What’s On

An exhibition reaches hopefully towards the end of the rainbow. Pre-Raphaelite Artist of Hope displays Evelyn De Morgan’s symbolic paintings alongside contemporary stories from those who have lived through warfare and from NHS staff who have served on the frontline during the pandemic. 

A tender comedy-drama about a beautiful, life-affirming lockdown romance, Sunnymead Court, visits The Dukes in Lancaster on Monday 5 July 2021. 

Ballroom dancing returns to the Empress Ballroom Blackpool

Fairy tales do happen as The Dukes will prove this summer when its awardwinning walkabout theatre season returns to Williamson Park.

Visitors to Fairhaven Lake can once again enjoy a day messing about in boats!

A mouth-watering selection of food and drink will be on offer at next weekend’s A Taste of Chorley festival – with a raft of top outlets signing up to showcase their products.

As Jongleurs Comedy Club prepares to announce their rescheduled UK On The Road Shows, following a postponement of a relaunch earlier.

The world's leading live disco event ‘The Love Train' is heading to Preston this weekend for a special show at Hoghton Tower. 

WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre welcomed some special guests this past week – Richie, Adam and Mwaka from one of BBC’s flagship children’s TV programmes - Blue Peter.

Fleetwood Museum’s new exhibition tells the important stories of inspiring women in the town. 

Emergence is the touring company formed from MA dance students from the University of Salford.

Escape the everyday with a wonderful break for two in Lancashire. 
Follow the journey of the honey bee, and find out how The Bee Centre's delicious honey is at the centre of some of Brindle Distillery's creations. Then explore Lancashire from a different viewpoint on bike or by luxury canal boat. 

Escape the everyday with this two day itinerary exploring Lancashire's great outdoors. 
See the counties stunning scenery from all angles, whether that is beside a Llama, up in the trees, speeding on a trial bike or at a more leisurely pace. 

Escape the everyday with a fun family 48-hours in Lancashire. 
Experence the thrills of tractor rides, farm animals, trams and more, as well as staying in some very exciting accommodation. 

Escape the everyday with a weekend filled with farm yard fun!
From feeding the animals, to tractor rides and freshly made ice cream, Lancashire's working farms each offer something different to explore.

Escape the everyday and enjoy a wonderful break to Lancashire's coast. 
Take a trip to the seaside, enjoy time on the sand and even in the sea, then travel down the prom and take in the artwork. Follow that by a restful night, morning swim and afternoon group activities. 

Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage is set to be one of the first major large scale shows to return to the Opera House Blackpool in over 12 months since the first lockdown began. 

Exciting news - A Taste of Chorley is back this year as a live event on 5 and 6 June. The event showcases the great local food and drink offer in and around Chorley, celebrating businesses and products that call the borough of Chorley home. 

Families can enjoy a magical adventure at The Dukes as the Lancaster venue welcomes live theatre back with a brand new, socially distanced production of Sleeping Beauty. 

Organisers of Lancashire’s longest running independent festival have announced the line up for their forthcoming family friendly event which will take place over the May Spring Bank Holiday weekend.

The beloved Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning smash hit musical JERSEY BOYS will once again tour the UK and Ireland heading to the Opera House Blackpool. 

The Preston Jazz and Improvisation Festival is set to raise the roof and get the whole city swinging in their living rooms.

Three huge shows revealed for Blackpool Pleasure Beach – Fri May 28th, Sun May 30th and Fri June 11th.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s fabulous Hot Ice show returns for 2021 with a fantastic new show – Euphoria.  

HAPPA are calling on members of the public to get involved in an exciting new Challenge Event to help raise funds.

'We are here' - showcasing photography from UK black female photographers.  Online from 26th April 2021 and in the Harris buidling from 17th May to 17th July 2021.

On Saturday 1st May, Blackpool Pleasure Beach will launch their open until 10pm for May Day Bank Holiday weekend fun.

James to headline extra night at Highest Point Festival, with supported by Lightning Seeds and Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.

The line-up is announced as it’s revealed more than 30 artists will perform across the six-day festival taking place in the grounds of historic Lytham Hall from Wednesday August 25 to Bank Holiday Monday August 30.

Nature-lovers across Lancashire, Greater Manchester and the Liverpool City Region are being invited to participate in a global citizen science project, the City Nature Challenge, by submitting wildlife observations from each region.

More Music is thrilled to be welcoming live music back to their venue in the West End of Morecambe from May onwards with a new programme of gigs, featuring diverse artists and musicians.

Sonia Friedman Productions is delighted to announce that the first ever UK tour of hit musical Dreamgirls, which was due to start in 2020, will head to the Opera House Blackpool for 2-weeks from Tuesday 25 October 2022 – Saturday 05 November 2022. 

The Dukes are delighted to announce the much-anticipated return of live performance at their venue with an exciting new spring and summer season to welcome audiences back to their building.  

It is with a heavy heart that we announce we have taken the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Lytham 1940s Wartime Weekend.

