Historic Carlisle - Event City

2010 will see Carlisle evolve as the 'event city' with amyriad of regular events, street entertainment, headline events and annual favourites with world class international artists performing throughout the year. Here is just a taster of the highlights on offer:

Lakes Alive: Welcoming the Light

Sat 13 March - Carlisle City Centre ( more info)

Follow a magical torchlight procession through the streets of Carlisle led by the stirring sounds of street band Tongues of Fire, impressive fiery engines and thousands of flickering flames accompanying the glowing masses. Leading the parade will be the ethereal Heliosphere as it guides the spectacle to greet the line of light as it arrives in Cumbria where it will receive a spectacular welcome. On this night, for the first time in over 1600 years, fire will glow along the length of Hadrian's Wall - from Wallsend in the Northeast to the Solway Firth in the Northwest. Part of the Illuminating Hadrian's Wall Project. (Free Event)

Lakes Alive: We Built This City

Thur 3 to Sat 5 June - Carlisle City Centre ( more info)

A building extravaganza that will bring out the child in everyone! Using thousands of cardboard boxes and the imaginations and ingenuity of children and families, a magnificent city of dreams will be built in a day! Accompanied by live music, buildings rise and fall, are demolished and rebuilt, leaving nothing but a heap of recyclable cardboard rubble by the end of the day. (Free Event)

The Lanercost Festival Music for Midsummer

Thu 24 to Sun 27 June - Lanercost Priory

Set in one of the most beautiful locations in the area, Lanercost Festival brings together a cultural blend of music and arts featuring Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', the renowned musicians of Chetham's School of Music and the virtuosity and humour of the Classic Buskers. (Tickets required)

CFM Summer Family Festival and Jools Holland in Concert

Sat 3 July - Carlisle Racecourse (more info)

Family entertainment throughout the afternoon, then a great evening of racing and a spectacular firework finale! (Tickets required)

Carlisle Festival

Sat 3 to Sun 11 July - Carlisle Cathedral

A highly acclaimed event in the music cultural calendar of historic Carlisle. The 2010 festival and brings together musicians of international repute to the city. The Festival opens with the Manchester Sinfonia and continues with a comprehensive programme which includes Candlelit concerts and Gypsy Strings. (Tickets required)

Brampton Live

Fri 16 Sun 18 July - William Howard School, Brampton (more info)

Brampton Live is the home to the biggest folk and roots music festival in the North of England. A great family weekend featuring a host of headline performers across three stages. This popular festival includes musical workshops, yoga sessions, good food and bars, camping and a programme of children's activities. (Tickets required)

Cumberland Show

Sat 17 July - Carlisle Racecourse (more info)

A feast of tradition and agriculture are combined with a fresh, modern focus to create a real celebration of farming, food and countryside. This years' event will see a Food Hall with local produce demonstrations, Falconry, Cumberland Wrestling, local skills displays and activities to watch and participate in. (Tickets required)

Lakes Alive: Titanic

Fri 23 Sat 24 July - Carlisle Castle (more info)

The legendary sinking of the Titanic in 1912 is transformed by Theatre Titanick (Germany) into an apocalyptic theatrical inferno with live music and stunning fire and water effects, which has been delighting audiences for years at international festivals. (Tickets required)

Lakes Alive: Into the Woods

Wed 28 July - Talkin Tarn Country Park, Brampton ( more info)
If you go down to the woods today you're sure of a big surprise! This nature trail with a difference features woodland themed performances in the great outdoors, ensuring fun for the whole family and all set amongst the beautiful landscape of Talkin Tarn. (Free Event)

Carlisle Fireshow

Sat 6 Nov - Bitts Park (more info)

Roll up, roll up for the greatest Fireshow in the North. A fantastic 'Circus' themed show, set to music and featuring a pyrotechnic display and fireworks second to none. Bitts Park, the 'virtual' Big Top venue and the majestic Castle the backdrop for one of the country's Top Ten fireshows. Preceding the event during the daytime, there is the chance to view a stunning and original circus related production of the Upfront Gallery Puppet Theatre. (Free event)

Carlisle the Christmas City

Throughout November and December (more info)

Capture the magic of the festive period in Carlisle. It's the best Christmas experience in the North. Each winter season, the city of Carlisle comes alive with a fantastic festive programme of spectacular lights, events and activities. A city centre Christmas Market will see a host of traders from Cumbria, Continental Europe and beyond, not to mention the many late night shopping opportunities in the city each Thursday amidst the beautifully lit pedestrianised area.

Download Historic Carlisle - Event City A5 Flyer (200KB PDF)