Preston hosts a vibrant calendar of events that brings the city to life throughout the year.

Whether you’re a born and bred Prestonian or an out-of-towner planning a visit, 2025 promises an exciting lineup of festivals, performances and celebrations.

Make sure you don’t miss out by marking your calendar early with some of Preston’s biggest and most loved annual events, which are listed here.

For everything else going on week in week out across the city (which is a lot!) be sure to check out our event listings.

And if you’re an organiser or venue, you can list your event for free via our fast and simple form.

Egg Rolling
Monday 21 April | Avenham and Miller Parks

Egg Rolling is a big Easter tradition, going back over 150 years. Each year brings an eclectic mix of workshops, street theatre and live music. No visit is complete without taking your own Easter egg to roll down the hill with hundreds of other people.

The Preston Bank Holiday Weekender
Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 May | Flag Market

Preston’s huge outdoor music festival returns for 2025, and this time, the organisers are upping the ante! Expect regional bands, nostalgic artists and recognisable names from the music world including headliners Pete Tong and Embrace.

VE Day Beacon Lighting Event
Thursday 8 May | Flag Market

A poignant VE Day 80th anniversary civic event, centred around a symbolic beacon lighting ceremony with a tribute from cadets and veterans.

Penwortham Live
Friday 9 and Saturday 10 May | Various Locations

The popular event is back for 2025 for residents and visitors to enjoy. Last year’s South Ribble Live events were enjoyed by thousands – great for local residents, venues and performers alike.

Preston Jazz Festival
Monday 19 May to Saturday 7 June | Various Locations

The Preston Jazz and Improvisation Festival is back, with a multitude of free events taking place across the city, culminating in the finale, Jazzin’ the Park.

Caribbean Carnival
Saturday 24 to Sunday 25 May | 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.

Read more: Taking a look at the city centre exhibition celebrating 50 years of Preston Caribbean Carnival

Young Jazz in the Square
Saturday 31 May | Winckley Square Gardens

Step into the vibrant atmosphere as talented young jazz musicians showcase their exceptional skills. Hear their passion, energy, and talent as they take to the stage. It’s an afternoon of young jazz brilliance that you won’t want to miss.

Race for Life
Saturday 7 June | Moor Park

Race for Life is a series of runs taking place around the country that give people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities the chance to come together and help beat cancer. They’re strictly non-competitive, and you can take it at your own pace.

Jazzin’ the Park
Saturday 7 June | Winckley Square Gardens

Jazzin’ the Park is a free live music event that brings together diversity and community through music and art. Situated in the beautiful surroundings of Winckley Square, the event is part of The Preston Jazz and Improvisational Festival.

Windrush 77 Festival
Sunday 22 June | Avenham & Miller Park

An event to commemorate the extraordinary contributions and cultural heritage of the Windrush Generation. Immerse yourself in a day filled with music, dance, art and inspiring stories.

Longton Live
Friday 27 and Saturday 28 June | Various Locations

The popular event is back for 2025 for residents and visitors to enjoy. Last year’s South Ribble Live events were enjoyed by thousands – great for local residents, venues and performers alike.

RockPrest
Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 June | Moor Park

After last year’s 10th anniversary celebration, the ultimate tribute concert experience is back and ready to make 2025 its biggest and best year yet. With three stages of non-stop rock and over 30 live acts across two days.

Preston City Mela
Saturday 12 July | Flag Market

Preston City Mela is a vibrant celebration of South Asian arts, culture, tradition, and heritage. Bursting with performances, music, dancing, stalls, food and workshops.

Watch on Instagram: Preston City Mela 2024 at Moor Park

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The Lancashire Festival
Saturday 19 July | Miller Park

The Lancashire Festival is back for its sixth year, bringing an incredible lineup of live music, circus performances, dance, and thrilling entertainment. A truly grassroots festival, this independent event champions talented local artists and performers.

Preston Live
Friday 25 to Sunday 27 July | The Show Field Wharles

Preston Live returns for its third year, now including camping facilities. There’s a fantastic line-up of pop, dance, indie, RnB, and soul artists including The Lightning Seeds, The Hoosiers, Ella Henderson and Heather Smalls.

Winckley Square Festival
Sunday 27 July | Winckley Square

The annual event features live music and a pop up licensed bar at the Georgian Square. Last year’s event saw activities for children and families including giant games, hula hoops, circus skills and birds of prey.

ChorFest
Friday 1 to Sunday 3 August | Astley Hall

The beautiful Astley Hall will be the backdrop for a weekend of great live music. Expect an incredible atmosphere, especially with the Hall lit up as darkness falls each night.

VJ Day
Saturday 16 August | Flag Market

An unforgettable 80th anniversary celebration in Preston, where history comes to life through a range of events and performances to mark the official end of World War II.

Preston City Wrestling
Saturday 16 August | Preston Bus Station

PCW is coming back to Preston Flag Market with a spectacular show that you don’t want to miss. Dive headfirst into this free event and get involved in the singing and cheering.

Glastonferret
Thursday 21 to Sunday 24 August | The Ferret

The original indoor turfed festival returns for August bank holiday weekend. While details are TBC, expect wall-to-wall live music, drinks offers, good food and local traders.

Heritage Open Days
Friday 12 to Sunday 21 September | Various Locations

Explore Preston’s historic buildings and places with the free annual national festival.

Encounter Festival
Saturday 20 September | Flag Market

Discover a creative extravaganza at Encounter Festival, including top-notch performances, vibrant installations, and exciting activities. Celebrating the arts, culture, and heritage of Preston.

Preston Arts Festival
Sunday 21 September to Sunday 5 October

This festival of activities has been held in Preston and the surrounding area for many years. Last year’s events included everything from punk music to classical music events.

Preston Pride
Saturday 27 September

Everyone is welcome as the city celebrates Preston’s LGBTQ+ communities with live music, guest appearances, and a variety of information stands and stalls.

Remembrance Sunday
Sunday 9 November | Flag Market

Show your respect and remember the service and sacrifice of those who have defended our freedoms. There will be a short service followed by an opportunity for the public to lay a wreath at the Cenotaph.

Armistice Day
Tuesday 11 November | Flag Market

Take time to remember with a two-minute silence at 11am – on the eleventh day of the eleventh month at Preston Cenotaph.

Christmas Lights Switch On
Saturday 22 November | Flag Market

Join the city and a host of famous faces as Preston is lit up for Christmas. There’ll be performances for all the family, and some very special guests.

Winckley Square Christmas Concert
Sunday 14 December | Winckley Square

Join in traditional carols around the Christmas tree with entertainment, mulled wine, mince pies, parched peas, hotdogs and much more.

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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.