for events
Contents
3 Welcome 4 July 10 August 16 August Bank Holiday 18 September
Cover image credit: Dragonfly Festival - WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre
Welcome
Schools out for Summer and there are so many fantastic summer memories waiting to be made. So whether you are looking for a day out with the kids, something to do on your short break or the perfect date night, you will find it all in Lancashire. Summer 2026 sees the return of some of Lancashire’s most popular events, including the World Gravy Wrestling Championships, Clitheroe Food Festival and the spectacular Blackpool Air Show. Alongside these much-loved favorites, we’ve got some brand new events including the latest theatre productions and the brand-new Fleetwood Food, Fish and Music Festival. This handy compact guide is the perfect accompaniment for these summer holidays, providing you with a breakdown of all the great events coming up over the next six weeks – including the upcoming August Bank Holiday weekend. But for even more summer inspiration and latest news be sure to head to our summer pages here. So, what are you waiting for, get planning your visit now! VisitLancashire.com
Whilst every care has been taken to ensure accuracy of the information contained in this publication, Marketing Lancashire can take no responsibility for any errors or omissions. It is advisable to check information on visitlancashire.com online before your travel. No recommendation by Marketing Lancashire is implied by the inclusion of any information and it is not intended to be a comprehensive guide to the whole county of Lancashire.
JULY
The World of Martin Brown: Horrible Histories and Other Dazzling Drawings The Harris Preston 23rd May – 31st August A dazzling display of cartoons and art by best-selling children’s book illustrator Martin Brown. Bringing his imagination vividly to life you can expect original art from Horrible Histories and exclusive content from his latest books.
Moth Mornings Martin Mere Wetland Centre Burscough Now- 30th August Evolution of Magic Pleasure Beach Resort Blackpool Now - 29th August St Annes Monthly Artisan Market St Annes Square St Annes Now - 14th November HA HA Happy Happy Mount Park Morecambe Now - 31st December
Goat Yoga Mrs Dowsons Farm Park Clayton-le-Dale Now - 31st August Pony Grooming HAPPA Burnley Now - 29th December Pony Rides HAPPA Burnley Various Dates Own a Pony Day HAPPA Burnley Various Dates
Festival Bowland Various locations Forest of Bowland All year!
Head to the beautiful Forest of Bowland this summer and take part in one of the many Festival of Bowland events. Celebrating the nature, landscape, culture and heritage of the Forest of Bowland National Landscape.
Whalley Monthly Artisan Market The Swan Car Park, Whalley Town Centre Whalley Various Dates Archaeology-themed Crafts Medieval Tiles and Roman Ships Clitheroe Castle Ribble Valley Now - 31st July Late Night Riding & Fireworks Pleasure Beach Resort Blackpool Now - 29th August Hot Ice Show XC Pleasure Beach Resort Blackpool Now - 10th September The Great Eccleston Agricultural Show The Great Eccleston Agricultural Show Great Eccleston 18th July Baby Boo Takeover day Horse + Bamboo Rossendale 17th July
The Jungle Book Hoghton Tower Hoghton 18th July Lowther’s Ice Cream Festival Lowther Pavilion Theatre Lytham 18th - 19th July Nature and Wild Play Week Brockholes Nature Reserve Preston 18th - 26th July The MET 2026 Larches estate Preston
18th July - 15th August Dragonfly Festival Martin Mere Wetland Centre Burscough 18th July - 31st August Jurassic Adventure Mrs Dowsons Farm Park Clayton-le-Dale 18th July - 31st August Guided tours Samlesbury Hall Samlesbury Various Dates
©Gabi Dawkins
The Dukes Park Show: Robin Hood Williamson Park Lancaster 17th July – 23rd August Williamson Park is transformed into this year’s Dukes Park Show – Robin Hood. Audiences are invited to walk with the story as it unfolds, placing you right at the heart of the adventure.
Dragonfly Festival Martin Mere Wetland Centre Burscough 18th July – 31st August Explore the magical world of dragonflies and dive into a summer full of wondrous new wetland experiences to keep all the family entertained.
