19 dated events coming up in and around Preston, Lancashire. Collected from the organisations running them, not from anyone paying to appear.
Steam trains along Preston Riverside with ghostly goings on aboard, both days of the Halloween weekend. A train that is going somewhere beats a queue for a photo with a witch.
Steam trains along Preston Riverside with ghostly goings on aboard, both days of the Halloween weekend. A train that is going somewhere beats a queue for a photo with a witch.
Join our Guided Walk Leaders for a fascinating tour of Brockholes.
Starts at 10am. Times, prices and tickets are on the organiser's own page.
Join us on the 5th November for a dog friendly, no bang bonfire night at Brockholes!
informal group for parents, carers and their pre school children
A weekly group during term time for babies, tots and their carers.
Come and join us at our pre-school sessions that let your little ones get in touch with nature and explore Brockholes.
Join us at Brockholes on Saturday 7th November for a family and wildlife friendly, no bang bonfire night!
A bonfire night with no fireworks, built for little ones: bouncy castles and soft play, a magic show, face painting, balloon animals, marshmallow roasting and the bonfire lit at 6.45pm. Adult tickets include free parking. No dogs, as at all Brockholes events.
Preston's Christmas lights switch on at the Flag Market, run by Preston BID and Smooth Radio, with special guests and live acts. Usually draws thousands, so get there early.
We are looking for local makers and artists to join us for our Bonfire Night events and Christmas Markets.
Meet Father Christmas in his scenic winter grotto overlooking the lake!
A grotto beside Meadow Lake: decorate a Christmas cookie and make a craft while you wait, then a five minute slot with Father Christmas and a toy from his workshop. Adults do not need tickets, only the children. Service dogs only, so the family spaniel stays home.
A 55 minute return steam trip from Preston Riverside along the old docks line, with Santa, Mother Christmas and the elves working the carriages. It starts in the museum building with festive activities, every child gets a plush toy steam engine, juice, a baked treat and an activity book, and adults get a mince pie.
Meet Father Christmas by the log fire at Hoghton Tower, then visit his toy workshop for a gift. Each child ticket includes one adult. A £7 lunch bag for children can be pre-booked.
A private few minutes with a Victorian Father Christmas in the candlelit parlour at Samlesbury Hall, for up to four children aged 10 and under. One adult per child goes free. Two Sundays only.
A short ride on a Santa Special steam train to Toyland to meet Father Christmas, with a present for each child and mulled wine or fruit punch and a mince pie for the adults. The short ride is the right length for under 5s. Booking is essential and opens on 1 October.
Breakfast at Kestrel Kitchen in the floating visitor village, with Santa going table to table, photos, and a gift for every child with a ticket. Unlimited tea, coffee and juice, vegan and halal options, and it is shared long tables, so you will be making friends. The gifts are for child tickets only, so a free under-2 goes home empty-handed.
Cinderella, a traditional panto by Initiate Theatre in the Guild Lounge at Preston Guild Hall, running 16 to 31 December. Prices and times are on the booking site.
Places you can turn up to whether or not anything is on.
Two Victorian parks joined at the hip beside the Ribble: a Japanese rock garden, a riverside cafe, a playground sited between the two, and the Easter egg rolling hill. Preston's best free afternoon.
A 266m hill on the edge of the Forest of Bowland with woodland and moorland paths, junior and senior orienteering courses, picnic areas, toilets and a cafe. Parking is £1 for the whole day, card or phone only.
A nature reserve with a visitor village that floats on the lake. Genuinely floats. Easy flat trails, hides, a huge adventure playground and family crafts and events in the school holidays.
650 acres of woods, meadows and river between the M6 and M65, with a visitor centre, a cafe and a river shallow enough to paddle in. Around 300,000 visitors a year and most of Warrington has never heard of it.
A half-timbered manor house from 1325 between Preston and Blackburn, with three floors of rooms, lawns, the Mayflower Playground and an eatery. Entry is by voluntary donation, but it shuts on Saturdays and Mondays.
Preston's museum, gallery and library reopened in September 2025 after a £19m rebuild, and it is still free. A proper children's library, changing exhibitions and a cafe under one Grade I listed roof on the Flag Market.