Residents and visitors are being encouraged to shop local and enjoy a range of markets taking place across Cumberland in the run-up to Christmas.
From Christmas themed markets and independent makers markets to local produce, artisan crafts and festive food, there will be plenty of opportunities to support local traders and find something different this festive season.
In Carlisle, five additional Christmas themed markets will take place alongside the city’s regular Friday markets on:
• Sunday 22 November
• Sunday 29 November
• Sunday 6 December
• Sunday 13 December
• Sunday 20 December
The markets will bring plenty of Christmas cheer, with live entertainment, a festive bar, fair rides and a variety of traders offering unique gifts and locally produced goods.
Trader spaces are filling up quickly. Anyone interested in taking part should contact [email protected].
The festive programme also comes alongside Small Business Saturday on 28 November, providing another opportunity to celebrate and support the independent businesses and traders that contribute to Cumberland’s towns and communities. Residents are encouraged to consider shopping locally as they start their Christmas shopping.
The Teenage Market will return to Carlisle Market Hall on Saturday 21 November with a special Christmas themed event. Young entrepreneurs and performers aged 8 to 25 are invited to take part. For more information, please email [email protected].
Distington Walled Garden’s Christmas Fete returns on Saturday 28 November. The event will feature an outdoor market with local businesses showcasing a range of handmade crafts, including preserves, candles, soaps, cakes, and woodwork. It’s a great opportunity to support local makers and pick up some unique gifts ahead of the festive season. For more information about the event, please call 01946 598305.
Carlisle Farmers’ Market will take place on 7 November and 5 December in the historic grounds of Carlisle Cathedral. Visitors can browse everything from homemade goodies and artisan crafts to charity stalls and gifts for all occasions.
The Quirky Eclectica Market will also return to Carlisle with a special Quirky Christmas Market bringing together talented Cumbrian artisans, crafters, bakers and independent businesses. This event takes place in The Fratry at Carlisle Cathedral on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November.
The regular Craft and Makers Fair returns to the Assembly Room at Carlisle’s Old Town Hall on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December, bringing together a fantastic selection of local makers, producers and creative talent.
Elsewhere in Cumberland, Taste Cumbria returns to Cockermouth on 5 and 6 December for its final event of 2026. Visitors can expect gifts and homewares, seasonal specials and plenty of sweet and savoury treats.
The festivities continue on Sunday 6 December with the popular Keswick Victorian Fayre, featuring live entertainment in the Market Place and Packhorse Court, alongside charity stalls, handmade crafts, festive food and more.
Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council’s Executive Member for Vibrant and Healthy Places, said:
“There’s a great variety of markets taking place across Cumberland in the run-up to Christmas, giving people plenty of opportunities to shop locally and support independent traders and businesses.
“With Small Business Saturday also taking place on 28 November, it’s a good time to discover what our local businesses have to offer and pick up some Christmas gifts at the same time. I’d encourage everyone to shop local where they can and enjoy everything our markets have to offer this Christmas.”
Cumberland’s regular markets will also continue throughout the festive period, including Keswick on Thursdays and Saturdays, Wigton every Friday, Workington every Wednesday and Saturday, Whitehaven on the third Saturday of each month and Carlisle on Fridays.
Carlisle Market Hall is also open Monday to Saturday, offering a mix of fresh produce, handmade crafts, gifts, clothing and more. The Market Hall will also hold their annual Festive Fun Day on 5 December with Santa and his friends Douglas and Tammi (Double Trouble), Jason the Juggling Jester, and Face Painter Gilly.
Find out more and discover a market near you on the Cumberland markets webpage.