Make the most of May with an exciting line-up of music, theatre, cinema and more!
Longer days and lighter evenings arrive alongside a packed programme of live events, music, theatre and more at Brewery Arts this May.
Across the month, live music takes centre stage with artists including P.P. Arnold, Badly Drawn Boy with Chris Hawkins, The Orb and Peat & Diesel, alongside folk favourites Lady Maisery, Session A9 and Nora Brown & Stephanie Coleman.
You’ll also find powerful spoken word with our brand-new Poetry Club headlined by David Viney, a cracking night of comedy with Tom Stade, and community theatre as Kendal College brings Frozen to life on stage. Alongside this, enjoy standout Cinema, hands-on Creative Learning opportunities, and inspiring Exhibitions throughout the month.
With a Brewery Arts Membership, you can experience new and exciting music, comedy and cinema in 2026. Save on tickets with discounts or 2-for-1 offers. Your membership will help us support and further develop all aspects of our work, including our outstanding programme and learning and engagement provision.
Live Music
Lady Maisery
2 May | 7.30pm | Tickets £20.50, Concs. £18.70 | Theatre
The captivating trio of Rowan Rheingans, Hazel Askew and Hannah James combine rich vocals and multi-instrumental talent to create a powerful, unified sound.
P.P. Arnold
8 May | 7.30pm | Tickets £30*, Concs. £27.25 | Extended Theatre
P.P. Arnold is a real Soul Survivor, and her show promises an intimate evening of songs and stories with a true soul legend. Expect classic hits including The First Cut Is The Deepest and Angel Of The Morning, alongside reflections from an extraordinary career.
*10% off group bookings
Badly Drawn Boy Live & In Conversation with Chris Hawkins
9 May | 7.30pm | Tickets £31.50 | Extended Theatre
One of the UK’s most acclaimed and treasured songwriters, Badly Drawn Boy, aka Damon Gough, performs live in an intimate acoustic set, interwoven with in-depth conversation hosted by BBC 6 Music’s Chris Hawkins.
Session A9
14 May | 7.30pm | Tickets £25, Concs. £22.75 | Theatre
Award-winning Scottish supergroup, Session A9 are a 7-piece band consisting of Kevin Henderson, Adam Sutherland, Gordon Gunn and Charlie McKerron on fiddles, David Robertson on percussion, Marc Clement on guitar and songs, and Brian McAlpine on keyboards.
Peat & Diesel + Special Guest RuMac
26 May | 7pm | Tickets £26.50 Malt Room Standing
Hailing from the Isle of Lewis, this unstoppable trio deliver a show packed with full-throttle anthems, sing-alongs and glorious chaos – and maybe even some new tunes to boot.
Nora Brown & Stephanie Coleman
27 May | 7.30pm | £20.50 Conc. £18.70 | Theatre | Plus support from The Long Nights
Nora will perform in a duo with award-winning fiddler Stephanie Coleman. Together, they share a rich, cross-generational musical partnership, each bringing deep experience shaped by years of international touring and recording with celebrated artists.
30 May | 7.30pm | Tickets £32*, Conc. £29.15 | Malt Room Standing | Plus support from DJ Minali
For over three decades, Alex Paterson has guided The Orb through shifting musical landscapes, never standing still. Recent highlights include Prism and working alongside David Gilmour.
*20% off for Students
View all Music here.
Theatre
Kendal College: Frozen
21-23 May | All shows 7pm* | Tickets £20, Conc. £14 | Theatre
Kendal College’s exceptionally talented Performing Arts students bring Disney’s Frozen to life at Brewery Arts, with the support of the brilliant Theatre Production students who have created a truly magical world of snow, sparkle, and show-stopping spectacle.
*Additional 1pm show on 23 May
View all Theatre here.
Comedy
Tom Stade: Naughty By Nature
21 May | 8pm | Tickets £24.50 | Age Guidance 16+ | Malt Room Seated
Join Tom Stade as he playfully dishes out more of his insightful observations. Direct from the Edinburgh festival and his last smash-hit nationwide tour, the legendary Canadian stand-up star is back on the road with a brand-new show.
View all Comedy here.
