Music Venues in Cumbria

Chris Horkan

While the great outdoors is by far the biggest attraction of Cumbria, the county’s arts and culture community is also well-equipped. Besides countless fire-side folk sessions, music venues in Cumbria’s towns and cities offer regular live performances by touring artists, as well as talented local musicians – with many offering the perfect setting to kick back and relax after a day on the hills.

Our top picks

Brewery Arts Centre

Brewery Arts Centre, 122A Highgate, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4HE - Visit now

The main arts hub of Kendal offers a wide-ranging live music schedule, as well as film, comedy, theatre and more, across its site – which opened in 1972 on the old premises of Vaux Brewery. You can expect at least a couple of gigs to feature in its listings each week.

Image courtesy of Brewery Arts Centre.

Old Fire Station

Old Fire Station, Peter Street, Carlisle, CA3 8QP - Visit now

A converted fire station in the City of Carlisle, this venue offers a variety of spaces for live performances, workshops, exhibitions and more, encourage local art and artists and attract international acts.

Old Fire Station

The Brickyard

The Brickyard, Richmond Hall, 14 Fisher Street, Carlisle, CA3 8RN - Visit now

Opened in 2002, The Brickyard is Carlisle’s longest-running independent music venue, offering live performances in an intimate 320-capacity, century-old church hall. A great spot to catch emerging bands.

The Brickyard

Florence Arts Centre

Florence Arts Centre, Florence Mine, Egremont, Cumbria, CA22 2NR - Visit now

This mixed-used space – on the site of Cumbria’s last iron ore mine – has offered workshops, film, art and live music since 2008. As well as regular jazz, ukulele and open mic nights, the centre also regularly hosts live bands.

The Kirkgate, Cockermouth

The Kirkgate, Cockermouth, The Kirkgate Centre, Cockermouth, Cumbria, CA13 9PJ - Visit now

Converted from a former school in an all-hands-on-deck community effort, the Kirkgate in Cockermouth is a theatre-cum-cinema which also hosts live music events. Watch out for the regular ‘Big Gig’ programme where appreciative audiences gather to hear the sort of contemporary folk musicians who find themselves top of the Radio 6 playlists.

The Kirkgate, Cockermouth, image via Visit Cumbria

Where to go in Cumbria

Carlisle and Keswick
Music venue
The Brickyard

Opened in 2002, The Brickyard is Carlisle’s longest-running independent music venue, offering live performances in an intimate church hall.

Carlisle and Keswick
Music venue
Old Fire Station

A converted fire station in the City of Carlisle, this venue offers a variety of spaces for live performances, workshops, exhibitions and more.

The Kirkgate, Cockermouth, image via Visit Cumbria
Cumbria
Music venue
The Kirkgate, Cockermouth

A theatre-cum cinema in Cockermouth offering a wide programme of touring theatre, music, independent film and events to townsfolk and visitors.

Cumbria
Gallery
Florence Arts Centre

Florence Mine has been transformed into a centre for cultural activity, offering workshops, gallery space, cinema and music venue.

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