Light up Lancaster
Photo by Robin Zahler Events
As the days get shorter and the leaves begin to fall, Lancashire comes alive with an array of events set to light up the darker autumn skies.
The early autumn months bring the soft glow of carved pumpkins, the spectacular firework displays, and the delight of festivals of light, perfect for all the family to enjoy. Throughout the later months, you’ll find outdoor concerts, Christmas light switch ons and beautiful historic halls shrouded in colour.
And lets not forget the dazzling jewel in Lancashire’s crown, the awe-inspiring Blackpool Illuminations, which run from now all the way into the new year, and are definitely not one to be missed!
Then as the nights get colder and winter rolls in you’ll find plenty of heart warming events to enjoy, from meeting Santa and his friends, to laugh out loud Pantomimes, bustling festive markets and delightful carol concerts.
This handy guide will provide you with an overview of all the fantastic events in Lancashire from October to December, including October Half Term, Halloween and Christmas!
With all these wonderful things going on, it is a fantastic time to book a short break too, so why not plan something extra special.
Get booking 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.
Holmes Mill
Ribble Valley 29th September - 2nd October
Chorley Theatre Chorley
1st October
Winter Gardens Blackpool Blackpool
1st October
The Muni Theatre
Pendle
1st October
Promenade, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 5YA 2nd September - 2nd January
Six miles of traditional festoons, tableaux and interactive features along the Promenade, no wonder it’s known as the greatest free light show on Earth! visitblackpool.com
Winter Gardens Blackpool Blackpool 1st October Abbamania
King George’s Hall Blackburn 1st October
Contemporary Practice with Jamie Holman
Longitude Gallery Ribble Valley 1st October
Tower Festival Headland, Promenade, Blackpool, FY1 1AP 14th - 29th October
Blackpool’s award-winning Lightpool Festival is returning this October half-term with two weeks of extraordinary free entertainment. visitblackpool.com
Image credit-Visit BlackpoolBlackpool Airport Blackpool
1st-2nd October, 5th6th November
Brockholes Nature Reserve Preston
1st - 2nd October
East Lancashire Railway Rossendale
1st - 2nd October
WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre West Lancashire
1st - 29th October
WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre West Lancashire 1st - 29th October
Samlesbury Hall Preston 2nd, 23rd October
Blackpool Grand Theatre
Blackpool 2nd October
Chorley Theatre Chorley 2nd October
La Locanda Ribble Valley 2nd October
Winter Gardens Blackpool Blackpool 2nd October
Ormskirk Artisan Market Ormskirk town centre, West Lancashire Ormskirk 2nd October, 6th November
West Lancashire Light Railway West Lancashire 2nd October
Clitheroe Castle Ribble Valley 3rd October, 5th December
Tower Festival Headland, Promenade, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 4BJ 1st October, 15th October, 27th October, 28th October
The event will gather together the crème de la crème of the world’s firework elite and promises a mouth-watering series of shows with jaw-dropping entertainment for all the family. visitblackpool.com
Image credit- Dave Nelson for Visit Blackpool
Viva Blackpool
Blackpool
Various dates from 3rd October
Festival Bowland 2022 - Lord of Bowland 11th Annual Lecture
Browsholme Hall Ribble Valley 4th October
Blackpool Grand Theatre Blackpool 4-6th October
Fleetwood Museum Heritage Talks
Fleetwood Museum Fylde 5th October
Father Earth
Chorley Theatre Chorley 6th October
Gawthorpe Hall Pendle
6th October
Fastlove
Winter Gardens Blackpool Blackpool 6th October
Crown Ballet presents: Sleeping Beauty
The Muni Theatre Pendle 6th October
Accrington Town Hall Hyndburn 7th October Magic of Motown
Burnley Mechanics Theatre Pendle
7th October
The Grand Theatre Blackpool 7th October
The Muni Theatre Pendle 7th October Chorley Live Chorley Town Centre Chorley 7th - 8th October
Winter Gardens Blackpool Blackpool
7th October
Word Fest.
Winter Gardens Blackpool Blackpool 7th - 10th October
Burnley Mechanics Theatre Pendle 8th October
Step into spooky season withthese scarily good events!
