KMF24 Has a New Look. You Won’t Want to Miss It
We’re incredibly excited to see the return of the full multi-sport, Keswick Mountain Festival on 17-19 May, 2024.
Like previous years we can promise you a wonderfully immersive experience, with an emphasis on outdoor sports, activities, live music, inspirational speakers, and an incredible array of outdoor brands, plus top-notch food and drink stalls. But KMF24 will be different. It’s got a brand-new look. It’s going to be glorious.
You’ll find a bigger schedule of sporting events and outdoor activities, including a new adventure race, revised mountain run, two new hikes, a local schools’ duathlon, trail runs once again from 5k to 50k, open water swims, two cycle sportive routes (one of which is new), and three hiking events (two of which are new). Among the hikes, the ever-popular Keswick 3 Peaks Challenge will be led out by 3 Dads Walking as a fundraiser for the suicide prevention charity Papyrus.
Live and Unleashed
One invigorating new approach will see a change to the live music experience. Instead of the single, open-air stage, we will now have two live music stages for you to enjoy – the Big Top, and the Band Stand.
Each of these stages will see a showcase of incredibly talented, local music acts. Importantly, having two stages will also enable us to deliver a more continuous live music experience from early afternoon till dusk, plus offer protection against any adverse Cumbrian weather. And for the first time, there will also be live music during the day on Sunday at the Band Stand which will be located in the heart of the reimagined food and drink zone.
So, expect chilled out vibes and acoustic sets there, while you unwind after your sporting exertions. Or if you’re feeling the adrenaline, head into the Big Top for some electric performances.
Let’s Do Good While We’re at It.
As you’ve read above with the Papyrus fundraiser, KMF is on a mission to do some good. A mission to make our festival more sustainable, accessible, inclusive and diverse, as well delivering a positive impact for the people of Keswick.
Alongside National Trust, our charity partner, we are launching a new sustainable legacy project with Fix the Fells. We’re inviting everyone who is coming to the Festival to help us on that journey. The aim is to raise £10,000 per year, which will cover the annual cost for the Catbells conservation work. You’ll be able to donate at checkout on the website when buying your tickets. Please do so if you can. Catbells provides our stunning festival backdrop and we think helping preserve this national, natural treasure is a wonderful thing to be part of.
We’ll be working with venues and stakeholders in Keswick, to integrate aspects of the festival into the town, especially the evening programme. So, when the live music stops on Crow Park at 9:00pm on the Friday and Saturday, the ‘after party’ can continue in restaurants and bars throughout Keswick, boosting the benefits for the local economy.
Inspirational Speakers
Not only will 3 Dads Walking be leading out the Keswick 3 Peaks Hike, they will also feature in an enhanced, packed programme of speakers which will take place both on Crow Park and in Theatre by the Lake. Inspiring speakers who will keep you thoroughly entertained over the weekend include David Millar, Louise Minchin, Sean Conway, Chrissie Wellington, Mel Nicholls, Cameron McNeish, Alan Hinkes, James Forrest, Jamie Aarons, Nicky Spinks, Alastair Humphries, Jenny graham, Marta Mizstal, and Black Trail Runners.
Loads More To Enjoy In The Festival Village
We’re upping the amount of activities on Crow Park – activities that everyone can really enjoy, whether you’re young or old.
So, if you live in the area, come on down. There is going to be plenty to keep you entertained. Why not have a go at axe throwing, space hopper racing, or even get up close to birds of prey? And we’ll have more outdoor and travel brands such as adidas, Acai Outdoorwear, and Craghoppers who will be offering unique festival activities, as well as showcasing their marvellous merch.
Exceptional Value
We can’t tell you how grateful we are to every one of you that decides to attend KMF. We’re doing everything we can to keep costs down.
Afterall, we really want you to come! We believe we have an incredible value offer that can’t be matched. If you buy a ‘Sports + Festival’ ticket, you’ll have access to the Big Top live music, daytime Tent Talks, and activities ALL WEEKEND (Friday to Sunday) within this one ticket. That’s a huge value bundle right there. And if sport isn’t your thing, no problem. Simply buy a festival ticket instead for any single day, or for the full weekend.
There are other simplified ticketing options too such as buying just for activities, or to attend one of our inspirational headline speaker sessions. Just choose whatever works for you, and if needed, add in your camping and parking.
Message From Our Festival Director
“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 of you 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 you all back in May.”
Nicola Meadley, Festival Director