Christmas lights were switched on across the region over the weekend as the countdown to the big day begins in earnest.

Over the next month, the Cumberland council area area is set to host a packed programme of events, including lights switch-on events, markets and much more.

Cumberland Council and town councils are lining up events to attract visitors and showcase the shops and traders within the area.

Upcoming events include:

  • Thursday, November 23 - Cockermouth late night shopping.
  • Friday, November 24 - Cleator Moor Christmas Event and Market. For further information visit the Cleator Moor Town Council website.
  • Saturday, November 25 - Christmas Festival and Light Switch-On in Workington Town Centre. For further information visit the Visit Workington website. 
  • Saturday, November 25 and Sunday, 26 November - Egremont Winter Wonderland Christmas Fayre. For further information visit the Egremont Christmas Wonderland Facebook 
  • Sunday, November 26 - Brampton Christmas Lights Switch-On. For further information visit the Brampton Parish Council website.
  • Sunday, November 26 - Wigton Christmas Lights Switch-On. For further information visit the Wigton Parish Council Facebook page.
  • Late Night Shopping in Carlisle - every Thursday, starting on Thursday, November 30 and ending on Thursday, December 21
  • Saturday, December 2 - Millom Christmas Market and Christmas Lights Switch-On. For further information visit the Millom Town Council website. 
  • Saturday, December 2 - Carlisle Teenage Market (coinciding with Small Business Saturday). For further information visit Cumberland Council’s website.
  • Saturday, December 2- Carlisle Christmas Farmers’ Market at Carlisle Cathedral. For further information visit Carlisle Cathedral's website.
  • Sunday, December 3 - Keswick Victorian Fayre. For further information visit Visit Keswick website. 
  • Sunday, December 3 - Aspatria Christmas Lights Switch-On. For further information visit the Aspatria Town Council Facebook page
  • Friday, December 8- Whitehaven Christmas Fair. For further information visit the Whitehaven Town Council website. 
  • Friday, December 8- Whitehaven Harbour Lights Show and Christmas Firework Display. For further information visit the Whitehaven Town Council website. 
  • Saturday, December 9 to Sunday, December 10- Taste Cumbria Christmas in Cockermouth. For further information visit the Taste Cumbria website. 
  • Friday, December 1 to Sunday, December 17- Carlisle Christmas Market in Carlisle city centre. Visit the Discover Carlisle's website. 

In support of some events, Cumberland Council is providing free parking in the following car parks on these dates:

  • Keswick Central car park - all day free parking on  Sunday, December 3 for the Keswick Victorian Fayre.
  • Free parking in all car parks (apart from Fairfield car park) from 2.30pm on Thursday, November 23 - Cockermouth late night shopping.
  • Workington Multi Storey car park - all day free parking during opening hours on Saturday, November 25 - Christmas Festival and Light Switch-On in Workington Town Centre.
  • Egremont Chapel Street car park - all day free parking on Saturday, November 25 and Sunday, November 26 - Egremont Winter Wonderland Christmas Fayre.
  • Bitts Park; Lowther Street; Castle; Caldew Riverside; The Sands; Swifts Bank; Viaduct; Civic Centre and West Walls car parks free parking after 3pm on the following dates: Thursday, November 30, Thursday, December 7, Thursday, December 14 and Thursday, December. 21 to coincide with late night shopping.