The Brilliant Barrow Summer of Fun returns again throughout the school summer holidays to provide a range of fabulous, free, family-friendly activities in the town centre.
The programme of events forms part of Brilliant Barrow’s Place Development project, which aims to help promote the area as an inspirational place to live, work and visit – while boosting the local economy.
The summer line-up will feature screenings of family favourites such as Ice Age, Finding Nemo and Despicable Me at the amphitheatre at the Dock Museum and in the town centre, an Active Cumbria Fun Day, climbing wall at the Dock Museum and popular acts Artworks Art, the Plumber Drummer and Professor Pumpernickel and STEM workshops, as well as the Festival of the Sea at the Dock Museum on 10 August
As part of the Brilliant Barrow weekend on 16/17 August, the project is funding the Soapbox Derby and Push the Boat Out heritage event in the town hall on the Saturday and the Dockside Festival on the Sunday.
And until 5 October the Dock Museum is hosting an exhibition entitled "Dave, a Barrow lad" about Dave Myers and his life in Barrow and beyond.
The programme kicks off with a free screening of Toy Story at the Dock Museum on Thursday (24 July) at 1pm.
Previous events held in 2022, 2023 and 2024 have so far attracted more than 65,000 people to Barrow with both residents and visitors enjoying the line-up of entertainment and activities.
Councillor Jonathan Brook, the Leader of Westmorland and Furness Council and Deputy Chair of the Brilliant Barrow Town Deal Board, said: “The Summer of Fun events have become an annual highlight in Barrow, doing much to inspire and entertain thousands of people, young and old, and showcase the town as a special place with a proud history and exciting future.
"This year's packed programme has something for everyone and I am sure it will be a huge success again."
Westmorland and Furness Council is working with a range of partners to deliver the Brilliant Barrow Town Deal which secured funding to help the town to thrive into the future.
The Place Development project which aims to help attract residents and visitors to the town centre, increasing footfall and boosting the local economy while improving the overall perception of Barrow as a great place to live, work and visit.
Alongside the Summer of Fun, Barrow also enjoys a thriving wider year-round events programme which includes annual favourites such the Brilliant Barrow weekend on August 16 and 17
The Brilliant Barrow initiative is a series of innovative projects funded by £25 million from the Government's Towns Fund designed to help the town and its communities to thrive into the future.
Brilliant Barrow’s Place Development project aims to help promote the area as an inspirational place to live, work and visit – helping attract residents and visitors to the town centre, increasing footfall and boosting the local economy.
Summer of Fun 2025 timetable
Wed 24 July: Film – Toy Story The Dock Museum 1pm
Tuesday 29 July: Film – Finding Nemo Town Square 1pm
Tuesday 5 August: Film – Monsters Inc Town Square 1pm
Thursday 7 August: Active Cumbria presents fun activities and games The Dock Museum 11am to 1pm
Thursday 7 August: Climbing wall The Dock Museum 10am to 4pm
Friday 8 August: Film – Moana Town Square 1pm
Saturday 9 August and Sunday 10 August: Festival of the Sea The Dock Museum
Wednesday 13 August: Film – Despicable Me The Dock Museum 1pm
Saturday 16 August: Soapbox Derby Town Square 10am to 4.30pm
Saturday 16 August: Brilliant Barrow weekend event – Push the Boat Out Barrow Town Hall and courtyard 6pm
Sunday 17 August: Brilliant Barrow weekend event – Dockside Festival The Dock Museum 10am to 4pm
Wednesday 20 August: The Plumber Drummer The Dock Museum 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm
Wednesday 20 August: Artworks Art4All workshops The Dock Museum 11am to 3pm
Thursday 21 August: Film – Ice Age Town Square 1pm
Thursday 28 August: Film – Moana 2 Town Square 1pm
Friday 29 August: Professor Pumpernickel The Dock Museum 11am to 1.30pm
Friday 29 August: STEM workshops The Dock Museum 11am to 2pm
A Town Deal is an agreement in principle between Government, the lead council (Westmorland and Furness Council) and the Town Deal Board (the Brilliant Barrow Town Deal Board). It sets out a vision and strategy for the town, and what each party agrees to do to achieve this vision.
Click here for more information on the Brilliant Barrow Town Deal.