What's on this weekend 16th - 18th October
Once again, Lancashire's weekend events are full of spooky goings on in the run up to Halloween, but with a sprinkling of none-spooky fun if you are looking for that! So, grab your diary and plan in some of the great events that are happening across the county this weekend
This is just an example of the events you can join in with, remember to visit our What's On pages, or our October to December Events Guide for even more inspiration.
Halloween events
Spooks! And Screams!
Until 31st October
Thornton Hall Country Park
Looking for the ultimate Halloween day/night out? Look no further than Thornton Hall Country Park! Their daytime, child friendly Halloween attraction Spooks! Opened last week and offers a fun take on the spooky season. But by night it transforms into Screams! The ultimate scare maze, where participants over the age of 14 are invited to come and see how brave they truly are. Which would you prefer to visit?
Find out more about Spooks! here
Find out more about Screams! here
Frankenstein
15th-17th October
Lancaster Grand Theatre
The Lancaster Grand Theatre Footlights group offers their rendition of the gripping and unsettling Gothic tale known to many this weekend. Frankenstein explores enduring themes of scientific and medical responsibility, parental neglect, and the boundary between good and evil. Whilst not strictly Halloween, the show is infused with Steampunk and Gothic aesthetics and promises a brilliant theatrical experience suitable for the season.
Journey to Hell Freak Nights
17th – 31st October
Pleasure Beach Resort, Blackpool
Another grown up scare fest is Journey to Hell Freak Nights at Pleasure Beach Resort. For the first time this year the freak nights blend into the day with Halloween fun throughout the theme park from opening to close. But on an evening, the spooks get jumpier and the scare mazes are ready to haunt you! Do you dare to be scared?
Pumpkin Picking
17th – 29th October
Bowland Country Park
Get ready for family fun at Bowland Country Park this October. Pick your perfect pumpkin, then take it along to the carving station to get creative! Go for something spooky, or silly, but best of all no mess is made at home! Why not make a day of it and visit the animals at the park too, and grab a bite to eat in Trough and Brew café.
Halloween Crafts at the Castle
until 1st November
Clitheroe Castle Museum
Let the kids unleash their creative side this Halloween with funky crafts in the castle. Choose from Halloween tealight decorating or wool cat creations, and afterwards you can embark on the Castle Cats Halloween Hunt too! The ideal way to while away an afternoon
General Events
Evolution of Magic Show
14th - 30th October
Pleasure Beach Resort, Blackpool
Returning to Blackpool for the 10th year, Crag Christian and two-time Britain's Got Talent finalist Elizabeth Best will once again wow the crowds throughout October in the Horseshow at Pleasure Beach Resort. Their interactive magic show seamlessly blends mystery, humour and impossible moments with you as the guests at the centre of it all. Suitable for the whole family, the show will wow and inspire people of all ages.
Fusion 3
Until 18th October
The Three Fishes
Foodies unite! The three Fishes' annual celebration of food has arrived, with a whole host of guest chefs wowing you with their creations. This food festival, brought to live by Lancastrian Nigel Haworth, is a week-long event with some of the best and most distinctive chefs working across the country today. There is still chance to have meals prepared by Sabrina Gidda, Tom Parker and Ping Combes, but tickets are limited, so act fast.
Autumn Steam Gala
16th – 18th October
East Lancashire Railway
The East Lancashire Railway Annual Autumn Steam, Gala is the last big steam event of the year for the railway, with a whole weekend devoted to the power of the steam engines, it offers the chance to ride up and down the ELR line behind all the resident fleet, plus special guests to the railway. A must for any train enthusiasts!
Shakespeare’s Starcrossed
16th –17th October
Hoghton Tower
Enjoy the story of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet how you've never seen it before as you embark on this interactive tour through the halls of Hoghton Tower, Guided by William Shakespeare himself. Expect to travel back in time and hear how the Elizabethan playwright was inspired by the very floors you are treading and the story of one of the past De Hoghton family members and Dorothea Southworth who is said to haunt the nearby Samlesbury Hall.
Historical Women of Lancaster - Lives in Writing
17th October
Lancaster City Museum
Embark on a walking tour of the historic city of Lancaster as part of Lancaster City Museums Story Tours and Talks series. This weekend's talk will cover the historical women of the city's words and writing about women from the city. These will include the letters of a nurse from WWI France, an upcycling artist, a loom breaking luddite and a more. The talk will begin at the museum and take you around the city for around 1.5 hours.
North West Bird Watching Festival
16th –18th October
WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre
This time of year sees thousands of geese and other migratory birds fly across the skies, and Martin Mere is the place to really take in those sights. An annual celebration of migratory birds takes place at Martin Mere for people to get as close as possible to all the action. Open for longer hours, the mere will be fills with thousands of pintail, shoveler, gadwall and pochard, and there will be talks from guest speakers and exhibitions to enjoy too.
Ongoing Events
Blackpool Tower Circus
Until 1st November
Blackpool
We're entering the final few weeks of the latest season of the Blackpool Tower Circus, and you simply must experience this if you never have before! Catch Mooky and Mr Boo’s 2026 show, while they cause mayhem and laughter! Prepare to be amazed by some of the best circus artists you’ve ever seen, including, trapeze, acrobats, foot juggling, the epic Globe of Speed and so much more!
MADE IT 2026: The North West Graduate Art Prize
17th October – 13th December
The Whitaker Museum and Art Gallery
Bringing together the art of a new generation of artists in a major exhibition, the MADE IT 2026 exhibition supports artists at the crucial point between graduating and establishing their creative practices. Visitors will be able to enjoy paintings, sculptures, photography, installations, moving images and interdisciplinary practices, offering a snapshot of what emerging artistic practice in the region looks like today.
Horrockses Fashions: Everyday Glamour & the Art of British Ready-to-Wear
The Harris Museum
Until 31st January 2027
Marking the 80th anniversary of Horrockses Fashions, this major exhibition celebrates one of Preston's most remarkable fashion success stories. Drawing on the largest museum collection of Horrockses garments in the UK, the exhibition explores how the Lancashire-based company transformed British ready-to-wear fashion by combining couture-inspired design with high-quality printed cottons. Featuring more than 60 dresses alongside original fabric swatches, design books, photography and archive material, the exhibition showcases a brand worn by everyone from mill workers to members of the Royal Family, including Queen Elizabeth II. There a number of workshops taking place surrounding the exhibition throughout its run, which can be found on The Harris Museum listing.
Blackpool Illuminations
Blackpool
Until 3rd January 2027
Following an incredible evening of entertainment from pop favourites Five at this year’s Illuminations Switch‑On, the lights are now dazzling throughout the autumn winter season! Catch what is known as the greats free light display on earth as new and past favourites shine brightly along six miles of Blackpool's incredible coastline every evening.