Christmas is a lovely time to visit Keswick with the twinkling lights and the beautifully decorated shop windows. Make Christmas shopping into a fun day out rather than just a chore and enjoy strolling round our lovely shops. Keswick is also a great place where you can get outdoors and keep active. Maybe plan a visit in that quieter time between Christmas and New Year, to give yourself the chance to recharge your batteries after all the frantic preparations in the run up to the big day. We hope you'll find some inspiration below for a festive visit to Keswick this December.

1. No Superstore, just some very Super Stores

Spend a day Christmas shopping in Keswick in our many independent retailers and galleries offering unique gifts distinct from those found in the traditional high street stores of the larger shopping destinations. Our wonderful shops and galleries are a haven of inspiration for those hard to buy presents. Don't miss Packhorse Court tucked away just off the Market Square where you'll find a variety of independent retailers. As dusk begins to fall enjoy our lovely Christmas lights. Whilst you're here why not treat yourself to lunch or coffee and cake in our of our many cafes and restaurants. Once loaded up with all your gifts the compact nature of the town means it's never too far to head back to the car or bus stop.

After a couple of days spent eating and drinking at home those few days between Christmas and New Year are a great time for a visit to Keswick. A walk by the lake to blow away the cobwebs, a light lunch in one of our lovely cafes, followed by a wander around the shops - a chance to look round the Christmas sales, spend some of your Christmas money and treat yourself to something special.

2. Georgian Christmas At Wordsworth Grasmere

What was Christmas like when the Wordsworths lived at Dove Cottage 200 years ago? Have a go at some Georgian Christmas crafts, including making pomanders and garlands, decorate some gingerbread people and even take a turn at a traditional Cumbrian step dance. More info and booking here.

3. Deck the Howls Christmas Dog Walk

Alongside our Christmas Window Walking Trail is a programme of festive events including a Free Christmas Dog Walk with Lake District Hotels

Grab your walking boots, pull on your Santa hat and wrap up warm this Christmas. Paw off from Market Square, Keswick to Friars Crag & onto Castlehead, for a relativity easy stroll, taking in classic views of Derwentwater. After the walk return to the Kings Head for a complimentary cup of mulled wine.

Included:

• Fun-filled dog walk
• Picturesque location
• Dog treats provided for pooches
• Mulled wine for the humans (served outside Inn on the Square)
• Prize for best dressed festive dog (donated by Podgy Paws)

Friday 16^th December
Meet at 1.45pm to set off for 2pm

To register your free place and receive further information please contact Becca Brayton on 017687 87024 or email [email protected]

Maximum of 2 dogs per person. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. You must sign up for the walk to receive a complimentary mulled wine.

4. The Borrowers At Theatre By The Lake

This year the Christmas show at Keswick's Theatre by the Lake is a stage adaptation of the well known book The Borrowers.

Below the floorboards of a large old house, we are plunged into the quirky, wonky, miniature world of young Arrietty and her family of Borrowers.
Making use of anything and everything they find ‘upstairs’, from cotton buds to postage stamps, the Borrowers are the original up-cyclers.

But Arrietty refuses to be boxed in by her family’s caution about the big world beyond the floorboards. When she decides to go exploring, she comes across the dreaded Human Beans and nothing will ever be the same again.

Fizzing with acrobatic feats, magical storytelling and original music, follow us into the Borrowers’ hidden world as the Main House at TBTL gets turned into a giant adventure playground for these small yet indomitable folk.

A glorious re-telling of a much-loved childhood favourite which will set imaginations alight at Christmas.

5. See a Film at Keswick Alhambra Cinema

If you haven't visited Keswick Alhambra Cinema recently there's been a few changes happening. The front of the building has been renovated and a brand new 28-seater second screen has been installed. It's tucked away under the balcony to preserve all the original features including the balcony and stalls layout of the large auditorium. The 108 year old building, full of character, is a world away from the city centre multiplexes. The new auditorium allows the Alhambra to screen a more diverse range of films. 

Alhambra will be open all over the Christmas period inclouding being the only cinema in the country to be open on Christmas Day!

Throughout December they will be showing:

Blockbusters - AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER and MATILDA: THE MUSICAL

Family Christmas Films - THE POLAR EXPRESS (4K rerelease), ELF, HOME ALONE, THE MUPPETS CHRISTMAS CAROL (30th Anniversary) and EMILY THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL

Traditional Christmas Classics - THE BISHOP'S WIFE (75th Anniversary), IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE

Event Cinema - NTLive: JACK ABSOLUTE FLIES AGAIN and Berlin Philharmonic: NEW YEAR'S EVE LIVE CONCERT

6. Go on a Christmas Walk

You might not fancy heading up to tackle the high fells this December but there's plenty of low level options on our walking page. Depending on the weather there might be snow-capped fells to look up to. 

Why not try a short walk through the peaceful Newlands Valley with an insight into the mining history of the area and a connection not only to Beatrix Potter but also to Wordsworth. It makes a delightful evening stroll or an afternoon walk with a picnic.

Or for a slightly longer option, try the Keswick To Applethwaite and Millbeck Circular Walk. This low level walk takes you via field paths to the villages of Applethwaite and Millbeck just outside Keswick and back along the terrace road linking the two villages. There are superb views for most of the route of the surrounding fells making it a great walk when the fell tops are covered in snow. Warm up with a post-walk hot chocolate in town in one of our lovely cafes.

View Low Level Walks 

With Love from Keswick

If you're not able to visit us this December you can still send someone a little bit of Keswick for Christmas. Lots of your favourite shops here have online shops with some lovely gifts to choose from. For the person who has everything there's a great choice of vouchers from overnight stays and meals out to attractions and activities - something to look forward to later in the year.

View online shops and gift vouchers