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Community West Cumbria

Where to find a Christmas market near you this year, from Distington to Cockermouth Christmas markets and makers' fairs across Cumberland, from Distington Walled Garden to Taste Cumbria

By Kris WM, editor 3 min read From Cumberland Council
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Christmas markets and makers' fairs across Cumberland, from Distington Walled Garden to Taste Cumbria
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The council's put out its list of Christmas markets. Closest to home: Distington Walled Garden's fete on 28 November, Taste Cumbria in Cockermouth on 5 and 6 December, and the usual Workington and Whitehaven markets.

If you'd rather your Christmas money went to local folk than a big website, here's where to spend it.

The council's put out its list of Christmas markets across Cumberland.

Nearest for us, Distington Walled Garden's Christmas Fete is back on Saturday 28 November, an outdoor market with local makers selling jams, candles, soaps, cakes, woodwork and the like. Same day is Small Business Saturday, when everyone's asked to back the independents.

Workington's own Christmas market and lights switch-on are in town on Saturday 28 November, 11am to 5pm, then Light Works lights up Hall Park on the 28th and 29th.

Taste Cumbria's back in Cockermouth on 5 and 6 December, the last one this year, with gifts, homewares and plenty of sweet and savoury bits to eat.

The normal markets carry on right through: Workington Wednesdays and Saturdays, Whitehaven the third Saturday of the month, Keswick Thursdays and Saturdays, Wigton Fridays and Carlisle Fridays.

If you fancy a trip out, Carlisle's adding five Christmas Sunday markets, 22 and 29 November and 6, 13 and 20 December, and Keswick's Victorian Fayre is Sunday 6 December.

Councillor Anne Quilter said: "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."

So what can you do? Stick the dates on the calendar and check the council's markets page before you set off, as times can change. For Distington, the council's number is 01946 598305. And if you make stuff and want a stall at the Carlisle Christmas markets, get in quick, the council says spaces are going fast.

Cumberland Council has published its run-down of festive markets, including Distington Walled Garden's Christmas Fete on 28 November, Small Business Saturday the same day, Taste Cumbria in Cockermouth on 5 and 6 December and the regular Workington and Whitehaven markets.

This is for anyone in West Cumbria planning their Christmas shopping who would rather spend it with local traders and makers.

Cumberland Council has set out the festive markets running across the area in the run-up to Christmas.

Closest to West Cumbria, Distington Walled Garden's Christmas Fete returns on Saturday 28 November, with an outdoor market of local businesses selling handmade crafts including preserves, candles, soaps, cakes and woodwork. The same day is Small Business Saturday, the national day for backing independent shops.

Workington's own Christmas market and lights switch-on are in the town centre on Saturday 28 November, from 11am to 5pm, with the Light Works festival of light art in Hall Park on 28 and 29 November.

Taste Cumbria returns to Cockermouth on 5 and 6 December for its last event of 2026, with gifts, homewares, seasonal specials and sweet and savoury treats.

The regular markets keep going through December: Workington every Wednesday and Saturday, Whitehaven on the third Saturday of each month, Keswick on Thursdays and Saturdays, Wigton every Friday and Carlisle on Fridays.

Further afield, Carlisle adds five Christmas-themed Sunday markets on 22 and 29 November and 6, 13 and 20 December, and the Keswick Victorian Fayre is on Sunday 6 December.

Councillor Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council's executive member for vibrant and healthy places, said: "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."

What you can do: put the dates in your diary, and check the council's markets page before you travel, as times can change. For the Distington fete, the council gives 01946 598305 for more information. Traders wanting a stall at the Carlisle Christmas markets are told spaces are filling quickly.