We are excited to be the host for Cumbria Unity Festival’s Carlisle outing again for 2023.

Come along and join in as we celebrate Carlisle’s diverse communities!

Here is what will be on offer at Carlisle Unity Festival 2023! No matter what time you arrive, you’ll be welcome to join in with all activities.

All day

Community marketplace with stalls and activities from:

• Carlisle One World Centre
• Cumbria Wildlife Trust
• David Simmons
• Growing Well
• Helping Hands
• Carlisle Mencap
• Multicultural Cumbria
• Pride in North Cumbria
• University of Cumbria
• Access to all galleries for Unity Festival attendees, including a brand new pop-up display to celebrate 20 years of Pride in North Cumbria

Whatever time you arrive – there will be something fun to get involved in. Specific timings will be published soon.

Morning

• Music by Ukes Akimbo – 1045-11.30am
• The Dabke Dancers from Syria – 12-12.30pm
• Drop-in workshop creating individual origami which will make a collective Unity sculpture – 11am-12pm
• ‘Carlisle Rewilding’ talk with Lucy, Cumberland Council – 11-11.30am
• Family creative workshop on nature connection with Lucy – 11.30am-12.30pm
• Music-making workshop for all ages on the Gamelan from BlueJam Cumbria – 11am-12.30pm book here
• ‘Yes, but…..’: how to move from powerlessness to empowerment Workshop with Lina Mookerjee* – 11.30am-12.30pm book here
• City Walking Tour 1 with Mark from Carlisle Sight Support* – 11.30am-12.30pm book here

Lunchtime!

12.30 – 1.30pm

Secret Garden Unity Festival Picnic

The Tullie Secret Garden will be open for Unity Festival participants who wish to bring their own food and enjoy some quiet time. There will be extra drinks, areas to relax and mindful origami.

Afternoon

• Spoken word & open mic with SpeakEasy* – 1.30-2.30pm
• Live music by A.SHA – 2.30-3.30pm
• Creative workshop for all ages: creative clay with Alicia – 1.30-3.30pm
• Workshop: Create a graphic sticker to inspired by the new Tullie mural with Lins & Mina – 1.30-3.30pm
• Local ways to get involved with nature (talk with Lizzy + Lucy) – 1.30-2pm
• Zine workshop celebrating The Power of Unity. Make a zine or a collage, write a poem and create our origami sculpture. For ages 10+ with Dani & Chuck – 2-3.30pm
• Improvisation & drama games: fantastic ways to be united! For ages 10+ with Tommy, Katharine & Michael from Whistling Crew – 1.30-2.30pm book here
• Conversation Café: Sustainable Carlisle exploring the ‘Big Picture’ project* – 1.30-2pm
• ‘British Kashmiri diaspora taking climate action for forest restoration in Kashmir’ with Aftab Khan* – 3-3.30pm
• City Walking Tour 2 with Mark from Carlisle Sight Support* – 2-3pm book here
• Film: ‘Temple of Cultures’ documentary about creating the new Tullie mural in May – 3-3.30pm
• At the end of the day – On the Terrace: Finale and thank you to all participants & contributors

This festival is suitable for all ages, but some talks/ workshops may not be appropriate or much fun for children. Activities with a * indicate they may not be family friendly. Young people aged under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Cumbria Unity Festival is delivered by AWAZ Cumbria. There are also festivals held in Barrow and Kendal. Cumbria Unity Festival will also have a presence at the Whitehaven Harbour Festival 1 July 2023.