Welcome to the home of Arts and Culture in Penrith
Penrith is an historic town in Cumbria which boasts a variety of cultural attractions. From historic buildings, a grade 1 listed church and castle dating back to the 14th century to a museum, community theatre and a thriving music scene. It also is home to award winning, nationally acclaimed festivals, creative arts, galleries, cinema and Rheged – a multi-purpose centre offering: cinema, retail, exhibitions, arts, and conference spaces.
Penrith has a lot to offer, and with so many fantastic organisations putting on a variety of different events / activities throughout the year it can be hard to find exactly what you’re looking for.
That is why Penrith Town Council have brought Penrith’s cultural and artistic groups together, to provide a one stop shop for events in Penrith and more information about the organisations running those events.
Our aim is to develop a programme of high-quality sustainable community inspired and tourism-based events, activities, resources, and festivals to provide inclusive community, economic, and social benefit.
What's on in Penrith...
Every Week
What's On @ BlueJam
Get involved with activities every day of the week at BlueJam Arts!
Every Tuesday
The Outside Club at Pategill Park
Play games, Climb trees, Make cool things and Make dens! Every Tuesday at Pategill Park between 4:30pm and 6:30pm
5-8 Jun
The Dresser
THE Dresser by Ronald Harwood is a witty and poignant play about a touring theatre company in wartime Britain. As bombs fall around them the show must go on. The action takes place backstage where the domineering actor -manager, Sir, is propped up by his long suffering wife, and Norman his devoted dresser, so he can perform his final King Lear.
6 June
80th Anniversary of D-Day
14 Jun
Sherlock's Excellent Adventure
Following five years of touring theatres across the UK, Made in Motor-City are recognised as one of the UKs leading Motown tributes.
Their performances recreate the classic music & sounds of Motown Records during the 1960s/70s. The band comprises high quality musicians dedicated to recreating the authentic sounds of Detroit, (the motor-city) fronted by the incredible talents of the bands three female vocalists, Christine Gregory, Amber Kuti & Lesley Ball McCoy (The MiMettes).
19 June
Harry Baker: Wonderful
After a sellout Edinburgh Fringe Run and subsequent 40-date UK Tour, World Poetry Slam Champion Harry Baker is back with a brand new show celebrating the wonder that is being alive. Harry Baker brings his signature playfulness and poignancy that has made him a fan favourite and reached millions of people all over the world.
21 Jun
10CCLO
Remember these? Dreadlock Holiday, Mr Blue Sky, I’m Mandy Fly me, Livin’ Thing, Evil Woman, The Things We Do for Love, Wild West Hero, Life is a Minestrone, Art for Art’s Sake, Turn To Stone, I’m not in Love, Roll Over Beethoven, Rubber Bullets… Just a few among the many massive hits that make up the timeless repertoire of 10CC and The Electric Light Orchestra.
The songs of 10cc and ELO are worldwide rock classics that over the passing decades have remained in the hearts of millions of fans… and in the hearts of the musicians that make up the only tribute band in the world to these 2 incredible bands from the last 4 decades.
We don’t dress up or put on wigs to look like the original artists, we do however bring the musical quality of both bands to life with hit after hit, fantastic video visuals and a good bit of banter thrown in for good measure. You are a guaranteed a great night to remember!
22 Jun
The Dresser
Follow Sherlock Holmes and his incomparable sidekick Dr John Watson on this riveting, hitherto unpublished case...
Damsel in distress Lucy Matravers engages Arthur Conan Doyle's famous sleuth Holmes and his partner Watson to resolve a dispute over a family will.
Little do they know that this small case brings Holmes straight into the clutches of his arch enemy, James Moriarty!
This hilarious spoof is taken on by four actors, minimal furnishings and a ton of jolly-good fun!
30-31 Aug
Kings, Witches, Lovers, and Souls.
A compass of Cumbrian legends.
This short music drama takes audiences anticlockwise around old Cumbria from west to north, pausing to uncover old tales of battles, spirits, loyalty, love, betrayal, and superstition. From ruined abbeys to enchanted stone circles, watery secrets to ghostly cairns, this is a folkloric tour of the magic of Eden, the Lakes, and the Dales.
'The Cumbria Opera Group are the pinnacle of performing arts in Cumbria' - Seen and Heard International.
6 Sep
Tom as Usual
Close your eyes and Robert IS Tom Jones - open them up again - and he’s STILL Tom! The look, the mannerisms, the moves, the accent - and most of all - THE VOICE.
Astonishing vocals from an astonishing vocalist - and all backed by a superb ban, who’s energy really brings Sir Tom's classic songs to life!
13 Sep
Support Your Local Library: A Gothic/Pub Rock Opera!
A love letter to literature and libraries, this comedy musical two hander celebrates the written word and the power it gives us. A laugh out loud satire, Ruth and Keith mix song, word play and wisdom to bring you this twisted tale. But be prepared, these two also have their own tale to tell; just as hilarious as the musical they are performing.
This hilarious spoof is taken on by four actors, minimal furnishings and a ton of jolly-good fun!
14 Sep
Anthems Of Rock
Some people just wish they lived in another era, the era of classic rock!
Anthems of Rock takes you back to the heyday of 80’s rock. Telling the story of how 3 men born in the 90’s grew up listening to what they define as ‘real music’ and have to come to terms with the fact that not only were they born too late to experience it but the music industry has moved on; or has it?
This rock opera is like nothing you’ve seen before!
21 Sep
The Jerseys
Join The Jerseys as we celebrate the timeless music of the 100 million album selling Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons.
Incredible falsettos, beautiful acapellas - the authenticity of the sublime harmonies of the 60s and 70s - with a huge repertoire! This is much more than just another tribute show - this is a celebration of fantastic music performed by an array of incredible talent.
This hilarious spoof is taken on by four actors, minimal furnishings and a ton of jolly-good fun!
27 Sep
Masters Of The Scene - ABBA The Show
Calling all Mamma Mia fans!
Masters of the Scene - ABBA the Show is an internationally acclaimed ABBA tribute show touring theatres across the UK and Europe.
Based on ABBA's phenomenal 1979 tour - "Live at Wembley Arena", and with a fully live band, Masters of the Scene create a unique and exquisitely accurate tribute to ABBA.
26 Oct
Death At Sea
A small theatre company are performing their new murder-mystery play 'Death at Sea', but despite their best efforts, everything goes wrong!
Their play, 'Death at Sea', is a thrilling murder mystery set on a small ship carrying just five passengers and its Captain.
8 Nov
Fleetwood Shack
Established in 2021, FLEETWOOD SHACK are a band of professional musicians who have come together to pay tribute to one of the best bands to ever grace the charts… FLEETWOOD MAC!
9 Nov
The Music of Simon and Garfunkel
The Sounds of Simon is a tribute to the wonderful music of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, through the years as Simon and Garfunkel, to the successes of both their solo careers.
21 Feb 2025
The Cavern Beat Club ft.The Fabs
18 May 2025
Ready Steady 60's
Rated as the top authentic sounding 60’s show!
28 June 2025
Eltonesque
As seen live on Channel 4s The Last Leg and played on Virgin Radio’s Chris Evans breakfast show.
If you want the most realistic Elton John experience then look no further than ELTONESQUE.
The Penrith Arts and Culture Group are always looking for more groups to bolster our membership. If you would like to get involved and to have your groups information and events on this website please email: cso@penrithtowncouncil.gov.uk