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Summer of music in the Lakes

You might have been to the Proms in London or watched the famous “last night” on TV. But did you know that the Lake District has its own summer festival of music? And this year it’s celebrating its 40th anniversary.

Lake District Music is staged across the region in a number of venues and will be celebrating four decades of remarkable music, cultural enrichment, and community spirit. There’ll be classical music, jazz and folk played in some stunning locations.


One of the highlights this year is a performance by our own local hero Jess Gillam, saxophonist, Radio 3 presenter and BBC Young Musician Finalist. And she’s also the youngest-ever soloist to perform at the Last Night of the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall.


Jess will be in her home town of Ulverston with her ensemble to kick-off the festival with an energetic and eclectic mix of classical, jazz and pop from Bach to Bowie.


The festival is a chance to see emerging resident artists launching their careers and performing alongside some of the world’s finest musicians. There’s also a series of festival walks, workshops and family-friendly activities at places such as Grizedale Forest. Holker Hall, Cartmel Priory, and John Ruskin’s glorious house on the shore of Coniston, Brantwood.


You can listen to all the Beethoven piano concertos in Ambleside Parish Church, which is also the venue for the magical gypsy/folk ensemble, the Budapest Cafe Orchestra. There’s string quartets at Grange over Sands and Hawkshead, storytelling at the Windermere Jetty Museum, and baroque super-group Red Priest at Cartmel Priory.
Come and stay for the whole festival, from August 1-10, or just a few days.

Many of our member hotels are within easy reach of the venues and will be delighted to welcome you.


See the full programme here: https://www.ldsm.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/LDMBrochure2025.pdf

The Lake District Foundation

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