Festive events in Carlisle
Carlisle Christmas Market
A five day Christmas Market will be held in Carlisle from Wednesday (30 November) this week.
Organised by Carlisle City Council, the open-air market will be held in the city centre pedestrianised area and will be made up of local producers and businesses.
Around 25 stalls will make up the market each day. Trading will be between 9am and 5pm, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; between 9am and 8pm, Thursday and between 10am and 4pm on Sunday 4 December.
Stalls include: Countrystyle Fruit & Veg; Big Pizza Pie; The Candy Bar; MP’s coffee; Carlisle Brewery; Cumbria Wildlife; Cumbrian Newspapers; J the Jeweller; Watermill Café; Fairy Sawdust;Two White Hats; Natural to Go; Cake District; Country Fare; Country Flavour; Hallsford Food; Lakeland Steaks; Bike Seven; Resource Cumbria; Crafty Corner; Cumberland Mustard; and The Fudge Bar.
A Made in Cumbria Farmers’ Market will also be taking part on Friday 2 December.
Late Night Shopping
Every Thursday between 17 November and Thursday 22 December
FREE parking after 3pm every Thursday between 17 November & 22 December in the following car parks: Bitts Park; Cecil Street; Civic Centre; Devonshire Walk; Lower Viaduct; Lowther Street; The Sands Centre; Town Dyke Orchard and Upper Viaduct.
Northumberland Theatre Company presents: Little Red Riding Hood
Old Fire Station - Thursday 1 December 7pm (doors open 6.30pm) £10 (adult) and £5 (concessions)
Ideal seasonal entertainment for family audiences, with lots of music, chilling moments and plenty of laughs. NTC’s own special adaptation is a new combination of well loved, familiar and unfamiliar fairy tales: a collection of funny and scary stories including Little Red Riding Hood and The Wolf and The Fox. Tickets available from Carlisle Tourist Information Centre or online at oldfirestation.carlisle.city (subject to a booking fee).
Carols at Christmas
Friends of Chances Park and Morton Community Centre's festive event - Friday 2 December, 6.30pm
The festive event will start at 6.30pm and will be held in Morton Manor Community Centre, off Wigton Road. BBC Radio Cumbria’s Val Armstrong will compere the evening event. Carlisle Musical Society and St Bede’s Primary School Choir will be performing accompanied by the St Stephen’s Silver Band. Following the carol service, mulled wine, mince pies and other festive fayre will be available. Free to attend, all welcome.
Oh Whistle And I’ll Come To You
Old Fire Station - Sunday 4 December 7.30pm (doors open 7pm) £12 (adult) and £10 (concessions). Minimum age 12
A Christmas thriller not to be missed! Widely regarded as the father of the modern ghost story, M. R. James' eerie tale is re-imagined by David Rudkin, described by the Observer as 'Britain's greatest living dramatic poet' into this new Christmas chiller. This drama production marks David Rudkin’s 80th year and the 80th anniversary of the death of M.R. James. Tickets available from Carlisle Tourist Information Centre or online at oldfirestation.carlisle.city (subject to a booking fee).
Christmas Carol Parade
St Cuthbert’s Church - Thursday 8 December, starting at 6.15pm
This popular event will also include carol singing in the city centre followed by a Hog Roast in the historic Tithe Barn, kindly sponsored by Market Place Europe. Tickets for the Hog Roast will available on the night of the event.
Carlisle Market Hall Festive Fun Day
Market Hall - Saturday 10 December, 11am and 3pm
Carlisle’s Victorian Covered Market Hall will be filled with Christmas cheer on when it stages its Festive Fun Day. Santa and friends will be there handing out chocolate treats. Entertainment will be provided by Astral Circus, Mary the Faerie and Silly Gilly face-painters.
Christmas Remembrance Service
Crematorium Chapel - Saturday 10 December, 3pm
All proceeds to the Mayor’s Charity Fund.
Christmas in the City
Carlisle City centre - Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 December
Organised by Hope Carlisle, the event will be full of festive spirit.
CFM Christmas Fayre
Old Fire Station - Sunday 11 December, 9.30am - 4.30pm
Enjoy a day in the wonderful vintage setting of the Old Fire Station with a number of exhibitors from the local area in a festive extravaganza of quality and craftsmanship. The day will also combine local theatre entertainment, music and activities for children, including a special visit from Santa in his Grotto.
Old Fire Station Kids Party
Old Fire Station - Saturday 17 December, 11am - 1pm
Join us for some Christmas fun, games and magic. Ideal for children aged 10 and under. Tickets cost only £5 per child and include a free gift. Tickets available from McGrew’s (Old Fire Station) or online at oldfirestation.carlisle.city (subject to a booking fee).
Santa, Snow and Sparkles
Carlisle city centre - Saturday 17 - Thursday 22 December, 11am - 4pm (Saturday - Wednesday) and 11am - 8pm (Thursday)
Take a magical journey through our sparkling festive extravaganza. Our magical marquee, based in the city centre, will include woodland creatures and Santa’s little helpers. Get your photo taken in a giant photo bauble, plus get your free photo to take home. Children can also meet Santa in our glittering grotto. Entry for the grotto is £4 per child and will include a special Christmas gift from Santa. Remember to bring your letter to Santa, to post in the special post box on the day! Tickets are on sale NOW at the Carlisle Tourist Information Centre.
BBC Screening Tour
Carlisle city centre - Monday 19 December
The BBC mobile screening vehicle will tour key cities in the UK, and becomes a 100 seat cinema, and will screen new programmes including BBC drama, landmark entertainment or CBBC series. Tickets for the screenings will be free.
For further information about festive events in Carlisle, visit www.discovercarlisle.co.uk
