Two days. One harbourside. Plenty going on.
Whitehaven Weekender brings together live performance, music, street theatre, Pride celebrations, family activities, food, creativity and community in one of the most distinctive settings on the Cumbrian coast.
Saturday focuses on outdoor arts, family-friendly activities, walkabout performances and live entertainment across the harbourside. On Sunday, Pride By The Harbourside takes centre stage with a full day of live music, community celebration and a headline performance from Vengaboys.
Whether you're planning a full weekend away, a family day out, or simply looking for something different to do by the water, Whitehaven Weekender is a chance to spend time together, enjoy great performances and experience the harbourside in a whole new way.
Delivered through a partnership between Rosehill, NEAD CIC and Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners.
If you’d like to hear more about line-ups, tickets and ways to get involved, sign up to our mailing list, and we’ll keep you in the loop as plans unfold.
Keep Up To Date
Follow Whitehaven Weekender, Rosehill, NEAD and Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners on Facebook and Instagram (@WhitehavenWeekender, @Rosehilltheatre, @nead.uk and @whitehavenharbourcommissioners) for updates, announcements, and ways to get involved.
We can’t wait to welcome you to Whitehaven for a weekend that’s bold, joyful and proudly shared.
What's Going On
Saturday 29 August | 11:00 – 17:00
Saturday is all about exploring the harbourside and getting involved.
The programme features a mix of outdoor theatre, circus, comedy, live music, creative activities and walkabout performances.
Featured Performances
Justice in Motion – CODE
A powerful outdoor production combining physical theatre, parkour, aerial acrobatics and live music.
Fabularium – There Be Monsters!
Follow Don Quixote and Sancha Panza on a roaming theatrical adventure across five harbour locations.
Levantes Dance Theatre – High Tea (With A Twist!)
A colourful aerial circus and theatre performance featuring professional artists alongside a community cast.
Bread and Butter Theatre – The Van Dunk Brothers
Award-winning dry-land synchronised swimming. Expect goggles, swimming caps and plenty of laughs.
Fairly Famous Family – Liver Cottage Mobile Kitchen
A travelling comedy cooking demonstration serving up audience participation and wonderfully questionable recipes.
Across the Harbour
RockWith at The Hub
A programme of live music showcasing local artists from across Cumbria.
The Vortexes
Towering stilt-walking jellyfish moving through the harbour throughout the day.
Handpicked Productions
Creative family activities including giant flower head hat making and self-guided games.
Plus there'll be loads of activities, stalls, entertainment and attractions to enjoy throughout the harbourside.
Sunday 30 August | 11:00 – 19:00
Sunday belongs to Pride By The Harbourside, a day of music, community, inclusion and celebration centred around the Main Arena.
The line-up includes:
Micky Modelle
The Tomorrow
Conleth Kane
Liam Moorhouse
Mandi Leonard
Drew Henry
Channy
Bev Lyons
Just The Brave
Nikk Mager
Mary Kiani
Blitz Kidz
Sydnie Christmas
Vengaboys
From the first act of the day through to the festival finale, the harbourside will be filled with live music, colour and community spirit.
The main arena on Sunday is ticketed (free with a £3.50 booking fee), but the heart of the festival is open, welcoming and made for everyone.
Tickets for the main arena on Sunday are now available; grab yours now!
What to Expect
Saturday
A relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere with activities happening across the harbourside throughout the day.
You might find yourself following a theatrical adventure around the waterfront, making a flower hat with the family, stopping to watch aerial performers above a tea table or stumbling across a pair of synchronised swimmers nowhere near any water.
Saturday is designed for wandering, exploring and discovering something unexpected.
Sunday
Sunday transforms the harbourside into a vibrant celebration for Pride By The Harbourside.
The Main Arena hosts a full programme of live music and performances, while community groups, visitors, families and friends come together to celebrate individuality, inclusion and pride.
To enjoy the music on Sunday, you'll need to grab a ticket; they're free with a £3.50 booking fee, and you can order them here.
Bring your dancing shoes. Or simply pull up a deckchair and enjoy the atmosphere.
We've partnered with Lakeland Life Events to bring you a special Food Village.
Visitors can expect a wide variety of familiar and new local street food vendors throughout the weekend, with choices to suit a range of tastes and dietary requirements. Plus there'll be a well-stocked bar with plenty of options, so you can kick back and enjoy a cold soft drink or a cheeky pint.
Whether you're looking for a quick bite between performances, a meal with friends or something sweet to enjoy by the water, you'll find plenty of options around the harbourside.
Throughout the weekend, you'll be able to browse a wide range of community, charity, craft and commercial stalls.
The market area will showcase local makers, independent businesses, community organisations and festival partners, providing plenty of opportunities to shop, discover new things and find out more about what's happening across the region.
Planning Your Visit
By Public Transport
Whitehaven Weekender is conveniently accessible via public transport. The nearest train station is Whitehaven, just a few minutes' walk from the festival. For those taking the bus, the closest main bus stop is at Bransty Row, also a short walk away. For more details, check out the links to Whitehaven train station and Stagecoach Bus services.
By Car
Whitehaven is easily accessible via the A595, connecting the town to Carlisle, Workington and the Western Lake District.
Several public car parks are located within walking distance of the harbourside.
Multi Storey Car Park located at Swing Pump Lane - Public parking is on Level 1 & 2 using their PayByPhone service.
Quay Street North Car Park – 52 spaces (for map click here). There is a 2.2 metre height restriction in this Car Park.