The Hinge of Fate exhibition at Lancaster City Museum From 27 September
Lancaster Castle Tours Throughout October
Tricks, Treats and Trails in Lancaster City Centre Throughout half term
I’ll Be Back Before Midnight at Lancaster Grand 8, 9, 13, 14, 15 October
Gresgarth Hall Open Garden 9 October & 13 November
Saba Douglas Hamilton ‘In the Footsteps of Elephants’ at The Platform
The Sixteen at Lancaster Priory 13 October
Lancaster Music Festival 13-16 October
Lune Valley Arts Festival 15-16 October
The Lancaster Arts Chamber Orchestra: Invitation to the Dance 20 October Cuthbert the Bad and the Witches – a talk at the Judges’ Lodgings
Oktoberfest at the Brewery 21-22 October
Liquid Engineers (Gary Numan Tribute) at Morecambe Alhambra 22 October
Dark Dukes Festival 26-30 October
Trick or Treat 2 Halloween Party at Kanteena 28 October
Rocky Horror Show Experience at Morecambe Winter Gardens 29 October
Slim: Live at The Nuffield 30 October
Pendle Witches 10k & Halloween Fun Run at Lancaster Castle 30 October
Terror Tours starting from Lancaster Royal Kings Arms 30 October
The Hound of The Baskervilles at Lancaster Grand 1 November
Light Up Lancaster 4-5 November
Female Gothic at The Dukes 4-5 November
Winter Markets at Holker Hall & Gardens 4-6 November
Echoes of The North Silent Film Festival at Morecambe Winter Gardens 6 November Morecambe Brass Band ‘Celebrate and Remember’ at The Platform 12 November
Whale: The Last of the Giants at Lancaster Maritime Museum From 11 November
PorkPie Band at Morecambe Alhambra 19 November
Avital Raz: Unnatural Cycles – A Ghost Story at Lancaster Arts 21 November
Promenade Concert Orchestra - Your 100 Best Tunes 27 November
For more details of these and other events please contact:
Lancaster Visitor Information Centre
The Storey, Lancaster LA1 1TH 01524 582394 lancastervic@lancaster.gov.uk
www.visitlancaster.org.uk
Morecambe Visitor Information Centre
Old Station Buildings, Morecambe LA4 4DB 01524 582808 morecambevic@lancaster.gov.uk
www.exploremorecambebay.org.uk
All event details are correct to the best of our knowledge but may be subject to changes. Please contact the event organiser directly before making a special journey to visit.
Halloween 10K and Fun Run Terror Tours Light Up Lancaster. Image:Robin ZahlerChorley Theatre
Chorley
8th October
King George’s Hall Blackburn
8th October
The Dukes Theatre Lancaster
8th October
Heskin Hall Chorley 9th October
Winter Gardens Blackpool Blackpool 9th October
WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre West Lancashire 9th October
Blackpool Grand Theatre Blackpool 10th October
King George’s Hall Blackburn 10th October
WWT Martin Mere, Burscough, Lancashire, L40 0TA
The Bird Watching Festival returns to Martin Mere and is jam-packed with wildlife-related activities for a fun day out from dawn till dusk. There will be guest speakers, exhibitors, workshops and guided reserve walks.
Open from 8am, watch the spectacle of thousands of geese leave the roost before heading for breakfast in Mere Side Café. The centre is open until 7pm on the Saturday to watch up to 30,000 pink-footed geese return to the roost. From guest speakers and exhibitors to photography workshops and guided reserve walks, there’s a whole range of activities for you to enjoy for a full day out from dawn till dusk.
wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/martin-mere/ north-west-bird-watching-festival
Lytham Hall
Fylde 11th October
Blood Brothers
Winter Gardens Blackpool Blackpool 11th-15th October
Blackpool Grand Theatre Blackpool 12th October
Various venues across Lancaster Lancaster 13th - 16th October
Blackpool Grand Theatre Blackpool 13th October
Burnley Mechanics Theatre Pendle 13th October
The Muni Theatre Pendle
13th October
Blackpool Grand Theatre Blackpool 14th - 15th October
Blackpool Grand Theatre Blackpool 14th October
Burnley Mechanics Theatre Pendle 14th October
Horse & Bamboo Rossendale 14th October Bizarre Bazaar Potters Barn Preston 14th October
Joe Pasquale: Live Viva Blackpool Blackpool 14th October
Blackpool Grand Theatre Blackpool 15th October
Tower Festival Headland, Promenade, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 4BJ 1st October, 15th October, 27th October, 28th October
The event will gather together the crème de la crème of the world’s firework elite and promises a mouth-watering series of shows with jaw-dropping entertainment for all the family. visitblackpool.com
Image credit- Dave Nelson for Visit Blackpool
Burnley Mechanics Pendle 15th October
King George’s Hall Blackburn 15th October
Passion 2022
Blackpool Grand Theatre Blackpool 16th October
HAPPA Shores Hey Farm Burnley 16th October
Chorley Theatre Chorley 17th - 22nd October
Beautiful - The Carole King Musical
Blackpool Grand Theatre Blackpool 18th October
Opera Boys
Burnley Mechanics Theatre Pendle 19th October
Will Young
Winter Gardens Blackpool Blackpool 19th October
Viva Blackpool Blackpool 20th - 29th October
Astley Hall, Coach House and Park Chorley 22nd October
Burnley Mechanics Theatre Pendle 22nd October
Dale House
Ribble Valley 23rd October, 19th20th November
Connor Banks Chorley Theatre 25th October
Winter Gardens Blackpool Blackpool 25th October - 5th November
The Wizard of OzThe Pantomime
Thornton Little Theatre Wyre 27th - 28th October
Rossall Point Tower, Fleetwood Fylde 27th October
Fleetwood Museum Fylde 28th October, 18th November
Looking for some ideas to entertain the family throughout the October Half Term holidays? Then look no further, Lancashire has a wonderful range of events taking place for children of all ages, no matter their interest.
There are lots of spook-tacular things going on in Lancashire this Halloween, from pumpkin picking, cookery workshops and haunted train rides. How about taking a trip to one of Lancashire’s most haunted buildings or a scare festival?
For the very latest event information head over to VisitLancashire.com
The Blackpool Tower Dungeon
Blackpool
1st October - 6th November
Gisburn Forest Ribble Valley
1st October - 1st November
Mrs Dowsons Farm Park
Blackburn
Various dates from 1st October
SEA LIFE Blackpool Blackpool
1st October - 6th November
Blackpool Pleasure Beach Blackpool 7th - 30th October
Mrs Dowsons Farm Park
Blackburn
Various dates from 8th October
Ribby Hall Village Preston 8th - 31st October
Thornton Hall Country Park Pendle
Various dates from 8th October
WWT Martin Mere, Burscough, Lancashire, L40 0TA
Discover an eek!citing and mysterious world of wetland nature this October half term at WWT Martin Mere. Get hands on with pumpkin carving, spooky crafts, a canoe scarefari, and interactive trail.
Are you brave enough? Keep your eyes peeled and your ears pricked and engage all your senses as you make your way around our wetlands for a truly eek!citing experience.
Put your spookometer to the test with our interactive activities. Will you dare to put your hand in a snake box, or be able to identify the screams of animals around Martin Mere? It’s a weirdly wild day out for the whole family.
wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/martinmere/whats-on/eek-week-2
East Lancashire Railway Rossendale 27th - 29th October
Circus of Horrors. Rock Horror Variety Show
Blackpool Pleasure Beach 27th - 31st October
Circus of Horrors: Addams Family Friendly Matinee
Blackpool Pleasure Beach 27th - 31st October
Rachel Helen - The Highwayman of Hurst Green
Clitheroe Castle Ribble Valley 27th October
Halloween Ghost Stories with Simon Entwistle
The Muni Theatre Pendle 27th October
Lowther Pavilion Fylde 28th - 30th October
Fleetwood Museum Fylde 28th October, 18th November
Whalley Monthly Artisan Market
- Halloween Spooktacular
Whalley
Ribble Valley 29th - 30th October
Blackpool Pleasure Beach 29th October
Horse + Bamboo Rossendale 29th October
Memorial Park Fylde 29th October
Accrington Town Hall Hyndburn 30th October
Halloween Market & Spooky Trains
Ribble Steam Railway & Museum Preston 30th October
Royal Kings Arms Hotel Lancaster 30th October
Burnley Mechanics Theatre Pendle 31st October
West Lancashire Light Railway 31st October
Edgeside Park Rossendale 1st November Stay Over with the Spirits
Samlesbury Hall Preston 4th November
The fun doesn’t stop with Halloween, there’s still more to celebrate, with Bonfire Night in Lancashire. So wrap up warm and head to one of the many professional bonfire and firework displays across Lancashire, great fun for the whole family!
