Muncaster Fringe 2026 is bringing live theatre, comedy, music, poetry, visual arts and workshops to Muncaster Castle and other locations across West Cumbria throughout August.
The month-long combined arts festival is produced by Muncaster Castle and is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Several early-August performances have already taken place, but there is still a strong programme ahead. The remaining confirmed theatre schedule includes the dark comedy WILDER!, two family shows on the Castle Lawn and the £5 astronomy-inspired workshop performance Minding the Heavens in Ravenglass.
Muncaster Fringe 2026 at a glance
- Format: Month-long combined arts festival
- Programme: Live music, theatre, comedy, poetry, visual arts and workshops
- Main base: Muncaster Castle near Ravenglass
- Other venues: Selected locations across West Cumbria
- Supported by: National Lottery public funding through Arts Council England
- Remaining performances in this guide: 20 to 27 August 2026
Remaining Muncaster Fringe performances
| Event | Date | Time | Venue | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WILDER! | 20 & 21 August | 7.30pm; arrivals 7pm | Drawing Room, Muncaster Castle | £22; £17.60 members |
| She Ran Away to the Circus | 24-27 August | 12.15pm | Muncaster Castle Lawn | Included with admission/membership |
| Search for the Missing Sparkle | 24-27 August | 2.45pm | Muncaster Castle Lawn | Included with admission/membership |
| Minding the Heavens | 26 August | 7pm; arrivals 6.30pm | Muncaster Parish Hall, Ravenglass | £5 |
WILDER! at Muncaster Castle
WILDER! plays in the Drawing Room on 20 and 21 August. Arrivals are from 7pm and performances begin at 7.30pm.
Tickets are £22, with a £17.60 Muncaster member price. Muncaster recommends the production for ages 13+ and publishes content warnings covering violence, suicide, domestic violence, depictions of violence and abuse, blood and loud bangs. The Castle bar will be open.
Family theatre on Muncaster Castle Lawn
Families visiting during the final week of August can see two performances by writer and performer Sally Ann Staunton. Both are included with normal Muncaster General Admission tickets and memberships.
She Ran Away to the Circus
The show combines poetic narration, live music, songs, dancing and sensory theatre. It runs for around 40 minutes, is aimed at children aged 3+ and starts at 12.15pm on 24, 25, 26 and 27 August.
Search for the Missing Sparkle
This 30-minute family production combines narration, live music, animation, songs, dancing and sensory theatre. It is designed for children aged 3+ and starts at 2.45pm on 24, 25, 26 and 27 August.
Minding the Heavens in Ravenglass
Minding the Heavens is at Muncaster Parish Hall in Ravenglass on Wednesday 26 August. The £5 workshop performance is a new musical inspired by the Herschel family of astronomers, combining puppetry, music and storytelling. A talk about the Herschel family follows the performance.
Arrivals are from 6.30pm, with the performance starting at 7pm.
What happened to Ravenglaffs?
Muncaster currently marks the planned Ravenglaffs comedy event as postponed. Cumbria Guru is therefore not listing it as a scheduled upcoming event until a replacement date is confirmed.
Do you need a separate Muncaster Fringe ticket?
The two daytime family shows are included with Muncaster General Admission and memberships. WILDER! and Minding the Heavens are separately ticketed.
Planning a visit to Muncaster Castle
For the 2026 main season, Muncaster's gardens are open from 10.30am to 6pm, the Hawk & Owl Centre from 10.30am to 4.30pm and the Castle from 12 noon to 4pm on open days. Castle access can change for private functions.
Standard main-season admission starts from £19.50 for adults and £11 for children aged 3 to 15 for the Gardens, Birds & Activities Pass. The pass including Castle access starts from £24.95 for adults and £14.50 for children. Under-threes are free.
Day-visitor parking is free. Muncaster is around one mile from Ravenglass railway station and can be combined with a trip on the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway.
For full opening, parking and accessibility details, see the Cumbria Guru Muncaster Castle guide.
Information last checked 13 August 2026. Event availability and operational details can change, so check the official Muncaster programme before travelling.
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