Fleetwood Festival of Transport Fleetwood Town Centre Fleetwood 19th July The World of Martin Brown: Nell and the Cave Bear Storytelling Event The Harris Preston 20th July Blue
The Ultimate Pop Party! Viva Blackpool
Blackpool 21st July
Animal Encounter Barton Grange Garden Centre Preston 21st July Pond Dipping Brockholes Nature Reserve Preston 21st July The World of Martin Brown: Young Person Illustrator Masterclass The Harris Preston 21st July
Kanteena Lancaster 20th July
Alice Frozen in a Wonderland of Dreams Pleasure Beach Resort Blackpool 20th July - 10th September
9 to 5 the musical Grand Theatre Blackpool Blackpool 21st - 25th July
Fleetwood Festival of Transport Fleetwood Town Centre Fleetwood 19th July
The streets of Fleetwood will burst into life with the rumble of engines and the sparkle of chrome, as visitors gather to celebrate all things transport.
Tropical Maze Quest Affinity Lancashire Fleetwood 21st - 26th July Introduction to Butterflies and Dragonflies Brockholes Nature Reserve Preston 22nd July Megaslam Wrestling - Viva Showdown! Viva Blackpool Blackpool 22nd July Butterfly Walk Mere Sands Wood Nature Reserve Rufford 22nd July
Dare! (Early Years Show) The Harris Preston 24th July Children’s Creative Workshops Holden Clough Nurseries Bolton-by-Bowland 24th July Sip & Paint at The Potting Shed Studio Barton Grange Garden Centre Preston 24th July High Jinx Blackpool Tower Circus Blackpool 24th and 31st July
Top Secret - The Magic of Science Viva Blackpool Blackpool Various Dates Sound Bath - Music to calm the soul Barton Grange Garden Centre Preston Various Dates Dragonfly Spotting Walks with a Guide Martin Mere Wetland Centre
SeekOut Arts & Music Festival Gisburn Forest
Forest of Bowland 24th - 26th July
Meet Lilo & Stitch with the Tropical Cod Club Affinity Lancashire Fleetwood 25th July Kidz 4 Kidz All Stars Lowther Pavilion & Gardens Lytham 25th July Saturday Openings Lancashire Police Museum Lancaster 25th July - 29th August
Burscough 23rd July Junior Archaeologists Dig Pits Clitheroe Castle Ribble Valley 23rd July
Wanderland Cottam Hall Playing Field Poulton-le-Fylde 25th July Enjoy crafts, workshops and surprise
entertainment everywhere you look at this year’s Wanderland. Expect character meet and greets and lots of adorable stage performances.
Clitheroe Castle Festival of Archaeology Community Hub Day 2026 Clitheroe Castle Ribble Valley 25th July Outdoor Theatre Twelfth Night Gawthorpe Hall Burnley 25th July Mill Fest Holmes Mill Clitheroe 25th July Wartime Nostalgia Becconsall Heritage Park Hesketh Bank 26th July Classic & Performance Motor Show Hoghton Tower Hoghton 26th July Dinosaur and Marine Week Brockholes Nature Reserve Preston 27th July - 2nd August
The Superhero Maze Quest Affinity Lancashire Fleetwood 27th July - 2nd August Summer Workshop: Creative Session & Film Screening (Ages 6+) Lowther Pavilion & Gardens Lytham 28th July Annie Opera House & Winter Gardens
Blackpool 28th July Summer Workshop: Beginner Dance Lowther Pavilion & Gardens Lytham 29th July Beauty And The Beast Lowther Pavilion & Gardens Lytham 29th July
Summer Holiday Grand Theatre Blackpool
Blackpool 29th July
Chorley Flower Show Astley Park Chorley 31st July – 2nd August
The award-winning Chorley Flower Show is back with more entertainment and activities than ever before and plenty of special guests including Charlie Dimmock, David Domney, Rita Millat and more!
