Preston’s Encounter Festival is set to light up the city once again with its Torchlight Procession this September.

This year’s event is set to take place on the evening of Saturday 21 September.

‘Promising to impress’ the procession will start at Moor Park and end with a fireworks display at 9pm on the Flag Market.

Read more: BBC Radio 2 In The Park begins setting up in Moor Park

Leading the procession this year is the newly commissioned all-female brass band, BRAZEN, a group which celebrated women brass players.

Councillor Hindle, Cabinet Member for Culture and Arts at Preston City Council said: “The Torchlight Procession is a highlight of Encounter Festival, showcasing the diverse talent and vibrant culture of Preston. We are thrilled to host both returning and new acts, whilst the community comes together for what promises to be an unforgettable and hugely entertaining evening.”

The procession also features The Lumens, a stilt duo in colour-changing fibre optic lights and mirrored suits while Preston City Mela and the Caribbean Carnival will display their energy brightly coloured costumes to the procession.

Read more: In pictures: Glastonferret celebrates live music and community in 17th year

The even will also feature traditional performance groups such as Hellfyre Magpie Fire Border Morris Team and Rivington North West Morris Dancers, alongside the new addition of some of the best Carnival Morris troupes. 

Jenisha Patel’s Bollywood Dance School, Worldwise Samba, Jazz Swing Dance, Bay Beat, and Cacophony Arkestra will also take part, making it engaging for all the family.

Shop windows across the city will be transformed into story boxes to showcase ‘Ribble of Dreams’ installations, an interactive collaboration by theatre company imitating the dog and the people of Preston.

From 6:30pm people can also enjoy a dance and a drink on the Flag Market with DJs Soulhouse Avenue and Buddha providing a soundtrack.

Subscribe: Keep in touch directly with the latest headlines from Blog Preston, join our WhatsApp channel and subscribe for our twice-a-week email newsletter. Both free and direct to your phone and inbox.

Read more: See more of what’s on in Preston

Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines

This story was made possible by you, our readers, and a host of organisations in the city, through our Crowdfund Lancashire appeal, which unlocked support from the Lancashire Culture and Sport Fund provided by Lancashire County Council. You can see all our coverage and, if you know of an arts project or event in the city we should be covering, you can submit it for our event listings and/or send details to contactus@blogpreston.co.uk for us to cover it as a story on the Blog.