Go Ape is delighted to be opening their forest doors on the 12th April at their English sites.

Come rain or shine, al fresco dining is here to stay. Check out some Lancashire businesses who are bringing the inside out, this spring.

Holden Clough Nurseries is hosting two weekends of artisan Spring Markets.
 

Join Outreach Opera on 3 September 2021 on the grounds of Astley Hall for one of the most famous and unforgettable operas of all time.

Highest Point Festival has today announced the full line up for the event which will take place in Lancashire this Septembe

Residents and visitors are reminded there are plenty of opportunities to get involved in Easter activities at home, or in one of Preston’s many parks and open spaces.

Get ready for WonderHall – a brand new six-day live music festival coming to Lancashire’s stunning coast this summer.

SIX the international smash hit musical will head to the Opera House Blackpool from Wednesday 07 July – Saturday 10 July 2021 as part of a major UK Tour.

It’s beer garden season. Here’s our Lancashire list of the best outdoor spots to enjoy your ice cold pint, cocktail or wine! In just less than a month we will be reunited with beers on tap and correctly measured cocktails, so cheers to that.

Moss Wood Caravan Park can't wait to welcome you back. To ensure a safe and comfortable visit, they've shared their COVID-19 safety measures with us.

Watch Sandcastle Waterpark's informative video which highlights all the safety measures to ensure a smooth return. Sandcastle Waterpark has completely overhauled it’s admission process to ensure tha..

Brickhouse Farm Cottages are beautifully situated within 6 acres of stunning Lancashire countryside. These cottages are purpose-built holiday accommodation for families, friends and carers which i..

Gisburne Park will open the UK festival season this May with an eclectic weekend of entertainment, from family shows to live music and their famous Party in the Park.

He’s finally back! This October, Derren Brown, the popular multi-award winning master of mind control and illusion.

Chorley’s popular annual festival of words is to go ahead virtually next month

‘What’s Your Story, Chorley?’ returns on Saturday 24 April with a whole host of online videos featuring stories, poems and tips for aspiring writers.

The Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield and The Dukes, Lancaster have today announced that they will co-produce a digital adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy, The Importance of Being Earnest.  

Immerse yourself in Lancashire's literacy history and walk in the footsteps of some of the most famous authors in the world. 

Amidst the fast-changing situation regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, we want to keep all Lancashire visitors, past, present and future, as up to date as possible.

Blog updated 17 May 2021

Who doesn't love a Lancashire loop? Reservoirs are great walking spots for people who get lost easily

Are you loving series 2 of The Bay? We certainly are. We want to highlight some of the beauty of The Bay that’s being shown on our screens - which you can visit in the future.

Valentine’s Day is approaching and we want to help you #EscapeTheEveryday and celebrate in the best way you can.

Nature has been essential in helping us to cope with the lockdowns and restrictions caused by the Coronavirus.

We're no experts, but if you're struggling today - this might help. 

The famous purple suit worn by comedian Peter Kay in the video for the 2005 Comic Relief single ‘(Is this the way to) Amarillo’ has been acquired by Showtown, the new museum of fun and entertainment coming to Blackpool.

Martin Mere is the perfect escape during the long winter months. A sprinkling of frost and a heavy-hanging sun casting an ethereal glow across an expanse of wetlands is a must for anyone looking for a lift. They are packed with winter wetland wildlife and opportunities to get back to nature and create cherished memories. 

The hope families will soon be reunited and able to make new memories through live music has inspired a heart-warming new advertising campaign for Lytham Festival.

The original residents of one of Lancashire’s loveliest historic houses might have eaten boar’s head and pottage, but today Samlesbury Hall is putting a modern twist on the biggest meal of the year.

The Hall which dates back to 1325 will be providing a stress-free Christmas dinner.  All you have to do is order, collect, heat and eat!

The Halls’ chef has been busy – without an elf in sight – cooking up a five-course table groaning feast.

Five of Morecambe’s iconic buildings this year with the technical expertise of Brent Lees, the man behind some of Light Up Lancaster schemes, the Ashton Memorial and The Dukes theatre lighting. The five buildings, all on the promenade are The Winter Gardens, Hitchens, B&M, The Platform and The Midland Hotel and will be visible throughout December.

Visitors will be greeted by festive elves and guided through Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s very own North Pole, before meeting the star of the show – Father Christmas. A truly interactive experience, the elves will ensure all children have a present to put under the tree this winter season.

The hit Broadway and West End show ‘ELF – THE MUSICAL’, based on the Hollywood blockbuster movie, will bring some much-needed Christmas cheer to Blackpool this Christmas with a sleigh full of laughs and spectacle.

Gisburne Park Pop-up' socially distanced' Christmas Festival opens on the 4th December
The creators of Gisburne Park Pop Up, who this summer successfully hosted the UK's first socially distanced festival, are determined to bring some Christmas cheer to 2020 and on 4th December will open the gates to an action-packed Pop-up Christmas festival.

