Enjoying Festivals in a Unique Cumbrian Way
Cumbria has embraced modern pop and rock festivals since the mid-2000s, with Kendal Calling leading the charge alongside Solfest, Keswick Mountain Festival’s music segment, as well as smaller town-centered events.
Founded in 2006, Kendal Calling began as a two-day celebration in Abbot Hall Park, accommodating around 900 attendees under a circus big top that housed most performances. The inaugural year featured headliners Pendulum and concluded with a memorable set by Kendal-born British Sea Power, known for their energetic performance with dancing robots and a guitarist scaling a 50-foot tent pole – a moment etched into festival legend.
By 2007, Kendal Calling had outgrown its original location and transferred to Grate Farm, boasting an increased capacity of about 2,000 attendees and additional stages. The festival’s popularity surged further in 2008, attracting 4,000 people, an array of acts including Dizzee Rascal, Super Furry Animals, and DJ Yoda, signaling the need to find a new home due to its overwhelming success.
In 2009, Kendal Calling settled at Lowther Deer Park near Penrith, utilizing the picturesque parkland backdrop as a core component of its identity and branding itself with the captivating landscapes of the Lake District. Throughout the 2010s, the festival blossomed into one of the UK’s most prominent medium-sized festivals, featuring acclaimed headliners like Primal Scream, The Charlatans, and Basement Jaxx, to name a few.
Solfest, situated near the Solway coast at Tarns, has cemented its reputation as Cumbria’s distinguished family music and arts festival. Originating as a grassroots, community-oriented event in the early 2000s, Solfest has evolved into one of Cumbria’s largest festivals, standing shoulder to shoulder with Kendal Calling in terms of popularity.
Another noteworthy festival in Cumbria is Keswick Mountain Festival, fusing outdoor sports with live music against the backdrop of the Lake District. The festival offers a diverse program including trail runs, hikes, triathlons, and outdoor brands during the day, transitioning to live bands on the lakeshore in the evenings, creating a unique blend of endurance sports and musical entertainment.
Additionally, smaller-scale events like Cockermouth Live! diversify Cumbria’s festival scene, offering a mix of ticketed headline shows and free gigs by local musicians in various venues around town. Meanwhile, Wannasee Festival near Penrith caters to rock enthusiasts seeking a nostalgic experience with big-production tribute acts in a family-friendly setting.
Cumbria’s festival landscape is teeming with diverse options that cater to various tastes, from large-scale rock extravaganzas to intimate community events, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy in this picturesque region.