Lake District summer holidays: what’s on guide for families

• Facebook
• Instagram

If you’re looking for ways to keep the kids entertained over the long summer holidays, we’ve rounded up the best events happening in and around the National Park. From outdoor theatre and nature trails to hands-on workshops and summer festivals, there’s something for every kind of family adventure.

So grab your diary, pick your favourites, and make this summer one to remember!

For general days out, rather than specific events, please check out our guide: things to do in the Lake District, which provides lots of inspiration. And let’s be realistic, some wet-weather days can be guaranteed over the summer holidays, so make sure you check out our Lake District rainy day suggestions.

As always, we keep this page updated as much as possible with news from these Lake District summer holiday events. But also keep an eye on the Lake District Kids Facebook Group and Instagram. Feel free to contact us if you are an event organiser and your event is not listed.

Paid advertising may affect placement on this page

1. Birthdays and tea parties at The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction

Open daily over the summer holidays with specific dates for events (10am – 4:30pm)
Click here for more information and to book tickets

The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction is one of the Lake District’s most popular family attractions, bringing Beatrix Potter’s beloved stories and characters to life through immersive displays and interactive exhibits. A typical visit takes families through beautifully recreated scenes from the tales, where children can meet Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle-Duck, Mrs Tiggy-Winkle and other familiar favourites.

Over the summer holidays there are a couple of special events organised:

2. Summer of Play at National Trust properties

FREE event

Throughout the summer holidays, National Trust properties are running Summer of Play where families can enjoy hands-on activities for free (normal admission charges apply for the venue). National Trust properties include (click links for specific information on that event property):

• Acorn Bank
  4th July to 6th September (10:30am to 5pm)
  
• Allan Bank (read our guide to visiting)
  4th July to 6th September (10am to 4pm)
  
• Sizergh Castle (read our guide to visiting)
  4th July to 1st September (10:30am to 4:30pm)
  
• Wordsworth House and Garden (Summer of Play Teddy bears picnic)
  9th July to 26th August (10:30am to 3:30pm)
  
• Wray Castle
  18th July to 1st September (10am to 4pm)

3. Kendal Calling

Thursday 30th July to Sunday 2nd August
Lowther Deer Park
Click here for more information

Kendal Calling is one of the Lake District’s most popular summer music festivals for families, held at Lowther Deer Park near Penrith. Alongside a strong line-up of headline music acts, it has a dedicated family focus with the award-winning Woodlands area, designed especially for children. Families can enjoy live performances, storytelling, crafts, circus skills, science workshops, theatre shows and fairground rides, all in a safe, woodland setting. The festival atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, making it easy for parents with children of all ages. With camping on site and a full programme of daytime activities, it’s a full family festival experience.

4. Summer of Fun on the Farm at Walby Farm Park

18th July to 1st September
Crosby-on-Eden
Click here for more information

Walby Farm Park’s Summer of Fun on the Farm returns for 2026, offering families weeks of outdoor adventure, fresh air and hands-on activities throughout the school summer holidays. The programme is designed as a flexible, weather-proof day out with a mix of entertainment, seasonal surprises and themed activities running across the holidays.

While the full 2026 schedule is still to be confirmed, visitors can expect live shows, interactive experiences and plenty of opportunities for children to get involved, alongside the farm park’s regular seasonal additions and outdoor fun.

Admission also includes access to Cumbria’s largest indoor adventure play barn, outdoor play areas, tractor rides, animal encounters and Milecastle 62, the undercover Roman fort, making it a full family day out whatever the weather.

5. Lakeland Maze Farm Park

Open from 16th July
Sedgwick, nr Kendal
Click here for more information

Lakeland Maze Farm Park combines animal encounters with giant mazes and family activities. The summer maize maze is the star attraction, challenging families to navigate their way through ever-changing routes. Add in farm animals, soft play, trampolines and climbing activities, and there’s plenty to fill a family day out.

6. Bouncefest

Wednesday 19th to Friday 21st August
Windermere
Click here for more information

BouncFest is a high-energy inflatable fun event that tours around Cumbria, giving kids the chance to burn off energy on giant bouncy castles, obstacle courses and inflatable games. It’s designed as an easy, drop-in style activity that works well for families looking for something simple and active during the school holidays.

In the Lake District, BouncFest typically appears in Windermere as an indoor event, making it a reliable rainy-day option for families. When weather allows, it can also expand outdoors. The event also tours other locations across Cumbria, including towns such as Barrow-in-Furness and Askam-in-Furness, bringing inflatable fun to communities both within and outside the National Park.

7. Outdoor theatre at Lowther Castle

Various dates across the summer holidays
Click here for more information and to book

Every summer, Lowther Castle puts on some fantastic outdoor theatre, plus a cinema weekend. Events for 2026 include:

8. Agricultural Shows

Agricultural shows are a long-standing summer tradition in Cumbria and offer a fantastic family day out. While farming remains at the heart of these events, there’s much more than livestock competitions on offer. Expect children’s races, dog shows, vintage tractors, fairground rides, craft marquees, food halls, sheepdog displays, wrestling and plenty of opportunities for children to get involved.

Whether you’re interested in rural life or simply looking for a fun day out during the school holidays, these shows provide an authentic taste of Lakeland culture and countryside traditions.

