Looking for Christmas markets in the Lake District in 2026? From Hawkshead’s traditional village fair to festive shopping in Keswick, Ambleside and Windermere, there are plenty of ways to enjoy a seasonal break. Not every Christmas lights event is a Christmas market, so we’ve separated confirmed fairs from other festive outings.
Christmas markets and festive events: 2026 dates
- Wednesday 18 November: Keswick Christmas Lights Switch-On (festive town event, not a separately confirmed Christmas market).
- Saturday 21 November: Ambleside Christmas Lights Switch-On and parade (not a separately confirmed market).
- Saturday 5–Sunday 6 December: Hawkshead Christmas Fair, with stalls and festive food.
- Selected dates in December: Christmas at Townend, near Windermere (heritage attraction, not a market).
Hawkshead Christmas Fair 2026 – 5 and 6 December
Dates: Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 December 2026. Typical advertised trading hours: 10am–4pm. The historic village hosts a festive fair with gift stalls, food, drink and seasonal entertainment. It’s a lovely choice for browsing independent makers while exploring the southern Lakes. The 2026 weekend is listed by local businesses; the official fair website may still display older details, so check for updated visitor information before travelling.
Hawkshead Christmas Fair official website · 2026 exhibitor event listing.
Make a weekend of it: Find accommodation in Hawkshead.
Keswick festive shopping and Christmas lights – 18 November
Confirmed event: Wednesday 18 November 2026. Keswick Town Council has confirmed its Christmas lights switch-on. This is an opportunity to enjoy the town centre, browse independent shops and soak up the atmosphere around Market Square. A dedicated Christmas market has not been confirmed as part of the event, so don’t assume there will be specialist stalls.
Keswick Town Council event information.
Stay in Keswick: Browse Keswick hotels and guesthouses.
Ambleside Christmas celebrations – 21 November
Confirmed event: Saturday 21 November 2026. Ambleside’s community Christmas lights celebration is going ahead, with a return to its traditional festive parade and switch-on. The organisers have confirmed there will be no fireworks display in 2026. While this is a festive occasion for shoppers and families, a separate Christmas market is not currently confirmed.
Official Ambleside Christmas Lights information.
Stay in Ambleside: Compare Ambleside accommodation.
Windermere: festive shopping and Christmas at Townend
Windermere and nearby Bowness are good bases for seasonal shopping, cafés and lakeside walks. For a confirmed festive attraction, the National Trust’s Christmas at Townend offers a Victorian-style decorated house and seasonal cooking displays on 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 and 19 December 2026, 11am–3pm. Normal admission applies. This is not a Christmas market, but a useful addition to a festive break.
National Trust Christmas at Townend details.
Stay around Windermere: Find Windermere accommodation.
What about Grasmere?
Grasmere is a beautiful stop for independent shops, the famous gingerbread and a village stroll. At the time of writing, we have not verified a dedicated 2026 Christmas market in the village, so we recommend visiting for its festive atmosphere rather than travelling expecting a specific market.
Stay in Grasmere: Explore places to stay in Grasmere.
Tips for planning a Lake District Christmas shopping break
- Confirm event details: Dates, opening times and stall arrangements can change.
- Plan parking early: Historic villages have limited parking and popular events can be busy.
- Dress warmly: December weather can be wet, windy and cold.
- Support independent shops: Even without a dedicated market, the Lakes’ town centres offer local gifts and seasonal treats.
- Consider staying overnight: An evening lights switch-on pairs well with a winter weekend break.
More festive things to do in the Lakes
See our Lake District Christmas Lights 2026 guide for more switch-on dates, or browse our Winter in the Lake District 2026 guide for walks, lake views and cosy places to visit.
Information checked 19 October 2026. Check organisers’ websites before travelling. Accommodation links are affiliate links; we may earn a commission on qualifying bookings at no extra cost to you.
Kath Beattie studied Journalism at The University of Central Lancashire and now writes for several Travel publications. She recently moved to The Lake District and enjoys walking her 3 dogs every day across the fells.
