For when the forecast falls apart in and around Keswick. Everything here is under a roof, or has enough indoor space to be worth the drive anyway.
Stay and Discover at Keswick Museum, a story with Becky and Digby followed by a creative session for under 5s. Free, one booking per family, every term time Wednesday.
Keswick's big Christmas show, made in-house with the music company Goblin: Scrooge, Marley's ghost and the full Dickens, age 6 and up. There is a relaxed performance on 24 November, an audio described show on 5 December, and captioned and signed shows on 12 December.
Santa, underground. A bus takes you up to a hidden entrance, you walk lit tunnels past the elves' workshop and the sleigh chamber, make a wish and get a gift, then come down an underground sledge slope. The mine's own words are that it sells out every year without exception, and at the top of Honister Pass in December, check the road before you set off.
A 55 minute Christmas show for ages 3 and up in the Studio, with magic, music and a malfunctioning robot helping save a forgotten town's Christmas spirit. No interval and under an hour, which is exactly the right length for a first theatre trip. Under 16s must be with an adult ticket holder.
A 45 minute Santa experience at Theatre by the Lake in Keswick with a story, a present and a photo. The 11am slot is just for under 5s. Ages 18 months to 11.
An hour of puppetry and shadow play from Indefinite Articles: Geppetto carves Pinocchio on stage and brushes turn into a fox. Age 4 and up, and a good one for the week after Christmas.