What's on this weekend 30th July to 2nd August
There is so much fun and excitement around the county this August! Check out just some of the great events happening this weekend, and find more in our Visit Lancashire for Events Summer Special Guide here.
31st July to 2nd August – Chorley Flower Show
Get set for a blooming great weekend at Chorley Flower Show as it returns to Astley Park this summer. Set to captivate families, the flower show offers beautiful floral displays, spectacular show gardens, great entertainment, competition and more. There is something for the whole family to enjoy.
31st July to 2nd August – Nestival at Brindle Distillery, Chorley
Chorley is the place to be this weekend! In addition to the Flower Show, you have a full festival of fun at Brindle Distillery as Nestival returns! Nestival is a carefully crafted multi-day festival featuring live music from outstanding local artists, expertly made cocktails, Cuckoo Spirits, delicious food and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Saturday is already sold out, but there are limited tickets available for Friday and Sunday if you're quick.
1st to 2nd August – Summer Gala at West Lancashire Light Railway
Enjoy a two-day steam gala at West Lancashire Light Railway to mark the start of August. Visitors can enjoy three engines in steam, model railway displays, traditional fun and games, Vintage bus rides and of course the tearoom is open for a bite to eat too.
1st to 2nd August – Skirmish! At Samlesbury Hall
Step back in time and experience the 1470s as Samlesbury Hall deliver a living history weekend you will never forget! Over two jam-packed days the Hall will be transformed into a bustling medieval scene of sounds and smells from the past.
1st August – Garstang Show
A community event that brings people together to learn about, enjoy and celebrate the role of farming, food and the countryside, Garstang Show is a great example of what life is like in rural Lancashire. Visitors are more than welcome to come by and pick up local produce from the Food Hall, see all the action in the Main Ring, enjoy beautiful floral displays and more.
Ongoing Events for the summer holidays
31st July to 30th August – Stonyhurst College: Summer Open Days 2026
Are you a Literary lover? Then look no further than Stonyhurst this summer. The exhibition, within the College's award-winning Museum, shares the true story of JRR Tolkien's links with the Ribble Valley. Set alongside the captivating Sherlock Holmes detective tales of Stonyhurst's Arthur Conan Doyle, and Shakespeare's masterful drama seen in the Stonyhurst First Folio, this exhibition weaves together the writings of some of the most influential British authors of all time.
1st to 31st August – Festival of Fun at Thornton Hall Country Park
Looking for the ultimate family day out this summer? Join Thornton Hall Country Park for a fun filled adventure packed with live entertainment, exciting activities and unforgettable family memories. Expect swashbuckling pirates, magical princesses, giant dragons and inflatable fun as you make your way through the adventure.
2nd to 30th August – Summer Sundays at Hickory's Smokehouse
The summer is in full swing and Hickory's Thornton are celebrating! Every Sunday in August, you can expect great summer vibes, the usual delicious slow-smoked BBQ menu and family friendly activities. The first is a Paint, Plant and Grow session this Sunday, followed by Live music Sunday on the 9th of August, meet the Emergency Services on the 16th, Makers Market on the 23rd and a glass painting workshop to end the summer in style on the 30th.