Ulverston Dickensian Festival
Saturday 28 November – Sunday 29 November 2026
Town centre, Ulverston, Cumbria
Ulverston's Dickensian Festival turns this Cumbrian market town, all cobbled streets on the fringe of the Lake District, into a Christmas celebration in costume. Volunteer-run since 2000, it ranks itself among the country's most popular Christmas festivals. Stages indoors and out fill the town centre with live music, while brass bands, magicians, jugglers, fire eaters and stilt walkers work the crowds. Each afternoon the Town Mayor and marching bands lead a costume parade from County Square; anyone can join in, with prizes for the best Dickensian character, whiskers and bonnet. Look for unusual presents and festive food at the Christmas market, sip the festival's own mulled wine, and enjoy entertainment that is nearly all free, with the town's independent shops, pubs and cafes close by.
Get the full visitor guide
When this market goes live, you'll get an interactive map, live schedule with reminders, real-time announcements, stall listings, and offline access — all on your phone, no app download needed.
What to expect
Date & times
Saturday 28 November – Sunday 29 November 2026
Getting there
Town centre, Ulverston, Cumbria
Dogs
Information coming soon
Accessibility
Available: Accessible parking / blue badge parking. Not confirmed: Wheelchair accessible, Step-free access, Accessible toilets, Accessible viewing areas.
Stalls
Stall list coming soon
Live schedule
Full timetable available when market goes live
Interactive map
Site map with GPS location available when market goes live
Live announcements
Real-time updates available when market goes live
Accessibility
Confirmed:
- Accessible parking / blue badge parking
Not confirmed:
- Wheelchair accessible
- Step-free access
- Accessible toilets
- Accessible viewing areas
Notes
The festival says there are limited disabled parking spaces and electric car charging spaces in the town centre car parks. It has not published other access details, such as step-free routes, accessible toilets or viewing areas.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Ulverston Dickensian Festival?
It runs on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November 2026. The streets closed for the festival are shut from 7am to 6pm on both days. The festival has not yet published its 2026 entertainment programme.
Where is the festival held?
In Ulverston town centre. The streets closed to traffic from 7am to 6pm on both days are Market Street, Theatre Street, Benson Street, Cross Street, New Market Street, Union Street and Brogden Street. Market stalls line King Street, which stays open to through traffic, and the festival food court is in Theatre Street car park.
How do I get there by road?
From the M6 at Junction 36, follow the A590 westbound towards Kendal, then continue on the A590 signposted for Barrow. As you near Ulverston you will see the monument on Hoad Hill, a mock lighthouse. At the first main roundabout, where Booths is on your left, go straight over and follow the signs for Town Centre and Car Parking.
Where can I park?
Town centre car parks are open as normal, except Theatre Street car park, which becomes the festival food court. There is a Park & Ride car park at Ulverston Auction Mart, LA12 9AU, and extra parking on the grass at Ford Park once Park Run finishes at 10am on Saturday. Do not park on the closed streets, and avoid parking on King Street from Friday evening, because market stalls and barriers go in along it from early Saturday until Sunday evening.
Does it cost anything?
The festival says almost all of its entertainment is free, including free events for children and costume competitions.
What is there to see and do?
Live music and acts on indoor and outdoor stages across the town centre, with roving street performers including brass bands, singers, magicians, fire eaters, jugglers and stilt walkers. There is also a Christmas market with unusual gifts and festive food, hot mulled wine, and a costume parade on both days. The festival is still developing its 2026 programme, and its What's on page will carry the details.
What happens at the parade and costume competition?
The parade starts at 3pm on both days from County Square, led by Ulverston's Town Mayor with traditional marching bands. It finishes at the stage in the Theatre Street food court, where the costume judging takes place. Anyone can join in without registering beforehand, and visitors in costume are invited to walk in the procession and enter the competition. The prize categories include child aged up to 13, lady's outfit, gent's outfit, steam punk and Dickensian character, with best whiskers on Saturday and most imaginative bonnet on Sunday.
Where can I eat and drink?
Theatre Street car park is the festival food court. The festival's own mulled wine stalls serve hot mulled wine, and the Christmas market has festive food.
Is there help for coach parties?
Coach operators and organised parties are asked to phone the festival ahead of arrival, on the number on its Coaches page, giving the vehicle type, party size and operator name. Coaches set down and collect at County Square, the roundabout directly outside the Coronation Hall, where the satnav postcode is LA12 7LZ. Parking for buses and coaches is free during the festival, and passengers are asked to arrive 10 minutes before departure.
Is there accessible parking?
The festival says there are limited disabled parking spaces, and electric car charging spaces, in the town centre car parks. It has not published other access details for the festival.
How do I get a stall?
Application forms are available from mid-April each year. Details are on the Get involved page of the festival's website.
Is this your market?
This is a basic listing we've put together so visitors can find Ulverston Dickensian Festival. If you're one of its organisers, you can claim it — take control of the page, add your schedule, map and more.
Loading…
Powered by ShowDayGuide®