What’s on in Fylde

Blackpool’s annual Illuminations display is to be extended by two months for a second consecutive year.

VisitBlackpool announced today that the Illuminations season will start on Friday 3 September and run until Monday 3 January, 2022.

The two-month extension is intended to give the resort’s hard-hit tourism industry an added boost with the COVID-19 pandemic expected to cause further disruption over the first few months of the year.
It was also revealed today that the winter extension will be complemented by a significantly enhanced, resort-wide Christmas offer.

Cllr Gillian Campbell, Cabinet Member for Tourism & Culture for Blackpool Council, said: “Although last year’s extension was disrupted by tier restrictions and a second lockdown, all of the evidence showed that there was a huge appetite for the public to visit the Illuminations in a safe and enjoyable way.

“We know from the all of the positive feedback that we received that, amid so much gloom, the Illuminations provided a much-needed tonic to so many people.

“We are making this decision early so that our businesses can start to plan for the extended season. At the same time, we are planning a comprehensive package of themed shows, events and attractions to give visitors plenty of reasons to come to Blackpool over the festive season.”

More details about the Christmas offer will be revealed in the coming weeks. It has already been announced that Friends Festive Live will be coming to the Winter Gardens for two weeks in November and that Strictly judge Shirley Ballas will star in the Cinderella panto at the Opera House in December.

Plans for the annual Illuminations Switch-On ceremony on Friday 3 September will also be unveiled over the coming months. Last year, the event was presented as a virtual show in association with MTV with seven of the UK’s Corona Heroes pulling the famous switch.

For more information on Blackpool Illuminations, including 2021 Switch-On times

Click HERE for more information

Aardman’s New Festive Musical Tale about a young robin trying to fit in, debuts on Netflix on 24 November. Every year, Robin joins her family on a big sneak to find food to survive the winter. Join us on the great RSPB sneak and celebrate your inner robin! Complete the trail and you will learn to sing like a robin, find your own superpower and use all your senses to connect with the robin within.
Collect an exclusive activity pack from RSPB Fairhaven Lake.
Our exclusive activity packs will help you complete all the fun challenges along the trail as well as give robin-related activities to do at home, a certificate (for when you become a brilliant robin) and much more!

Audio trails
We’ve also provided an audio trail. Scan the QR codes as you complete the sneak, to hear Robin herself guide you along the way. Voiced by Bronte Carmichael, the voice actor for Robin Robin.

When the beautiful Princess awakes on her 16th Birthday she has the whole world at her feet; her loving father the King, her best friend Muddles, a handsome Prince she’s madly in love with and a life full of adventure ahead of her… but the wicked and jealous Carabosse has other ideas and curses her to sleep for 100 years!

Can the Kingdom be saved? Will true love win the day? And can the Princess be woken in time for an epic Birthday celebration?? To find out join us deep in the tangled forest for this fantastical tale full of fairies, dragons, bravery and enchantment.

  Featuring all of the best-loved panto shenanigans with an abundance of laughter, dance and music along with dazzling scenery and costumes, spectacular special effects and plenty of audience interaction, this is the perfect Christmas treat for all the family to enjoy!

Schools Shows – 1 Free ticket with every 10 purchased

Group Bookings – £13.00 Per person for parties over 10

We are teaming up with Ribble Bird Tours to bring you a short series of wader watch walk from Fairhaven to Lytham.

Once Breeding season is over they make there over to our ‘warmer’ climes and the mudflats of the Ribble Estuary as they are a huge Food Rescue.

Autumn and winter can be a tricky time for wader identification and even the most proficient birder can be come unstuck occasionally. join us and Ribble Bird Tours as we walk from the visitor Centre along the promenade to Lytham jetty as the tide comes in., we will take stock of the birds that we observe, watching behaviors and unique adaptations to allow them to occupy this particular habitat.

Stuart, your guide is an expert in his field and operates his own bird tour company, travelling far and wide. He is based locally in Lytham and has a wide and vast amount of knowledge. You will never fail to learn something new on a walk out with Stuart.

Meet at the RSPB Fairhaven Lake Visitor Centre 11pm. The guided walk will last around three hours, with the opportunity to look a little closer with some of our spotting scopes along the way.

Make a date to come along to this fabulous Christmas Market at Ashton Gardens in St Annes!

Opens 4pm Thursday 9th December and is then open until 6pm on Sunday 12th.

The Gardens will be decorated and lit while you visit log cabins and gazebos, hosting various local businesses. they are selling food, drink, seasonal goods and craft items.

Enjoy seasonal entertainment and Santa has agreed to see children in the Santa’s grotto!

There will also be a fun fair for children to enjoy while the grown ups can shop and get into the festive spirit.

This event is organized by STEP in conjunction with Fylde council and St Annes Town council.

Lancashire artisan traders will be at the new monthly market in the market square in Kirkham from 9am-3pm. There will be some fabulous local, Lancashire businesses with fantastic produce on sale.

Singleton Gala Committee presents Singletons Merry Little Christmas. Featuring the fabulous Poulton’s People Choir.

Just £5 per ticket which will include a delicious warm home made turkey sandwich (plus veggie options), mince pie and a glass of mulled wine(or non alcohol alternative).

please join us for a lovely afternoon of festive cheer.

To reserve a ticket please contact us on the the singleton gala Facebook page.

St Annes Parish Church is holding its annual Charity Christmas Tree Festival on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th December and Friday 17th, Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th December. The church is open from 1.30 pm until 4.30 pm every day. Everyone is welcome to come and support the charities involved. Admission is free. Full details can be found on the church website. http://www.stannesparishchurch.org

A wonderful charity evening in aid of some great charities, There will be performances from kings and queens legend Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson tribute act.

