Menu

Coronation Big Lunch, City Mela, Carnival, Armed Forces Day and more for Preston’s big 2023 summer

Posted on - 27th March, 2023 - 12:00pm | Author - | Posted in - Arts & Culture, Avenham, Families & Kids, Flag Market, Moor Park, Music, Preston City Centre, Preston Council, Preston News, What's On in Preston, Winckley Square
Armed Forces Day 2022
Armed Forces Day 2022 Pic: William Matthews

A number of events in and around Preston city centre have been launched by Preston City Council.

Prestonians and visitors will see a series of events take place in locations around the city from April to September, with something to suit all tastes.

As well as the popular Preston annual festivals, some new events have been added to reflect this special year.

Read more: Book trader celebrates 45 years at Preston Markets 

Rockprest 2022
Rockprest 2022 Pic: William Matthews

Adrian Phillips, Chief Executive of Preston City Council, said:“This year is shaping up to be momentous for events and festivities for Preston and we are delighted to be celebrating our city’s rich culture and heritage with an exciting programme of events for 2023.

“In addition to the official celebrations marking civic occasions, there are also a number of other significant events which are inclusive of Preston’s diverse community announced for 2023.

“We have worked closely with our community partners to create an exciting programme that will bring people together and showcase our beautiful city.

“This year, Preston City Council will be supporting these events to ensure that the city-wide event programme is a continued success and attracts visitors into the city centre.

Read more: The Barn at Worden Hall opens ready for weddings and parties

Mela event 2022
Mela event 2022 Pic: Michael Porter Photography

“The event programme is an important part of our approach to increasing visitor numbers to the city centre and supporting local businesses, presenting the city in a positive light and ensuring visitors have a great experience as well as introducing a sense of civic pride for our residents.”

Here is the full list of events:

Egg Rolling, 10 April at Avenham and Miller Park, Preston
Avenham Park Egg Rolling is back for 2023 on Monday 10 April, with events and performances from special guests, including: High Tea (With a Twist), The Giant Balloon Show, A La Puppet Carte and more. Get your family ready for music, dancing, crafts, puppet shows, performances and African drumming action.

Read more: All the details for Preston’s egg rolling

Preston’s Coronation Big Lunch, 7 May at Avenham and Miller Park, Preston
A celebration of the coronation of King Charles III where the whole family are invited to bring a picnic and enjoy a host of entertainment including an eclectic artist programme, children’s activities, fairground rides and trader stalls with a quintessentially royal theme.

Read more: Preston Mayor holding Coronation Ball for charity

Caribbean Carnival, 27 – 28 May at Moor Park
Preston’s annual Caribbean Carnival celebrates the flamboyant and creative Caribbean culture within the city. The Carnival features a procession where people of all ages and communities join together, bringing the city to life with an array of colours, fantastic costumes, live music and dancing. The procession weaves its way around Preston city centre, led by the Carnival King and Queen.

Read more: Details confirmed for Preston Caribbean Carnival

Young Jazz in the Square, 3 June at Winckley Square
Jazz is back in Winckley Square after being hugely successful in 2022. Young Jazz in the Square includes performances from jazz ensembles. The ensembles that will be playing will include Lancashire School’s Jazz Orchestra and Lancashire Youth Jazz Orchestra. The stunning Winckley Square is an ideal venue for music fans to come and relax for two hours of jazz.

Jazzin’ the Park, 10 June at Winckley Square
Preston Jazz and Improvisation Festival returns with 10 days of Jazz fused and improvised music, with all events being free to attend. The Festival culminates in the highly popular Jazzin’ the Park brought to you by Jazzin’ the Park Productions, Preston Jazz and Improvisation Festival, Friends of Winckley Square and Preston City Council, with funding secured from the Arts Council England. The artists are always curated to capture all ages and tastes, from traditional to cutting edge contemporary.

Race for Life, 10 June at Moor Park
Race for Life is Cancer Research UK’s biggest series of fundraising events. Taking place in Preston will be a 5K route single lap route mostly on flat grass with the occasional slight incline. Get involved or show your support for this cause.

