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About Us
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
Blue Moon (15)
6th March 2026 7:00pm (Doors open at 6:00 pm)
Kirkgate Centre
Richard Linklater's Blue Moon tells the story of legendary lyricist Lorenz Hart (best known as the lyricist half of the successful songwriting team of Rodgers and Hart) bravely facing the future as his professional and private life unravel at the opening night party for his ex-partner’s, Rodger’s, hit show Oklahoma! By the time this night is over, Hart will have ...
Springsteen on Broadway
7th March 2026 8:00pm (Doors open at 7:00 pm)
Kirkgate Centre
On Sat 7th March we welcome, from The NE STREET BAND, the wonderful Graeme & Louise who will be performing their ‘Springsteen on Broadway’ acoustic show. Graeme & Louise first visited the venue back in 2023 so we are delighted to see them return in 2026 with their wonderful acoustic show. Based on the Boss’s very own Broadway show, they ...
The Sunday Session
8th March 2026 2:00pm (Doors open at 1:45 pm)
Kirkgate Centre
Are you a musician, looking for a place to test out your tunes? Do you sing/play and would love to meet up with other musicians to have a bit of a jam? Our open mic night has evolved! We're starting a new approach, to cater for all, with our Sunday Sessions. Come down for a listen, or bring an instrument ...
At The Drop of Another Hippopotamus @ Bassenthwaite Parish Room – Arts Out West
8th March 2026 2:30pm (Doors open at 2:00 pm)
Bassenthwaite Parish Room
We first concocted this show for the 2024 “Cockermouth Live!” festival. We find it goes down very well with a typical village hall audience (nostalgia plays its part, though you don’t have to be able to remember Flanders and Swann from first time around in the 1950’s !). You may find you already know the songs as soon as we ...