7.4 per cent of Lancashire’s overall ‘visitor economic impact’.
However, Vikki Harris, its marketing and partnership director, says the impact of festivals should not be solely judged on an economic basis.
She says: “Events and festivals have the ability to shine a light on the county – bringing people here not just for the festival visit and associated spend, but by offering a shop window to future visits, as well as a national platform for promotion.
“In addition, events of this nature can grow and support communities’ way beyond the immediate impact by helping to develop pride of place, cultural expression and social inclusion.
“Festivals such as the Festival of Making or
Lytham Festival have the ability to attract both domestic and international visitors with the latter often bringing longer stays and increased spending. They are a fundamental part of Lancashire’s cultural and tourism offer.”
Few embody the spirit of Lancashire’s festival scene like Nigel Stewart of The Creative Network.
He has been instrumental in developing Chorley Live, Penwortham Live, and Longton Live – urban music festivals that transform pubs, clubs and community venues into live music hotspots and helping the hospitality trade. Chorley Live is celebrating its 15th anniversary.
Nigel says: “We run three a year and they all bring thousands and thousands of people. Chorley Live this year will have 35 venues, four acts in each per day, and more than 280 performances across two nights.”
Chorley Live sold 9,890 wristbands last year, generating more than £70,000 in direct economic impact and Nigel has high expectations for this October’s event to get 12,000 people through the doors.
He says “We want a Lancashire based music scene and we’re supporting that. This year, 250 acts have written to us and the quality of the acts goes up every year.
“We’ve had acts from The X Factor, The Voice, and Britain’s Got Talent. There is some huge talent coming through and part of the reason is because they can get up at three live festivals and play to a supportive audience.”
Penwortham Live in May sold approximately 6,000 wristbands for multiple local venues and artists, while Longton Live sold 5,922 for the event in June.
Danny Bee of UK Media and Events, has worked with South Ribble Council on Music on the Park and Preston City Council on the Preston Weekender.
He says the festival scene brings other advantages: “We use loads of different freelance staff and most of our staff and suppliers are Lancashire-based such as security, catering and technicians.
“We’ve probably got 100 staff on site and we’re a small festival. I use a local production partner for a lot of my biggest sound systems. That means that employment is keeping things local.”
It’s not just music events that draws the crowds to Lancashire. The 2025 Amazing Accrington Food and Drink Festival welcomed more than 8,000 visitors and injected £369,600 into the local economy.
Murray Dawson, who chairs Amazing Accrington, says the event’s success goes beyond the numbers. “What is even more rewarding is the positive atmosphere on the day – families
enjoying themselves, first-time visitors discovering our town, and local businesses thriving.”
In Blackburn, the National Festival of Making gives a totally different festival experience. Now approaching its 10th year, the free event brings together art, industry and community engagement. Visitor numbers reached 44,000 this year – up by 10 per cent.
Chairman Jamie Holman says: “Hotels sell out, the trains are packed, and people are traveling from Germany and Madrid to see world-class culture. It shows the town centre as a great place to be.”
Another event returning to Blackburn in October is the British Textile Biennial. Since 2019, it has hosted 65 exhibitions across 46 venues, attracting more than 211,000 attendees.
Jenny Rutter, chief executive of the Biennial, says: “Festivals have a huge role to play in how places can tell their unique local story. Local people feel real pride in becoming the hosts of these events and sharing their culture and heritage.”
With Glastonbury taking a fallow year in 2026, Duncan King from Skiddle says local festivals could see a surge in interest. “People will want to go to more independent festivals, and Lancashire is such a great place for it.”
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