Keswick Mountain Festival is set to return in 2024 with a new look.
Organisers said the three-day event in May will offer a bigger schedule of sporting events and outdoor activities, including a revised mountain run, schools’ duathlon, a new adventure race, trail runs from 5k to 50k, open water swims, two cycle sportive routes, and more hikes.
The popular Keswick 3 Peaks Challenge will be led out by 3 Dads Walking as a fundraiser for the suicide prevention charity Papyrus.
3 Dads Walking will also feature in a packed programme of speakers at the event. Other speakers include Chrissie Wellington, Timmy Mallett, Sean Conway, Alastair Humphries, Mel Nicholls, Cameron McNeish, Alan Hinkes, Louise Minchin, James Forrest, Jamie Aarons, Nicky Spinks and Black Trail Runners. More names will be added in the months ahead.
For 2024, the festival will take a new approach to live music. On the first two days, there will be a full programme of acts from around the UK appearing on two new stages – the Big Top and the Band Stand – from early afternoon through into the evening on each day.
For the first time, there will also be live music during the day on Sunday, on the bandstand. The full line-up will offer a variety of musical styles, combining established local artistes with up and coming performers.
The Festival Village in Crow Park will be at the heart. As well as hosting the sports events and outdoor activities, speakers and live music, the village will be home to a range of exhibitors and taster activities, along with food and drink.
Founded in 2007, Keswick Mountain Festival, attracts thousands of visitors to Cumbria. The event took a break this year and has used the time to review and refresh how the event will be delivered, organisers said.
Nicola Meadley, festival director, said: “It was a big call to take a break from the full multi-sport festival this year, but it gave us the ideal opportunity to take a deep look at what we want this event to be in the longer term.
“Keswick Mountain Festival is very special to us and to many visitors who share our love of this wonderful part of the world and the outdoors in general. We took the time to reflect on all of that and on the changing nature of big events.
“There are now new and very different challenges involved in delivering a festival like ours in a responsible and sustainable way. We’re really excited about how we’re tackling those head on, in a way that still offers all of the aspects that our regular visitors tell us they love so much, and more.
It’s going to be a vibrant, multi-faceted and inclusive event for everyone, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back next May.”
The event will run from May 17 to May 19.
