the local specialist chilli producers, discover all sorts of quirky gifts, and sample a range of unusual chilli products including chilli jam and chilli chocolates! Visit: www.holker.co.uk

Westmorland County Show

Thursday, September 14

The Westmorland County Show is one of the largest one day Shows in the Country and certainly one of the oldest, given that the Society was founded in 1799 and is still going from strength to strength 215 Shows later. This is a major livestock show and sections include cattle, sheep, goats, horses, pigs, heavy horses, alpacas, dogs and poultry. There are marquees for The Women's Institute, Learning for Life, Crafts from Cumbria, local produce Food Hall, Rural Crafts and over 350 trade stands. Not forgetting the very popular Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling - a colourful event, with many wrestlers competing in traditional costumes.

Westmorland is proud to boast the largest local products Food Hall in the North West, and probably in the country, entirely supported by local producers promoting their own products, with special demonstrators and Celebrity Chefs. The Show is a centre of excellence and a great place for people to meet and discuss current and future rural issues: bringing together people from all walks of life to meet, socialise and talk. Visit: westmorlandshow.co.uk

Kendal Torchlight Carnival

Friday, September 15

The festivities start in the town centre whilst a little further away, the carnival procession begins at 7pm from the Shell Garage on Lound Road and winds its way around the town to finish at Lakes Leisure Centre on Burton Road. Last year’s events attracted crowds of 25,000 to view dance groups, around 60 floats, marching bands and carnival performers. Visit: www.torchlightcarnival.co.uk

Torchlight Carnival Street Party

Saturday, September 16

On Saturday afternoon Kendal town centre will be taken over by a host of carnival artists and street performers. Join in the fun and take part in a number of workshops. Visit: www.torchlightcarnival.co.uk

Egremont Crab Fair & World Gurning Championships

Saturday, September 16

Established way back in 1267, this is one of the oldest fairs in the world! Enjoy sports and entertainment, an apple cart parade and the highlight of the show where people take out their false teeth to enter the Gurning championship. Visit: www.egremontcrabfair.com

Witches & Wizards Week

Monday 23 – Friday 27 October

Grab your broomstick and wand and head down to the Lakes Aquarium near Newby Bridge to meet spooky creatures and strange underwater animals. Visit: www.lakesaquarium.co.uk

Kendal Farmers’ Market

Friday, October 27

Visit the market place in Kendal town centre to shop for the very best in local foods to take home and street stalls selling everything from a hog roast to warm curried delights. Visit: www.madeincumbria.co.uk

Kendal Wool Gathering

Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 October

This annual celebration of the town’s wool heritage is moving venues and this year it will take place at Kendal Leisure Centre. The gathering was started in 2013 to celebrate Kendal’s heritage and links with the sheep industry and remind the town how it acquired its wealth. Every year the gathering has grown in popularity and around 40 stallholders will display their woollen wares. In 2016 exhibitors travelled from as far away as Holland, Aberdeen and South Wales.

Hobbyists will find everything from knitting needles and spinning wheels, to woollen art and woven carpets. The Lancashire and Lakes Guild of Weavers, Spinners, and Dyers and the Lunesdale Ruggers will give demonstrations of wool-related crafts. Volunteers from the local Kendal Quaker Tapestry road-show will be on hand to show how they create the unique woven record of history. Visit: kendalwoolgathering.co.uk

Holker Winter Market

Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 November

Peruse over 60 unique stalls selling quality Lakeland foods, crafts and gifts while enjoying the live music and hot food on offer in the courtyard at Holker Hall & Gardens. Visit:

www.holker.co.uk

Winter Craft Fair

Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 November

Visit the former home of John Ruskin, Brantwood near Coniston for the popular annual craft fair, which has over 30 stalls exhibiting throughout the house and grounds. Visit: www.brantwood.org.uk

Kendal Mountain Festival

Thursday 16 – Sunday 19 November

Rub shoulders with your mountaineering heroes when filmmakers, adventurers and lecturers gather from across the globe for this annual celebration of the majesty of mountains. Kendal’s Brewery Arts Centre is the main host for numerous screenings of award-winning films and documentaries plus world exclusive film premiers. Visit: www.mountainfest.co.uk

Ambleside Christmas Lights Switch On

Saturday, November 18

Young and old turn out in the centre of Ambleside to witness the annual spectacular procession, as traffic is halted and Christmas tree lights throughout the town are switched on by Santa Claus. Visit: www.amblesidechristmaslights.co.uk

Kirkby Lonsdale Christmas Fair

Friday 1 – Sunday 3 December

Join the villagers of Kirkby Lonsdale as they celebrate the coming of Christmas with their popular annual fair. With stalls galore and a fair and activities for children, the event presents fine food and crafts by the best local companies and producers. Visit: kirkbylonsdale.co.uk

Keswick Victorian Fair

Sunday, December 3

A great day out for all of the family with live music, street and stage entertainment. Peruse the stalls of crafts, gifts, local produce, fashion accessories and plenty of food and drink. Visit: www.keswick.org/whats-on

Christmas Market

Sunday, December 3

Local produce, crafts and gifts are displayed at this fair held in the lovely setting of the grounds of Askham Hall near Penrith. The café will be open for mulled wine and mince pies and Father Christmas will welcome young visitors in his magical grotto. Visit: www.askhamhall.co.uk

Sedbergh Christmas Late Night Opening

Wednesday, December 6, 5.30 – 8.30pm

Festive family fun with Father Christmas, craft stalls, a flower festival, street entertainment and an organ recital. The town’s shops and restaurants will all be open selling gifts and foods to get everyone in the festive spirit. Visit: www.sedbergh.org.uk

Orton Christmas Farmers’ Market

Saturday, December 9

Peruse the stalls of over 25 regular local stallholders selling a tremendous variety of speciality and award-winning produce. Everything is local within 50 miles of the market and all of the produce on offer will have been grown, raised, caught or processed by the producer. Visit: ortonfarmers.co.uk