The Winter Droving 2017 in Penrith

Gemma Gibb, Associate Editor
Eden Arts

28 October 2017 Entrance is free

We just love Penrith’s Winter Droving festival which raises a toast to the change in seasons and its rural heritage.

It’s a brilliant time of year to take an alternative Lake District trip for this completely out of the ordinary total town takeover by the clever cultural captains at Eden Arts.

Masks are compulsory as Penrith is transformed for one magical day into a spectacular wonderland of outdoor arts, music, mayhem, fire and masquerade with an always impressive line-up of performance on stages and streets across the town.

A fire and light procession led by the blistering brass and beats of The Baghdaddies sees masked torch bearers “drove” colossal animal lanterns through the streets at dusk. One of our favourite features is the bonkers Drovers Cup competition which includes Pint Passing, Egg Throwing, Sausage Eating (Cumberland of course) and Hay Bale Racing.

Courtesy Graham Wynne

 

A stonking music line-up includes “dance carnage and songs from the heart” from Dansi and festival faves Dope Sick Fly. There’s melodic indie from We Are Quasars, “rock and soul” from The Black Guards and big band sounds from The Balkanics. Dancing in the streets continues with high octane Boom Dang and Blast Furnace.

Curious characters and top notch street performance includes charming shows in Little Fawn Caravan,  Same Difference Arts Periscope revealing unexplored realms above our heads, bonkers fortune telling from Madame Sybilis and explore what happens when two divided people meet in a virtual space in Other Half Productions’ Your Place or Mine.

Expect to see sights that will blow other outdoor arts experiences out of the water.  Join in, dance and, above all, smile and laugh. A lot. With artisan local food and drink galore, The Winter Droving is hands down one of the best events of the year.

 

28 October 2017 Entrance is free

Where to go near The Winter Droving 2017 in Penrith

Gallery
Leeds
Gallery
BLANK_

BLANK_is a Leeds-based gallery, run by the School of Creative Arts at University Centre Leeds. It encompasses a physical exhibition space and a publication that showcases new contemporary visual art…

Chancellors Hotel is a Grade II listed Victorian mansion located in South Manchester surrounded by five acres of beautiful landscaped gardens, in a relaxed, scenic and picturesque setting.
Manchester
Hotel
Chancellors Hotel

Chancellors Hotel is a Grade II listed Victorian mansion located in South Manchester surrounded by five acres of beautiful landscaped gardens, in a relaxed, scenic and picturesque setting.

Kōdo Entrance
City Centre
Restaurant
Kōdo

Kōdo, a secret bar like no other. It is all about discovery. The only way to enter is with a special code, which changes weekly.

MediaCityUK
Café or Coffee Shop
Blanconero

High-level Italian food in Salford Quays, with no less than seven different lasagnas to choose from.

Yoga classes for all levels and aims.
Leeds
Yoga Hero

Yoga Hero offers various classes, including within their studio and online for all levels and all aims.

What's on: Families

Two young visitors looking up at a banner in a case, holding pencils and an activity sheet.
Until
ActivityManchester
2025 Banner Bingo at PHM

Explore the People’s History Museum with your banner bingo card in hand as you navigate their galleries through the lens of craftivism.

free entry

Culture Guides

NEXT: A Primer on Urban Painting production still
Cinema in the North

Street art, LGBTQ+ History Month, and the first film festivals of the year are amongst our cinema highlights this month.

Good Fridaze Family Social at Freight Island
Family things to do in the North

As we edge towards spring we take a look at the best events and activities for families, from theatre to festivals, dinosaur adventures to family raves.

A painting of a young child being bathed in a sink of a 197s style kitchen. Around the sink are a rubber duck, a bottle of  washing up liquid, a jug, a kettle and a mug.
Exhibitions in the North

Galleries are racing to announce new exhibitions so check out our top picks, from art films and nostalgic paintings to Hockney's collages.

Poet Evan Jones
Literature Events in the North

Some of our favourite leftfield live literature regulars are back with their first events of the year – we’ve picked a weird and wonderful heap we think you’ll love.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

Feminist farce, a magical circus show and Oldham Coliseum return with a brand-new off-site show. All in our latest theatre guide.

FKA TWIGS
Music in the North

Masters of minimalism, leftfield electronica and cutting edge pop. We bring you the lot in our latest live music round up.