Summer Workshop: Photography Lowther Pavilion & Gardens Lytham 30th July Junior Archaeologists: Neolithic Pottery Workshop Clitheroe Castle Museum Clitheroe 30th July Junior Archaeologists: Medieval Tile Pottery Workshop Clitheroe Castle Museum Clitheroe 30th July
K-Pop party East Lancashire Railway Bury 31st July Chorley Flower Show 2026 Astley Park Chorley 31st July - 2nd August Nestival 2026 Brindle Distillery Chorley 31st July - 2nd August
A WIDE VARIETY OF PLACES TO STAY +PLUS POINTS FOR THE VIEW
visitlancashire.com/stay
Assheton Arms: Alfred&Co
AUGUST Festival of Fun Thornton Hall Country Park Thornton-in-Craven 1st - 31st August Meet the Superheroes with Face Painting Affinity Lancashire Fleetwood 1st August Quiet at the Aquarium Sea Life Blackpool Blackpool 1st August Garstang Show 2026 The Garstang Showfield Garstang 1st August Skirmish! Samlesbury Hall Samlesbury 1st - 2nd August Monthly Art and Creative Workshops for Young People The Harris Preston 1st August Mini Makers: Circus Crafts The Whitaker Museum & Art Gallery
Dino-tastic Crafts Clitheroe Castle Clitheroe 1st - 31st August
Quiet at the Clubhouse The Gruffalo & Friends Clubhouse Blackpool 2nd August Lytham Community Comic Con Lowther Pavilion & Gardens Lytham 2nd August Act One Summer School Lancaster Grand Theatre Lancaster 3rd August Magic and Fairytale Week Brockholes Nature Reserve Preston 3rd - 9th August The Minions Maze Quest Affinity Lancashire Fleetwood 3rd - 9th August Dinosaur Adventure Live! Lowther Pavilion & Gardens Lytham 3rd August
Rawtenstall 1st August
Fairy Experience Becconsall Heritage Park Hesketh Bank 4th August Footy Fairy Tales The Harris Preston 4th August
Dinoroar Children’s Competition Hunt Clitheroe Castle Clitheroe 1st - 31st August
Clitheroe Food Festival Clitheroe Town Centre Clitheroe 8th August Clitheroe will be buzzing again as the Clitheroe Food Festival is set to take over the town centre with the biggest street buffet of food and drink you’ve ever sampled.
Family fun afternoon - Garden Games and giant bubbles Gawthorpe Hall Burnley 5th August
The Dino Adventure East Lancashire Railway Bury 7th August Awesome Velda Viking Time! The Muni Theatre Colne Colne 8th August Covent Garden Style Entertainment Preston Markets Preston 8th August
Early Years in Summer The Whitaker Museum & Art Gallery
Rawtenstall 5th August Summer Workshop: Animation Lowther Pavilion & Gardens Lytham 6th August Brockholes Toddle Together Brockholes Nature Reserve Preston 6th August The Wizarding Adventure East Lancashire Railway Bury 6th August
Circus Fun with Felting The Whitaker Museum & Art Gallery
Rawtenstall 8th August
Princess Tea Party Leaping Lizards Play Centre Clitheroe 8th August
Blackpool Air Show Blackpool Promenade Blackpool 8th -9th August
Blackpool Air Show will return this August with some of the world’s finest military and civilian aircraft performing over the iconic seafront.
Fleetwood’s Food, Fish and Music Festival Fleetwood Market Fleetwood 14th – 16th August
This brand-new three-day summer festival will celebrate Fleetwood’s coastal identity, honour its fishing past, and showcase the town’s rich maritime legacy.
Wild Science and Nature Week Brockholes Nature Reserve Preston 10th - 16th August Breakfast with the Gruffalo Leaping Lizards Play Centre Clitheroe 10th August The Monsters Maze Quest Affinity Lancashire Fleetwood 10th - 16th August Mini Scarf Weaving and Colouring The Harris Preston 11th August Great Gawthorpe Gnome Hunt Gawthorpe Hall Burnley 12th August
Summer Workshop: Dance Lowther Pavilion & Gardens Lytham 12th August Summer Workshop: Theatre Sound Lowther Pavilion & Gardens Lytham 13th August
Villain Academy East Lancashire Railway Bury 13th August Minions Mayhem Leaping Lizards Play Centre Clitheroe 14th August
Circus Skills with Sarah The Whitaker Museum & Art Gallery Rawtenstall 15th August
©Andy Bell
Lytham 1940s weekend Lytham Green Lytham 15th – 16th August Lytham re lives the 1940s era with a weekend of forties singing, dancing, historic vehicles, vintage traders and much more!
