Thank you to everyone who helped make Imagine Festival 2026 such a memorable weekend in Whitehaven.
Across two sunny days, the town was buzzing with creativity, conversation and connection as audiences explored exhibitions, performances, film, music, dance and workshops across the festival venues.
Imagine Festival celebrated work developed by local communities in collaboration with artists, alongside new artistic responses inspired by those shared experiences. It was fantastic to see so many people engaging with the programme, discovering new spaces and celebrating creativity across West Cumbria.
We’d like to say a huge thank you to all of the organisations, artists, venues and supporters who made the festival possible, including Eden Arts, Signal Film, Full of Noises, Art Gene, The Knotted Project, Tiva, Handpicked Productions, Cumberland Council, Arts Council England, The Cumbria Guide, University of Lancashire, Sophie Bass, Nanette Madan, Zoe Forster, Janice Murray, Celia Burbush, Natasha Dawson, Lynda Buckland, Kira Alice, Jake Bragg, Dave Bewick, Jack McNeill, The Edge, The Rum Story and Hope Haven.
And finally, thank you to all the volunteers, participants and audiences who brought Imagine Festival 2026 to life.
We’re incredibly proud of what was achieved together — and grateful to everyone who was part of the festival.
