November Events & Activities

Review what's on in November in the Lake District & Cumbria:

If you would like to include your 2012, 2013 or 2014 event here, please email details to info@stayin.net.

Coniston Power Boat Records Week 5th - 9th November 2012 - is the only event in the Powerboat Racing Calendar to bring together all classes of boat. Entry is open to all from tiny hydroplanes, through inshore circuit racers to the largest offshore boats. It is the finale to the racing season. Competitors and officials from all over the country assemble annually for what has been a popular event since it's inception in 1970. For almost a hundred years Power boat record attempts have been made on several of the English lakes including Ullswater, Windermere and Coniston Water. The most famous drivers have been Sir Henry Segrave, Sir Malcolm Campbell and Donald Campbell. Norman Buckley, was instrumental in the inauguration of Records Week and together with The Windermere Motor Boat Racing Club, had various courses on Windermere surveyed. In the mid 1990's One, Two and Three Hour Records were attempted during the annual Enduro, which took place at the end of Records Week.

The Worlds Biggest Liar Contest, November 2012 - The Bridge Inn (Santon Bridge)
Way back in the 19th Century, a famous Cumbrian called Will Ritson (1808-1890) was the popular publican who lived at the head of the Wasdale Valley in the English Lake District. In this remote and beautiful valley, Will always kept his customers enthralled with stories of the folk heritage of this delightful area. Of course, Will was a very sincere and genuine man, who insisted that all his tales were true. Perhaps the visitors simply didn't have the level of perception with which Will was bestowed. Will claimed that the turnips in Wasdale were so big that after the dalesfolk had "quarried" into them for their Sunday lunch, they could be used as sheds for the Herdwick Sheep from the fells. Each year, in November, a contest is held to award the title of "The Biggest Liar in the World" to the person who is worthy of following in the footsteps of "Auld Will".

The Kendal Mountain Festival 15th - 18th November 2012 - is an internationally-renowned event in the Lake District that attracts top adventurers, climbers, writers, film-makers and film premieres from around the world. It's one of the most prestigious mountain festivals, the biggest in the world in terms of scope and audience, and the main social event for outdoor enthusiasts in this country. The most respected mountain literary award, the Boardman Tasker Prize, is also awarded at Kendal Mountain Festival.

Ambleside Father Christmas Cruise & Christmas Lights Switch On 2012 - on the third Saturday in November and involves a Father Christmas cruise followed by a parade through the Lake District town at dusk, featuring hundreds of paper lanterns. Young and old turn out to witness the spectacular procession and the Christmas street lights throughout Ambleside town centre are switched on, as if by magic, by Santa Claus!

Kendal Christmas Lights Switch On November 2011 - begins at 3.00pm with Father Christmas riding in his sleigh, drawn by reindeer, from the K Village to Kendal's Market Place. The Kendal Town Crier will be in attendance as will be the Salvation Army Band who'll be performing festive carols. There'll be a non-alcoholic gluwein stall run by Kendal Town Councillors and the Christmas lights will be switched on by the Mayor of Kendal. Kendal's town centre has for more than ten years been illuminated, from mid-November until early January, by a display of Christmas lights that brightens up the town that serves as the gateway to the Lake District. The switch-on ceremony also provides charities, school choirs, street performers and retailers with an opportunity to appeal to Kendal's Sunday afternoon shoppers.