For the very latest event information head over to VisitLancashire.com
Thornton Hall Country Park Pendle 4th - 5th November
Astley Hall, Coach House and Park Chorley 4th November
Clitheroe Castle Ribble Valley 5th November
Gibbon Bridge Hotel & Restaurant Preston 5th November
Various venues, Lancaster City Centre 4th - 5th November
The two-day free November festival continues to produce thrilling entertainment and dazzling spectacle. lightuplancaster.co.uk
Blackpool Grand Theatre Blackpool
1st - 5th November
Lowther Pavilion Fylde
1st November
Unicorns, Almost and Private Peaceful
Chorley Theatre Chorley
2nd - 5th November
Burnley Mechanics Theatre Pendle 4th November
Samlesbury Hall Preston 4th November
The Muni Theatre Pendle 4th November
Dinosaur World Live
Blackpool Grand Theatre Blackpool
8th - 9th November
Image by Robin Zahler
Blackpool Pleasure Beach Blackpool 11th November
Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort Pendle 11th November
The Muni Theatre Pendle 11th November
Back Out Of Hell - The Ultimate Meatloaf Tribute
Viva Blackpool Blackpool 11th November
Blackpool Grand Theatre Blackpool 12th November
King George’s Hall Blackburn 12th November
Chorley Theatre Chorley 13th November
SPIKE
Blackpool Grand Theatre Blackpool 15th - 19th November
Dale House
Ribble Valley 19th - 20th November
The Muni Theatre Pendle 19th November
Christmas By The Sea sponsored by TalkTalk
Tower Festival Headland Blackpool 19th November - 2 January
Blackpool Grand Theatre Blackpool 20th November
Glenn Moore Chorley Theatre Chorley 20th November
Winter Gardens Blackpool Blackpool 21st - 26th November
Viva Blackpool Blackpool 24th November
Barton Manor Hotel & Spa Preston 25th November
Justin Moorhouse Chorley Theatre Chorley 25th November
Gibbon Bridge Hotel & Restaurant Preston 25th November
Accrington Town Hall Hyndburn 26th November
Affinity Lancashire Fylde 26th November
The Dukes Theatre Lancaster 26th November
The Swan Hotel Courtyard Ribble Valley 26th - 27th November
WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre West Lancashire 26th November
On Sunday 27 November, all true-blooded Lancastrians will be celebrating Lancashire Day, the first with our Majesty The King as the Duchy of Lancaster.
Join in the celebrations and share your photos and videos using #LancashireDay, whether you usually spend your Sundays shopping, playing or watching sport, visiting family, meeting up with friends, enjoying good food or working, we want to see social media filled with joyful images of life in Lancashire.
For the very latest event information head over to VisitLancashire.com
Lytham Christmas Light Switch On
Clifton Square, Lytham Lytham 19th November
Darwen Christmas Light Switch On
Darwen Market Square Blackburn with Darwen 19th November
Christmas Lights Switch On + Totally Locally Chorley Christmas Markets
Chorley Town Centre Chorley 20th November
Preston Christmas Light Switch On
Flag Market Preston 20th November
Accrington Christmas Lights Switch On
Accrington Town Centre Hyndburn 24th November
Colne Christmas Light Switch On Colne town centre Pendle 26th November
Lancaster Christmas Light Switch On
Lancaster City Centre Lancaster 27th November
VisitLancashireatChristmas.com
Click on a door each day in December to reveal fantastic competitions, offers, gift ideas and wonderful things to see and do around the county.
Christmas is the most magical time of the year and there’s lots of exciting events happening across Lancashire, perfect to get you in the festive spirit.
From meeting Father Christmas, visiting the Christmas markets to a trip to the pantomime, Lancashire has everything to make Christmas 2022 an unforgettable one
At Christmas time Lancashire is full of exciting festivals. From traditional Victorian festivals to Christmas tree festivals you can be sure we will be celebrating in style at this festive time of year.
