Kendal Mountain Festival returns from Thursday 19 to Sunday 22 November 2026, transforming venues across Kendal into four days of adventure films, live speakers, book events, activities, parties, trail running and free Basecamp talks.
The organiser describes it as the world's largest outdoor cultural festival and says more than 25,000 outdoor enthusiasts gather in Kendal each November. The planned 2026 scale includes more than 200 live sessions, 300-plus speakers, 150-plus films, over 10 parties and more than 60 activities and workshops.
Tickets and festival passes are already on sale, while newly confirmed events are being added between July and October. This guide was checked against official 2026 festival information on 6 August 2026.
The programme is still growing
The film programme is due in mid-October, and the complete 2026 Festival Programme is expected online during the week beginning 2 November. Session line-ups, availability and venue allocations may change after publication.
Kendal Mountain Festival 2026 at a glance
- Dates: Thursday 19 to Sunday 22 November 2026
- Location: Multiple venues across Kendal
- Main hubs: Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal Leisure Centre and Basecamp at Abbot Hall Park
- Festival Weekend Pass: £205
- Adult day passes: From £25
- Individual tickets: From £7.50
- Free programme: Basecamp and more than 70 non-ticketed talks
- Trail runs: 10km, new 25km and 50km Ultra on Saturday 21 November
- Parking: Limited, with public transport strongly recommended
See the Kendal Mountain Festival event listing and our Kendal destination guide.
What happens at the festival?
The event combines outdoor culture with film, live storytelling and practical activities. The official guide says visitors can expect adventure and nature speakers, world film premieres, feature films, short-film collections, book talks, children's authors, arts events, live music, parties, secret sessions, trail running, family events, environmental talks, yoga and guided outdoor activities.
The programme is released in waves, so it is worth checking the ticket site regularly. Popular talks, parties and small-group activities may sell out.
Festival pass prices
A festival pass covers the named day or the full weekend, but it does not automatically admit the holder to every event. You must still reserve a ticket for each eligible session and cannot book events that overlap.
| Adult pass | Price checked 6 August |
|---|---|
| Festival Weekend Pass | £205 |
| Thursday Day Pass | £25 |
| Friday Day Pass | £70 |
| Saturday Day Pass | £85 |
| Sunday Day Pass | £45 |
Two-Together passes
New for 2026, these passes allow the named pair to book two tickets for eligible events.
| Two-Together pass | Price |
|---|---|
| Weekend | £360 |
| Thursday | £45 |
| Friday | £125 |
| Saturday | £150 |
| Sunday | £80 |
Under-18 passes
The Under-18 pass is principally aimed at teenagers aged 13 to 17. Proof of age is required.
| Under-18 pass | Price |
|---|---|
| Weekend | £130 |
| Thursday | £15 |
| Friday | £40 |
| Saturday | £50 |
| Sunday | £35 |
Parents should note that general film and speaker content is not automatically suitable for children. The festival separately curates family-friendly sessions for younger visitors.
Browse the official programme and buy tickets.
Individual ticket prices
| Event category | Starting price |
|---|---|
| Activities and workshops | From £7.50 |
| Film and book events | From £10.50 |
| Live sessions and speaker events | From £14.50 |
| Music events and parties | From £16.50 |
| Premium events and activities | From £22 |
Individual tickets attract booking charges and cannot normally be cancelled, refunded or swapped. Passes are also non-refundable, although pass holders can cancel session reservations up to 15 minutes before the advertised start time.
What is excluded from passes?
- adidas TERREX Kendal Mountain 10km Trail Run
- The North Face Kendal Mountain 25km Trail Run
- The North Face Kendal Mountain 50km Ultra Run
- SportShoes Quid Games
- Sauna and cold plunge
Under-18 passes have further exclusions, including activities and workshops, secret sessions, parties and Music on Nature events.
