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2025 is our 30th anniversary!

Celebrate with us throughout the year with our 30th anniversary events…

30th Anniversary Summer Film Festival – from July 19th

We’re showing 30 films to celebrate our 30 years, one film from each year since the Kirkgate Centre opened. Each title will have a local connection, see if you can work them all out once the films are announced!
We will be releasing the films for bookings soon, but in the meantime you can purchase a film pass, which will give you the option of booking to see every one of the 30 films for just £30.
For a sneaky peek at the titles we’ll be screening click here. Times and tickets available soon…

Anniversary Party! – Saturday 11th October

Join us at The Kirkgate for a New Orleans speakeasy style celebration with the 1920s swing jazz band Alligator Gumbo, there’ll be food with a Cajun twist and you’ll have a final chance to buy your 30th birthday raffle tickets.
This a chance to celebrate 30 years of The Kirkgate in style, so put on your fanciest frocks, invite all your friends and get ready to groove the night away.

30th Anniversary Raffle – to be drawn mid October

With  30 prizes for our 30 years including a private film screening with dinner for two from Wild Zucchinis, a house concert from At The Drop of Another Hippopotamus, bespoke glass art, a voucher for The Kirkstile + a case of beer and many more! Raffle entry is £5 either online or through our box office.

ENTER THE RAFFLE HERE

Seller registration is now open for our Autumn 2025 Cockfrock event. This ever popular sale of pre-loved ladies fashions and accessories is the biggest pop up sale of it’s kind in the North West! For more information on being a seller with Cockfrock click here.

We have an exciting new opportunity at Kirkgate Arts & Heritage click here to find out more about a new voluntary role working alongside our executive team.

Kirkgate Arts and Heritage Cockermouth Venue for Theatre Films Music The Kirkgate Centre is an entertainment and cultural venue at the heart of the lively community of Cockermouth, Cumbria.

We celebrate our local talent and heritage, and bring top quality professional entertainment to our town and many other communities across the area to the west of the Lake District National Park.

Whether you enjoy films on a big screen, live music, theatre, exhibitions, shows for children and families or community events, Kirkgate has something for everyone. Our quirky character makes us a special venue for weddings, parties, festivals and conferences.

Our mission:

“Creative talent is valued, developed, and supported with opportunities for all to actively engage with and enjoy the arts, our local heritage and community life”

Our values:

Commitment – Our staff and volunteers are dedicated to delivering our mission.

Inclusion – We aim to make art, heritage, and culture accessible to all our communities.

Sustainability – We aim to ensure that the organisation is secure for future generations from both financial and environmental perspective.

Nurturing – We aim to provide an environment that encourages growth, development of skills confidence and enjoyment for all.

WHAT’S ON

On Falling (15)

23rd June 2025 8:00pm (Doors open at 7:00 pm)

Kirkgate Centre

Category: Film

ON FALLING tells the story of Aurora, a Portuguese warehouse picker working in a vast fulfilment centre in Scotland. Trapped between the confines of her workplace and the solitude of her flatshare, Aurora seeks to resist the loneliness, alienation and ensuing small talk which begin to threaten her sense of self. Set against a landscape dominated by an algorithm-driven gig ...

Cooking@Kirkgate: Veg pie and pud!

25th June 2025 9:30am

Kirkgate Centre

Category: Join In

On the menu today: Vegetable and herb pie and fresh fruit cheese cakes! Join Helen's Herbs for a morning of culinary creativity. All materials provided.

On Falling (15)

25th June 2025 2:00pm (Doors open at 1:00 pm)

Kirkgate Centre

Category: Film

ON FALLING tells the story of Aurora, a Portuguese warehouse picker working in a vast fulfilment centre in Scotland. Trapped between the confines of her workplace and the solitude of her flatshare, Aurora seeks to resist the loneliness, alienation and ensuing small talk which begin to threaten her sense of self. Set against a landscape dominated by an algorithm-driven gig ...

Black Bag (15)

27th June 2025 7:00pm (Doors open at 6:00 pm)

Kirkgate Centre

Category: Film

Black Bag is a gripping spy drama about legendary agents George Woodhouse and his beloved wife, Kathryn. When Kathryn is suspected of betraying the nation, George faces the ultimate test of whether to be loyal to his marriage, or his country. Endlessly entertaining, Black Bag is a masterclass in sleek, sexy, and intelligent filmmaking. With razor-sharp dialogue, visually stunning compositions, ...
Testimonials

I remember fondly our time at the Kirkgate a couple of years ago, the warm and intimate atmosphere and the friendly welcome.

Kiki Dee

 The Kirkgate is my ideal venue. Intimate and warm, staffed by passionate folks who really care about The Arts and about their local community. It has a beating heart, even more so due to the eager enthusiastic volunteers who help run it.

Snake Davis

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Cockermouth and had a great evening at the Kirkgate, the venue and staff were fantastic. We look forward to returning sometime in the future.

Kevin Morris & Dr Feelgood