Hundreds of visitors are getting into the Christmas spirit this weekend at the first ever Cumbria Life Christmas event.

The two-day show at Rheged is a celebration of Christmas in Cumbria, with local exhibitors and experts providing inspiring festive ideas for gifts and the home.

Two exhibition halls at the Penrith venue have been transformed into a festive marketplace with more than 40 exhibitors from Cumbria and beyond.

A busy programme of talks and masterclasses are taking place throughout the weekend on everything from creating Christmas cocktails to decorating a gingerbread house.

Organised by CN Events and Rheged, the show has been curated by event planner and stylist Emma Tebbey, of Kendal-based Tebbey & Co, who has hand-picked dozens of exhibitors and experts including The Herdy Company, Sally Moon vintage jewellery, The Tipsy Filly mobile bar, The Bath House, and The Lakes Distillery.

Claire Logan-Stephens, head of visitor engagement at Rheged, said: “The feedback we have had from visitors has been brilliant. People are loving the talks and demonstrations and the unique mix of exhibitors in the marketplace.”

The £5 ticket price includes entrance to the Christmas marketplace and the expert-led talks and demonstrations in the lecture theatre. Visitors also receive a complimentary glass of Prosecco or elderflower presse in the entry price. The hands-on masterclasses, where you can learn a skill directly from the experts, are ticketed separately.

Cumbria Life Christmas at Rheged is open from 10am to 4pm on Sunday, Nov 19. Accompanied children aged 16 and under are free. Call Rheged on 01768 868000 or visit www.rheged.com for more information