In 1980, Kendal Mountain Festival was launched, aimed as a gathering to celebrate all aspects of outdoor and adventure culture.
In 2024 it’s grown to be become a world renown event for filmmakers, writers, adventurers – and over 30,000 adventure-seekers and outdoor enthusiasts.
And for the town it’s a chance to showcase what south Cumbria has to offer to an audience made up not just of those keen to conquer crags.
This year’s festival programme is the largest ever. During the four-day event, over 200 live sessions including more than 300 speakers, 180 films, and 80 other activities have been scheduled at venues across the town.
“Kendal Mountain Festival brings visitors from across the UK and beyond, helping put the town on the map as a lively centre for culture and adventure,” Miriam Randall, artistic director of Brewery Arts, said. “It’s a highlight of our annual programme and I hope the partnership between the festival and Brewery Arts continues for many years.”
For the town and wider area the event is a major draw.
“There’s an immense value and importance of the many diverse and widespread events in our area – they really contribute to the quality of life of residents, as well as attracting visitors and contributing to our economic prosperity,” Councillor Virginia Taylor, cabinet member for sustainable communities and localities, Westmorland and Furness Council said.
“The council was delighted to provide financial support to Kendal Mountain Festival in 2022 for 2023/24 and 2024/25, and to be able to extend it for a further year in May, because we recognise the important part it plays in the cultural offer in our area – a fantastic event which attracts thousands of people from far and wide to celebrate adventure, culture, nature and exploration.”
Among guests will be Lhakpa Sherpa whose critically acclaimed Netflix film, Mountain Queen, documents her journey to the top of Mount Everest to secure a brighter future for her daughters.
Martin Hibbert who was severely injured in the Manchester bomb will describe how he was able to climb Kilimanjaro. North American polar explorer Lonnie Dupre will host the UK premiere of his film, AMKA, which explores the relationship between Polar Explorers, Inuit Hunters and the Greenlandic Sled Dog.
“This year’s festival celebrates the theme of ‘balance’, and our speakers truly embody that theme, telling stories that tread the delicate line between risk, achievement, failure, and courage — stories that encompass the spirit of adventure,” Jacqui Scott, CEO of Kendal Mountain Events, said.
The Kendal Mountain Player, the festival’s own streaming platform, is once again available for those unable to attend in person.
For businesses large and small the event acts as a showcase to promote outdoor and adventure brands, from the established to the start-up.
For Kendal-based filmmaker Dom Bush it’s also an opportunity to share his work with a significant audience at one of the most prestigious events in the world.
This year he has an unprecedented six pieces included in the programme.
“I’ve produced films that have been shown at KMF every year for the last 13 years,” Dom says. “I didn’t think I’d got more than a couple selected so get all six included feels like an achievement.”
Westmorland and Furness Council venues including Kendal Town Hall and Abbot Hall park are used throughout the event with the authority keen to entice visitors back to the area and wider region.
“Kendal Mountain Festival really highlights the best of Cumbria, from our stunning landscapes and rich culture to our passion for adventure,” Gill Haigh, managing director, Cumbria Tourism, said. “With a strong focus on walking and outdoor exploration, it inspires visitors to connect with nature, history, and the local community. It’s a wonderful celebration of what makes Cumbria such a special place to visit.”
Work to complete a ‘cultural framework’ for the Westmorland and Furness Council area, setting out new ways of working with local artists and organisations, is underway. It’s hoped the project will lead to a strengthened culture, arts, creative and music scene.
“There’s an immense value and importance of the many diverse and widespread events in our area – they really contribute to the quality of life of residents, as well as attracting visitors and contributing to our economic prosperity,” Councillor Taylor added.
Kendal Mountain Festival begins tomorrow, November 21 and continues until November 24.