Read more: See pictures and more from previous Race for Life events in Preston

Preston City Mela, 17 June at Moor Park
The Preston City Mela is a vibrant celebration of South Asian arts, culture, tradition, and heritage. The first Mela in Preston dates back to 1992 and has continued to be hosted every year since. Today, Preston City Mela is mainly celebrated in the summer on the Flag Market and inside (prior to its temporary closure). The event is bursting with performances and traditional South Asian music and dancing. Each Mela features a variety of stalls, food, and workshops, where you can get involved in henna tattoos and printing techniques, taking your creations home with you.

Windrush 75, 18 June 2023, Avenham and Miller Park, Preston
The 75th anniversary of the Windrush arriving in the UK will be marked with an event to highlight an important moment in British history and come together to celebrate four generations of legacy, contribution, struggle and positive change.

Armed Forces Day, 24 June at City Centre
To mark Armed Forces Day and provide an opportunity to come together and recognise the valuable work of Armed Forces, there will be a short service and parade in Preston City Centre with the Veterans and unformed cadet forces. A service of Remembrance and thanksgiving will be held at the Cenotaph at the Flag Market. Following which a Tribute to the Troops event will entertain the Armed Forces, their families and the wider community.

Read more: See pictures and more from previous Armed Forces Day in Preston

MET – Mobile Event Tent, July, Ribbleton

Inside The MET Pic: Michael Porter Photography
Inside The MET Pic: Michael Porter Photography

The MET will pop up in Ribbleton for the month of July and working with local communities, will feature an exciting programme of community-led activity, performances from local organisations and groups and bring in programme chosen by the community. Supported by a community facilitator there will be plenty of opportunities to engage and participate.

Rockprest, 8 – 9 July at Moor Park
Rockprest takes place in Moor Park Preston on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 July. Now in its ninth year, this year will see the festival expand to three stages enabling us to provide many more acts. There will be at least 35 bands over the two days. Tributes include Pink, The Killers, Rolling Stones, Elvis, Metallica, Linkin Park, The Police, The Smiths, Nirvana and many more.

Read more: Rockprest returns to Moor Park with three stages

Lancashire Encounter Festival, 15-17 September located throughout Preston City Centre
Lancashire Encounter will be back again in 2023 with performances, inspiring arts and impressive music. With a packed programme of events and things to do, Lancashire Encounter is a festival not to be missed, providing an authentic voice for Lancashire and celebrating the breadth of the county’s diverse cultural offer with high-quality and high-profile arts.

Read more: See pictures and more from previous Lancashire Encounter Festivals

Preston Pride, 23 September at Preston Flag Market
Taking place every September, Preston Pride brings together the community of Preston and the North West for celebration and support of the city’s LGBTQIA+ community. Since the first Pride in September 2012, the event continues to promote a culture of inclusivity and equality, welcoming all who wish to support and participate in these values and wave their flags in pride.

City of Preston 10K, 24 September at Preston City Centre
The month of September sees runners from Preston and the surrounding area take to the start line. Run by Sports Tours International, the event sees a picturesque 10K route through the heart of Preston city centre and the surrounding areas, showcasing a number of the city’s best sights. Those not participating can cheer on runners, keeping an eye out for family and friends. There is also a host of entertainment and activities set up in the city.

Read more: See pictures and more info from previous Preston 10ks

Other events include Armistice Day, 11 November and Remembrance Sunday, 12 November at Preston Flag Market.

To keep up to date with all events go the Visit Preston website.

Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines

Will you be attending any of the events? Let us know in the comments below.

Share
Preston in pictures Preston [Listed Building Grade II] - 7 East Cliff 241109Preston [Listed Building Grade II] - 6 East Cliff 241109Preston [Listed Building Grade II] - 8 East Cliff 241109Sentinel Shunter Ribble Rail Sentinel 33027 Jim MartinThe Old Taxi Rank, Preston Bus StationPreston Market at night. View more
Advertisement
Subscribe to the newsletter

Sign up below to receive Blog Preston's email newsletter. It wings its way into inboxes every Sunday and Wednesday rounding up our top stories and more.

Advertisement
News by location

Find news by location, select an area of your choice to be kept up to date with the latest goings on.

The Preston Guide

Discover local businesses and services near you.

Advertisement
Categories

Find news by category, select an category of your choice to be kept up to date with the latest goings on.

Blog Preston email updates

Receive our digest of the biggest and best stories every Sunday to your email inbox

We respect your privacy and you can unsubscribe at any time from our emails