Dust off your masks — Penrith’s much-loved Winter Droving is returning on 25th of October 2025. Thanks to the intervention from Penrith BID and the generous backing of local partners including Leo Group and theidol.com, organisers have today confirm the now legendary free, town-centre festival will go ahead this year after fears a reduction in funding from Westmorland and Furness Council would mean the end of the event in Penrith.
The award-winning Droving has grown from a volunteer parade into a full-day celebration of creativity and community, with a magical torchlight and lantern parade, live music, street theatre, colourful community installations, family attractions, food and craft stalls, and the ever-popular Drovers Cup and dog fancy-dress contest. In 2024, more than 25,000 people enjoyed the day, with around 10,000 lining the parade route at its peak.
“Thanks to the BID and support from Leo Group, idol.com and the many companies who have sponsored lanterns, we’re thrilled to confirm the Droving will take place in October,” said Eden Arts Director Adrian Lochhead. “This festival showcases local, regional and national talent, brings vital visitors to Penrith, and fills the town with pride.”
Penrith BID chairman Darren Broad said:
“We are proud to invest in such a unique event that not only celebrates the character and creativity of Penrith, but also delivers real benefits to local businesses. The Winter Droving is a shining example of how culture and community come together to create lasting impact — not just economically, but in the vibrancy it brings to the town.”
Although the BID’s intervention and these generous contributions secure Winter Droving 2025, a funding gap remains. The event’s growth in scale and spectacle has outpaced available funding — a victim of its own success — and if this year’s event runs at a loss organisers cannot guarantee future editions. Rather than dwell on that risk, the Droving team is inviting the town to join the celebration and help strengthen the festival’s future.
The Winter Droving team say that there are simple, positive ways to show support:
You can buy a Winter Droving lottery ticket — help fund the festival and be in with a chance of winning.
You can also support the Droving via the portal on the Eden Arts website — donate, sign up as a Friend or register to volunteer.
There are always lots of QR codes around town in the lead up to the Droving that take you straight to the supporters page.
Businesses: consider a sponsorship package, there are a few opportunities left.
“Every contribution — large or small — helps keep this free festival thriving,” added Adrian. “We’re enormously grateful to the BID and everyone who has already committed support. Now we’re asking the wider community to join them so the Droving can continue to put Penrith on the map and through the Lottery ticket approach you may win something!”
“We are all busy working on the programme which will be great as usual. There are still opportunities for bands to suggest themselves, for traders to join the market and for the public to sign up to join the parade - last year was the biggest event ever, let’s keep going!”.
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