Free Basecamp Village
Basecamp is the festival's free social hub in Abbot Hall Park. Visitors can meet outdoor brands, charities and organisations, use the Food and Drink Village and attend talks without buying a festival pass.
The organiser says its three stages will host more than 70 free, non-ticketed talks. Some other free events remain ticketed for capacity reasons.
Main Kendal venues
- Brewery Arts Centre: A major base for films, talks and the festival box office
- Kendal Leisure Centre: Large speaker events
- Abbot Hall Park: Basecamp Village and festival information
- Kendal Town Hall, The Box, Kendal Parish Hall, The Venue and Barrel House: Additional programme venues
Check every ticket carefully and allow enough time to walk between sessions. Read more about Brewery Arts Centre and Kendal Leisure Centre.
When is the full programme released?
Further announcements are being released between July and October, with the film programme due in mid-October. The complete programme is expected online during the week beginning 2 November 2026.
A sensible plan is to book accommodation now, reserve priority sessions as they appear, then rebuild the final itinerary when the full programme lands.
Kendal Mountain Trail Runs
All three races are scheduled for Saturday 21 November 2026 and require separate entry.
10km Trail Run
The returning race uses roads, cobbles, tracks, fields and local fells. Despite its name, the organiser says the route is approximately 11.8km.
New 25km Trail Run
The new 2026 distance bridges the gap between the shorter race and the ultra, combining Kendal's streets with undulating trails, local fells and river paths.
50km Ultra Run
The established ultra follows an undulating route around Kendal and the surrounding fells before finishing at Basecamp.
Entries had not opened when checked on 6 August. Registering interest does not guarantee a place. Check the official trail-run page.
Travelling by train
Kendal station connects with Oxenholme Lake District, Burneside, Staveley and Windermere, plus services towards Lancaster, Preston and Manchester. Oxenholme is on the West Coast Main Line, with direct long-distance services and a short connecting train to Kendal.
Both stations have step-free platform access, although access to platforms 2 and 3 at Oxenholme uses a steep ramp.
Bus and coach travel
Kendal Bus Station is on Blackhall Road. Regional services connect Kendal with surrounding Lake District communities. National Express coaches stop at Lancaster and Penrith, requiring onward travel.
Parking
Kendal becomes extremely busy and town-centre parking is limited. Public transport is strongly recommended. Drivers should use an out-of-centre car park where practical, allow extra time for the one-way system and check closing times before leaving the vehicle.
Blue Badge holders receive an extra hour beyond the paid period in council car parks when the badge is displayed, subject to the current car-park terms.
Accessibility
The festival states that all main venues, including Basecamp, are wheelchair accessible. Venue-specific arrangements vary.
- Free carer or companion tickets for eligible visitors
- Reserved seating for specific access needs
- Programme tags for features such as audio description
- The Pilgrim's Refuge, a warm and lower-key Basecamp space
- Direct support from the festival booking team
Read the official accessibility guidance.
Families and dogs
Family Adventure Films, children's authors, creative events and Basecamp activities are designed for younger audiences. Other sessions may include mature themes or language.
Pets are not allowed inside the main venues or the tented Basecamp Village. Guide dogs are permitted.
Where to stay
Central Kendal accommodation books quickly. Hotels, guest houses, hostels, self-catering cottages and approved campervan spaces are all worth considering.
Search Sykes holiday cottages in and around Kendal. Cumbria Guru may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
You can also browse places to stay in Kendal or consider locations such as Staveley and Windermere that have rail connections.
What to bring
Most ticketed sessions are indoors, but visitors spend plenty of time walking between venues in November weather. Bring warm layers, waterproof clothing, suitable footwear, a charged phone and screenshots or printed copies of tickets.
Final planning advice
Choose one or two priority sessions per day and leave time for walking, meals and Basecamp. Trying to fill every gap usually creates a frantic weekend rather than a better one.
For the latest line-up, use the official programme and the tickets stored in your Eventive account.
Last researched and checked: 6 August 2026.
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