Kirkgate 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 vision is to ensure that creative talent is valued, developed and supported, with opportunities for all to actively enjoy the arts, local heritage and community life as well as being thoroughly entertained!
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WHAT’S ON
The Mastermind (12A)
16th January 2026 2:00pm (Doors open at 1:00 am)
Kirkgate Centre
In 1970, three people wander into a museum in broad daylight and steal four paintings. When holding onto the art proves more difficult than stealing them, it turns Mooney (Josh O’Connor) is relegated to a life on the run. Kelly Reichardt doing a heist movie? That might sound strange after Wendy and Lucy, First Cow, Certain Women, Meek’s Cutoff for ...
Crafts@Kirkgate: Flower Painting for Beginners
17th January 2026 10:00am (Doors open at 9:30 am)
Kirkgate Centre
Join award-winning artist Celia Burbush for a relaxing and playful workshop designed to introduce you to the joy of painting flowers.Covering some introductory exercises to build up your basic understanding of watercolour painting, how to use colour, and the particularities of various flowers, we will move to a longer painting further into the day, following Celia’s lead. Get ready for ...
Another Drop of Flanders & Swann
17th January 2026 8:00pm (Doors open at 7:00 pm)
Kirkgate Centre
BOB PRITCHARD AND MIKE AMES PRESENT ANOTHER DROP OF FLANDERS AND SWANN YET MORE DELIGHTS FROM THEIR SONGBOOK! Following two sell-out performances last Spring, Bob and Mike return with more delights from the Flanders and Swann songbook. Since last appearing at the Kirkgate they’ve travelled the length of Cumbria, from Burgh by Sands down to Millom, gradually adding to their ...
Music for a Winter’s Night: Bitterbeck and Yis Aye
18th January 2026 7:30pm (Doors open at 6:30 pm)
Kirkgate Centre
Bitterbeck and Yis Aye Parlour Concert Sunday January 18th 2025 An uplifting evening of original acoustic music with some of west Cumbria’s finest folk musicians, in the relaxed and intimate surroundings of the Kirkgate’s Egremont Room. An old school collaborative ‘parlour concert’ with two wonderful bands (9 musicians) sharing the stage for a special midwinter treat. Bitterbeck are an easy-going ...