Lytham 1940s Weekend 2026
Page to be updated…
Saturday 15th August and Sunday 16th August 2026 (10am to 5pm each day). Lytham re lives the 1940s wartime era with a weekend of forties singing, dancing, weapons displays, historic vehicles, military charities, vintage traders and so much more…
Music, dance and speeches
TO BE UPDATED
The entertainment marquee situated on Lytham Green has two days of free entertainment from 10am to 5pm each day. The line up features Derek Herbert Winston Churchill’s rousing wartime speeches, Colin Bourdiec as George Formby, there’s Johnny Victory and making their Lytham return for their third full weekend appearance the Bluebirds UK and Lancashire Belle (Saturday only). Paula Marie (pictured) returns by popular demand to entertain us once again. and there’s the the Re Invintaged Fashion Show (Sunday only). There will be a licensed forties bar in the main marquee.
There will also be military vehicles, music and dance on the Mussel Tanks (weather permitting) adjacent to the Promenade with a resident forties DJ, plus dancing in Clifton Square too.
Co Sign – BSL (British Sign Language)
We will be joined once again in the main event marquee on Lytham Green both days by Carol and Tony from sponsors Co Sign. Established in 1996 they offer up BSL (British Sign Language) on the main stage and this has become a popular and welcome addition to the event. Sarah and Carol from Co Sign will appear with us in 2025 for the fifth time. We are delighted to have them as part of the event team and know the entertainers very much value their inclusion too. Please make them welcome and give them a big cheer for their work. (Please note they will not be appearing in the evenings – daytime only).
More information on sponsors Co Sign Blackpool – click HERE
Kalamazoo Dance Band – Sat 15th Aug 2026
Once again, back by popular demand, we will be joined by the Kalamazoo Dance Band in the main event marquee on the evening of Saturday 15th August 2026. Doors 7:30pm. We look forward to welcoming you.
We’ll Meet Again – Lowther Pavilion
We’ll Meet Again – 1940’s Variety Show Friday 15th August – tickets HERE
This 1940’s Variety show returns by popular demand. In a light-hearted, yet respectful look at wartime entertainment known as ENSA, the cast re-creates stars in battle-dress, plus a taste of old London Town.
Please note the entertainment offered up by the nearby Lowther Pavilion is not under the management of the Lytham 1940s Weekend, so any enquiries should be directed to the Lowther Pavilion.
Historic vehicles and aircraft
There will be an impressive display of historic military vehicles by the MVT (Military Vehicles Trust), post war vehicles and more, parked up on Lytham Green opposite the Clifton Arms Hotel. Each day at 1pm there will be a military vehicle procession that passes through the centre of Lytham, led by Winston Churchill and you’ll see jeeps, trucks, vintage bicycles and so much more…
Plus there will be a classic civilian vehicle convoy through Lytham each day at 12 noon.
There will be a static Spitfire display from the Lytham St Annes Spitfire Display Team. Plus, do go and support the military charities, Spirit of the Home Front and the many and varied re-enactment groups, including a canon firing display.
Visitor information – what you need to know…
This is a free to visit event on Lytham Green (FY8 5LD) and run by the local authority (Fylde Council). Parking is £10 per car per day (CASH) on Lytham Green – ALL MONIES GO STRAIGHT BACK INTO THE EVENT to offset some of the significant event costs – first aid, security, marquees, traffic management, toilets, generators, fencing and SO much more!! Disabled parking areas will be available on Lytham Green closer to the event. There are alternative car parking options nearby or public transport – plenty of buses and trains to Lytham just a few minutes walk from Lytham Green.
Camper vans – given the nature of the location, we do not have capacity to accommodate camper vans or caravans overnight for use by the general public on Lytham Green. The only camper vans or caravans accommodated at this event are those registered as part of pre agreed and organised re-enactment groups who will use the ‘Triangle’ at Fairlawn Rd by pre arrangement, or a limited organised space for the NWW2A by Lytham Windmill. If you are attending the event and wish to come in a camper van, there are touring sites in the area, or you may be able to park up near to the event in areas with no overnight restrictions. Thank you for your understanding.
The evening events do carry a charge. There are existing toilets by the windmill, Lowther Gardens and there will be extra portable toilets (including disabled toilets) dotted around the event.
There will be food and drink at the event but we do very much encourage you to visit Lytham town centre too where many of the eateries and shops get dressed up for the weekend. There’s plenty of staff and volunteers available if you need assistance. An information sheet with event timings will be available with a voluntary donation towards the event costs requested . We respectfully ask you not to wear anything that might offend others or wear anything associated with the more extreme elements of the Russian forces or Nazi regime.
Weapons Policy – HERE ON THIS LINK
Dogs – please keep dogs on leads at the event and note that no dogs are allowed in the main entertainment marquee as this can get very busy at peak times. The only exceptions being clearly identifiable guide dogs and clearly identifiable assistance dogs. Please clean up after your dog at the event if required and given the nature of the event there will be loud noises from time to time, so be mindful of the event schedule.
More information is available on the event Facebook page or call the Tourist Information team on 01253 658 443.