Spoken Word
Poetry Club
20 May | 7pm | Tickets £12, Conc. £11.15 | Malt Room Cabaret Seating
Join our brand-new Poetry Club featuring David Viney – a multiple poetry slam winner, workshop facilitator and guest at poetry nights and festivals across the UK.
View all Spoken Word here.
Cinema
May brings a packed programme of cinema and live events – from PARIS 75 and Funny Girl to Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition. The Devil Wears Prada 2 brings high-stakes fashion drama, as Miranda Priestly faces off against a formidable former assistant in a sharp, timely sequel.
Discover gripping real-world storytelling with Our Planet, The People, My Blood (12 May), following Alan Owen’s fight for justice for nuclear test survivors, alongside a special live Q&A with director Daniel Everitt-Lock.
Our Stage on Screen programme brings the best of theatre and opera to the big screen, from the romance of Eugene Onegin live from the Met Opera to Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte from Teatro alla Scala, and the darkly comic The Playboy of the Western World from National Theatre Live.
Plus, Frida Kahlo: The Making of an Icon returns with exclusive new material, offering a vivid and intimate look at one of the world’s most celebrated artists ahead of her major Tate exhibition.
View all Cinema here.
Creative Learning
With our summer courses getting ready to start, there’s still plenty of opportunity to take part. Whether you’re stepping in for the first time or building on your creative exploration in weekly courses, our programme offers a welcoming and supportive space to grow your ideas, build confidence, and explore new ways of making.
Upcoming workshops offer a range of inspiring ways to get creative. Join experienced tutor Catherine MacDiarmid for Begin to Draw in Charcoal, where you’ll discover the fundamentals of charcoal drawing, or explore colour and mark-making in the Floral Acrylics & Mixed Media Workshop, inspired by a still life of fresh summer blooms. You can also take your first steps into ceramics with Introduction to Clay, a popular and hands-on entry into the world of working with clay.
Throughout the month, our regular movement classes invite all ages to get involved, with Get Moving for adults and Mini Movers for little ones, offering a joyful space to explore movement, boost confidence, and connect with others.
View all Creative Learning here.
Exhibitions
Our annual Open Exhibition 2026 once again transforms the gallery from 8 May – 26 Jul, showcasing an exciting collection of local talent across a wide range of media. Carefully selected by our judging panel, this year’s exhibition presents a truly diverse and distinctive range of voices from across Cumbria.
Visitors are invited not only to explore the work on display, but also to have their say by voting for the People’s Choice Award—an opportunity to celebrate your favourite pieces and support local artists.
Our younger creatives aren’t missing out either. Submissions are open for the Young Artist Open 2026, welcoming budding artists aged 4–18. This year’s theme, Adventure, invites you to explore, imagine, and create—whether through drawing, painting, sculpture, or any medium that inspires you.
View all Exhibitions here.
Food & Drink
Our Bar & Restaurant celebrates the flavours of the Lakes with seasonal menus, craft beers and locally sourced ingredients. Drop in before a show, after a workshop, or for a slow morning coffee and soak up the atmosphere at Brewery Arts. This spring, enjoy a selection of fresh additions to the menu, from pulled pork, halloumi or crab salad sliders to baba ghanoush and hot smoked salmon pizza.
When the sun’s out, make the most of Kendal’s largest beer garden – the perfect spot to relax with everything from local craft beers and wines to refreshing soft drinks and non-alcoholic options.
Visit Food & Drink to view the Menu and book a table.
Brewery Social
Throughout May, our Brewery Social events bring even more to the Bar. The Brewery Arts Quiz returns on 20 May, while our bi-weekly Tuesday Social offers a relaxed, collaborative creative evening. Join Jackie, Andy & Friends on 5 May for an informal folk session, and on 19 May, enjoy the rich a cappella harmonies of Close Quarters – with plenty of opportunities to join in or simply sit back and listen.
On 27 May, South Lakes Drinks for Artists, Musicians, Filmmakers and Writers offers a laid-back chance to connect, share ideas and meet fellow creatives. Plus, on Saturday 9 May, Yorkshire Coast Morris Dancers stop by for a free morning of early summer dancing in the beer garden – a lively celebration of English folk tradition.
Visit Brewery Social to find out more.
To become a Brewery Arts Member and save on amazing experiences, click here.