Lancashire Hawks and Owls Barton Grange Garden Centre Preston 15th - 16th August Fire Feast Night Longridge House Longridge 15th August Preton City Wrestling 2026 Flag Market Preston 15th August Granny Turismo Preston Markets Preston 15th - 17th August Crafting and Upcycling week Brockholes Nature Reserve Preston 17th - 23rd August The Dragons Maze Quest Affinity Lancashire Fleetwood 17th - 23rd August Coast to Cosmo Space Camp Lowther Pavilion & Gardens Lytham 17th August 1938 FA Cup Final Crafts The Harris Preston 18th August Mean Girls Opera House & Winter Gardens Blackpool 18th August
Secret Samlesbury Samlesbury Hall Preston 19th August The Space Explorers Academy Lowther Pavilion & Gardens Lytham 19th August Curator-Led Tour: A Horrible History of Preston The Harris Preston 19th August
Joseph and the amazing technicolor dreamcoast Grand Theatre Blackpool Blackpool 19th - 22nd August Summer Workshop: Filmmaking Lowther Pavilion & Gardens Lytham 20th August Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Hoghton Tower Hoghton 20th August Alice Lowther Pavilion & Gardens Lytham 21st - 23rd August Goldilocks and Friends Teddy Bear Adventure East Lancashire Railway Bury 21st August
Korn Again & Spouky Kids The Continental Preston 22nd August Summer Open Day Anderton Centre Chorley 22nd August Covent Garden Style Entertainment Preston Markets Preston 22nd August Make a Star Mask The Whitaker Museum & Art Gallery Rawtenstall 22nd August Peppa Pig East Lancashire Railway Bury 22nd August Travel to Wonderland East Lancashire Railway Bury 23rd August Heritage Vehicle Fair Becconsall Heritage Park Hesketh Bank 23rd August A Day of Knights with the Silver School of Arms Clitheroe Castle Clitheroe 23rd August
The Dinosaur Maze Quest Affinity Lancashire Fleetwood 24th - 27th August Lego Week Brockholes Nature Reserve Preston 24th - 28th August Fireman Sam Live! - The
Lost Pirate Treasure Lowther Pavilion & Gardens Lytham 24th August Escape 2 Make Mini Heritage Festival The Harris Preston 25th August
The Big Bad Wolf Lowther Pavilion & Gardens Lytham 26th August Art Challenge! Calling All 14-19 Year Olds The Harris Preston 26th August Summer Workshop: Play in A Day Lowther Pavilion & Gardens Lytham 27th August Brockholes Family Bat Walk Brockholes Nature Reserve Preston 27th August
in Summer
www.visitlancashire.com/summer
St Annes Visit England/Zedmill
AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY
Theatre in the Park - The Tales of Peter Rabbit Worden Park Leyland 27th August Theatre in the Park - Treasure Island Astley Park Chorley 28th August The bank holiday weekend will be here before we know it. Make the most of your long weekend by checking out one of these exciting Lancashire events.
From family days out to long awaited catch ups, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Head to visitlancashire.com and start planning your perfect long weekend.
The Jurassic Takeover Affinity Lancashire Fleetwood 29th August DJ Sammy & More Love the 90s Fest Opera House & Winter Gardens Blackpool 29th August
Darwen Festival of Fun Darwen Market Square Darwen 29th August
There’s lots of family fun planned for Darwen Festival of fun, with a vibrant programme including creative activities, artisan markets and delicious street food.
Amazing Accrington soapbox challenge Accrington Town Centre Accrington 29th August
The much-loved soapbox challenge is returning with this year’s event being movie themed! You can expect lots of family fun including some new bumper-style car rides and live music.
Dr Snott’s Slime Workshop Showtown Blackpool Blackpool 29th August Hometown Glory Candlelit Concert Lowther Pavilion & Gardens Lytham 29th August Circus Skills Martin Mere Wetland Centre Burscough
The Toybox Takeover Affinity Lancashire Fleetwood 30th August GirlyPop Live Opera House & Winter Gardens Blackpool 30th August K-Pop Demon Hunters Takeover Affinity Lancashire Fleetwood 31st August Summer Workshop: Storytime & Creative Session Lowther Pavilion & Gardens Lytham 31st August
29th - 31st August Fat Cat Brass Preston Markets Preston 29th August
World Gravy Wrestling Championships Bacup Cricket Club Bacup 31st August
The wild and whacky world gravy wrestling competition is back, once again raising money for charity. This year’s event will be in the new home of Bacup Cricket Club.
SEPTEMBER
Ride the Lights Blackpool Promenade Blackpool 1st September
For one night only, the six miles of promenade will be closed to give thousands of cyclists an opportunity to get a sneak preview of this year’s illuminations.