Hot buffet, auction, raffle and disco. All monies raised will be shared between Trinity hospice, Brian’s house, the North Wear Air Ambulance and the RNLI. I hope this to be an uplifting event for everyone to come together to have an amazing night and celebrate lives of loved ones that are sadly no longer with us.

Exclusively to Smuggles Emporium on the 23rd of December at 2pm the Grinchie Jnr comes to visit!

Tickets cost £8 each

We are teaming up with Ribble Bird Tours to bring you a short series of wader watch walk from Fairhaven to Lytham.

Once Breeding season is over they make there over to our ‘warmer’ climes and the mudflats of the Ribble Estuary as they are a huge Food Rescue.

Autumn and winter can be a tricky time for wader identification and even the most proficient birder can be come unstuck occasionally. join us and Ribble Bird Tours as we walk from the visitor Centre along the promenade to Lytham jetty as the tide comes in., we will take stock of the birds that we observe, watching behaviors and unique adaptations to allow them to occupy this particular habitat.

Stuart, your guide is an expert in his field and operates his own bird tour company, travelling far and wide. He is based locally in Lytham and has a wide and vast amount of knowledge. You will never fail to learn something new on a walk out with Stuart.

Meet at the RSPB Fairhaven Lake Visitor Centre 11pm. The guided walk will last around three hours, with the opportunity to look a little closer with some of our spotting scopes along the way.

AFC Fylde, the football team of the Fylde coast, take on visitors Chorley at Mill Farm in Wesham. Kick off is at 3pm. AFC Fylde play in the National League North.

Hospitality and sponsorship packages available

Blackpool’s annual Illuminations display is to be extended by two months for a second consecutive year.

VisitBlackpool announced today that the Illuminations season will start on Friday 3 September and run until Monday 3 January, 2022.

The two-month extension is intended to give the resort’s hard-hit tourism industry an added boost with the COVID-19 pandemic expected to cause further disruption over the first few months of the year.
It was also revealed today that the winter extension will be complemented by a significantly enhanced, resort-wide Christmas offer.

Cllr Gillian Campbell, Cabinet Member for Tourism & Culture for Blackpool Council, said: “Although last year’s extension was disrupted by tier restrictions and a second lockdown, all of the evidence showed that there was a huge appetite for the public to visit the Illuminations in a safe and enjoyable way.

“We know from the all of the positive feedback that we received that, amid so much gloom, the Illuminations provided a much-needed tonic to so many people.

“We are making this decision early so that our businesses can start to plan for the extended season. At the same time, we are planning a comprehensive package of themed shows, events and attractions to give visitors plenty of reasons to come to Blackpool over the festive season.”

More details about the Christmas offer will be revealed in the coming weeks. It has already been announced that Friends Festive Live will be coming to the Winter Gardens for two weeks in November and that Strictly judge Shirley Ballas will star in the Cinderella panto at the Opera House in December.

Plans for the annual Illuminations Switch-On ceremony on Friday 3 September will also be unveiled over the coming months. Last year, the event was presented as a virtual show in association with MTV with seven of the UK’s Corona Heroes pulling the famous switch.

For more information on Blackpool Illuminations, including 2021 Switch-On times

Click HERE for more information

Aardman’s New Festive Musical Tale about a young robin trying to fit in, debuts on Netflix on 24 November. Every year, Robin joins her family on a big sneak to find food to survive the winter. Join us on the great RSPB sneak and celebrate your inner robin! Complete the trail and you will learn to sing like a robin, find your own superpower and use all your senses to connect with the robin within.
Collect an exclusive activity pack from RSPB Fairhaven Lake.
Our exclusive activity packs will help you complete all the fun challenges along the trail as well as give robin-related activities to do at home, a certificate (for when you become a brilliant robin) and much more!

Audio trails
We’ve also provided an audio trail. Scan the QR codes as you complete the sneak, to hear Robin herself guide you along the way. Voiced by Bronte Carmichael, the voice actor for Robin Robin.

AFC Fylde, the football team of the Fylde coast, take on visitors York City at Mill Farm in Wesham. Kick off is at 3pm. AFC Fylde play in the National League North.

Hospitality and sponsorship packages available

AFC Fylde, the football team of the Fylde coast, take on visitors Guiseley at Mill Farm in Wesham. Kick off is at 3pm. AFC Fylde play in the National League North.

Hospitality and sponsorship packages available

AFC Fylde, the football team of the Fylde coast, take on visitors Curzon Ashton at Mill Farm in Wesham. Kick off is at 3pm. AFC Fylde play in the National League North.

Hospitality and sponsorship packages available

Fylde Council are proud to present Shifting Sands, an art trail of contemporary travel posters by acclaimed artist Nicky Thompson set within the historic grounds of Lytham Hall Shifting Sands presents 12 new contemporary artworks in the style of railway posters that depict iconic landmarks on the Fylde coast. An accompanying exhibition of mid-century railway posters from the Lytham St Annes Art Collection will be displayed in Lytham Hall.

The story of railways in Britain has been reflected in the development of the railway poster. The art form illustrates the major changes that have occurred in British society over the years and captures the spirit and character of British life throughout the twentieth century. Railway posters are social documents and material evidence of British culture; they illustrate the changing styles in art, holiday-making, architecture, and fashion over the years, as well as the development of the urban and rural landscapes of Britain.

Shifting Sands is a fascinating exploration of railway posters as an art form, the history they document, and the development of the railways and tourism since the 17th century. Nicky Thompson’s contemporary railway posters depict well known and beloved landmarks that bring tourists and travelers to the Fylde coast in droves to this day. Shifting Sands is in collaboration with Community Rail Lancashire.

