August Events you won't want to miss

The school holidays are in full flow and with fantastic attractions, great events and idyllic places to stay, you won't go wrong with a trip to Lancashire.  

If you are planning your perfect days out, be sure to take a look at what's on in Lancashire! As there are so many great events to choose from, we thought we'd help by pulling together our top events to inspire you. 

Image credit - Gabi Dawkins

18th July – 24th August  
The Wizard of Oz: The Dukes Play in the Park   

Lancaster's iconic Williamson Park becomes a magical stage each summer when The Dukes Outdoor Theatre presents its interactive adventures, welcoming back hundreds of families who arrive armed with picnic blankets and a feast ready for another unforgettable experience.  
This year guests will be transported from Lancaster and immersed into the world of The Wizard of Oz. Join the Dukes’ team as they invite you to follow the yellow brick road and enjoy an encounter with the extraordinary.   

Find out more here 

18th July – 31st August  
Affinity Lancashire's Summer of Fun!
 
Taking place on selected dates throughout the summer holidays, Affinity Lancashire's summer of fun offers loads of events to help keep the kids entertained. From seaside shows and mini bus rides, to meet and greets with the Flowerpot People, crazy golf and gorilla encounters, you can find it all at Affinty! The Bank Holiday weekend will be awash with excitement as the Wicked Weekend takes place at the outlet centre. Mini Elphaba's and Galinda's will enjoy the bubble fairy, cupcake workshops and meet and greets with the witches themselves. Of course, mini Prince Fiyero's can enjoy the fun too.  
As Lancashire’s only outlet shopping centre Affinity Lancashire boasts over 40 high street brands, is dog-friendly and offers free parking and a range of great places to eat and drink too.   
All these events are listed within the Affinity page here 

   

9th August 2025  
Clitheroe Food Festival  

Returning this august is the fabulous Clitheroe Food Festival which takes place in the pretty market town of Clitheroe in the Ribble Valley. Bringing together a whole host of local produce and culinary talent, the festival has so much to offer to foodies, families, and friends alike. with food stalls from around eighty traders, you will find a host of different delicacies supplied and the smells alone will send your taste buds into a flurry. You will also find plenty of drinks options, from soft drinks to spirits, beers, and more!   
This is all after the multi day event which is the Ribble Valley Taste Fest, a series of events at farms and food and drink establishments across the district from the 4th to the 8th August.   

Click to find out more 

 

9th – 10th August 2025  
Blackpool Air Show   

One of the longest running air shows in the country, Blackpool Air Show has been wowing the crowds for over 100 years. This free event on the seaside town’s promenade fills the streets and the world-famous Red Arrows will be opening the show on the first day and closing the show on the second. The RAF Typhoon team, Red Devils and and Aerosuperbatic Wingwalkers will also putting on a display each day. 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. 

Click to find out more 

16th August  
Preston City Wrestling  

Back for its 11th year the Preston City Wrestling event brings a great spectacle of match brawls outside into the summer sun. Expect a colourful display of strength and competitiveness from the PCW stars. The event is free for standing tickets, with £6 seated tickets available. VIP seat ticket holders get the chance to have an in ring photo with former WWE superstar Chris Masters too!  

Click to find out more 

16th – 17th August  
Lytham 1940s Weekend
  
Relive 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! There will be a whole host of events throughout the weekend, with a full programme expected soon. Previous years have included spitfire flyovers, vintage fairgrounds, weapon displays and battle re-enactments and this year is set to be just as big and fabulous as ever.  

Click to find out more 

23rd – 25th August   
Brockholes Village Fete  

Enjoy a good old fashioned village fete vibe at Brockholes this summer bank holiday! With summer celebrations taking place surrounded by nature you can find an artisan market, kids magic shows, punch and judy, animal balloons and more family entertainment, plus classic car and vintage machinery displays. Meet animals, enjoy nature trails, have a bounce on the bouncy castles and take part in so many crafting activities. What's more the café and the brand-new play area will be open for you to enjoy too!  

Find out more here 

   

23rd 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, but you can also watch the amazing creations others have made as they whizz down the course, which includes chicanes, jumps, water blasters, giant screens and more!  

Find out more here 

  

24th August   
Burnley Canal Festival   

Visit the beautifully refurbished Finsley Gate Wharf and along the towpath nearby as part of the Burnley Canal Festival this August Bank Holiday Weekend. Enjoy lots of family-friendly and creative activities such as performances from The Green Man, Paris Bubbles and make your own Textile Biennial tote bag, or dancing flowers! There will be live music, street food and the chance to get on to the water too.  
Burnley Canal Festival is a fantastic way for visitors to celebrate the fantastic resource that is the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, and Burnley’s unique canal-side heritage.  

Click here to find out more 

  

25th August   
World Gravy Championship at Stacksteads 

Its back! This year marks another year for the World Gravy Wrestling Championships in Rossendale. Without a doubt this is one of the World’s craziest culinary competitions. A wild and whacky wrestling competition in a pool full of Lancashire Gravy!   
Watch as contestants don fancy dress and wrestle in 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 included 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!   

Find out more about this great event here 

27th August   
Merlin and King Arthur Day at Houghton Tower  

Enchantment awaits at Houghton Tower this summer. Not only is the tower available for you and your family to explore and joined a guided tour of, on Wednesday 27th August the kids can travel back in time and meet King Arthur and Merlin at a spellbinding event. Expect to learn the secrets of ancient magic from Merlin, royal jousting and sword wielding training from King Arthur himself, then save the realm of Camelot from the dark forces. Fancy dress is strongly encouraged. 

Find out more about this great event here 

 
  

 29th August 2025  
Blackpool Illuminations Switch On 

One of the world’s most famous light installations, Blackpool Illuminations has been dazzling residents and visitors to the town for over 140 years. With six miles of traditional festoons, tableaux, and interactive features along the Promenade, it is commonly known as the greatest free light show on Earth!  
This year the lights will be switched on by the fabulous Olly Murs, be sure to apply for your ticket in advance of the night!  
If you love to get on your bike, then visit Blackpool early and enjoy the iconic Blackpool Illuminations on your bike! The annual Ride the Lights event allows you to experience the illuminations ahead of the official switch on, and without a car in sight, for one night only on 26th August!  

Find out more here  

  
29th – 31st August 2025   
St Annes International Kite Festival  

The award-winning St Annes Kite Festival returns in 2025! The incredible teams at Smilefactor10 will once again bring the sky to life above the sand as kites of every colour fly for the whole weekend. An illuminated kite display will take place on the Friday, with kites, entertainment, food, and drink expecting throughout the entire weekend. Plus, the towns splash park will be open for the kids to have a play. Pack a picnic, the kids cossies, and head along to the beach for some good old fashioned seaside fun.   

Find out more here