The Top 5 Christmas Events in Carlisle, UK 2013

Carlisle is a beautiful city located in Cumbria between Scotland and the Lake District. It's full of culture and when Christmas arrives, it's home to some amazing festive attractions. The city comes to life with groups, couples and families from all over flocking to stay in some of the best hotels in Carlisle during the festive period. This article looks at five of the must see Christmas events that will be coming to Carlisle this year.

1. Carlisle Christmas Lights Switch On

The Carlisle Christmas Lights Switch On is the first of the major festive events in the city and takes place on Sunday 17th November 2013 between 2pm and 5.30pm. Jonathan Higgins, the Head Of Entertainment & Events at The Sands Centre and CFM Radio's Robbie Dee will be hosting the afternoon's entertainment, which will include a mixture of celebrity and local talent in the build up to the Christmas lights being turned on. Celebrity performances will come from the X Factor 2013 finalists Miss Dynamix and The Voice UK finalists DIVA! While the local talent programme will feature performances from the Carlisle Dance Academy, Only The Young, the Richard Rose Dance Academy, Room 101, The All New Jersey Boys and The Future Kicks. After the performances, Carlisle's Mayor, Ray Bloxham, will officially open the 2013 festive season in the city by switching on the Carlisle Christmas Lights at 5pm. As this is one of the festive periods top events, it would be a good idea to arrange the best Carlisle accommodation for short breaks in advance, as places will fill up quickly.

2. Carlisle Christmas International Market

The Carlisle Christmas International Market is another fantastic attraction that gives people the chance to pick up some festive gifts and try foods and drinks from all around the world. It will be open from Wednesday 4th December 2013 till Sunday 8th December 2013 and will take place in the heart of the city. It will be home to over 50 stalls from a range of exotic global locations including France, Germany, India and Thailand. In addition to the stalls, the Carlisle Christmas International Market will also feature a 10 metre tall Christmas tree, a Living Nativity which allows people to get up close with the animals and the Magical Snowflake Flurry which fires thousands of paper snowflakes into the sky. Hundreds of prizes will also be on offer and awarded to anyone who manages to grab a golden snowflake.

3. Carlisle Christmas Spectacular

The Carlisle Christmas Spectacular takes place over the last weekend before Christmas Day between Friday 20th December 2013 and Monday 23rd December 2013 at the Borderway Exhibition Centre. The two-hour extravaganza features a cast of over 100 voices, dancers and local talents. It also includes an appearance from Father Christmas and the animals from the Walby Farm Park, making it one of the most unique and memorable festive events of the year.

4. Carlisle Christmas Carol Parade

The Carlisle Christmas Carol Parade is a fun festive event that takes place on Thursday 12th December 2013. The parade begins at 6.15pm at St Cuthbert's Church and includes carol singing in the centre of Carlisle followed by a tasty hog roast in the famous historical Tithe Barn.

5. Santa's Grotto

Father Christmas and his helpers will be setting up a grotto in Carlisle's The Old Town Hall which will be open every weekend between Saturday 30th November 2013 and Sunday 15th December 2013 and then daily between Thursday 19th December 2013 and Tuesday 24th December 2013. Every child who visits the grotto will get to meet Santa and be given a unique, hand wrapped gift.