October event listings
Your guide to what's on in Cumbria and the Lake District in October.
Expressive Landscape Painting with Martin Evans, Tullie, Carlisle
Sunday 5 October
Loosen up your landscapes with award-winning Carlisle artist Martin Evans. In this comprehensive session, Martin will take you from idea to completed (is an artwork ever truly complete?) painting.
The Dreamtime Fellrunner, Theatre by the Lake, Keswick
Wednesday 8 October - Thursday 9 October
The Dreamtime Fellrunner is a poetic, fun and moving exploration of Julie’s fellrunning life. Presenting fellrunning as a type of land art and spiritual practice, this is an aesthetic performance which allows people to experience the beauty of a wonderful sport, regardless of their degree of familiarity with the fells and running.
Barrow Music Weekender, Barrow-in-Furness
Thursday 9 - Sunday 12 October
Barrow Music Weekender is back, celebrating its fifth year with an exciting programme of live music, workshops, talks, and community events — with most activities free of charge.
Folk at the John Peel - Budapest Cafe Orchestra, The John Peel Theatre, Wigton
Thursday 9 October
In 2009 Christian Garrick established the refreshingly unconventional and snappily attired Budapest Café Orchestra. The intention to present a broad range of music from all over the world in the most entertaining and fun way. One of BCO’s prime directives is to take the music seriously but not so much themselves. Part of the secret formula of the BCO’s show presentation is performing all the music from memory and, combined their trademark wit and charm, audiences leave tingling with warmth and delight.
Mark Nelson: Liquid Gold, Old Fire Station, Carlisle
Thursday 9 October
Multi award winning Scottish stand up Mark Nelson returns with his brand new tour show. One of the most acclaimed and sought after comedians in the UK and abroad, Nelson brings a distinctive mix of cutting observations, social commentary and hilarious one liners.
Kerry Ellis: Queen of the West End, Barrow Town Hall
Saturday 11 October
Kerry Ellis is the Queen of the West End. From My Fair Lady to We Will Rock You, from Les Miserables to Wicked, in both the West End and on Broadway, she has starred in musical theatre’s biggest roles, making shows her own and earning her numerous awards. Singing songs from the biggest musicals and telling stories about how she came to play roles, this is a unique opportunity to see and hear the West End’s biggest hits in a very intimate setting at Barrow Town Hall.
Handbagged by Moira Buffini, The John Peel Theatre, Wigton
Wednesday 15 October - Saturday 18 October
Handbags, hairspray and sensible shoes.
The monarch - Liz.
Her most powerful subject - Maggie.
One believed there was no such thing as society. The other had vowed to serve it.
ARC 2025 Summit Comedy Night, Theatre By the Lake, Keswick
Friday 17 October
As part of the 5 year celebration of all things ARC and Black Joy, Anti Racist Cumbria’s Summit is being rounded up by its first ever comedy night...because yes you can still laugh when you’re an activist, in fact it’s essential that you do. Laughter is a powerful tool, and it’s the energy release we all need right now.
Talon - The Best of Eagles, Old Fire Station, Carlisle
Saturday 18 October
Talon have risen from humble beginnings to become one of the most successful theatre touring shows in the UK and Busy Being Fabulous‘25/26 will once again feature the Eagles timeless back catalogue including Hotel California, Take It Easy, One Of These Nights, Take It To The Limit, Desperado, Lyin’ Eyes, Life In The Fast Lane and many more.
Dutty Moonshine Bug Band, Blood, Sweat & Tears Tour, Old Fire Station, Carlisle
Thursday 23 October
This extravaganza of a show promises to deliver high-octane energy and genre-defying performances that the band have become synonymous for since their incarnation ten whole years ago.
Edy Hurst’s Wonderfull Discoverie of Witches in the Countie of Himself, The Beggar’s Theatre, Millom
Friday 24 October
Grab your broomsticks and join Edy Hurst (Burst with Comedic Energy - The Skinny) on a wyrd and wonderfull journey of self-discoverie through the realms of the Lancashire Witch Trials, Neurodivergence and the Vengaboys. Combining comedy, clowning, live music and a giant cauldron, Edy Hurst’s Wonderfull Discoverie of Witches in the Countie of Himself is a new magical and mystical comedy theatre show that offers a humorous, heartfelt and unique insight into the shifting and sometimes mysterious world of late-stage ADHD diagnosis.
One Year, Photographs From The Miners’ Strike 1984-1985, Signal Film & Media Cooke’s Studios, Barrow-in-Furness
Until Saturday 25 October
ONE YEAR Photographs from the miners’ strike 1984–85 is a powerful touring exhibition curated by Isaac Blease and drawn from the Martin Parr Foundation Collection. The exhibition marked the 40th anniversary of the year-long industrial action that defined a generation. This year, it is presented to coincide with the reopening of the newly refurbished building and offers a powerful complement to the major exhibition, Chris Killip: Askam-in-Furness.
Logan Paul Murphy, Sunday Afternoon Cabaret Club, LE GALL, Carlisle
Sunday 26 October
Logan Paul Murphy makes his Carlisle debut at LE GALL Carlisle on Sunday 26 October. Tickets £15 and include a light supper served during the interval.
Chris Killip: Askam-in-Furness, Signal Film & Media Cooke’s Studios, Barrow-in-Furness
Until Saturday 1 November
Chris Killip’s poignant photographic series Askam-in-Furness, shown in its entirety for the first time. The exhibition documents the coastal village of Askam during the social and political upheaval of the early 1980s. It is supported by the Martin Parr Foundation the Chris Killip Photography Trust.
Wrestle, Florence Arts Centre, Egremont
Until Sunday 2 November
An exhibition and programme about Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling. The exhibition tells the story of Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling through: original artwork by Cumbrian artist Janet Moss, contemporary photography by Cumbrian photographer Chris Routledge, archive photos, costumes and other heritage objects curated with the help of Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling Association.
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