AFC Fylde, the football team of the Fylde coast, take on visitors AFC Telford United at Mill Farm in Wesham. Kick off is at 3pm. AFC Fylde play in the National League North.

Hospitality and sponsorship packages available

AFC Fylde, the football team of the Fylde coast, take on visitors Darlington FC at Mill Farm in Wesham. Kick off is at 7:45pm. AFC Fylde play in the National League North.

Hospitality and sponsorship packages available

Fylde Council are proud to present Shifting Sands, an art trail of contemporary travel posters by acclaimed artist Nicky Thompson set within the historic grounds of Lytham Hall Shifting Sands presents 12 new contemporary artworks in the style of railway posters that depict iconic landmarks on the Fylde coast. An accompanying exhibition of mid-century railway posters from the Lytham St Annes Art Collection will be displayed in Lytham Hall.

The story of railways in Britain has been reflected in the development of the railway poster. The art form illustrates the major changes that have occurred in British society over the years and captures the spirit and character of British life throughout the twentieth century. Railway posters are social documents and material evidence of British culture; they illustrate the changing styles in art, holiday-making, architecture, and fashion over the years, as well as the development of the urban and rural landscapes of Britain.

Shifting Sands is a fascinating exploration of railway posters as an art form, the history they document, and the development of the railways and tourism since the 17th century. Nicky Thompson’s contemporary railway posters depict well known and beloved landmarks that bring tourists and travelers to the Fylde coast in droves to this day. Shifting Sands is in collaboration with Community Rail Lancashire.

AFC Fylde, the football team of the Fylde coast, take on visitors Bradford Park Ave at Mill Farm in Wesham. Kick off is at 3pm. AFC Fylde play in the National League North.

Hospitality and sponsorship packages available

AFC Fylde, the football team of the Fylde coast, take on visitors Alfreton Town at Mill Farm in Wesham. Kick off is at 3pm. AFC Fylde play in the National League North.

Hospitality and sponsorship packages available

Fylde Council are proud to present Shifting Sands, an art trail of contemporary travel posters by acclaimed artist Nicky Thompson set within the historic grounds of Lytham Hall Shifting Sands presents 12 new contemporary artworks in the style of railway posters that depict iconic landmarks on the Fylde coast. An accompanying exhibition of mid-century railway posters from the Lytham St Annes Art Collection will be displayed in Lytham Hall.

The story of railways in Britain has been reflected in the development of the railway poster. The art form illustrates the major changes that have occurred in British society over the years and captures the spirit and character of British life throughout the twentieth century. Railway posters are social documents and material evidence of British culture; they illustrate the changing styles in art, holiday-making, architecture, and fashion over the years, as well as the development of the urban and rural landscapes of Britain.

Shifting Sands is a fascinating exploration of railway posters as an art form, the history they document, and the development of the railways and tourism since the 17th century. Nicky Thompson’s contemporary railway posters depict well known and beloved landmarks that bring tourists and travelers to the Fylde coast in droves to this day. Shifting Sands is in collaboration with Community Rail Lancashire.

AFC Fylde, the football team of the Fylde coast, take on visitors Farsley Celtic at Mill Farm in Wesham. Kick off is at 3pm. AFC Fylde play in the National League North.

Hospitality and sponsorship packages available

AFC Fylde, the football team of the Fylde coast, take on visitors Farsley Celtic at Mill Farm in Wesham. Kick off is at 3pm. AFC Fylde play in the National League North.

Hospitality and sponsorship packages available

AFC Fylde, the football team of the Fylde coast, take on visitors Chester at Mill Farm in Wesham. Kick off is at 3pm. AFC Fylde play in the National League North.

Hospitality and sponsorship packages available

AFC Fylde, the football team of the Fylde coast, take on visitors Kettering Town at Mill Farm in Wesham. Kick off is at 3pm. AFC Fylde play in the National League North.

Hospitality and sponsorship packages available

Fylde Council are proud to present Shifting Sands, an art trail of contemporary travel posters by acclaimed artist Nicky Thompson set within the historic grounds of Lytham Hall Shifting Sands presents 12 new contemporary artworks in the style of railway posters that depict iconic landmarks on the Fylde coast. An accompanying exhibition of mid-century railway posters from the Lytham St Annes Art Collection will be displayed in Lytham Hall.

The story of railways in Britain has been reflected in the development of the railway poster. The art form illustrates the major changes that have occurred in British society over the years and captures the spirit and character of British life throughout the twentieth century. Railway posters are social documents and material evidence of British culture; they illustrate the changing styles in art, holiday-making, architecture, and fashion over the years, as well as the development of the urban and rural landscapes of Britain.

Shifting Sands is a fascinating exploration of railway posters as an art form, the history they document, and the development of the railways and tourism since the 17th century. Nicky Thompson’s contemporary railway posters depict well known and beloved landmarks that bring tourists and travelers to the Fylde coast in droves to this day. Shifting Sands is in collaboration with Community Rail Lancashire.

AFC Fylde, the football team of the Fylde coast, take on visitors Leamington at Mill Farm in Wesham. Kick off is at 3pm. AFC Fylde play in the National League North.

Hospitality and sponsorship packages available

A brand new production of The Cher Show will open next year, with book by Tony and Olivier Award-winning Rick Elice (Jersey Boys, The Addams Family, Peter and the Starcatcher), direction by Arlene Phillips (Saturday Night Fever, Starlight Express, Grease), choreography by Oti Mabuse (two-time Strictly Come Dancing champion) and costume design by Gabriella Slade (Six, In The Heights, Spice World 2019 Tour). The tour will head to the Opera House Blackpool from Tuesday 31 May 2022 – Saturday 04 June 2022.

