Head to the beautiful town of Keswick for a range of festive activities this winter. Here are our top winter activities in Keswick for you to enjoy with all the family…
Renowned for its beautiful scenery and tourist-friendly atmosphere, Keswick is a popular market town in the north of the beautiful Lake District. Although it’s often seen as a summer destination, there are plenty of things on in Keswick this winter with festive events and activities running throughout the colder months of the year. And with plenty of hotels in the centre of all the action, like Inn on the Square and numerous fab restaurants, it makes for the perfect winter break. Here are our top winter activities in Keswick for the whole family…
23rd November – Christmas Light Switch On
Kicking off the festive season in style, the Keswick Christmas Light Switch On marks the official start of the Christmas celebrations. Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Lake District, there is something particularly charming about the storybook-like feel of the Keswick Christmas light switch on.
Taking place on Friday 23rd November this year, the light switch on is the perfect way to kick off a long weekend break in Keswick, or as a day trip if you are staying somewhere nearby in the north of The Lake District. The Keswick Light Switch On is, of course, accompanied by markets and the opportunity to try some authentic Cumbrian dishes.
1st – 24th December – Keswick Live Advent
The hidden gem of the town is the Keswick Live Advent and they have a great choice for winter activities in Keswick. Unlike a normal advent calendar, this one consists of illuminated window displays, with a different business being in charge of each day of the advent. One by one, the window displays pop up, as if you were opening a different window each day. This is accompanied by pop-ups and events on each day of advent, with plenty of activities to get involved with. Keswick really brings this tradition to life by creating an advent calendar/trail hybrid where you can explore the town by hunting down all the different window displays – ideal if you will be visiting later on in December as there will be plenty of festive advent window displays for you to marvel at. In previous years some of the events have even included free activities, treats, and free vegan mulled wine! So, you never know what you might find this year.
2nd December – Victorian Fayre
Charity stalls, street entertainment, reindeers! What more could you want from a quaint Victorian-style fayre set against the backdrop of a bustling market town like Keswick? This is a great event for the whole family and one of our favourite winter activities in Keswick. What’s on varies from year to year, you can usually expect to see bands, choirs, Morris dancers and children’s funfair rides accompanying the usual Christmas fair staples like the nativity scene, along with food and craft stalls. You can also expect to see Santa and Mrs Claus making a special appearance, on a sleigh pulled by real reindeer no less! In the festive spirit of the giving season, the entire Fayre is run on a not-for-profit basis, with all of the profits from the Victorian Fayre going to the local charities and organisation which organise this event each year.
Lakeland Hauntings Ghost Walk
Although the ghost walks organised by Lakeland Hauntings run throughout the year, there’s something particularly fitting about going on one in winter and the chill from the cold weather really adds something to the spooky atmosphere of the walks. Keswick has a hidden history full of murder, mystery, and troubled souls who have yet to move on – for those brave enough to learn more. From the traditional slate homes to the surrounding lakes and fells, this area of the Lake District is shrouded in mystery and steeped in mysterious legends. For those who want to bring children along on one of the delightfully ghoulish walks, be advised that the Lakeland Haunting ghost walks are designed with an adult audience in mind and aren’t recommended to children any younger than 10 years old.
What is your favourite winter activities in Keswick? Let us know in the comments below!
