To mark Lancashire Life’s 70th anniversary, we have selected 70 events for you to enjoy
JANUARY
Until February 26
The Great print Exhibition
Pop up studios where you can chat with artists at Reghed near Penrith plus the largest show of its kind in the north with over 600 artworks by more than 65 British artists.
8-29
Neville Smith Retrospective
Head for Home in Manchester’s Tony Wilson Place for a celebration of often-overlooked Liverpool screenwriter Neville Smith. His films include the classic Gumshoe.
20-Feb 5
Obsession
Over 17 nights, 23 top chefs from across the world - with 16 Michelin stars between them - take over the Northcote kitchens at Langho. northcote.com.
FEBRUARY
10-11
Love Folk Festival, Southport
The third annual event, based at The Atkinson, will feature Fairport Convention and John Boden.
26
Morris Minor Show
A celebration of the iconic cars from the 1940s to the 1970s at the Museum of Transport, Boyle Street, Cheetham Hill, Manchester.
MARCH
3-16
LITFEST
This big, bold literary festival based in Lancaster is back for its 38th year. litfest.org.
25-26
Diesel Gala
Volunteers will be running a variety of diesel locos from 10am to 5pm at the Ribble Steam Railway, Preston. (Also on Sep 30-Oct 1).
APRIL
1-2
Steam Gala
You’ll be chuffed as railway volunteers fire up at the Ribble Steam Railway. (Also Easter steam specials, April 14-17 and another steam gala on September 9-10).
2-8
South Cumbria Music Festival
Now one of the most respected competitive festivals in the coutry and based at Coronation Hall, Ulvertson.
7-9
Bowness Bay Blues
The sixth annual festival will feature more than 20 bands playing gigs around the Lakes town. www.bownessbayblues.co.uk.
8
The Radox Grand National
Three days of classic race action, entertainment and excitement including one of the world’s most famous races. randoxhealthgrandnational.co.uk.
17
Egg rolling
Join an Easter tradition at Avenham Park, Preston, dating back more than a century and roll your egg in the park.
26-27
Ireby Music Festival
The 15th festival will see scores of gigs in intimate venues around the village. www.irebyfestival.co.uk.
27-May 1
Ribble Valley Jazz Festival
Yolanda Brown will be among the headline acts at this year’s event staged across the valley. rvjazzandblues.co.uk.
29-30
Printfest
After a year’s break, one of the country’s top festivals of printed art returns to Coronation Hall, Ulverston.
30-May 1
Lancaster Food and Drink Festival
Lancaster Leisure Park is the venue as more than 50 exhibitors showcase their wares at the sixth annual foodie festival organised by Lancaster Brewery.
21-23
Great British Food Festival
Against the spectacular backdrop of Stonyhurst College with up to 80 exhibitors.
MAY
17-20
Museums at Night
See the treasures in Lancashire’s museums and galleries in a new light. Also on October 26-28. museumsatnight.org.uk.
27, 29 & 30
Cartmel Races
The first meeting at what must be one of Britain’s loveliest racecourses. For more meetings go to cartmel-racecourse.co.uk
27-29
Chipping Steam Fair
The annual event has been attracting classic vehicle fans, and raising money for charity, since it started in 1997.
28
Pendle Powerfest
Off-road vehicles will take centre stage at this year’s family motorshow which also features, music, food and entertainment. pendlepowerfest.com.
JUNE
8-11
Keswick Mountain Festival
World class speaker and a host of outdoor activities including live music. keswickmountainfestival.co.uk.
9-11
Great North Swim, Windermere
Hundreds of hardy souls take the plunge to raise money for charity. Slathering yourslef in goose fat is optional. greatrun.org/great-swim.
10-11
Slaidburn Steam and Vintage Vehicle Display
Vintage tractors, steam engines and classic motorbikes and cars are the stars of this show.
14-16
Beat-Herder Festival, Sawley
Annual music and dance festival held at the picturesque Dockber Farm.
17
Cumberland Show
An annual celebration of farming and rural life which has been held for more than 175 years. Staged at Brisco, near Carlisle. cumberlandshow.co.uk.
17
Todmorden Agricultural Show
For the first time in its long history, the show has a new venue this year - the Ram Inn, Burnley Road, Cliviger. todshow.org.uk.
17-18
Scorton Steam Fair
The region’s biggest steam fair, with more than 600 vehicles. There will also be food, crafts and entertainment for all ages.
23-25
Kendal Street Choirs Festival
The streets are alive with the sound of music as choirs from across the country perform around the town.
23-25
Dentdale Music and Beer Festival
Venture over the border for three days of free music, good beer, entertainments, crafts and family fun. dentmusicandbeer.com.
23-25
Silverdale and Arnside Art Trail
One of the most popular arts events in the region as a host of studios are opened to the public.
24-25
International Mersey River Festival
A free celebration of the city’s maritime heritage, with boats of all kinds and on-land fun and attractions too. merseyriverfestival.co.uk.
