1. Visit an art exhibition
There are two cracking exhibitions on throughout December in Cumbria.
Rheged Centre has launched their new, bigger gallery with The Great Print Exhibition 5 this month.
The Great Print Exhibition 5 (it’s the fifth of their popular annual event) is bigger than ever with more artists taking part and more artwork to see.
Featuring over 75 artists with more than 500 pieces of work, there is a huge range of styles and techniques to enjoy.
The exhibition is in the new gallery space and shop on Rheged’s middle floor. It’s the perfect place to view great art, and also go to add to your existing art collection as there’s a range of prints to suit all budgets.
- The Great Print Exhibition 5, Rheged, Penrith 6 December – 8 March, 10 am-5 pm Free admission
Self portrait leaning on a stone sill, Rembrandt, Dutch, 1638 
Windermere, Westmorland by Turner, Joseph Mallord William (1775-1851);
The Turner and Rembrandt exhibition at Tullie House. These two major exhibitions are a unique opportunity to see work from two of the World’s most celebrated artists in one venue in Cumbria. This is an opportunity not to be missed: Rembrandt, Etchings from the British Museum and Turner, Northern Exposure/
The Turner and Rembrandt exhibition at Tullie House runs until 5 January.
2. Get into the festive spirit with a night at the theatre
The Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal has gone to town with their seasonal offerings this year including a world premiere kid’s show by local stars The Knotted Project, some fireside tales with granddad, flamboyant festive cabaret from the acclaimed ShooShooBaby and their traditional Christmas Eve Carol Concert all wrapped up with the best seasonal food and drink in the Vats Bar and Grainstore Restaurant.
- The world premiere of Outside The Igloo, The Knotted Project and Hawk Dance’s interactive icy adventure to life for children 4+ and their families from Wed 4 until Sat 7 December.
- Christmas Cabaret with Shooshoobaby Sunday 15 December
- Family treat Christmas Tales with Granddad by Pickled Image Theatre from Friday 20 December to Saturday 28 December.
For more information and to book tickets visit the Brewery Arts Centre website
Theatre by the Lake has the Christmas classic Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol in the Main Theatre throughout December. Check out our review. For more details and to book tickets visit Theatre By The Lake website
3. Enjoy a festive gig
The Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal has a great selection box of seasonal gigs including The Seals Christmas on Friday 20 December,
The Brewery also continues to host the very best music over the festive season including:-
- Seth Lakeman Wed 4 Dec
- Showaddywaddy Sat 7 Dec
- Big Country Thu 12 Dec
- Fleetwood Bac the world’s finest and best Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band, Fri 13 Dec
- For more information and to book tickets visit the Brewery Arts Centre website
4. Enjoy the great artisan food of Cumbria
The farmers’ markets are great places to get a taste for true Cumbrian ingredients and produce – plus you know the food is fresh, you can talk to the person who made or grew it, and it helps the local economy.
If you are looking for a farmers market to buy your Christmas or New Year’s Eve table ingredients here are the regular events:
- Brampton – Last Saturday of the month
- Brough – 3rd Saturday of the month
- Carlisle city centre – 1st Friday of the month
- Carlisle Borderway – 2nd Saturday of the month
- Cockermouth – 1st Saturday of the month
- Egremont – 1st Saturday & 3rd Friday of the month
- Kendal – last Friday of the month
- Keswick – 2nd Thursday of the month
- Milnthorpe – 2nd Friday of each month
- Orton – the second Saturday of the month
- Penrith – 3rd Tuesday of every month
- Sedbergh – every Wednesday
- Ulverston – 3rd Saturday of the month
And if you for a special event pop along to the Christma Gathering at Plumgarth Food Park near Kendal for a ‘Taste Sensation Saturday’ where you can try out award-winning cakes, bakes and wash it all down with a cosy glass of mulled wine on Saturday 7 December 9 am-3 pm. The Lovingly Artisan multi-award-winning bakers are part of the event. Check out our visit to their sourdough baking workshop there.
5. Enjoy creative workshops for adults at Brockhole throughout December
Be inspired to make and create amid the stunning landscape of the Lake District in the Lake District National Park’s varied programme of Artist-led Art & Crafts workshops through running throughout December.These creative sessions are ideal for beginners or those with a love of making things looking to try their hand at something new, with workshops including printmaking, textiles and festive themed crafts.
Workshops include:
- Linocut Printmaking
- Glass Mosaic
- Herdwick Hanger
- Modern mark-making and collage
- Macrame
- Painted Clay Landscape
- Expressive mixed media
- Linocut Christmas Cards
- Mini Felt Wreath
- Handmade Christmas Decorations
- Linocut gift tags & felt present toppers
- Full-Day Linocut Printmaking
For more details of the workshops visit the Brockhole Visitor Centre website
Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year for all the team at Cumbria24.com and eBusinessCumbria.com
