Sponsor a light in the Lake District in memory or celebration of a loved one.

The Tree of Light is the magnificent beech tree situated next to the Cenotaph in the centre of Keswick, the 'heart' of the Lake District. The Tree of Light will be illuminated with over 5,000 new LED white lights this Christmas until 5th January. Pictured below is this year's switch-on ceremony.

For the second year, Keswick Rotary Club has invited people to remember the names of loved ones and occasions as part of the Tree of Light. These names and also those of the local businesses that have sponsored the tree are listed on a board at the foot of the tree.

The tree’s Patron is opera singer Lesley Garrett CBE and this year the main beneficiary of funds raised by the tree will be Cumbria Air Ambulance with donations also going to Keswick Out of School Club, The Calvert Trust and St John Ambulance (Keswick branch). Donations to the tree continue to be welcome until 5th January.

Information and donation website:  www.lakedistricttreeoflight.org.uk

Keswick's Traditional Christmas Fayre is to be held in the Market Square (around the Moot Hall) on Sunday 2nd December 2012, starting at 11.30am

Santa will once again be in attendance with his reindeer.

This is an annual fundraising event for a lot of local charities. There will decorated charity stalls and a variety of street entertainment, the Christmas tree and shops festooned with colourful lights, and equally colourful local characters providing entertainment (such as the infamous Keswick Street Theatre). This is an occasion not to be missed, with many people from all over Cumbria and further afield coming year after year for mulled wine, mince pies, entertainment and shopping!

There will be a small funfair for young children and a Santa's Grotto

The two main car parks are free of charges for the day.

Keswick's Christams lights are to be switched on on 9th November. The main event will be preceded by the switching on ceremony of  The Lake District Tree of Light at the Cenotaph at 6.30pm and will be followed by a celebratory procession of local children playing drums and carrying torches to symbolise The Lake District Tree of Light. The procession will start at the Cenotaph and finish at Moot Hall where the rest of Keswick's Christmas lights will be switched on at 7pm.

Earlier in the day, a  Food Fayre will be in the Market Square from 1pm with opportunities to pick up some local specialities and maybe do some Christmas shopping.

Evening entertainment begins at 5.30pm in the Market Square. Keswick’s Committed to Rock choir will perform some favourite rock songs together with a medley of Christmas goodies in front of the Moot Hall. Come and sing along before joining the lighting procession. After the lights are switched on there will be furthe musical entertainment.

You can view some of the evening's events live on Friars' town centre webcam.

The Lake District Tree of Light is illuminated by over 5,000 LED bulbs and organised by the Rotary Club of Keswick to raise funds for important charities, this year Pride of Cumbria Air Ambulance will be the main beneficiary. You are invited to make a donation to the “Tree of light fund” to Celebrate the Life or Memory of a loved one or a Special Occasion such as a Wedding, Birth, or Anniversary.
www. lakedistricttreeoflight.org.uk for more information and to make an on-line donation.

The 2012 food festival takes place next Friday and Saturday, 29th & 30th September in Cockermouth, just a short drive from Keswick.

There will be plenty of free childrens' activities, a Pop-Up Restaurant, food/cooking demonstrations, masterclasses, tastings, Cumbrian & Continental markets and a beer festival. Entry to the markets is free of charge, although there are charges for demonstrations, masterclasses and the restaurant. Tickets available on-line at www.tastecumbria.com  (you print your own!).

The Taste Cumbria Beer Festival is run by CAMRA in Jennings Brewery Maltings and yard (free entry for CAMRA card holders). Details on http://cumbriacamra.org.uk/cumbriacamra/festival.html