Christmas market season near Kendal will begin on Friday 6 November 2026, when Holker Winter Market opens at Holker Hall near Cark-in-Cartmel. Six key dates are planned across the surrounding area, with further events at Blackwell, Ulverston and Kirkby Lonsdale, as well as Kendal’s lights switch-on and Christmas Celebration.

The dates and details below were checked against organisers’ websites on 30 September 2026. Several programmes, ticket details and timings had not yet been published, so visitors should check before setting off.

Holker and Blackwell markets

Holker Winter Market runs from Friday 6 to Sunday 8 November at Holker Hall, Cark-in-Cartmel, near Grange-over-Sands. It is the first major event of the season and is described in Holker’s review of its 2025 market as the biggest seasonal market in the North West outside Manchester.

For 2026, Holker had published the dates but not yet released prices, opening hours or parking arrangements. Its event page said tickets and further information would be released soon. Holker Hall’s address is Cark-in-Cartmel, LA11 7PL.

Blackwell, the Arts and Crafts house above Windermere, will hold its Winter Craft Fair over two weekends: Friday 13 to Sunday 15 November and Friday 20 to Sunday 22 November. The 2026 event marks Blackwell’s 125th anniversary, with a different selection of makers expected each weekend.

Visitors can browse jewellery, ceramics, textiles, leatherwork, woodcraft and homeware across the house. Opening hours are 10am to 4pm. Tickets cost £8 for adults, £4 for children aged five to 15 and £6 for students. Under-fives and companions go free, while Lakeland Arts members and Blackwell annual pass holders do not need a ticket. Tickets are available online in advance or from the ticket desk on the day.

Blackwell is at Bowness-on-Windermere, LA23 3JT, and has its own car park.

Kendal’s Christmas dates

Kendal will host two one-day events in and around Market Place rather than a multi-day Christmas market. The Christmas lights switch-on is scheduled for Friday 27 November. Kendal Town Council says the event will include entertainment, Father Christmas and a late opening of Kendal Farmers’ Market, although Kendal BID had not confirmed timings or further details when the information was checked.

The Kendal Christmas Celebration is due to include Santa’s grotto, Christmas music and stalls. However, the date remains uncertain. Kendal BID lists it for Sunday 6 December, while Visit Kendal lists Saturday 5 December. Both listings were still unchanged on 30 September, so visitors should confirm the final date before travelling.

Ulverston and Kirkby Lonsdale

Ulverston’s Dickensian Christmas Festival takes place on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November in the town centre. The 27th festival is expected to feature performance stages, street performers, mulled wine, stalls and a costume parade on both days. Almost all entertainment is free, according to the event organisers.

The stallholder pack had been released, but the entertainment programme was still being developed. Opening and parade times had not been published. Coach operators planning to attend have been asked to call 01229 580640 before arriving. The volunteer-run festival has taken place since 2000.

Kirkby Lonsdale Christmas Fair runs from Friday 4 to Sunday 6 December across Market Square and venues around the town. It has published the most detailed timetable so far:

  • Friday 4 December: the chalet village runs from 4pm to 7pm; a lantern walk leaves the Town Information Centre at 4.30pm; the lantern parade starts at St Mary’s Church at 5.30pm; and the lights switch-on takes place at 6pm with Father Christmas.
  • Saturday 5 December: the chalet village runs from 10am to 7pm. Indoor markets at Lunesdale Hall and St Mary’s Church run from 10am to 5pm, with Santa’s grotto sessions, a 2pm Santa parade and other activities.
  • Sunday 6 December: the chalet village, indoor markets and Santa’s grotto run from 10am to 4pm, followed by carols at St Mary’s Church at 6pm.

Christmas music will be staged at venues around Kirkby Lonsdale throughout the three-day fair. The organisers encourage visitors to car-share or use public transport.

Free parking is listed at Queen Elizabeth Studio and Queen Elizabeth School, Biggins Road, LA6 2HJ, over the weekend. The council’s New Road and Dodgson Croft car parks charge as usual. Information on Booths and Wellington Court parking should be checked carefully because the published wording refers to the previous year’s days of the week.

There is no free council car park in Kendal, Windermere, Bowness, Grange or Kirkby Lonsdale, and evening charges vary. Visitors should check parking, roadworks and travel information before leaving. Organisers are still expected to publish more information, including Holker’s ticket release and opening hours, Ulverston’s programme and parade times, and the confirmed date and timings for Kendal’s Christmas Celebration.