Skelton Show

Saturday 4th July
Old Park, Hutton-in-the-Forest
Click here for more information

A traditional Cumbrian agricultural show with cattle, sheep, horses, dogs, vintage vehicles, Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling, food halls, crafts and live entertainment.

Cockermouth Show

Saturday 1st August
The Fitz, Low Road, Cockermouth
Click here for more information

A popular family-friendly show featuring livestock judging, machinery displays, trade stands, countryside demonstrations and entertainment.

Cartmel Show

Wednesday 5th August
Cartmel Racecourse, Cartmel
Click here for more information

One of Cumbria’s best-loved agricultural shows, Cartmel Show combines traditional livestock competitions with plenty of family entertainment. Alongside cattle, sheep and horse classes, families can enjoy children’s activities, circus skills, archery, vintage vehicles, food stalls and Cumberland & Westmorland wrestling.

Hawkshead Show

Tuesday 18th August
Hawkshead Hall Farm, Hawkshead
Click here for more information

One of the most accessible agricultural shows for visitors staying in the central Lake District. Alongside livestock classes and sheepdog displays, families can enjoy children’s sports, pet classes, tug of war, vintage tractors and free children’s entertainment.

Loweswater Show

Sunday 6th September
New House Farm, Lorton, near Cockermouth
Click here for more information

Set in the beautiful Lorton Valley, Loweswater Show offers a traditional Lakeland agricultural show experience with a friendly community atmosphere. Families can enjoy livestock and horse classes, working dogs, sheepdog demonstrations, fell races, Cumberland & Westmorland wrestling, hound trails, local produce and craft stalls. Smaller than some of the county shows, it provides a wonderful insight into the region’s rural traditions.

9. Ravenglass Railway Museum Exhibition: Passenger 150

Every day of the summer holidays until 30th August
FREE entry
Click here for more information

Step into 150 years of railway history with a special anniversary exhibition at Ravenglass Railway Museum, celebrating a remarkable milestone since passenger services first began in 1876. Running from March to the end of August 2026, this inspiring exhibition tells the story of how passenger travel shaped the railway, the communities it served, and the generations of visitors who have enjoyed journeys through the stunning Eskdale Valley. Discover original artefacts, rare archive photography, personal stories, interactive displays and fascinating insights into how travel has evolved from Victorian times to the present day.

Perfect for railway enthusiasts, families and anyone looking for meaningful things to do in the Lake District, this exhibition offers a wonderful opportunity to celebrate heritage, engineering, and the people who made the railway what it is today. Make a day of it with a visit to the museum, explore Ravenglass village, and enjoy a journey on the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway to complete your heritage experience.

10. Grasmere Sports 2026

Sunday 30th August
The Showfield, Stock Lane Grasmere
Click here for more information

Grasmere Sports is one of the Lake District’s oldest and most popular traditional sporting gatherings, taking place every August Bank Holiday in the heart of Grasmere. Established in 1852, the event celebrates Lakeland sporting heritage with a packed programme of races, competitions and entertainment.

Children can enter sprint races, 200m and 800m track events, long leap competitions and the historic junior Guides Races, where young runners tackle fell courses on the slopes above the village. There are also family favourites including egg-and-spoon, sack and three-legged races, alongside a dog show, hound trails, wrestling and circus entertainment.

11. Drawing with Lela

Wednesday 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th August (10:30am – 12:30pm)
Abbot Hall, Kendal
From £10 per family (up to 3 children and 2 adults)
Click here for more information

Join local artist Lela Harris this summer for a weekly drawing workshop series for young artists aged 8–14 at Abbot Hall in Kendal. Inspired by her work in Familial Traces, the sessions encourage children to build confidence and experiment with pencil, charcoal and colour while creating portraits, still life and landscape studies.

Each relaxed workshop explores themes of identity, family, belonging and home, with opportunities to look closely at artworks in the gallery and respond creatively. All materials are provided, and participants can bring their own sketchbook if they wish.

Sessions can be booked individually, but we recommend attending the full series to get the most out of the programme and build skills week by week. The series concludes with a collaborative artwork, and guardian supervision is required. Tickets include gallery entry.

12. Room on the Broom Trail at Grizedale Forest and Whinlatter Forest

Throughout the summer holidays
£4 per pack
Click here for Grizedale details | Click here for Whinlatter details

Join Witch and her friends on a magical woodland adventure with the Room on the Broom Trail, running at both Grizedale Forest and Whinlatter Forest. As families explore the forest, children can help search for Witch’s lost hat, bow and wand, collect special ingredients for her spell, and complete a series of interactive activities inspired by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s beloved story.

Trail packs are available to purchase (£4) and include a lanyard, activity cards, ingredient stickers, colouring bag, pencil and materials to create a witch’s wand. Along the way, families can enjoy hands-on challenges, discover fascinating forest facts and finish their adventure with a photo opportunity alongside Witch and her animal friends on their magnificent broom.

13. Lake District Summer Music Festival

Various dates from 31st July to 9th August
Click here for more information

While the Lake District Summer Music Festival is primarily aimed at adult audiences, it also includes a small programme of specially designed family performances during the summer holidays.

---

Lake District Kids is a free online resource. If you have found this website useful for planning your family adventures, you can show your support by buying us a coffee. Thanks so much!

Also, feel free to share your walk photos in our Lake District Kids Facebook Group or on Instagram using by tagging @lakedistrictkidsuk in your caption so we can share with our wider community.