Kendal Mountain Festival is releasing its first round of tickets for the 2025 event, which this year takes place 20-23 November. The highly-anticipated celebration of adventure, culture, nature and exploration brings thousands of people annually to the Lake District market town of Kendal, and 45 years since it started, the Festival has grown to become the world's biggest event of its type.

This year's packed programme will feature over 300 speakers and 150 films. All the popular big events will be there: Snow Night, Bike Night, the Boardman Tasker Literary Award, Music on Nature, plus the Swim, Climb and Endurance Sessions, with the full lineup of guests to be revealed in the coming months. Entries are also now open for the adidas TERREX 10km Trail Run and The North Face Skyline 50km ultra, both taking place on Saturday 22nd November.

Each year the Festival reveals a theme for the event, and this year's will be 'Hope'. CEO Jacqui Scott says; "Our annual theme subtly supports the curation of our programme and encourages reflection on how hope shapes our relationship with the outdoors, with one another, and with the future. It's a quiet thread that runs through the stories we tell, the challenges we face, and the dreams we pursue."

Climbing and mountaineering remain at the Festival's core celebrating a landmark 50th anniversary. In 1975, the first British climbers reached the summit of Mount Everest in an expedition led by Sir Chris Bonington, and he will be on stage for a one-off event linked to his re-published book Everest The Hard Way.

Returning for its third edition, the Patagonia Human Powered Session will be hosted by ocean activist Cal Major, with Carlos Casas, founder of the Colour Up climbing diversity group. The event brings to the stage individuals with stories from the forefront of outdoor sport and activism, including snowboard Olympian and guide Lesley McKenna, plus activist and searcher-of-the-perfect-line, Nicholas Wolken.

Deo Kato will premiere his film at the Running Session, capturing the gruelling 12,000 kilometres to become the first person to run from Cape Town to London. Joining the session will also be elite mountain runner Scout Adkin, the current leader for the 2025 Mountain Running World Cup series.

The world premiere of Swim Sistas will be screened during the Outdoor Swimming Session. This groundbreaking short documentary celebrates black women's relationship with water and the broader legacy of defying exclusion from aquatic spaces. The film features Olympic marathon swimmer Alice Dearing, teenage athlete Lexi Sandiford, professional rugby player and The Traitors contestant Jasmine Boatswain.

Kendal Mountain Book Festival is woven into the heart of the event and Robert Macfarlane, award-winning author and Book Festival patron, will be on stage to discuss his latest book Is a River Alive?, exploring the concept of rivers as living entities.

Britain's most beloved horticulturist, Carol Klein, talks about the people, places, and plants that have shaped her world in her long awaited lyrical memoir, Hortobiography.

Travel industry trailblazer and co-founder of Bradt Guides, Hilary Bradt, shares her memoir Taking The Risk which recalls 50 years of escapades, surprises, mishaps, disasters and successes.

Celebrated BBC wildlife cameraman, Gordon Buchanan MBE, discusses his moving debut memoir, In the Hide, revealing how a tough childhood led him to find solace and purpose in the wild.

In fiction, master storyteller Sarah Hall talks about her wondrous new book Helm, an elemental tale of a unique force – the Helm wind which sweeps Cross Fell in Cumbria – and the relationship between nature and people.

Climbers will be spoiled for choice with the launch of three large-format books, creating unique events where legendary climbers, spectacular photography and powerful writing will come together. A new edition of Extreme Rock, a long-awaited celebration of Northumberland climbing, and a spectacular book about Scottish winter climbing will all feature well-known names on stage.

Films are also at the core of the Festival, with up to 150 shown over the weekend in collections of shorter films and stand-alone feature-length screenings. Numerous world, European, and UK premieres are expected, with the full programme being released closer to the event. One closely-anticipated highlight will be the BritRock screening of new climbing films from veteran specialist outdoor filmmaker Alastair Lee.

Kendal Co-Director Steve Scott says: "Each year we work hard to curate a programme that connects a global community through powerful storytelling, dynamic events and transformative experiences. The 2025 Festival first ticket release is already proving to be a solid line-up, rich with diverse and fresh perspectives."

Between August and October, Kendal Mountain Festival will release newly confirmed events, with the film programme announced mid-October.

Those unable to attend the Festival in person can watch films through the Kendal Mountain Player, the Festival's own streaming platform.

Kendal Mountain Festival
20 - 23 November 2025
Kendal, Cumbria, UK
Tickets are live: www.kendalmountainfestival.com
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