Kendal Torchlight festival cancelled
BBCA festival which has entertained a town for more than 50 years has cancelled this year's event because of a lack of funding.
The Kendal Torchlight Carnival was set to take place on 26 September but the organisers have confirmed the 2026 event will not go ahead due to "operational costs and insufficient confirmed funding".
The festival started in 1970, and included live music, street theatre, creative workshops and a parade known as the Torchlight Procession.
Its organisers said "pressing pause" on the festival would be incredibly hard, but that it was the "right decision to protect the future of this much loved tradition".
A spokesperson said: "This year gives us the space to rebuild, strengthen our foundations, and work with the community to ensure Torchlight can thrive for another 55 years.
"We're pressing pause this year, so Torchlight can thrive long-term."
'Disappointing'
This will only be the second time the festival has not gone ahead for reasons other than the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the event's website.
Kendal Torchlight Procession Ltd, which runs the carnival, said rising costs for infrastructure, safety and logistics combined with less private sector funding meant it would not be able to deliver the event to the "standard the community deserves".
The team said it would use the year to develop a long-term plan to allow Torchlight to continue for "generations to come".
The company said it would like to hear from anyone who wanted to help shape the festival's future, including businesses, community groups, artists, and volunteers.
"We know this news will be disappointing, but we hope the community understands that this decision has been made with the long-term health of the event at heart," it said.
"With your support, we are confident that Torchlight will return stronger, more sustainable, and more community led than ever."