24-25
Fylde vintage and farm show, Kirkham
The eighth annual event with vintage farm machinery, steam vehicles, family entertainment and animal displays. fyldevintageandfarmshow.co.uk.
29-July 1
Lancashire Science Festival, Preston
The annual festival which aims to show off the fun side of science. lancashiresciencefestival.co.uk.
29-July 16
Manchester International Festival
Ten years on from the first MIF, the event has grown into one of the world’s most respected arts festivals, with many world premieres at venues in the city. mif.co.uk.
JULY
6-9
Wigan International Jazz Festival
Jools Holland will be among the star names at this year’s event. wiganjazzclub.co.uk.
15-16
Great Eccleston Show
An annual two day celebration of rural life with crafts, food, arts and the ever-popular animal classes.
16
Fleetwood Festival of Transport
Locally known as Tram Sunday, crowds fill the streets to see all kinds of vehicles and enjoy free entertainment.
20-23
The Open Championship, Royal Birkdale
The world’s best golfers return to the North West to battle for the Claret Jug. theopen.com.
20-23
Liverpool International Music Festival
Liverpool and music go together so well, and scores of top acts at the fifth annual festival will help cement that link. limfestival.com.
22
Lancashire Festival
A family-friendly event at Avenham Park, Preston, in the heart of the city with entertainment, food, music and fun from noon-8pm.
22
Penrith Agricultural Show
A range of animal classes are the highlight of this annual show at Brougham Hall Farm.
27-20
Kendal Calling
Noel Gallagher, Madness and Donovan are among the eclectic acts already signed up for this award-winning annual festival at Lowther Deer Park.
29-30
Chorley Flower Show, Astley Park
The third annual event will be bigger and better than last year, with more displays, more trade stands and more attractions.
29-30
Cumbria Steam Gathering
The event was born in the early 1970s and now features steam vehicles of all shapes and sizes displayed by enthusiasts at Cark Airfield, Flookburgh.
30
Lytham Hall Classic Car and Motorcycle Show
The Grade One listed Lytham Hall provides an elegant backdrop for scores of cars, vans, motorcycles and more.
AUGUST
3-6
Lytham Festival
The line-up hasn’t yet been announced but this rapidly growing event has attracted big names in recent years. As well as the music, there’s art, comedy and other events around the town. lythamfestival.com.
5
Garstang Show
An historic event celebrating animals, food and crafts, which also now features lively entertainment and family attractions.
8
Lunesdale Agricultural Show
A traditional country show with animal classes and crafts at Underley Park, Raygarth.
12
Clitheroe Food Festival
Some of the region’s best food and drink producers show off their wares all over the town centre at one of the tastiest events of the year.
12
Betfred Rose of Lancaster Stakes
A chance to dress up as Haydock Park stages its much enjoyed Ladies’ Day.
17-20
Southport Flower Show
One of the biggest and best flower shows in the country, with show garden, star guests, a food tent, entertainment and family activities at Victoria Park.
19-20
Lytham 1940s weekend
The spirit of the blitz is alive and well during two days of battle re-enactments, dressing up and entertainment.
26
Chipping Agricultural Show
A popular annual event featuring animal and food classes, family fun, fell races and a dog show.
SEPTEMBER
2-3
Vintage by the Sea, Morecambe
Award winning celebration of 20th century design, fashion, vehicles and entertainment.
2-3
St Annes Kite Festival
The skies above St Annes will be awash with colour as the fabulous Kite Festival returns to the beach.
8-10
Heritage Open Days
Chance to visit locations steeped in history, architecture and culture but not always open to the public. heritageopendays.org.uk.
9-10
Lancashire Game and Country Festival
Scorton’s annual celebration of country pursuits, field sports and food. lancashiregamefestival.co.uk.
14
Westmorland County Show
One of the finest shows in the north attracting thousands to the showground at Crooklands, near Kendal. westmorlandshow.co.uk.
15-17
Lancaster Jazz Festival
Showcasing the best contemporary jazz from around the UK as well as great local talent. lancasterjazz.com.
21-24
European Tug of War Championships, Southport
Four days of club and international teams displaying their pulling power.
8, 15, 22 & 29
Blackpool World Fireworks Championships
A series of fabulous Friday night spectaculars light up the coastline.
15-17
Southport Air Show
The only seaside air show where the planes take off and land on the sands.
OCTOBER
12-16
Lancaster Music Festival
Showcasing the diversity and quality of musicians, music venues, and organisations.
lancastermusicfestival.com.
28-29
KENDAL WOOL GATHERING
Based at Kendal Leisure Centre, this is a celebration of the area’s close association with the woollen industry.
NOVEMBER
27
Lancashire Day
Town criers around the county will be shouting out the Lancashire Day proclamation. visitlancashire.com.
To be confirmed
Ulverston Dickensian Festival, an annual festive celebration in the streets. dickensianfestival.co.uk.
DECEMBER
To be confirmed
Christmas festivals
Garstang Victorian Christmas Festival, garstangchristmas.co.uk; Whalley Pickwick Festival, whalleypickwick.org.uk; Bolton Winter Festival, bolton.gov.uk.
