Best events and talented students complete finalists list for Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026

Marketing Lancashire has announced the finalists in the large and small events and the hospitality and tourism student categories of the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026.

The large event category is open to large events of over 15,000 visitors and the small event category, is open to events of less than 15,000 visitors.  

The 2026 finalists in the large event are: 

• Blackpool Dance Festival  
• Farmaggedon, Ormskirk  
• Farmer Christmas, Ormskirk   

The 2026 finalists in the small event are:  

• Affinity Lancashire's BIG 30th Birthday Bash, Fleetwood  
• Chorley Flower Show  
• Rossendale Pride  
• Santa's Grotto Experience, Oswaldtwistle 
• The Dukes Park Show, Lancaster  
   

The hospitality and tourism Student Award was created to highlight the future leaders in the sector, recognising an individual who is excelling in their studies and is to be applauded for the exceptional commitment they have already shown towards a career in hospitality or tourism.

The 2026 finalists for the Hospitality & Tourism Student Award are:  

• Emily Broadhurst, North Lancs Training Group, nominated by The Emporium, part of Bowland Inns and Hotels  
• George Hainsworth, Blackburn College  
• Jack Norton, Runshaw College  
• Jessica Armstrong, Blackpool & The Fylde College 
• Keaton Kenyon, Blackburn College  
• Lois Atkinson, North Lancs Training Group, nominated by The Britannia Tap and Grill 
• Samuel Kolacz, Blackpool and The Fylde College, nominated by Holiday Inn Preston  
   

The finalists in all three categories will be judged by our panel of independent industry experts, with the winners in all 22 categories of awards, announced at the awards ceremony in February 2026. 

 Maria Moriarty-Eames, head of partnerships of Marketing Lancashire, said: "The large and small event categories are always very popular and really showcase the amazing variety of incredible things to see and do in Lancashire every year.  Visitors of all ages, and all walks of life, always have something to look forward to whatever the season.

"They bring family and friends together, to create memories that are remembered long after the crowds have returned home. 

"We wish all our finalists in these categories the very best of luck as they reach the interview element of the process and know that they'll simply blow away our expert judges with their presentations about these wonderful events." 

"The Hospitality and Tourism Student Award is a significant award as it highlights the abundance of young, local talent looking to enter the sector, which employs over 57 thousand people in attractions, hotels, restaurants and tourism businesses across Lancashire. 

"These young finalists, in the early stages of their training or career, herald a bright future for tourism and hospitality and have already demonstrated their skills, excellence and dedication through their studies and work experience.  Each one is deserving of praise but as always there has to be a winner, and we wish them all the very best of luck going forward in the competition." 

Sponsors of the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026 include:  BAE Systems, B&D Print Services, Blackpool Gazette, Conferences and Events at Burnley Football Club, Harrison Drury Solicitors, Insight6, Lancashire Business View, Lancashire Life, Lancashire Post, Lancashire Telegraph, Links Signs and Graphics, Musique, North Lancs Training Group, PM+M.