Carlisle International Market will take over the city centre pedestrianised area from Thursday 27 August to Bank Holiday Monday 31 August. Entry is free, no booking is required and the event is open to the general public. The first stalls open at 9am on Thursday.

According to Cumberland Council, the open-air market will bring together international food, fresh produce, artisan goods, crafts and gifts from traders travelling from across Europe and beyond. Market Place Europe is organising the event with support from the council.

Daily opening times for the bank holiday market

Opening hours vary over the five days, with later starts and earlier finishes on Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday.

Date	Opening hours
Thursday 27 August	9am–6pm
Friday 28 August	9am–6pm
Saturday 29 August	9am–6pm
Sunday 30 August	10am–5pm
Monday 31 August	10am–5pm

The market will be spread through Carlisle city centre’s pedestrianised area. Visitors can attend on any day without reserving a place or buying an admission ticket.

Global food and artisan stalls in the city centre

The food selection ranges from gyros, kebabs, curries and tagines to Afro-Caribbean street food. Burgers, hog roast and dirty fries will also be available, alongside a selection of beers and wines.

For something sweet, the announced line-up includes macarons, tiramisu, baklava, Turkish delight and Portuguese tarts. Fresh produce and other speciality products will add to the choice across the market.

Away from the food stalls, traders will sell handmade jewellery, clothing, candles, garden ornaments, crafts and distinctive gifts. This combination gives visitors the option of stopping for a meal, browsing for artisan products or doing both during one city-centre visit.

Carlisle International Market: five free-entry days

Carlisle’s regular Friday market will continue alongside the international event on 28 August. Its local traders will operate from the top of English Street and the grounds of Carlisle Cathedral, selling produce, crafts, gifts, clothing and other goods.

An 1352 market right will be proclaimed again

The opening day includes a ceremony tied to Carlisle’s medieval trading history. At 10am on Thursday 27 August, the ancient Proclamation will be recited at the Market Cross.

The declaration records Carlisle’s right to hold an annual fair in August, granted to the city’s citizens by King Edward III in 1352. A civic procession will travel from the Old Town Hall to the Market Cross before the reading.

The procession is due to include Mayor of Carlisle Anne Glendinning, Cumberland Council chair Andy Semple, Sword and Mace Bearers and other civic dignitaries. Councillor Anne Quilter, the council’s executive member for Vibrant and Healthy Places, said the market brings traders, residents and visitors together while giving people an opportunity to explore different products and support businesses.

Practical details before setting out

The council announcement confirms the dates, daily opening hours, free admission and pedestrianised city-centre setting. It does not provide specific transport or accessibility arrangements, so visitors who need those details should check the latest information before travelling.

Market Place Europe’s website and Cumberland Council’s social-media channels are the named sources for event updates. No advance booking is required, and the final trading session is scheduled for 10am–5pm on Bank Holiday Monday.

Source: Cumberland Council News

Context & actions About this article

Source check Source trail

The event dates, opening hours, location, programme and entry arrangements were checked against information published by Cumberland Council.

Checks

The five event dates were matched against the published daily schedule.
Each opening and closing time was checked separately.
The city-centre venue and free, no-booking entry arrangements were confirmed.
The Proclamation time, route and historical date were checked against the source.

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