Fylde Council are proud to present Shifting Sands, an art trail of contemporary travel posters by acclaimed artist Nicky Thompson set within the historic grounds of Lytham Hall Shifting Sands presents 12 new contemporary artworks in the style of railway posters that depict iconic landmarks on the Fylde coast. An accompanying exhibition of mid-century railway posters from the Lytham St Annes Art Collection will be displayed in Lytham Hall.

The story of railways in Britain has been reflected in the development of the railway poster. The art form illustrates the major changes that have occurred in British society over the years and captures the spirit and character of British life throughout the twentieth century. Railway posters are social documents and material evidence of British culture; they illustrate the changing styles in art, holiday-making, architecture, and fashion over the years, as well as the development of the urban and rural landscapes of Britain.

Shifting Sands is a fascinating exploration of railway posters as an art form, the history they document, and the development of the railways and tourism since the 17th century. Nicky Thompson’s contemporary railway posters depict well known and beloved landmarks that bring tourists and travelers to the Fylde coast in droves to this day. Shifting Sands is in collaboration with Community Rail Lancashire.

A brand new production of The Cher Show will open next year, with book by Tony and Olivier Award-winning Rick Elice (Jersey Boys, The Addams Family, Peter and the Starcatcher), direction by Arlene Phillips (Saturday Night Fever, Starlight Express, Grease), choreography by Oti Mabuse (two-time Strictly Come Dancing champion) and costume design by Gabriella Slade (Six, In The Heights, Spice World 2019 Tour). The tour will head to the Opera House Blackpool from Tuesday 31 May 2022 – Saturday 04 June 2022.

The first Amateur Championship was held at Hoylake in 1885 where 44 players from 12 clubs contested a series of match play rounds. Nowadays this is one of the biggest and most prestigious amateur events in the world, with 288 players competing in a mixed stroke play and match play format over 6 days.

Lionel Richie, Lewis Capaldi, Duran Duran, Snow Patrol, Diana Ross, Tears for Fears and the Strokes will headline Lytham Festival 2022.

Lytham Festival will take place in the Main Proms Arena on Lytham Green from Tuesday 28 June to Sunday 10 July.

Motown legend Diana Ross will kick off the 2022 festival on Tuesday 28th June. The American singer and actress rose to fame as the lead singer of The Supremes, who became Motown’s most successful act during the 1960s and one of the world’s best-selling girl groups of all time. A hugely successful solo career followed and has seen Ross win countless major awards including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, a Golden Globe, a Tony and several American Music Awards.

Wednesday 29 June will see rapidly rising international star Lewis Capaldi headline the Main Proms Arena. It’s been a meteoric rise for the Scottish singer-songwriter. This year alone has seen his number one single Someone You Loved nominated at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards for Song of the Year and it then won the 2020 Brit Award of the same title. Earlier this year his single Hold Me While You Wait was nominated for an Ivor Novello Award and Capaldi also won the 2020 Brit Award for Best New Artist.

Indie rockers Snow Patrol are the Thursday night headliners. With a 25-year career they have racked up an impressive number of accolades including more than 17 million global album sales and an Ivor Novello award. Their 2006 monster hit single Chasing Cars went on to become UK radio’s most played song of the 21^st Century.

Friday 1 July will see a headlining set from British music icons Duran Duran. Since first storming onto the pop scene in 1981 Duran Duran have sold more than 100 million records, had 18 American hit singles, 21 UK Top 20 tunes and have continued to perform to huge concert audiences around the world. Consistently fusing art, technology, fashion and a signature sense of style with their unique and infectious brand of music, singer Simon Le Bon, keyboardist Nick Rhodes, bassist John Taylor and drummer Roger Taylor have proven themselves timeless.

International superstar Lionel Richie headline on Saturday 2nd July as he will perform hits from his extensive and much-loved repertoire spanning decades, all the way from the Commodores to the present day. His music is part of the fabric of pop music and Richie has sold more than 125 million albums worldwide and is an Oscar, Golden Globe, and four-time Grammy Awards winner.

One of the most influential bands of the 21^st century, The Strokes Lytham Festival performance on Friday July 8 will be an exclusive North of England show. From the moment they released their critically acclaimed debut album Is This It in 2001 The Strokes were destined for huge international success and have gone on to earn a string of awards including a Grammy earlier this year for their most recent album The New Abnormal. And to make this one huge rock night to remember, The Strokes will be supported by Irish post punk band Fontaines DC.

The following night, Saturday July 9, will see timeless favourites Tears For Fears headline. The Brit Award winners have garnered international success and toured throughout the world delighting audiences with their iconic hits including Mad World, Shout, Everybody Wants To Rule The World and Head Over Heels. Critically acclaimed hitmaking singer-songwriter Alison Moyet is special guest, while Australian pop star Natalie Imbruglia will open the show.

For more information go to www.lythamfestival.com

LYTHAM FESTIVAL – Part One 28 June – 02 July 2022

Tues 28th June – Diana Ross 

Weds 29th June – Lewis Capaldi 

Thurs 30th June – Snow Patrol

Fri 1st July – Duran Duran

Sat 2nd July – Lionel Richie

LYTHAM FESTIVAL – Part Two 

Fri 8th July – The Strokes / Fontaines D.C.

Sat 9th July – Tears for Fears / Alison Moyet / Natalie Imbruglia

 More to be announced!

(Alison Moyet image – credit Steve Gullick)

Motown legend Diana Ross will kick off the 2022 Lytham Festival on Tuesday 28th June. The American singer and actress rose to fame as the lead singer of The Supremes, who became Motown’s most successful act during the 1960s and one of the world’s best-selling girl groups of all time. A hugely successful solo career followed and has seen Ross win countless major awards including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, a Golden Globe, a Tony and several American Music Awards.

