Summer holiday events to look forward to in Lancashire

The school holidays are upon us, and if you’re looking for great events to keep the kids, or yourself, entertained throughout the next six weeks… look no further! 

Visiting Lancashire for the summer holidays has never been so exciting. Not only can you enjoy great attractions and find amazing food and drink venues, this summer the counties events calendar is bursting at the seams with things to see and do. 

Here are some of the highlights but for more inspiration take a look at our Summer Events Guide.  

21st - 23rd July 
Royal Lancashire Agricultural Show  

Taking place at the historic Salesbury Hall Estate the Royal Lancashire Agricultural Show is famous for showcasing the amazing agriculture of the area, celebrating farming, food, crafts, show jumping and more. There will be Heavy Horse displays, a Shetland Pony grand national, livestock competitions, dog agility demonstrations and a dedicated children’s village making the event a fantastic day out for the whole family. 

Price: Tickets from £14 

Find out more here 

22nd - 23rd July 
Lytham Ice Cream Festival  

Celebrate all things ice cream by the seaside. This event will bring together fine ice cream vendors from across Lancashire alongside free family entertainment in the beautiful historic Lowther Gardens.  

Price: Free  

Find out more here 

21st July – 27th Aug 
The Dukes Play in the Park: Around the World in 80 Days   

This year, you can follow Phileas Fogg on his epic whirlwind adventure as he races against the clock, on the “stage” of Lancaster’s Williamson Park. Expect explosive encounters in this journey of romance, trickery and shenanigans and witness Fogg’s life changing before your eyes.  

Price: Tickets from £22.50 

Find out more here 

25th July – 3rd September  
Affinity Lancashire’s Summer of Fun  

This summer Affinity Lancashire has a whole host of free events to entertain! From monster takeovers to seaside shows, climbing walls to giant bubbles, and even a mini golf course popping up at the retail outlet. There is so much to keep the whole family entertained, not to mention the great shopping and food and drink opportunities right on site.  

Price: free 

Find out more here 

28th – 30th July 
Chorley Flower Show  

The Chorley Flower Show attracts visitors from across the UK, transforming Astley Park into a paradise of colour. The show will feature some of the finest professional exhibitors who have won medals from the UK’s most prestigious flower shows and RHS events. There will also be displays from national and local societies, demonstrations from professional gardeners, horticultural traders, live music and walkabout acts.   

Prices: Day tickets from £12, full weekend tickets from £20 

Find out more here 

12th – 13th August 
Blackpool Air Show  

One of the longest running air shows in the country, Blackpool Air Show has been entertaining the crowds for over 100 years. This free event on the seaside town’s promenade fills the streets and this year the world-famous Red Arrows will be opening the show on both days, with the RAF Typhoon team closing each day too. The show attracts a range of stalls, attractions and food concessions, with fairground rides and more within the Air Show village on the tower festival headland. 

Price: Free 

Find out more here 

19th – 20th August 
Lytham 1940s Weekend  

Re-live the wartime era on the coast at the 12th annual Lytham 1940s weekend! The weekend will offer re-enactments of the era, singing, dancing, vehicle parades, a fashion show and more! Expect spitfire flyovers, vintage fairgrounds, weapon displays and battle re-enactments. There will be a whole host of events throughout the weekend. 

Price: Free 

Find out more here 

25th – 27th August  
Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival   

Visit Colne as it comes alive with some of the world’s top Rhythm and Blues musicians and performers – for one of the only festivals of its kind in the UK.  Winner of the UK Blues Award – Blues Based Festival of the Year 2021, over 35,000 people attended in 2022. This year’s headliners include Elles Bailey, Aynsley Lister and Xander and The Peace Pirates. Toby Lee who has starred on the X Factor and Ant & Decs Saturday Night Takeaway will also take to the stage.  

Prices: From £30 per day  

Find out more here 

26th August  
Amazing Accrington Soapbox Challenge    

Have a great deal of fun at the Amazing Accrington Soapbox Challenge! This year not only can you join in with the racing, you can watch the amazing creations others have made as they whizz down the course, which includes chicanes, jumps, water blasters, giant screens and more. Not to mention great entertainment and local food stalls. 

Prices: Free  

Find out more here  

27th August  
Burnley Canal Festival   

The Leeds Liverpool Canal is known for its fantastic walking routes, but during the August Bank Holiday weekend, it is also known for the amazing Burnley Canal Festival. A free day of celebrations along the canal, you will find arts and crafts, canalside walks, performances, food and drink stalls, an artisan market and more. A great way to spend a Sunday! 

Prices: Free  

Find out more here 

28th August  
World Gravy Wrestling Championship    

Without a doubt this is one of the World’s craziest culinary competition, the World Gravy Wrestling Championship in Rossendale is back for its 15th year. Watch as contestants don fancy dress and wrestle in a pool full of Lancashire gravy for 2 minutes, with points awarded for best dressed, comedic effect, entertainment and wrestling ability. In addition to the contests, there are many activities for the family, the event has been known to include cheer leading groups, BB gun shooting ranges, Bouncy castles, face painting, craft beer stalls, cake and tombola stands.  The kids also get a chance to get a go in the gravy!  

Prices: £2.50 per adult  

Find out more here 

1st – 3rd September  
The British Country Music Festival 

One of the UK’s fastest growing country music festivals, its one not to be missed. Join some of the biggest names in British Country at Blackpool this September, with headline act Graham Nash. The festival will see Graham Nash return to his hometown for the first time as a solo artist, having only played with his former band, The Hollies.  

Prices: Weekend tickets from £97.50  

Find out more here  

2nd – 3rd September 
Vintage by the Sea  

Back for its 10th anniversary is an event that everyone loves. Vintage by the Sea pays homage to the brilliance of timeless design, fashion, art, culture and more in Morecambe and beyond from between the 1920s and 1990s. Expect performance, dance, classic cars, mobile vintage cinemas, DJ sets, fashion parades, family workshops and street food. This year will be even bigger and better as the festival celebrates a decade of celebrating all things vintage.          

Price: Free 

Find out more here 

Of course these are just some of the great events we have on, with many of Lancashire’s theatres and attractions also featuring more shows and events to enjoy too. For a more thorough breakdown check out our Summer Events Guide or visit our What’s On page.