Christmas Music 2026
Kirkby Lonsdale is turning up the volume for this year’s Christmas Fair Weekend!
Free live music fills the town from Friday 4th to Sunday 6th December, with performances on the Monumental Stage in the Market Square and fringe gigs popping up all over town.
And for the first time ever, our Countdown Events kick things off early, so the party starts before the party starts!
Countdown Events
Later Gator Rhythm & Blues Band
4pm Sunday 29 November
at The Royal Barn
Get your dancing shoes on! Later Gator bring the swinging sounds of Chicago and West Coast jump blues to The Royal Barn. Expect driving shuffles, jumping rhythms and gritty, good-time blues straight from the clubs of 1950s Chicago and California. It’s music made for dancing, and a great way to warm up a late-November evening.
Live Street Theatre
Thursday 3 December
Around Kirkby Lonsdale
Friday 4 December
Kev Kendal
Kirkby’s favourite solo singer is back for the Christmas Fair. Kev is a familiar and much-loved voice around town, with a warm, easy-going set of crowd-pleasers and festive classics. He’s sure to get you in the Christmas spirit.
Drum Nation
Get ready to feel the rhythm! Drum Nation is a community samba drumming collective from Cumbria that has grown from a handful of players into four bands with more than 150 members. Their motto is “to belong”, and their joyful, pounding beats bring the whole crowd together. They’re guaranteed to add a burst of energy to Friday night.
Kirkby Lonsdale Brass Band
No Kirkby Christmas would be complete without our very own brass band. It’s one of the oldest bands in the country, with records going back to 1821, when it played for the coronation celebrations of King George IV. More than two centuries on, these local musical heroes fill the town with seasonal favourites and the unmistakable sound of a Christmas brass band.
QES Youth Theatre
The young performers of QES Youth Theatre are back to add some Friday-night sparkle. Packed with confidence, creativity and festive cheer, this talented group shows just why Kirkby Lonsdale’s school is known for the performing arts. Give them a big hometown welcome!
Hornby Singers
Friendly voices from down the Lune Valley, the Hornby Singers bring a warm, homely feel to the start of the Christmas weekend. Their relaxed, welcoming style makes this a perfect moment to gather round, warm your hands and soak up some seasonal song.
Brendan Cleary
Brendan Cleary brings an intimate acoustic set to the Christmas Fair, with heartfelt songs and fine musicianship. Find a cosy spot and let the music carry you into the festive evening.
Saturday 5 December
Batala – The Drum Band
Feel the beat before you see them! Batala Lancaster is Lancaster’s original samba-reggae drumming band, founded in 2004. It’s part of a worldwide Batala family that plays the carnival rhythms of Salvador in north-east Brazil. Loud, joyful and impossible to ignore, their thundering drums and colourful performance will bring a burst of carnival energy to Kirkby Lonsdale’s winter streets.
Scrimshankers
Haul away! The Scrimshankers are a high-energy sea shanty crew who bring the spirit of the high seas to every stage. Expect rousing harmonies and classic maritime songs with choruses made for joining in. There’s no better way to warm up on a December afternoon.
Fairfield Trio
The Fairfield Trio bring a touch of musical elegance to the Christmas Fair. Take a moment away from the bustle to enjoy their seasonal set, a perfect backdrop to a festive afternoon in town.
QES Youth Theatre
Kirkby Lonsdale’s young stars take the spotlight! Students from Queen Elizabeth School, long known for its performing arts, bring energy, talent and plenty of festive spirit to the fair. Come and cheer on the next generation of local performers.
Buzz Cadillac & The Lightning Rods
Buckle up for a high-octane ride! Buzz Cadillac & The Lightning Rods are guaranteed to turn up the volume and get the crowd moving. Wrap up warm, then forget the cold altogether.
Riocker & Special Guests
The dynamic duo Riocker return to Kirkby Lonsdale with songs you know and love, and this year they’re bringing some special guests along. Expect big sing-along moments and a few surprises.
Rob Bee & The Stingers
The keyboard wizard is back, and this time he’s brought a band! Rob Bee’s Christmas Fair sets are always popular, and with The Stingers behind him there’s even more buzz. It’s a lively, feel-good set to keep the party going.
Curious Dance
Local dancers from The Curious Dance Academy bring movement and magic to the Christmas Fair. Their imaginative performances showcase the talent and enthusiasm of young dancers from the area, and they’re a festive treat for all ages.
D’ukes of Lancaster
Who says ukuleles can’t rock? The D’ukes of Lancaster pack a big sound and a lot of fun into four small strings. Their cheerful, toe-tapping set is sure to raise a smile.
Hannah W
Keep an ear out as you wander the stalls: Hannah W is back on the streets of Kirkby Lonsdale. A regular at the Christmas Fair, she brings warm vocals and well-loved festive tunes that add the perfect soundtrack to your Christmas shopping.
Sunday 6 December
The Usuals
Local favourites The Usuals bring their trademark rock twist to the Christmas Fair. This five-piece covers band works through decades of songs everyone knows, from AC/DC and Guns N’ Roses to The Police, The Killers, 80s anthems and even a bit of Taylor Swift. Expect big guitars, big choruses and a crowd singing along. Wrap up warm and get ready to rock.
Hannah W
A familiar face on the streets of Kirkby Lonsdale, Hannah W is one of Santa’s favourite buskers. She brings a warm, easy-going set of festive favourites and crowd-pleasers, ideal for stopping, listening and soaking up the Christmas atmosphere between the stalls.
Hornby Singers
The Hornby Singers are a friendly community choir from just down the Lune Valley who sing purely for the joy of it. Join them for a cheerful mix of seasonal songs and carols, sung with plenty of heart. It’s the perfect excuse to pause your shopping and hum along.
Milnthorpe Steel Band
Bringing a taste of the Caribbean to a Cumbrian December, Milnthorpe Steel Band has been spreading joy with steel pans for nearly thirty years. With members aged from 10 to 80, this much-loved community band plays carnivals, fetes and Christmas fairs across the area. Their bright, shimmering sound turns festive classics into something truly sunny.
Winter Fairy
Choirs of Kirkby Lonsdale
Kirkby Lonsdale’s own choirs come together to lead a joyful celebration of the season. Bring your voice and join in your favourite Christmas carols, with festive choral treats along the way. It’s a much-loved Christmas Fair tradition and a wonderful way to feel the spirit of the town.
Black Cat
Bring your dancing shoes! Black Cat serve up a groove-packed set of blues and funk that’s guaranteed to get feet moving. It’s a lively, toe-tapping way to warm up a winter’s evening.