Picnic Cinema: The Big Lebowski (18) at Muncaster Castle

Tom Grieve, Cinema Editor

Book now

Picnic Cinema: The Big Lebowski (18) at Muncaster Castle

11-12 August 2018

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

big lebowski picnic cinema
Eden Arts
Book now

Picnic Cinema bring The Dude to Muncaster Castle this summer with an outdoor screening of the Coen brothers’ comedy The Big Lebowski as part of their Muncaster Castle Weekender.

This meandering Los Angeles neo-noir has such a cult following that it has spawned its own festival, conventions and bars around the world. The plot is straight up Raymond Chandler, only instead of a hard boiled detective chasing down a lead, the film stars Jeff Bridges as Jeffrey Lebowski (he prefers The Dude); a cardigan-ed stoner, with a penchant for bowling, who finds himself embroiled in a mystery when he is mistaken for a rich older philanthropist with the same name.

There are ferrets, nihilists, missing toes and plenty of rug-based comedy; Coen brothers regulars Steve Buscemi and John Goodman appear as The Dude’s bowling buddies, while Julianne Moor stars as a nutty performance artist and Ben Gazzara pops up as a tough pornographer. This 1998 comedy inspires fancy dress wherever it shows, making it perfect for Picnic Cinema’s brand of event screenings.

Guests are encouraged to stick on a beard, grab their jelly sandals and dance away to an eclectic mic of american folk and blues music with some Latin twists inspired by the film. As usual there will be fun and games and camping is available. If camping isn’t your thing then Muncaster Castle also provides onsite accommodation at the Coachman’s Quarters and nearby Pennington Hotel.

Where to go near Picnic Cinema: The Big Lebowski (18) at Muncaster Castle

Chorlton
Restaurant
Horse and Jockey Chorlton

Chorlton’s magnificent Horse and Jockey has had an almighty do-over, transforming it into one of South Manchester’s top must-visit drinking and dining destinations.

The Curling Club - Vinegar Yard
Castlefield
The Curling Club

New Jackson in Manchester is having a full scale seasonal takeover. Think curling lanes, lively bars and a packed line up of DJs and performances.

Chadderton Town Hall
Manchester
Event venue
Chadderton Town Hall

Chadderton Town Hall is a magnificent example of Edwardian architecture . Built in 1912/13 in the style of ‘English Renaissance’ and recently restored maintaining its traditional features in regal reds

Cumbria
Restaurant
Heft

A Michelin star restaurant and homely 17th century inn in the Lake District, with food provided by esteemed chef Kevin Tickle.

Tangerine
Chapel Street
Restaurant
Tangerine

Manchester’s latest must-visit multipurpose venue, offering top-level food, drinks and live shows.

Bar Posie
City Centre
Bar or Pub
Posie

A new cocktail bar from the crack team behind 10 Tib Lane and Henry C.

Manchester
Food hall
Kargo MKT

Mighty food hall in Salford Quays, with around twenty street food vendors, serving a huge range of cuisines.

Asap Coffee Interior/ Counter
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
ASAP Coffee

If you’re looking for quality coffee and a decadent brunch in a setting that nails the Northern Quarter brief, you’d struggle to do better than ASAP Coffee.

What's on: Cinema

ActivityManchester
Film Course: French New Wave at HOME

Coinciding with the release of Richard Linklater’s film Nouvelle Vague, this HOME course offers an accessible overview of one of cinema’s most influential movements.

Culture Guides

A doll with makeup peeks out of a hanging wall of butter yellow fabric. Red and black threads descend and cascade around the doll.
Exhibitions in the North

This season, exhibitions across the North West feel attuned to the world beneath the world – the forces and stories shaping how we see, feel and imagine.

Music in the North

Manchester’s starting the new year with a run of gigs from some of the country’s best underground exports.

A performer in a bright red costume sits on a snowy stage set, holding a large snowball between their legs with a surprised expression. The colourful winter backdrop features snowflakes, hills, a snowman, and a traffic light with glowing lights.
Family things to do in the North

Whether you’re after storybook theatre, museum wanderings or illusion-bending play spaces, there’s plenty to keep curiosity ticking through winter and beyond.

Textured portrait image of Jarman
Theatre in the North

Theatre across the North West splits between festive escape and sharp, urgent work exploring politics, power and resistance.

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night
Cinema in the North

There's no shortage of great films out at the moment, whether you're looking for the latest blockbuster, that hot arthouse flick fresh from Cannes or a cosy classic.

Food and Drink in the North

Hear ye, hear ye. Take some eating-out tips from our wintertime guide to food and drink in Manchester and the North.