A two-day music festival is returning to Preston city centre during the early May Bank Holiday weekend.

The Preston Weekender takes place on the Flag Market and builds on its successful return in 2024 when thousands of people parties to the likes of Buzzcocks, Freemasons, Julie McKnight and Space.

No acts have been announced but the festival – organised by Preston’s Business Improvement District (BID) and Preston City Council – is confirmed for Saturday 3 May 2025 and Sunday 4 May 2025.

Read more: See pictures from the Weekender’s return to the Flag Market

Peter Alexander, BID’s night time economy representative, said: “Collectively, we proven that there’s an appetite for this sort of annual event in Preston.

“The 2024 event was a great success, but there are learnings that we’ve taken on board to make next year’s event a bigger deal for attendees, and everyone involved. We also be working closely with city centre businesses to promote them to event attendees.

“Preston has a strong offer when it comes to performance and live music. The Weekender provides a bigger platform for us to celebrate this, alongside bringing in recognisable names from the music world for people to enjoy without having to leave Preston!

“We hope that, once again, the people of Preston and beyond will get behind the event, which will allow us to improve it and grow it, year on year.”

Cabinet member for arts and culture at the city council, councillor Anna Hindle, said: “Off the back of this year’s Preston Weekender success, I’m thrilled to announce its return for 2025 and look forward to welcoming acts and music-loving revellers to Preston, for this wonderful and entertaining weekend.

“Events like the Preston Weekender have a hugely positive impact on our city, both economically and helping to enhance Preston’s reputation as a city synonymous with culture and entertainment.”

Organisers say talks are underway with artists and those interested in attending can register their details on The Preston Weekender website to receive pre-sale announcements and priority tickets.

The two-day music festival had originally been due to return in August 2023 on the Flag Market but was shifted into the Guild Hall for the November of the same year – however it had to move back to the Flag Market for a May 2024 return after the discovery of crumbly concrete – RAAC – in the roof of the city’s main venue which remains closed.

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