Tangier Street Car Park – 34 spaces (for map click here)
Queens Dock Car Park – 55 spaces (for map click here). There is a 2.2 metre height restriction in this Car Park
We're pleased to be offering a free Park & Ride bus service throughout the festival weekend.
Simply park at Rosehill and hop on the bus to the harbourside. When you're ready to head home, get back on the bus on West Strand Street.
The service will run in a loop every 15 minutes.
Timetable: Saturday 29 August, 11:00-17:00
Rosehill (CA28 6SE): on the hour and half past i.e. 11:00, 11:30, 12:00...
Last bus from Rosehill: 16:30
West Strand Street (CA28 7LR): quarter past and quarter to the hour i.e. 11:15, 11:45, 12:15...
Last bus from West Strand Street: 16:45
Timetable: Sunday 30 August, 11:00-19:30
Rosehill (CA28 6SE): on the hour and half past i.e. 11:00, 11:30, 12:00...
Last bus from Rosehill: 19:00
West Strand Street(CA28 7LR): quarter past and quarter to the hour i.e. 11:15, 11:45, 12:15...
Last bus from West Strand Street: 19:15
Planning to make a weekend of it?
Whitehaven and the surrounding area offer accommodation to suit every budget, including:
Hotels like The Edge, Georgian House Hotel and Moresby Hall Hotel
Traditional guest houses like The Mansion and Read Guest House
Self-catering accommodation can be found on Independent Cottages, Sally's Cottages or Sykes Cottages as well as other national holiday accommodation websites.
Camping and caravan sites nearby are Pitches and Pod, Dockray Meadow Club Campsite, The Old Post Office Campsite, with more to be found here.
Whitehaven is also well placed for exploring the wider Western Lake District, making Whitehaven Weekender a great addition to a longer Cumbrian stay.
Our Partners
Rosehill Arts Trust is a leading cultural organisation in West Cumbria, delivering a wide range of creative programmes, artist development initiatives and cross-sector partnerships. They are committed to making arts and culture accessible to all, while supporting the growth and sustainability of the region’s creative sector.
Rosehill aims to promote well-being, enjoyment, and togetherness through socially responsive, community-minded, thought-provoking, and place-inspired cultural experiences and development opportunities.
Northern Equality and Diversity (NEAD CIC) is a community interest company dedicated to creating opportunities for connection, inclusion and belonging across West Cumbria. Through events, creative projects and community engagement, the organisation works to bring people together, celebrate diversity and create spaces where everyone feels welcome.
As the organisation behind Pride By The Harbourside, NEAD CIC has played a leading role in growing one of Cumbria's most vibrant and inclusive community events. Their work is rooted in the belief that strong communities are built through visibility, participation and shared experiences.
Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners are the custodians of one of the UK's most historic and distinctive harbours. Responsible for managing and maintaining the harbour, they play an important role in supporting the economic, cultural and community life of Whitehaven and the wider region.
Alongside their work as a trust port, the Commissioners are committed to ensuring the harbour remains a welcoming and vibrant destination for residents and visitors alike. Through investment, partnership working and support for events, they help create opportunities for people to enjoy and engage with this unique waterfront setting.
As a key partner in Whitehaven Weekender, Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners are helping transform the harbour into a stage for creativity, entertainment and community celebration, showcasing the area as a place where culture, heritage and coastal life come together.
Sponsors & Supporters
Whitehaven Weekender would not be possible without the support of our sponsors and funding partners.
With thanks to:
Copeland Community Fund
Sellafield Ltd
iSH
Mott MacDonald
Cumberland Council
Bite Back Agency
Fir Press
One Aim
Mitie
Cavendish Nuclear
Dobies Charitable Trust
The Cumberland Building Society
Morgan Sindall
Arts Council England
Robin Rigg Community Fund
Their support helps make it possible to bring two days of free and affordable arts, culture, music and community activity to Whitehaven Harbourside.
For sponsorship opportunities, asset requests and media enquiries, please contact Eilidh Brinsley at eilidh.brinsley@rosehilltheatre.co.uk or 01946 514571.
FAQ
We’re looking for friendly, reliable volunteers to help make the weekend feel welcoming, joyful and well organised for everyone who comes along.
If you’re up for being part of the team behind Whitehaven Weekender, we’d love to hear from you.
To find out more and register your interest to volunteer, head to this page on our website.
We're just finalising the schedule, but we'll share it here and on our social media channels as soon as it's ready.
We are committed to making Whitehaven Weekender as accessible as possible for everyone.
Key Accessibility Features:
Wheelchair-Friendly Terrain: The Harbourside area is well-suited for all types of wheelchairs.
Ample Seating: Plenty of seating options will be available throughout the event.
Accessible Toilets: Accessible toilet facilities will be provided.
Calm Points: While the event may be noisy at times, there will be moments of calm throughout the day for those who need a break.
Need Assistance? Our friendly event staff and volunteers are here to help! You'll easily spot them in their yellow high-vis shirts. If you require any assistance or have questions, please don't hesitate to approach one of them.
We are prepared for some inclement weather and will continue running Whitehaven Weekender through showers. During the festival, we will be monitoring the weather forecast. If it appears that the weather is deteriorating and becoming unsafe to continue, we may close early.
Children are more than welcome at Whitehaven Weekender. There'll be plenty of activities on both days for families to take part in and lots to see and do. However, we would suggest just taking a look at the line-up on both days and making sure you're comfortable with the acts and whether you feel they are appropriate for your child's age.
