The outdoor tourist capital of the North Lakes certainly knows how to put out the red carpet to welcome Santa and his helpers in the run-up to Christmas.
Most of the year Keswick takes advantage of its location, nestled between mountains such as Blencathra and Cat’s Bells and lakes Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite. But for the festive season, from the fourth Friday in November until January, its focus is on jingling bells and tills.
Events start with the annual lights switch on, this year by the town’s firefighters, on Friday, November 22nd. And throughout December, the Keswick Live Advent Calendar features a trail of businesses and other organisations, putting on a display from Sunday December 1st, with the public voting for their favourite.
The climax comes on Christmas Eve, when the town’s independent cinema, The Alhambra, hosts a packed-out matinee of a classic festive film.
The events are launched with a Santa splash on Monday December 2nd, with around eight teams of three paddlers dressed as Santa or as elves, braving Derwentwater in Canadian canoes.
Santa seems to love Keswick, as he also arrives at the Royal Oak, courtesy of wagon and shire horses.
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