Support to be announced

Wednesday June 29 will see rapidly rising international star Lewis Capaldi headline the Main Proms Arena at the Lytham Festival. It’s been a meteoric rise for the Scottish singer-songwriter. This year alone has seen his number one single Someone You Loved nominated at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards for Song of the Year and it then won the 2020 Brit Award of the same title. Earlier this year his single Hold Me While You Wait was nominated for an Ivor Novello Award and Capaldi also won the 2020 Brit Award for Best New Artist.

Support to be confirmed

Indie rockers Snow Patrol are the Thursday 30th June night headliners at the Lytham Festival. With a 25-year career they have racked up an impressive number of accolades including more than 17 million global album sales and an Ivor Novello award. Their 2006 monster hit single Chasing Cars went on to become UK radio’s most played song of the 21^st Century.

Support to be confirmed

Fylde Council are proud to present Shifting Sands, an art trail of contemporary travel posters by acclaimed artist Nicky Thompson set within the historic grounds of Lytham Hall Shifting Sands presents 12 new contemporary artworks in the style of railway posters that depict iconic landmarks on the Fylde coast. An accompanying exhibition of mid-century railway posters from the Lytham St Annes Art Collection will be displayed in Lytham Hall.

The story of railways in Britain has been reflected in the development of the railway poster. The art form illustrates the major changes that have occurred in British society over the years and captures the spirit and character of British life throughout the twentieth century. Railway posters are social documents and material evidence of British culture; they illustrate the changing styles in art, holiday-making, architecture, and fashion over the years, as well as the development of the urban and rural landscapes of Britain.

Shifting Sands is a fascinating exploration of railway posters as an art form, the history they document, and the development of the railways and tourism since the 17th century. Nicky Thompson’s contemporary railway posters depict well known and beloved landmarks that bring tourists and travelers to the Fylde coast in droves to this day. Shifting Sands is in collaboration with Community Rail Lancashire.

Lionel Richie, Lewis Capaldi, Duran Duran, Snow Patrol, Diana Ross, Tears for Fears and the Strokes will headline Lytham Festival 2022.

Lytham Festival will take place in the Main Proms Arena on Lytham Green from Tuesday 28 June to Sunday 10 July.

Motown legend Diana Ross will kick off the 2022 festival on Tuesday 28th June. The American singer and actress rose to fame as the lead singer of The Supremes, who became Motown’s most successful act during the 1960s and one of the world’s best-selling girl groups of all time. A hugely successful solo career followed and has seen Ross win countless major awards including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, a Golden Globe, a Tony and several American Music Awards.

Wednesday 29 June will see rapidly rising international star Lewis Capaldi headline the Main Proms Arena. It’s been a meteoric rise for the Scottish singer-songwriter. This year alone has seen his number one single Someone You Loved nominated at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards for Song of the Year and it then won the 2020 Brit Award of the same title. Earlier this year his single Hold Me While You Wait was nominated for an Ivor Novello Award and Capaldi also won the 2020 Brit Award for Best New Artist.

Indie rockers Snow Patrol are the Thursday night headliners. With a 25-year career they have racked up an impressive number of accolades including more than 17 million global album sales and an Ivor Novello award. Their 2006 monster hit single Chasing Cars went on to become UK radio’s most played song of the 21^st Century.

Friday 1 July will see a headlining set from British music icons Duran Duran. Since first storming onto the pop scene in 1981 Duran Duran have sold more than 100 million records, had 18 American hit singles, 21 UK Top 20 tunes and have continued to perform to huge concert audiences around the world. Consistently fusing art, technology, fashion and a signature sense of style with their unique and infectious brand of music, singer Simon Le Bon, keyboardist Nick Rhodes, bassist John Taylor and drummer Roger Taylor have proven themselves timeless.

International superstar Lionel Richie headline on Saturday 2nd July as he will perform hits from his extensive and much-loved repertoire spanning decades, all the way from the Commodores to the present day. His music is part of the fabric of pop music and Richie has sold more than 125 million albums worldwide and is an Oscar, Golden Globe, and four-time Grammy Awards winner.

One of the most influential bands of the 21^st century, The Strokes Lytham Festival performance on Friday July 8 will be an exclusive North of England show. From the moment they released their critically acclaimed debut album Is This It in 2001 The Strokes were destined for huge international success and have gone on to earn a string of awards including a Grammy earlier this year for their most recent album The New Abnormal. And to make this one huge rock night to remember, The Strokes will be supported by Irish post punk band Fontaines DC.

The following night, Saturday July 9, will see timeless favourites Tears For Fears headline. The Brit Award winners have garnered international success and toured throughout the world delighting audiences with their iconic hits including Mad World, Shout, Everybody Wants To Rule The World and Head Over Heels. Critically acclaimed hitmaking singer-songwriter Alison Moyet is special guest, while Australian pop star Natalie Imbruglia will open the show.

For more information go to www.lythamfestival.com

LYTHAM FESTIVAL – Part One 28 June – 02 July 2022

Tues 28th June – Diana Ross 

Weds 29th June – Lewis Capaldi 

Thurs 30th June – Snow Patrol

Fri 1st July – Duran Duran

Sat 2nd July – Lionel Richie

LYTHAM FESTIVAL – Part Two 

Fri 8th July – The Strokes / Fontaines D.C.

Sat 9th July – Tears for Fears / Alison Moyet / Natalie Imbruglia

 More to be announced!

(Alison Moyet image – credit Steve Gullick)

On Friday 1st July Lytham Festival will host British music icons Duran Duran. Since first storming onto the pop scene in 1981 Duran Duran have sold more than 100 million records, had 18 American hit singles, 21 UK Top 20 tunes and have continued to perform to huge concert audiences around the world.

