Date: 20th - 23rd November 2025
Location: Kendal
Kendal Mountain Festival is a four-day celebration of outdoor culture held each November in Kendal on the edge of the English Lake District.
The festival programs a wide mix of films, live talks, workshops and activities, drawing filmmakers, athletes, writers and outdoor communities together to share stories of adventure, environment and human endeavour.
The event has grown from a small mountaineering film weekend into an international gathering showcasing hundreds of films, dozens of feature events and hundreds of speakers, with a curated programme that includes a dedicated book festival, awards for mountain literature and a central Basecamp Village of outdoor brands, community groups and free stages. Its history stretches back to 1980 and it is now regarded as a major platform for mountain and adventure storytelling, debate and inspiration.
For visitors the festival feels both energetic and inclusive: you can move between packed cinema screenings, intimate on-stage interviews, panel discussions, practical sessions such as guided runs or wild swims, and a lively exhibition hub where gear, photography and conservation projects meet the audience. Many attendees describe leaving both practically inspired and emotionally stirred, with plenty of routes to get involved whether you want film-first immersion or a weekend of active, hands-on events.
Read more about our event partners.