Are you ready for a full blown Christmas Extravaganza? The Kirkby Lonsdale Christmas Fair 2023 is going to be better than ever, with “A Christmas Story” at the heart of the event.
Get ready for Christmas and community spirit to collide as Kirkby Lonsdale unites for the ultimate Christmas Fair! Taking place between Thursday 30 November and Sunday 3 December.
As usual there will be a Chalet Village in the Market Square with great food and drink and gift stalls, as well as the indoor market in Lunesdale Hall. There will also be lots of entertainment and things to see and do all weekend around Kirkby Lonsdale.
PROGRAMME
Charter Market
The Christmas Charter Market is kicking off the Kirkby Lonsdale Christmas fair 9am – 3pm, Thursday 30 November! Think Santa’s elves, live music and lots of Christmas shopping.
Live Music Quiz Night
Start the Christmas weekend in festive style at the live music and quiz night at the Masonic Hall from 7.30pm on Thursday 30 November.
Book in advance to make sure you get a good spot. Contact the Information and Gift Shop to book: phone 015242 97177 or email lovethelunepr@gmail.com.
Chalet Village Market
Market Square
4pm to 8.30pm, Friday 1 December
10am to 7pm, Saturday 2 December
10am to 4pm, Sunday 3 December
The Chalet Village Market is back and better than ever for the Kirkby Lonsdale Christmas Fair! The perfect place to eat out or do your Christmas shopping.
Bric-a-Brac Market
10am to 5pm, Friday 1 December
10am to 5pm, Saturday 2 December
12.30pm to 2.30pm, Sunday 3 December
A classic part of the Kirkby Lonsdale Christmas Fair! Come to St. Mary’s Church and step into the eclectic world of the Bric-a-Brac Market. A sustainable and affordable treasure trove of bits and bobs that make for ideal Christmas presents.
Lantern Walks
Meet at the Monument in the Square.
4.30pm to 5.30pm, Friday & Saturday, 1 & 2 December
Take a festive historical tour of the beautiful town of Kirkby Lonsdale. The walk begins in the Monument and ends with mulled wine and mince pies in the Red Dragon. Book your place at the Tourist Information and Gift Shop.
Sedbergh Junior School Choir
St Mary’s Church
Late Morning, Friday 1 December
Looking for Christmas carols this December? sing your way into Christmas this year with Sedbergh Junior School Choir!
Ragtag Kids Crafts
4pm to 6pm, Friday 1 December
The RAGTAG ROADSHOW is coming to Kirkby Lonsdale. Come along for an evening of fun kids crafts workshops in the Square Friday just before the Big Light Switch On.
Christmas Lights Switch On
5.30pm, Friday 1 December
Join The Snow Queen for an exciting Christmas Lights Switch on Friday 1 December, starting with a performance from the Curious Danc Company in St. Mary’s churchyard at 5:30 p.m. and processing down Main Streets to Market Square for the Big Switch On.
The procession will finish in Market Square, where the Snow Queen turns on the big Christmas tree in the Square.
Late Night Shopping
6pm to 8.30pm, Friday 1 December
We are back with Christmas Late Night Shopping along our amazing independent high street! the perfect way to do your Christmas shopping while supporting our wonderful local community.
Indoor Market
Lunesdale Hall
10am to 5pm, Saturday 2 December
10am to 4pm, Sunday 3 December
The Indoor Market is back and better than ever for the Kirkby Lonsdale Christmas Fair!
Unwrapping Advent
10.30am to 2pm, St. Mary’s Church
Come along to St. Mary’s Church for Unwrapping Advent — our festive kids crafts!
Christmas Café
Kirkby Lonsdale Methodist Church
10am to 4pm, Saturday 2 December
1pm to 4.30pm, Sunday 3 December
Enjoy homemade soup, sandwiches and cake — tea, coffee and soft drinks. You can also shop unique Ugandan crafts and gifts all in aid of CRMI Children of Hope: www.childrenof hope.org.uk
Alpacas
11am to 2pm, Saturday 2 December
11am to 2pm, Sunday 3 December
FREE alpaca petting in Saint Mary’s churchyards with Wreay Syke Alpacas.
Santa Parade
2pm, Saturday 2 December
A staple of the Kirkby Lonsdale Christmas Fair for the last 40 years, the Santa Parade is finally back! Line the High Street to see local businesses and community groups taking part in this special festive celebration.
The procession will be led by Santa and Scrooge, with drums by Batala! Santa will then go straight to his grotto at Saint Mary’s Churchyard.
Parade route:
Dodgson Croft → down New Road→ along Main Street ( against traffic) → Market Street → Queens Square → Fairbank → ends at the Fairbank Society.
Santa's Grotto
St. Mary’s Churchyard
2.30pm to 4.30pm, Saturday 2 December
11am to 4pm, Sunday 3 December
Santa will be arriving in Kirkby Lonsdale during the Santa Parade, and will then make his way over to St. Mary’s Churchyard to open up his Grotto!
A huge thank you to the Cards Gallery and The Vegetable Patch for helping Santa’s elves make the presents in time for Christmas.
Drama Fun
St. Mary’s Churchyard
2.30pm, to 3.30pm, Saturday 2 December
2.30pm, to 3.30pm, Sunday 3 December
Join the Little Children’s Theatre Company (www.tlctheatreuk.com) for Festive Fun! Come one, come all, and join in on the holiday cheer for children of all ages!
In between visits with Santa and getting to know the Alpacas, stop by to say hi to our welcoming team and join in with a variety of Christmas-themed games.
Balloon Nativity
The Methodist Church
3pm to 6pm, Saturday 2 December
Come along to hear the Nativity Story — told through balloons! Small Paul will be hanging around for a couple of hours after the show making balloon animals as well.
Elf Crafts and Games
St. Mary’s Churchyard
11am to 4pm, Sunday 3 December
Join us for Elf Crafts and Games!
Santa Dash
Jubilee Field, Devil’s Bridge
9am to 11am, Sunday 3 December
Sign up for the Santa Dash — a 1 Mile Festive Family Fun Run or 5K Social Run to raise money to Save Ruskin’s View. For mums, dads, kids, grans, gramps, prams and pets! A festive family fun run / jog / walk / stroll.
£10 includes Santa Hat, Mince Pie and Coffee in The Royal Barn. Under 12s Free.
The Story Project
Meet at St. Mary’s Churchyard
12pm to 1pm, Sunday 3 December
An interactive theatre and challenges trail for kids!
A whole host of Christmas characters have escaped from their books and need your help to get home! Take a guided tour around Kirkby Lonsdale, solving puzzles and working together to win these characters a polar express ticket back into their books.
Kirkby Lonsdale Singers & Sing Joyfully
St. Mary’s Church
3pm, Sunday 3 December
Looking for Christmas carols this December? sing your way into Christmas this year with Kirkby Lonsdale Singers and Sing Joyfully.
Volunteer at the Kirkby Lonsdale Christmas Fair!
We have loads of volunteer opportunities available, including stewarding, marshalling, Santa’s grotto elves, sites deco, kids crafts and activities and more!
Contact Matt at lovethelunepr@gmail.com if you would like to get involved or pop into the Information and Gift Shop.