Consistently fusing art, technology, fashion and a signature sense of style with their unique and infectious brand of music, singer Simon Le Bon, keyboardist Nick Rhodes, bassist John Taylor and drummer Roger Taylor have proven themselves timeless.

Special guests for Duran Duran are yet to be announced.

Celebrating its 13th year in 2022, there’s a full programme of events which will be published over the coming months but may include:

• The Big Sheep Show with Dancing Sheep
• Mr Alexanders Great Magic Show
• The Vale of Lune Horses and Hounds
• Wigan Ukelele Band
• Punch and Judy
• Blacksmith Demonstrations
• Five hundred vintage and steam vehicles in the parade each day
• Leyland Tractor Pullers
• Fun dog show with 20 classes
• Small Farm Area with Cattle, Sheep, Pigs, Poultry, Donkeys and Miniature Goats
• Donkey rides
• Entertainment Saturday night – free. Comedian Curtis King and Tom Jones tribute act
• Camping for exhibitors and visitors
• Lots of Food and Trade Stands
• Craft marquee
• Working ring with vintage equipment
• Auction of a tractor at 3pm Sunday with proceeds going to Rosemere Cancer Foundation

Further enquiries to 07778 008 715

Prices – £10 per adult / £8 concession / £3 children. Family ticket available

Saturday 2nd July will see international superstar Lionel Richie headline the Lytham Festival as he will perform hits from his extensive and much-loved repertoire spanning decades, all the way from the Commodores to the present day. His music is part of the fabric of pop music and Richie has sold more than 125 million albums worldwide and is an Oscar, Golden Globe, and four-time Grammy Awards winner.

Support to be confirmed

Set for the Blackpool Opera House for one week only from Tuesday 5th July 2022. Tickets on sale now!

Directed from electrifying audiences in London, Toronto, Germany and New York, Jim Steinman’s spectacular musical ‘Bat out of hell’ is set to roar into Blackpool opera house.

For the stage musical, the legendary and award-winning Jim Steinman incorporated iconic songs from the Bat Out of Hell albums, including You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth, Bat Out of Hell, I Would Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That) and Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad, as well as two previously unreleased songs, What Part of My Body Hurts the Most and Not Allowed to Love.

The producers of the UK & Ireland Tour of Bat Out of Hell – The Musical, featuring Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf’s greatest hits, are delighted to announce the return of Glenn Adamson (American Idiot) as Strat, Martha Kirby (Grease, Rags the Musical) as Raven and original leading cast members Rob Fowler (Mamma Mia!, Bat Out of Hell) as Falco and Sharon Sexton (Mamma Mia!, Bat Out of Hell) as Sloane, plus Killian Thomas Lefevre as Tink, Joelle Moses as Zahara, James Chisholm as Jagwire, Kellie Gnauck as Valkyrie, and Danny Whelan as Ledoux

A few bands make it in to their ninth studio album, and should they achieve that landmark even fewer find themselves at their strongest artistically and personally.

Elbow, a group now in their third decade of being together, will be playing at Lytham festival on Thursday 7th of July. They have been, and will always be, exclusively focused on the creation of music and lyrics that embody honestly, to both their artistic process and the lived realities on which it is based.

There could be little better example of the unique nature of elbow’s impact on music. A band that unashamedly reference progressive rock as one of their musical influences and are unafraid to tackle the intensely personal and the outwardly political in their lyrics, they have become a mainstream act beloved of the UK public without the usual marketing tricks and acquiescence to commercial concerns.

One of the most influential bands of the 21^st century, The Strokes Lytham Festival performance on Friday July 8 will be an exclusive North of England show. From the moment they released their critically acclaimed debut album Is This It in 2001 The Strokes were destined for huge international success and have gone on to earn a string of awards including a Grammy earlier this year for their most recent album The New Abnormal.

And to make this one huge rock night to remember, The Strokes will be supported by Irish post punk band Fontaines DC.

Saturday July 9, will see timeless favourites Tears For Fears headline the Lytham Festival. The Brit Award winners have garnered international success and toured throughout the world delighting audiences with their iconic hits including Mad World, Shout, Everybody Wants To Rule The World and Head Over Heels.

Critically acclaimed hitmaking singer-songwriter Alison Moyet is special guest, while Australian pop star Natalie Imbruglia will open the show.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat comes to the Blackpool Opera House for one week only!

Performances begin on Monday 25th July 2022.

Michael Harrison and the Really Useful Group are delighted to announce that direct from two triumphant seasons at The London Palladium, the sensational brand-new production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat comes to the Blackpool Opera House from Monday 25^th – Saturday 30^th July 2022. Linzi Hateley stars as Narrator, sharing the stage once again with Jason Donovan who will reprise his role as Pharaoh, which he performed at the London Palladium in 2019 and 2021 and Jac Yarrow as he prepares to don the famous coat in the titular role on tour.

Tickets available on general sale from 11am Friday 22 October 2021 at www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk

Fylde Council are proud to present Shifting Sands, an art trail of contemporary travel posters by acclaimed artist Nicky Thompson set within the historic grounds of Lytham Hall Shifting Sands presents 12 new contemporary artworks in the style of railway posters that depict iconic landmarks on the Fylde coast. An accompanying exhibition of mid-century railway posters from the Lytham St Annes Art Collection will be displayed in Lytham Hall.

The story of railways in Britain has been reflected in the development of the railway poster. The art form illustrates the major changes that have occurred in British society over the years and captures the spirit and character of British life throughout the twentieth century. Railway posters are social documents and material evidence of British culture; they illustrate the changing styles in art, holiday-making, architecture, and fashion over the years, as well as the development of the urban and rural landscapes of Britain.

