What's on this weekend – 17th – 19th July 2026
With many of the kids breaking up this week, its time to get the summer started! Why not check out a few of these great events to celebrate?
18th & 19th July – Heysham Viking Festival
Can you ROAR like a Viking? Find out at Heysham Viking Festival this weekend! Honouring true Viking spirit, a Viking village encampment complete with fierce battle re-enactments will provide entertainment unlike any other. With its Viking themed activities and plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in historical culture, this is an unmissable event for history lovers everywhere.
18th & 19th July – Lowther Ice Cream Festival
Sunday is National Ice Cream Day and what better way to celebrate than to try as many Lancashire Ice Creams as possible? If you can't make it to all the Ice Cream parlours in the region, then Lowther Pavilion has you covered with many of the county's producers, and others from further afield, joining them in Lowther Gardens for an Ice Cream Festival this weekend.
18th July - Kanteena Sounds Out Family Day
Born in Preston, Sounds Out is a showcase of some fantastic voices from the city, and this summer they are hitting the road to bring those voices to Lancaster too! Head along to Kanteena this Saturday for a whole day of incredible talent from local artists across a variety of genres, plus foam party, bar and street food, summer games, raffles, and tombola. This is a free family, including the dog, friendly event until the watershed, when an 18+ burlesque show takes to the stage.
18th July - Summer Party at HAPPA
A family-friendly summer celebration marking the start of the school holidays will be underway this Saturday at HAPPA Shores Hey Farm in Burnley. Featuring live entertainment, pony activities, games, food, fundraising stalls and community fun for all ages, you can keep the kids entertained while supporting HAPPA's horses and ponies!
19th July – Fleetwood Festival of Transport
Fleetwood Festival of Transport (though, most people affectionately call it Tram Sunday) takes place every third Sunday in July and is not an event to be missed. The streets of Fleetwood burst into life with the rumble of engines, the sparkle of chrome and the buzz of community spirit. Expect the trams that gave the event its name, an eclectic mix of vintage buses, classic cars, motorcycles, commercial vehicles, film and tv cars and even a few surprises on wheels. Plus, parades, performers, music, markets and memories.
19th July - Farmers Market at Houghton Tower
Fancy some local delicacies? Look no further than Hughton Tower this weekend where you can explore the finest produce Lancashire has to offer within its historic, iconic grounds, set against the spectacular backdrop of the Lancashire countryside. Grab a coffee and a snack as you browse the range of fresh food and local crafts on offer.
Ongoing Summer events starting this weekend
The summer holidays starting mean that a huge array of summer events is beginning that take you right through the holidays. Here are just a few that are worth putting on your radar.
17th July to 23rd August – Robin Hood: The Dukes Play in the Park
The Dukes Play in the Park is the UKs longest running promenade theatre show, and this year you can join Robin Hood and his band of merry men as they stalk through the tress in Williamson Park. The play will run throughout the summer, so if you don't get chance to watch it over its opening weekend, there are plenty more opportunities to come!
18th July to 31st August – Dragonfly Festival at Martin Mere
This weekend marks the start of WWT Martin Mere's Dragonfly festival and what a wonderful way to entertain the kids it will be! Explore the world of beautiful dragonflies with dragonfly safaris, water play, canoe boat rides, pond dipping, crafts, dragon fly hunts and more. Plus, brand new for the summer, have a wander across Europe's longest stretch of stepping stones! What more could you ask for!
18th July to 31st August – Jurassic Adventure at Mrs Dowson's Farm Park
Step into a World where dinosaurs roam once more this Summer as Jurassic Adventure returns to Mrs Dowson's Farm Park. This immersive live show brings prehistoric creatures roaring back to life every Thursday to Sunday throughout the summer holidays, with incredible puppetry, baby dinosaurs to meet and a show that you simply cannot miss, plus the chance to explore the farm and meet all their animals too.
18th July to 6th September - The House Cup at Hole in Wand Blackpool
This summer, visitors to Blackpool can become part of a magical nationwide competition at The Hole in Wand. Pick your house, earn points, and help Blackpool, representing The Witches House, compete for House Cup glory. From 18 July to 6 September, families and visitors can experience a unique magical challenge in the heart of Blackpool. Every round played helps decide which house will lift the House Cup.