Eden Arts has confirm that the Winter Droving Festival cancelled last year due to concerns about heavy winds, will return to the streets of Penrith on Saturday 24th October 2026, marking the event's 15th anniversary.
After a challenging year, and questions over the future of
the droving raised by the Penrith Place action group who's membership includes Penrith
Bid, Town Council Westmorland and Furness Council and the chamber who have in
the past provided grant funding for the
Winter Droving. Despite the cancellation and concerns Eden Arts has said the
festival “emerges stronger, richer in community spirit and brimming with fresh
experiences for families, artists and visitors from across the region”.
The 2026 edition will again showcase the whimsical,
wonderful and mystical traditions that have made Winter Droving a beloved autumn fixture.
The day will open with the ever‑popular fancy
dress for dogs competition, followed by the lively Drover's Cup, and will
culminate in the iconic fire‑torch and lantern procession that
lights up Penrith's streets after dark. This year we have a new Young
Drovers" space which will offer a specific performing area and interactive
workshops for younger participants.
While the full line‑up is still being finalised, we
can reveal that we will be presenting Absolutely Barking - a constellation of
side-show booths created for the Droving that will see a carnival-esque alley
through the centre of town. Added to this will be our much-loved line-up of
jugglers, fire‑eaters, strong‑women and bizarre performances.
Additional entertainers, market stalls and local food vendors will be announced
as we get closer to the event.
The festival continues to generate a substantial economic
boost, historically contributing more than £1 million
to the local economy and attracting between 20,000 and 25,000 visitors
throughout the day. Hundreds of volunteers, traders and artists collaborate
each year to deliver a truly unique experience that celebrates Penrith's
heritage, creativity and community cohesion.
While the 2025 event was forced to cancel at the last minute
because forecasted wind gusts posed a risk to audience, participants and
temporary structures alike, the experience reinforced Eden Arts' unwavering
commitment to public safety. The overwhelming support from the community
following that decision has only strengthened the resolve to make the 2026
festival the safest and most vibrant yet.
Eden Arts are still working through the outcome of last
year's cancellation, which left the charity with a sizeable financial loss as
they were keen to reimburse and pay companies and performers who had been
contracted. The hope is that some outstanding financial arrangements will be
resolved and not impact the planning for this year's event. The public response
has been so positive, and the disappointment of missing the event in 2025 has
been so strong, that Eden Arts have been encouraged to keep the event going and
have worked hard to do so.
"The Winter Droving
2026 is shaping up to be our best yet," said Adrian Lochhead, Director of
Eden Arts. "We are grateful for the ongoing dialogue with the partners and
for the steadfast support of our sponsors, volunteers and visitors. Together we
will ensure the Winter Droving
not only returns but flourishes."
Members of the public can become torch‑carriers
when registration opens in August 2026 via the Eden Arts website. Details for
entering the fancy dress for dogs competition and the Drover's Cup will be
released later this summer. Volunteers are also welcome to assist with crowd
safety, workshops and other festival activities.
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