UK Mountain Adventure Festivals in 2024
Last updated: 1st February 2024
Looking for outdoor inspiration?
Check my 2024 pick of mountain adventure festivals across the UK.
I originally wrote this post in November 2023 as Kendal Mountain Festival - arguably the biggest gathering of outdoor adventurers in the UK - was in full swing. Sadly, I couldn’t make it last year, but I have many fond memories of Kendal and other festivals over the years.
They’re always great fun and leave me feeling inspired to get out and get adventuring!
We’re lucky to have tons of options for outdoor mountain adventure festivals in the UK. And they’re spread right across the calendar.
So, whether you’re looking for a big international festival to meet up with friends, something a little smaller, or online streaming, I’ve got you covered.
In date order 👇
BANFF Mountain Film Festival UK Tour
The Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival in Canada has been going since 1976 and is probably one of the best known in the world. It takes place in Oct/Nov and there are online film passes to attend. But, even better, BANFF do a world tour so dates for film collections are available throughout the year in venues across the UK. Dates have been set for 2024 and are sorted via region on the website (Scotland, England, Wales, Ireland, Northern Ireland).
Dates: Various throughout 2024 - see link for full details
Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival
EMFF cancelled their 2024 dates and the team are taking some time off to consider what they’d like to do going forward. The festival normally takes place in February and they hope to run it again in the future, so keep an eye on their website.
Dates: Not running in 2024
Fort William Mountain Festival
Fort William’s 2024 festival is a 20th anniversary celebration. To celebrate, they’re offering a 20% discount on any orders for 5 tickets or more. Talks include Ellie Green, Renee McGregor, Jenny Tough, and Nick Ray who did a solo kayak around Scotland. You’ll also find a snowsports film session, a bike night, running night, and climbing night.
Dates: 15th to 18th February 2024
Braemar Mountain Festival
The next Braemar Mountain Festival will be in 2025 (6th to 9th March 2025). Tickets will be available to buy in Autumn 2024.
Dates: Not running in 2024
Sheffield Adventure Film Festival (ShAFF)
Sheffield, the Outdoor City, is one of the greenest cities in Europe and has the Peak District National Park right on the doorstep. The date for ShAFF was recently changed to 15th & 16th March 2024 - heads up if you made a note of the original one! Some of the 2023 films are still available to view online. And, keep an eye on the website’s event section too because ShAFF On Tour events take place around the UK.
Dates: 15th to 16th March 2024
Keswick Mountain Festival
Keswick Mountain Festival includes outdoor sports, activities, live music, inspirational speakers, and outdoor brands. They’re also planning sporting events and outdoor activities including hikes, runs, cycling, and open water swimming.
Dates: 17th to 19th May 2024
The OMM Festival (Lake District)
This is being billed by the organisers as “the weekend for those who love the outdoors”. You can enter one of the trail races around Grasmere. But there are also also Nordic walking skills and navigation workshops, inspiring guest speakers, running advice, a kit shop, and camping onsite.
Dates: 1st and 2nd June 2024
The Armchair Adventure Festival (Cornwall)
This festival originally started as a virtual adventure travel event during lockdown. It’s now become an in-person festival covering a huge range of activities from kayaking and paddleboarding, through to yoga,, foraging, and cooking demonstrations. There’s also a line up of inspiring adventure speakers, along with live music.
Dates: 25th to 28th July 2024
Alpkit Big Shakeout (Peak District)
The Alpkit Big Shakeout is packed with on and off-site activities. All the proceeds from the Alpkit Big Shakeout go directly to the Alpkit Foundation, which helps to remove barriers for getting outdoors and into wild places.
Dates: 27th to 29th September 2024
Kendal Mountain Festival
Founded in 1980, Kendal Mountain Festival is probably the UK’s biggest and most well known get together of outdoor enthusiasts. The main festival date is in November, but also check the website for Kendal’s tour around the UK which has dates earlier in the year.
Dates: 21st to 24th November 2024
Dundee Mountain Film Festival
Full of inspiring speakers, the Dundee Mountain Film Festival is held at Dundee University. They don’t have a film competition but film makers can use the festival as a showcase for their film.
Dates: 6th to 7th December 2024
Women in Adventure Film Competition – BMC
The 2023 Women in Adventure Film Competition was hosted at Kendal Mountain Festival. You can watch the films online via the link below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFFtrw-lgRU&list=PLTodUXkQjZwzf7uqcaqtlj6QGz0HDbB0k
I plan to keep this post updated and continue supporting our mountain adventure festival organisers. If you know of any great ones which aren’t listed, please get in touch or comment below with details.
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Outdoor-Girl is run by Jacquie Budd, an outdoor adventure and marketing content writer for brands that care about their impact on people and the planet.