Shifting Sands is a fascinating exploration of railway posters as an art form, the history they document, and the development of the railways and tourism since the 17th century. Nicky Thompson’s contemporary railway posters depict well known and beloved landmarks that bring tourists and travelers to the Fylde coast in droves to this day. Shifting Sands is in collaboration with Community Rail Lancashire.

Established for over thirty years this amateur golf tournament gives you the opportunity to play at four stunning golf courses in Fylde and experience the best the area has to offer.  The event encompasses four golf stunning courses over a five day period and is a Four Ball Better Ball Stableford / Greensomes competition for couples. There is a trophy presentation event on the final night. Couples come from all over the UK and overseas and really enjoy what the area has to offer.

The 2022 tournament schedule is as follows:

• Monday 1st  August 2022 – St Annes Old Links Golf Club (4 ball better ball)
• Tuesday 2nd August 2022 – Lytham Green Drive Golf Club (4 ball better ball)
• Wednesday 3rd August 2022 – The Fairhaven Adventure Golf cup! (4pm at Fairhaven Lake) – an optional extra just for fun!
• Thursday 4^th August 2022 – Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club (4 ball better ball)
• Friday 5^th August 2022 – Fairhaven Golf Club (Greensomes), followed by prize giving ceremony with the Mayor of Fylde

The 2022 event will be open for new entrants after December 1st 2021. Entrants must stay in accommodation in the Fylde borough which benefits the local tourism economy. To add your name to the waiting list, please email your full contact details, home club, handicap details to chantelle.vickers@fylde.gov.uk.

Cost is £550 per couple to cover all four courses plus the Fairhaven Adventure Golf cup.

(N.B. This event was formerly the William Rainford Golf event)

The Fairhaven Adventure Golf Course – The Fairhaven Adventure Cup

The free event, which attracts up to 100,000 visitors, has been cancelled for the past two years because of COVID restrictions on mass gatherings.
But VisitBlackpool has announced that the show will return for 2022 with some of the world’s finest military and civilian aircraft performing over the iconic seafront.

To complement the aerial programme, there will be plenty to see and do on the ground with a wide range of stalls, attractions and food concessions in the Air Show Village on the Tower Festival Headland.

Further details of the air show programme will be released in the early part of next year.

Please note that there will be live filming and photography at this event. Any pictures provided maybe used by VisitBlackpool for promotional purposes. If you do not wish to be included, please contact VisitBlackpool Web Team

Join us for the eleventh Lytham 1940s Wartime Weekend, taking place on Lytham Green and within the town. Please note the event didn’t take place in 2020 or 2021. There’s wartime singing, dancing, military vehicles and static aircraft, battle re enactments, weapons displays, historic wartime re enactment groups representing the allies, vintage fairground, military charities, life on the home front and much, much more. Details to be announced in due course. Making their Lytham debut in 2022 (TO BE CONFIRMED) will be the Bluebirds. We hope to confirm more names in due course – many familiar names and some new!

For your reassurance there will be a security team, first aid team, event volunteers, additional toilets, additional parking, traffic management and so much more. Please talk to any member of the team if you require help in any way.

We ask that visitors, should you choose to dress in period costume, do so in an appropriate and responsible way and do not dress in anything that is likely to offend others, especially anything associated with the extreme elements of the Nazi regime and we may ask you to leave should you be causing distress to other visitors.

The event is free to attend with just a small car parking charge for adjacent parking on Lytham Green. There is also a disabled parking area closer to the event and assistance can be given if required. All funds from this event go back in to support the event.

To kick off the event, there will also be some entertainment in the main marquee on the evening of Friday 19th August – details to be confirmed and this will be by paid ticket only.

There is no public camping available at this event. Please contact the Tourism team on 01253 658 443 for details of local camp sites. There will only be a small area for pre booked re enactors who are part of the those registered groups participating in the event.

Fylde Council are proud to present Shifting Sands, an art trail of contemporary travel posters by acclaimed artist Nicky Thompson set within the historic grounds of Lytham Hall Shifting Sands presents 12 new contemporary artworks in the style of railway posters that depict iconic landmarks on the Fylde coast. An accompanying exhibition of mid-century railway posters from the Lytham St Annes Art Collection will be displayed in Lytham Hall.

The story of railways in Britain has been reflected in the development of the railway poster. The art form illustrates the major changes that have occurred in British society over the years and captures the spirit and character of British life throughout the twentieth century. Railway posters are social documents and material evidence of British culture; they illustrate the changing styles in art, holiday-making, architecture, and fashion over the years, as well as the development of the urban and rural landscapes of Britain.

Shifting Sands is a fascinating exploration of railway posters as an art form, the history they document, and the development of the railways and tourism since the 17th century. Nicky Thompson’s contemporary railway posters depict well known and beloved landmarks that bring tourists and travelers to the Fylde coast in droves to this day. Shifting Sands is in collaboration with Community Rail Lancashire.

A partnership between Fylde Council and kite fliers SmileFactor10 with support from St Anne’s Town Council. The fabulous international kite festival returns to St Anne’s on Sea and will feature single line kites of all shapes and sizes, including inflatable octopus, flying cows, stingrays, whales, dogs and even hippos. Plus 2-line and 4-line stunt kites. It is a superb spectacle and the sky fills with plenty of colour and you can marvel at the expertise of kite flyers from the UK and all over the world.

Based either side of St Annes Pier, there will be specially a designated arena – the David Lidstone Arena to the left of the pier, with commentary from the kite fliers about their displays and encouraging you to watch the fabulous spectacle.

The event is of course entirely weather dependent and the planned programme may change at short notice due to operational constraints or weather conditions. Please note a dog exclusion zone exists either side of St Annes pier and is clearly marked, but you can watch the display with your four legged friend from the Promenade or on the beach in the kite flying zones beyond the dog restriction area.

