Christmas in Blackburn with Darwen

Christmas is set to be a real cracker in Blackburn with Darwen with the launch of a brand new campaign bursting with free events and giveaways!

Hot on the heels of the two hugely successful Christmas lights switch ons, Blackburn with Darwen Council has teamed up with its partners to launch the new ‘Spend Christmas…’ campaign.

It’s filled with lots of free things to do right up until Christmas Eve plus prizes to be won every day.

The top prize includes vouchers for Christmas shopping at The Mall, a Christmas Dinner from Blackburn or Darwen Market, tickets to the panto at King George’s Hall (oh yes it does!), a pair of ice skating tickets for Planet Ice and tickets to see the big man himself, at Dear Santa at Darwen Library Theatre!

Leader of the council, Councillor Phil Riley, said: “Sadly, we know that this Christmas is going to be particularly tough for our residents and businesses with the cost of living crisis nationally.

“What’s special about Blackburn with Darwen, however is the huge sense of community spirit – we all pull together when times are tough to support each other.

“This year our residents and businesses need that support more than ever so we’ve worked really hard with our partners to develop this ‘Spend Christmas…’ campaign filled with free events and giveaways.

“Not only do we want to encourage people into our town centres to have fun with their family and friends – spending their time here and doing their Christmas shopping locally, we also want to show them just how much Blackburn with Darwen has to offer – including a fantastic selection of high street and independent shops, events and places to eat, drink and visit.

“The response to the campaign has already been absolutely fantastic – I’m really pleased to say the Christmas spirit is as strong as ever in our borough!”

There’s more than 15 free events planned by the Council and Blackburn BID in the run up to the festivities.

These include a Gingerbread Christmas Trail across Blackburn town centre with 13 characters, models and selfie zones to find. Visitors are invited to discover the letters that go with each Gingerbread with a chance of winning £100 of high street vouchers.

There’ll also be free family fun at Blackburn Market and the library and the hugely popular Festival of Light is set to return on Saturday, December 17th too – including a parade of amazing light creations.

In Darwen, there’ll be a free family event each Saturday at Darwen Market between now and Christmas as well as brass bands, carol singing and the return of the character Christmas post box!

Plus, Santa is set to be busy with chances to visit him at both his Toy Emporium and Workshop in The Mall and on Darwen Market.

Catherine Price, Blackburn Town Centre BID manager, said: “There’s so much planned between now and Christmas which promises to bring smiles to all those who visit.

“We’re proud to be backing this new campaign with so many events to share and our businesses providing prizes for the exciting daily draw with lots of fab freebies.

“This Christmas, it’s all about coming together to support each other and really enjoying what the borough has to offer.”

You can be in with a chance of winning the top prize by simply telling us your favourite thing to do in Blackburn with Darwen at Christmas!

Email your answer to: shuttle@blackburn.gov.uk with your contact details to be in with a chance of winning.

Giveaways will then be announced daily on the Council’s and partner Facebook pages - be sure to give them a like now to be the first to know what’s up for grabs!

They’ll include a £100 voucher for Boutique by Vee and Pele’s Menswear, festive afternoon tea at Dolly’s Tearoom and Sweet Vintage, lunch at Checks and Greys, £30 to spend at the Rovers Store, a festive bouquet or wreath from Petals Florist in Darwen and more.

A full list of prizes as well as competition terms and conditions can be found at: www.theshuttle.org.uk

For full details on all of the Blackburn events, please visit: www.blackburnbid.co.uk/christmas2022

For the Darwen events, please visit: www.darwentowncentre.co.uk