©VisitBlackpool
Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show Grand Theatre Blackpool Blackpool 1st - 2nd September Animal Crossing: New Horizons Sea Life Blackpool Blackpool 1st September The British Country Music Festival Winter Gardens Blackpool Blackpool 4th - 6th September
Blackpool Illuminations Switch On Blackpool Tower Festival Blackpool 4th September Blackpool Illuminations Blackpool Promenade Blackpool from 4th September - 1st November Goosefest Martin Mere Wetland Centre Burscough 5th September - 18th October
St Annes International Kite Festival St Anne’s seafront St Annes 4th – 6th September The skies above St Anne’s seafront will be awash with colour once again as fabulous display kites take to the air.
PLANNING YOUR TRIP
By Road The M6 runs right through Lancashire connecting to the M61, M65, M55 and several major A roads. In less than an hour’s drive from Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds you could be exploring the vast Pennine Fells, beautiful Ribble Valley or driving along the world famous Blackpool promenade. By Water If you’re lucky enough to travel by water then both the Lancaster canal and Leeds-Liverpool canal give you the chance to sail right into the heart of places like Lancaster, Garstang and Burnley, whilst you’ll also get amazing views of our stunning countryside and wildlife on route.
By Rail Lancashire has excellent rail connections from all over the country – just two hours from London on the West Coast Line with Avanti West Coast with stations at Preston and Lancaster. Change at Preston to reach the towns of Clitheroe, Burnley, Blackburn, Colne and Ormskirk. There are also direct trains traveling from Manchester to most Lancashire By Air Both Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Manchester Airport have frequent flights serving Europe and international airports including Beijing, Hong Kong and New York. Manchester Airport has direct trains to many Lancashire destinations every 30 minutes and it’s less than an hour’s drive from Manchester to Preston. By Bike Bring your bike to Lancashire (or hire one when you get here) and appreciate the variety of terrain and breath-taking views. You can pick up hire bikes from a number of railway stations including Morecambe, Blackburn, Preston and Ormskirk, all at reasonable prices. Leisure Lakes Bikes in Lancaster city centre has a range of hire bikes including electric and hybrid, and Blackpool hire scheme has comfortable yellow bikes from the Palatine Leisure Centre. See cyclelancashire.com for a full list of cycle hire venues.
2 HRS BY TRAIN GLASGOW
2.5 HRS BY CAR NEWCASTLE AIRPORT
LEEDS
1.5 HRS BY CAR
2.5 HRS BY CAR HULL PORT
LESS THAN AN HOUR BY CAR LIVERPOOL AIRPORT & CRUISE TERMINAL
LESS THAN AN HOUR BY CAR MANCHESTER AIRPORT
2.5 HOURS BY CAR BIRMINGHAM
2 HOURS BY TRAIN LONDON
For more information on travelling to and around Lancashire go to visitlancashire.com
LAKE DISTRICT
KIRKBY LONSDALE
ARNSIDE & SILVERDALE AONB
YORKSHIRE DALES
CARNFORTH
M6
A683
A6
MORECAMBE
LANCASTER
A65
HEYSHAM
FOREST OF BOWLAND AONB
A682
A6068
SCORTON
A588
SAWLEY
BARNOLDSWICK
FLEETWOOD
WHITEWELL
A587
A56
GARSTANG
A682
CHIPPING
CLEVELEYS
CLITHEROE
THORNTON
A586
A6068
A585
PENDLE HILL
COLNE
POULTON LE FYLDE
A59
NELSON
A6068
BLACKPOOL
LONGRIDGE
WHALLEY
A6
RIBCHESTER
PADIHAM
A671
M55
BURNLEY
A680
KIRKHAM
M65
A677
PRESTON
A584
A583
ACCRINGTON
A646
BLACKBURN
ST ANNES ON SEA LYTHAM
A675
A671
A682
A59
M65
HASLINGDEN
A6177
BACUP
RAWTENSTALL
DARWEN
A681
LEYLAND
A565
A675
A666
A581
CHORLEY
RUFFORD
RIVINGTON
A570
A6
M66
A49
A5209
A5147
BURSCOUGH
M6
GREATER MANCHESTER
ORMSKIRK
M61
A577
A570
A59
M58
A565
STAY IN TOUCH Follow and like Visit Lancashire to stay up to date on events, offers and the latest news
VisitLancashire
@VisitLancashire @visitlancashire @VisitLancashire
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20Powered by FlippingBook