For the very latest event information head over to VisitLancashire.com
East Lancashire Railway, Bolton Street Station, Bolton Street, Bury, Lancashire, BL9 0EY 26th, 27th November, 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th, 17th, 18th, 20th – 24th December
Kick start your Christmas on one of our famous Santa Specials and treat the family to an enchanting voyage through the magical Irwell Valley.
eastlancsrailway.org.uk
Lytham Hall
Fylde 9th November
Potters Barn Ribble Valley 11th November
Ribby Hall Village
Preston 12th November24th December
Horse + Bamboo Theatre Rossendale 19th - 20th November
Darwen Market Square Blackburn with Darwen 19th November
The Whitaker Rossendale 19th November
Accrington Town Hall Hyndburn
26th November
Accrington Town Hall
Hyndburn 26th November
Accrington Town Hall Hyndburn 26th November
Blackpool Pleasure Beach Blackpool 26th November24th December
Blackpool Pleasure Beach Blackpool 26th November24th December
Brockholes Nature Reserve Preston 26th - 27th November
Viva Blackpool Blackpool Various Dates from 26th November
East Lancashire Railway Rossendale
Various Dates from 26th November
Heskin Hall Chorley 26th - 27th November
The Lawrence Hotel Burnley 27th November
Samlesbury Hall
South Ribble 27th November
Thornton Hall Country Park
Pendle
27th November24th December
Christmas Party Nights at Barton Manor Hotel & Spa
Barton Manor Hotel & Spa
Preston
1st - 31st December
Windmill Animal Farm West Lancashire
1st - 31st December
Blackpool Pleasure Beach Blackpool 2nd - 17th December
Blackpool Grand Theatre
Blackpool
2nd December - 1st
January 2023
The Whitaker
Rossendale
2nd - 4th December
Accrington Town Hall Hyndburn
3rd December
Accrington Town Hall
Hyndburn 3rd December
Christmas markets Heskin Hall
Heskin Hall Chorley 3rd - 4th 10th - 11th December
Lowlands Farm Alpacas
Blackpool 3rd - 24th December
Waddow Hall
Ribble Valley 3rd - 4th December
Lancaster Grand Theatre
Lancaster 3rd December
West Lancashire Light Railway West Lancashire 4th - 18th December
Barton Manor Hotel & Spa
Preston 4th December
The Muni Theatre Pendle 4th December
Gibbon Bridge Hotel & Restaurant
Preston 7th, 14th December
The Atkison West Lancashire 8th - 31st December
The Whitaker Rossendale 8th December
Chorley Theatre Chorley 9th - 17th December
Heskin Hall Chorley 9th December
Thornton Hall Country Park Pendle
9th-10th 16th-17th December
Accrington Town Hall
Hyndburn 10th December
Film Club: Frozen
Accrington Town Hall Hyndburn 10th December
Accrington Town Hall
Hyndburn 10th December
Accrington Town Hall Hyndburn 10th December
Blackpool Pleasure Beach Blackpool 10th - 26th December
Brockholes Nature Reserve Preston 10th/11th December and 17th and 18th December
King George’s Hall Blackburn 10th - 31st December
Morecambe Winter Gardens Lancaster 10th - 24th December
Create with Caroline: Jesmonite Jewellery
The Whitaker Rossendale 10th December
Film: Elf
Accrington Hall Hyndburn 11th December
Accrington Hall Hyndburn 11th December
Accrington Hall
Hyndburn 11th December
Blackpool Grand Theatre Blackpool 12th December
Gibbon Bridge Hotel & Restaurant
Preston 12th December
Atmosfear! Presents ‘A Christmas Carol’
Samlesbury Hall South Ribble 12th-13th December
Viva Blackpool Blackpool 15th - 24th December
Winter Gardens Blackpool Blackpool 15th - 27th December
Gibbon Bridge Hotel & Restaurant
Preston 16th December
Padiham Town Hall Burnley 16th December
The Muni Theatre Pendle 16th December
Film Club: Home Alone Accrington Hall Hyndburn 17th December
Supper with Santa Accrington Hall Hyndburn 17th December
Chorley Theatre Chorley 18th December Elf Chorley Theatre Chorley 20th December
Gibbon Bridge Hotel & Restaurant Preston 21st December
Chorley Theatre Chorley 22nd December
Gibbon Bridge Hotel & Restaurant
Preston 23rd December
Clitheroe Castle Ribble Valley 5th December
Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort Pendle 7th December
Accrington Town Hall Hyndburn 9th December
Opera House - Winter Gardens Blackpool Blackpool 10th December
Viva Blackpool Blackpool 18th December
Strictly New Year’s Eve Ball 2022
Lowther Pavilion Fylde 31st December
Taste of Lancashire New Year’s Eve Party
Barton Manor Hotel & Spa Preston 31st December
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.
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.
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 towns and cities.
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.
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.
For more information on travelling to and around Lancashire go to visitlancashire.com
Chorley