A popular food festival is set to return to Cockermouth for a festive weekend.

Taste Cumbria Christmas, which will take place on December 7 and 8, will feature food, drink, crafts, homewares, and more.

There will be stalls from producers, a visit from Santa, a snow globe, children's book and film characters, and fairground rides.

A Taste Cumbria market trader (Image: Supplied) People attending the event will be able to enjoy chef demonstrations and quiz experts.

Cockermouth's independent shops will also be open for people looking for Christmas shopping inspiration, while pubs, restaurants, and cafes will be serving warming drinks and food.

The Taste Cumbria festival, now in its 15th year, is the county's biggest food festival.

A Taste Cumbria market trader (Image: Supplied) It was created after the 2009 floods that severely affected Cockermouth, with the aim of keeping the town and wider area on the map.

The festival in September brought £2.2 million into the local economy and some businesses reported record sales.

While the festival is free to attend, there will be additional events including the Taste Cumbria Comedy Night at Cockermouth Cricket Club on December 7.

A Taste Cumbria market trader (Image: Supplied) Tickets are available on the Taste Cumbria website.

A Michelin-starred Supper Club at Low Hall the Lakes, with food created by the team from The Cottage in the Wood, is also planned, but this has already sold out.

The events are organised by Cumberland Council.

Councillor Anne Quilter, executive member for vibrant and healthy places, said: "Cockermouth looks gorgeous at Christmas and the last Taste Cumbria event of the year is guaranteed to get you in the festive spirit.

"We always push the 'shop local' message as we appreciate how vital our thriving high streets are for our communities, and that message is particularly important at Christmas when businesses need a sales boost.

"We are blessed with some really special businesses in Cumberland and I would urge you to support them all year round."

The Taste Cumbria Christmas festival receives support from the UK Government's UKSPF scheme and is sponsored by Cockermouth Town Council, The Coffee Kitchen Bakery, Cockermouth & District Chamber of Trade, and Milburns Solicitors, with additional support from RockWith.

For more details visit www.visitallerdale.co.uk/things-to-do/taste-cumbria-christmas.