Planned flying timings:

• Friday 2nd – 6pm onwards
• Saturday 3rd – 11am to 5pm
• Sunday 4th – 11am to 4pm

We urge you to research and use existing car parks in St Annes away from the front as it will be very busy. There will be additional event parking clearly signposted. There are plenty of bus services, plus train link into St Annes on the Sea train station which is approximately 800 yards away from the front.

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.

Telling You I’m Not Going’, ‘Listen’ and ‘One Night Only’, this sensational, multi-award winning production of Dreamgirls had its critically acclaimed West End Premiere in December 2016 at London’s Savoy Theatre, 35 years on from opening on Broadway.

Meet The Dreams – Effie, Lorrell and Deena – three talented young singers in the turbulent 1960s, a revolutionary time in American music history. Join the three friends as they embark upon a musical rollercoaster ride through a world of fame, fortune and the ruthless realities of show business, testing their friendships to the very limit.

As previously announced, Nicole Raquel Dennis will play the role of Effie White in the UK tour of Dreamgirls. Her London stage credits include Dear Evan Hansen (Noel Coward Theatre), The Book of Mormon (Prince of Wales Theatre), Waitress (Adelphi Theatre), and Dreamgirls West End (Savoy Theatre).

A finalist on ITV’s The Voice in 2019, Nicole Raquel Dennis wowed viewers and judges at her blind audition, performing Dreamgirls mega-hit ‘And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going’ alongside team mentor Jennifer Hudson. Hudson won an Oscar (Best Supporting Actress) for her portrayal of Effie White in the 2006 Oscar-winning motion picture adaptation of Dreamgirls which also starred Beyoncé Knowles, Eddie Murphy and Jamie Foxx.

Nicole Raquel Dennis will play the role of Effie White in the Dreamgirls UK tour at certain performances with further casting to be announced soon.

This award winning production is Directed and Choreographed by Olivier^® and Tony^® Award winning Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Mean Girls, Disney’s Aladdin and Something Rotten!), with Set and Costume Design by Tim Hatley, Lighting Design by Hugh Vanstone, Sound Design by Richard Brooker, Hair Design by Josh Marquette and Music Supervision by Nick Finlow.

With Book and Lyrics by Tom Eyen and Music by Henry Krieger, with Additional Material by Willie Reale, the original Broadway production of Dreamgirls was Directed by Michael Bennett who Co-Choreographed the show with Michael Peters. The production opened in 1981 and subsequently won six Tony^® Awards with the original cast recording winning two Grammy^® Awards for Best Musical Album and Best Vocal Performance for Jennifer Holliday’s ‘And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going.’

The Original London Cast Recording of hit West End musical Dreamgirls is available via Sony Masterworks Broadway.

The UK and Ireland tour of Dreamgirls is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Greenleaf Productions, Fakston Productions, Rupert Gavin, Tulchin Bartner Productions, Griffin Dohr, Adam Blanshay Productions in association with 1001 Nights Productions, Steven Rivellino, Glass Half Full Productions.

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.

Telling You I’m Not Going’, ‘Listen’ and ‘One Night Only’, this sensational, multi-award winning production of Dreamgirls had its critically acclaimed West End Premiere in December 2016 at London’s Savoy Theatre, 35 years on from opening on Broadway.

Meet The Dreams – Effie, Lorrell and Deena – three talented young singers in the turbulent 1960s, a revolutionary time in American music history. Join the three friends as they embark upon a musical rollercoaster ride through a world of fame, fortune and the ruthless realities of show business, testing their friendships to the very limit.

As previously announced, Nicole Raquel Dennis will play the role of Effie White in the UK tour of Dreamgirls. Her London stage credits include Dear Evan Hansen (Noel Coward Theatre), The Book of Mormon (Prince of Wales Theatre), Waitress (Adelphi Theatre), and Dreamgirls West End (Savoy Theatre).

A finalist on ITV’s The Voice in 2019, Nicole Raquel Dennis wowed viewers and judges at her blind audition, performing Dreamgirls mega-hit ‘And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going’ alongside team mentor Jennifer Hudson. Hudson won an Oscar (Best Supporting Actress) for her portrayal of Effie White in the 2006 Oscar-winning motion picture adaptation of Dreamgirls which also starred Beyoncé Knowles, Eddie Murphy and Jamie Foxx.

Nicole Raquel Dennis will play the role of Effie White in the Dreamgirls UK tour at certain performances with further casting to be announced soon.

This award winning production is Directed and Choreographed by Olivier^® and Tony^® Award winning Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Mean Girls, Disney’s Aladdin and Something Rotten!), with Set and Costume Design by Tim Hatley, Lighting Design by Hugh Vanstone, Sound Design by Richard Brooker, Hair Design by Josh Marquette and Music Supervision by Nick Finlow.

With Book and Lyrics by Tom Eyen and Music by Henry Krieger, with Additional Material by Willie Reale, the original Broadway production of Dreamgirls was Directed by Michael Bennett who Co-Choreographed the show with Michael Peters. The production opened in 1981 and subsequently won six Tony^® Awards with the original cast recording winning two Grammy^® Awards for Best Musical Album and Best Vocal Performance for Jennifer Holliday’s ‘And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going.’

The Original London Cast Recording of hit West End musical Dreamgirls is available via Sony Masterworks Broadway.

The UK and Ireland tour of Dreamgirls is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Greenleaf Productions, Fakston Productions, Rupert Gavin, Tulchin Bartner Productions, Griffin Dohr, Adam Blanshay Productions in association with 1001 Nights Productions, Steven Rivellino, Glass Half Full Productions.

19th November 2022, 12 noon to 6pm, Clifton Square, Lytham

DETAILS TO BE CONFIREMED