В Карлайле стартует четырехдневный фестиваль «Карлайл Уикенд» с участием местных бизнесов и мероприятий

A NEW four-day event promises to see businesses, attractions and venues across Carlisle join forces in a celebration of the city. Carlisle Weekend will take place from Thursday, September 24 to Sunday, September 27, with events ranging from a city-wide pub quiz and sports taster sessions to special restaurant offers, tours and family activities. The initiative is being driven by the new Carlisle Business Improvement District (BID), which says it wants people to discover new parts of the city, support local firms and take greater pride in Carlisle. Under the theme 'Unlock our city. Unlock new experiences', organisers are promising behind-the-scenes tours, exclusive experiences and opportunities to discover some of Carlisle's hidden gems. The weekend has deliberately been scheduled to coincide with several major events already taking place in Carlisle. These include the University of Cumbria's open day, Cumbria Pride and a Carlisle United home match, with the BID hoping to bring the different audiences attending them together as part of a wider celebration. BID manager Chandra Pollock said: "Carlisle Weekend is exactly what the BID is here to deliver - bringing businesses, communities and events together to celebrate everything that makes this city special. "We want residents to feel proud of their city and visitors to see Carlisle in a fresh light, while also giving our businesses, attractions and community organisations an opportunity to showcase what they do. "We hope Carlisle Weekend will create a real sense of excitement and give people plenty of reasons to come into the city, stay a little longer and discover something new." Carlisle's new BID began operating this year after businesses voted in favour of its creation in late 2025. Eligible businesses within the BID area pay an annual levy which is used to fund projects aimed at increasing footfall, promoting Carlisle and supporting the city's economy. Events and cultural activities were among the main commitments made when the BID was proposed, with plans including festivals, food and sports offers and other initiatives designed to bring more people into the city. Businesses, attractions and community groups are now being invited to take part in Carlisle Weekend, with the full programme due to be announced in the coming weeks. Carlisle Weekend runs from Thursday, September 24, to Sunday, September 27.