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Thank you for visiting this site and for your interest in our annual celebration of the landscape, heritage and people of the beautiful Westmorland Dales.
Whether you've been before or will be a first-timer, we're looking forward to welcoming you to Kirkby Stephen for this year's Festival, taking place over the weekend of Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 July 2025.
Come and join us for the usual packed programme of events, activities and entertainment for all ages. Details will be available in early April, but in the meantime you can check out what happened last year and get a taste of what's in store from the wonderful video made for us by Cumbria Tourism and the 'check out last year's events' button, both below.
And if you're an artist, maker or food producer or represent a community or conservation group and would like to be part of the Festival, or if you have any general queries, please contact us at westmorlanddalesfestival@outlook.com.
We're keeping all our fingers crossed for a repeat of last year's fabulous weather, but come rain or shine there'll be plenty to do and enjoy at the Westmorland Dales Festival 2025 - and we can't wait to see you there!
Vivienne Littlefair, Chair, and the Westmorland Dales Festival team
Photographs above © ① Denise Saunders ② & ④ Cumbria Tourism
③ Kirkby Stephen Walkers are Welcome ⑤ WDF
Video © Cumbria Tourism
Events running on both days
Pick up a programme and hit the Festival trail!
Meet Kirkby Stephen's Walkers are Welcome group, and join one (or more!) of their guided walks
Discover Kirkby Stephen's historic station and steam railway
A special programme of events for the Festival weekend
An exhibition of work by members of the Eden Valley Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers. Kirkby Stephen
Hop on board one of our Festival buses to travel between sites. TIMETABLES AVAILABLE NOW!
Pick up a leaflet from the Upper Eden Visitor Centre and explore Kirkby Stephen and the nearby countryside at your own pace
Events on Saturday 27 July
A beautiful walk along the infant River Eden, exploring Pendragon Castle, St Mary's Church and other sites of historic and historic interest along the way
Lakeland Arts leads this drop-in activity, giving festivalgoers of all ages the chance to contribute to their very own eco-exhibition
Fun and games and crafts at Kirkby Stephen Youth Centre
Discover a traditional Westmorland village, hardly changed in centuries, with a choice of two guided walks
Join Ursula Hurst to make a flag for the 'Drawing Hope' installation in Kirkby Stephen
Explore the geology, archaeology and natural history of Little Asby Common with Friends of the Lake District
Enjoy family activities and nature workshops followed by a guided tour of Kirkby Stephen's Jubilee Park
An easy but scenic walk, taking in Stenkrith Falls, Nateby deer park and Wharton Hall
Events on Sunday 28 July
Meet local artists, makers and producers as well as community and conservation groups
Circus skills workshops and all-day entertainment in Kirkby Stephen with juggler Matt Tiffany
A health and well-being drop in
A great mix of local bands and community groups playing throughout the day
Kirkby Stephen's youngest band! On Church Green from 10:30
Find Diana, our itinerant songstress, on Church Green at 11:30, then playing around town
Kirkby Stephen's oldest and best known band, playing outside the Masonic Hall at 12:00 and in the Market Square at 13:00
Music straight from the heart. On Church Green from 12:30 on Sunday 28 July
Playing a mixture of fifties and sixties classic tunes, perfect for singing along to! On Church Green from 14:00
Playing an effortless blend of gypsy jazz, folk, bluegrass and reggae grooves on Church Green from 15:00
A day of wild play in Kirkby Stephen, on the banks of the river Eden
Catch a Cumbria Classic Coach to these glorious gardens, just outside Kirkby Stephen
Learn how to make gelli prints with Julia Garner, Cumbria Wildlife Trust's artist in residence. Kirkby Stephen
Explore some of Kirkby Stephen's most historic streets and architecture
Local writing group Furrow Green Writers look forward to sharing recent pieces of their work
