THE grand historic market town of Ulverston marks the start of the Christmas season with its fantastic Ulverston Dickensian Christmas Festival on Saturday and Sunday (November 23 & 24, 5pm). Bringing a little piece of Yuletide magic to both young and old, the festival boasts a huge variety of free entertainment, free events for children, Christmas market stalls bulging with festive food and unique gifts, as well as costume competitions, the Christmas lights switch-on, Santa and much more. Ulverstoncouncil.org.uk. 

Free event 

A NEW original comedy about the life of King Richard III has been written by Jessica McDonagh. Called the Car Park King, Every Egg A Bird Theatre Company performs a side-splitting, bizarre play that sees Richard awoken from his car park tomb, fight a curse and protect his two nephews from danger. From witches, human birds, flamboyant French kings, no nonsense policemen, murderers, salesmen, lizards, and magical mushrooms, his journey won't be easy! Showing tomorrow (Friday, 7.30pm) at the Old Laundry Theatre, Bowness. BO 015394-40872. 

Tickets: Adults £15; Fools £14; Student (U25) £7 

THE Lowther Castle Christmas Market, near Penrith, takes place over three days from tomorrow (Friday, 10am-4pm) to Sunday (November 22-24). At last year’s event more than 5,000 peopled trooped through the garden, enjoying the gifts, food and more high-quality items that are on offer. Also, there will be live music and street food vans to add to the atmosphere. 

Just turn up. 

THE World’s Biggest Liar Competition returns to The Bridge Inn, Santon Bridge, tonight (Thursday). Competitors from around the world have five minutes to tell the biggest and most convincing porky they can! The competition evolved because in the 19th century a famous Cumbrian called Will Ritson was the popular publican who lived at the head of the Wasdale Valley. He always kept his customers enthralled with stories of the folk heritage. Being a sincere man who insisted that his tales were true and claimed that the turnips in Wasdale were so big that after the dalesfolk had ‘quarried’ into them for their Sunday lunch, they could be used as sheds for the Herdwick Sheep! So, each year a contest is held to award the title of The Biggest Liar in the World to the person who is worthy of following in the footsteps of Auld Will. 

Tickets £12. 

A BEETLE Drive is to be held on Saturday (November 23, 7pm-9pm) at Sandylands Methodist Church, Sandgate, Kendal. The Beetle Drive game is really easy to learn, though hard to master! But so much fun for families. There will be refreshments and prizes to be won. 

Just turn up. 

THE South are an impressive nine-piece band who feature former members of The Beautiful South including singer Alison Wheeler and lifelong sax player Gaz Birtles. The band play the songs made famous by The Beautiful South, including the No1 hit A Little Time, and bring back the full flavour and arrangements with this exciting live band. On stage at Morecambe’s The Platform on Saturday (November 23, 7.30pm). 

Box office 01524-582803 

Tickets £16; concessions £14; accompanied children are free