All the best things about the red rose county 

Artists chosen by local young people to celebrate equality, fight racism and make positive change will be displaying their work across Lancaster from November 27.

The Gatsby Dinner Show promises glitz, glamour and fun for all the family, taking place from Friday 4th – Saturday 19th December in the Paradise Room. Featuring a cast of incredibly talented performers, guests of all ages are invited to marvel in the magical performance and enjoy a delicious three-course meal.

Visitors will be greeted by Mrs Claus and guided through Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s very own North Pole, before meeting the star of the show – Father Christmas. A truly interactive experience, the elves will ensure all children have a present to put under the tree this winter season.

Winner of Britain’s Got Talent 2020 - To perform llive this December

The Royal Variety Charity is thrilled to announce that the Royal Variety Performance 2020 will take place at the Blackpool Opera House, within the Winter Gardens complex, on Sunday 29^th November.

WORLD PREMIERE OF
THE OSMONDS: A NEW MUSICAL
EMBARKS ON UK TOUR 
Opera House Blackpool
Tuesday 29 March – Saturday 02 April 2022

Just because we're in lockdown it does not mean you can't do your Christmas shopping as well as support some fab local businesses!

As part of this year's Festival Bowland events programme, three artists will be sharing their love of the landscape and explaining how it inspires their creativity.

Let’s get #LancashireDay trending with your ‘thank yous’, virtual hugs and some Grand Lancashire Day prizes!

It is with regret that the 2020 Blackpool Illuminations will be switched off at midnight on Wednesday 4 November

Set in Liverpool in 1997, the show follows Dave Titswell, a gay, middle-aged English teacher. He has a crush, but life, love and work are never straight forward for Dave. Will a school trip to The Lakes change things for the better, or make things decidedly worse?

The COVID secure show is a magical reimaging of the classic children’s book, the pantomime tells the story of a streetwise boy whose life is never the same after finding a mysterious lamp at the market.

The stellar line-up is announced as Lancashire’s biggest live music festival prepares to return for what is set to be five unforgettable nights.

Lytham Festival will take place in the Main Proms Arena on Lytham Green from Wednesday 30 June to Sunday 04 July.

A ghost tour at the third most haunted building in the country, on Friday 13^th – what could possibly go wrong for two people that are scared of their own shadows!

This Halloween, Astley Hall will be home to a free spooky ghost hunt for families to enjoy until the end of November.

Two live music events streamed to where you are!

Starting on Saturday 24th October and running until 2nd November, those who book appointments to visit the Farm will also be able to join in the Halloween Hunt with Spook Stations set out across the Farm. With a gift for all completed sheets, it’s a great add on for ‘little monsters’ for just £2 per puzzle sheet.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach is providing the ultimate thrill this Halloween, with a frighteningly good drive-in cinema alongside a programme of fang-tastic events and activities.

There are some fantastic prizes on offer in the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty photo competition running throughout October. 

The Christmas production Pantomonium! will run with strict COVID safeguards for a limited time and for a limited period – a sell-out is guaranteed!

This Half Term families are invited to go on an adventure with Ugg ‘N’ Ogg and The World’s First Dogg at The Dukes Playhouse in Lancaster. 

Blackpool is lining up a brilliant assortment of family entertainment for the October half-term holidays.

With 34 sites nationwide, there is a Go Ape closer than you think and a whole lot of adventure waiting to happen! Prepare to test your skills on tree-to-tree crossings, super-springy nets and get ready to experience that adrenaline pumping feeling as you fly down forest zip lines.

Blackpool’s annual Lightpool Festival has been postponed due to ongoing COVID restrictions

Save the date - British Textile Biennial 2021 announced for 1 - 31 October 2021

Black History Month Artist Profile at The Harris

On 16 April 2020, the designer Althea McNish died aged 95 years. At the Harris they are lucky to have a fabric designed by Althea in their collection – Painted Desert (1959). This blog post is a chance to talk about Althea’s life and her work, and to share some links if you’d like to find out more. 

With the months getting colder, it’s time for your drinks to get hotter. Longer nights call for indulgent moments, and who better to deliver the goods than Choc Amor.

Lancashire’s long and rich history is part of the county’s lasting appeal, however as with every good historic tale, it usually comes with something a little more sinister.

Enjoy 100 acres of fantastic trialing land based in the Forest of Bowland in the beautiful Ribble Valley, Inch Perfect Trials guarantees to be a brilliant day out filled with excitement!

Fearsome Craftsmen will open this Saturday running until 13 December inside the Pavilion Theatre. 

There aren’t many festivals that literally offer you something for everyone, but Gisburne Park Pop up certainly does.

HAPPA (Horses and Ponies Protection Association) are inviting you to join them for the annual Open Day, but this year it’s online.

It’s Blackpool’s biggest party of the year – and for once, everyone is invited!

This Bank Holiday weekend, Astley Hall is looking forward to welcoming the public to a weekend of arts and culture for all the family.