Facilities at the event
- Event first aid team and event security team
- Information point, lost children point, lost property
- Additional event toilets (including disabled toilets)
- Lytham Green car parking – £10 per car per day CASH (ALL MONIES GO BACK INTO THE EVENT)
- Vintage traders – clothing, military memorabilia, knick knacks and uniforms
- Food and drink stalls – although make sure to visit Lytham town centre too
- Entertainment marquee – 10am to 5pm both days, with BSL offered with sponsors Co Sign
- Evening entertainment – Sat 15 Aug – Kalamazoo Dance Band
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
- Where is it? Lytham Green – postcode FY8 5LD.
- Is it free? Yes, it’s free to attend . The evening ticketed events will carry a charge.
- Why is parking on Lytham Green £10 per car? The event carries a huge cost. Every penny goes back into the event to offset costs such as first aid, security, fencing, generators, traffic management, marquees and so much more. For every £1 we spend, we get back 50 pence; hence the parking price increasing. There are other options in the area and plenty of public transport options, but car parking on the Green really does help us to afford to put this event on and sustain it. Thank you in advance for your support. There is a discounted advance ticket available though.
- Can I get an advance car parking ticket for Lytham Green? Yes, at £7.50 per car per day – HERE
- Do you have public camping / motorhome provision? No. This takes place on public land, we do not have the capacity to offer up such arrangements. There are sites within the vicinity, but we cannot offer public camping on Lytham Green.
- Can I trade? We get inundated and can only take a few, especially food and drink. Please email events@fylde.gov.uk
- I am an entertainer. Can I be considered to take part in the event? We are flattered we get so many requests to perform and again we have very limited capacity and only so many places on the timetable.
- What about food and drink? We do offer this, but do visit Lytham town centre too and support the businesses there.
- Are there disabled facilities? Yes, parking closer to the event; BSL in the marquee (daytimes only), accessible toilets.
- Where can we dance? Clifton Square and the Mussel Tanks will both have dancing and a DJ, plus in the main marquee.
- Will there be loud bangs and noise? Given the nature of the event, yes, but this is always within H&S levels and signage is in place
- Is there first aid? Yes, we will have a team on constant patrol, plus a security team for your safety / lost children
- Are dogs welcome? Yes, but not in the main marquee given it gets so busy (note guide dogs and identifiable assistance dogs are welcome). Please keep control of your dog, especially given the expected crowds and clean up after if needed.
- Are there other events taking place in Lytham? Yes, many venues in town get involved and offer up entertainment
- Will there by a flypast? No, given the cost of putting on the event. It is just not affordable alas.
- Can I buy a programme? There will be an information sheet available for a voluntary donation with all timings on sale at the event.
- What are the 2026 dates? We are always the 3rd weekend of August; therefore August 15th and 16th 2026
Cotton Traders
We are very grateful to Cotton Traders who are supporting the 2025 event as a sponsor. After a successful campaign to convince the Altrincham-based fashion retailer that Lytham St Annes offers considerably more charm than certain Mediterranean party destinations. Visitors may also have the opportunity to see Debra, Cotton Traders’ celebrated advertising personality, who will finally discover what she has been missing on the Fylde coast. Shona Jameson, CMO from Cotton Traders, added: “We’re thrilled to be sponsoring the Lytham 1940s Weekend and the St Annes Kite Festival! As a local Northwest business, we know the Fylde coast has a special charm and all it has to offer. We’ve even heard on the grapevine that Debra is back from Ibiza and ready to live it up at both festivals – turns out she’s come to her senses about Lytham St Annes! And like us, she’s very excited to be part of these amazing events.”
Press release HERE
Cotton Traders website – HERE
Lytham town centre
Away from the main event, do take time to visit the town centre of Lytham which is just 100 yards away. Many businesses make the effort to dress their shop with bunting and sandbags and the staff get dressed up and many businesses also open additionally that would normally be shut on a Sunday. There’s plenty of places to eat and drink in the town centre and there will be dancing in Clifton Square during the weekend, as well as the vehicle parade passing through just after 1pm each day.
Lytham St Annes Spitfire memorial
In 2009 the Lytham St Annes Spitfire Display Team was formed as the fundraising arm of the Fylde Spitfire Memorial Fund. The teams objective was to raise funds through public donations to build a full-size replica of the Mark VB Spitfire W3644 which was purchased by the people of the Borough in 1940. Sadly the aircraft and pilot Sgt Alan Lever-Ridings were shot down by an FW190 whilst returning from escort duty during a bombing mission over Morlaix, France.
The Memorial was officially unveiled on the 19th August 2012 at Fairhaven Lake (FY8 1BD) and do take time to visit if you can during the weekend or at a later date.
Accommodation for the weekend
There are plenty of good quality, welcoming guest houses, holiday apartments and hotels in the area and use the accommodation section on this website where there’s plenty to choose from. ALWAYS book direct with the accommodation provider for best rates and information.
There is very limited overnight camping / motorhome space for registered re enactors involved with the weekend or through the NWW2A in a designated area in Lytham. For public camping, caravans or motorhomes, please contact Eastham Hall, Ream Hills or Pipers Height (within approximately 15 minutes away).
Image shown – Bedford Hotel (left) and the Glendower Hotel (right) in St Anne’s, both 10 minutes from the event.
