Pendle Festival of Culture and peace walks

Thousands of people enjoy celebrating Pendle’s diverse communities at the Festival of Culture each year, and 2026 is set to host one of the most vibrant events yet.

Pendle Festival of Culture will take place on Saturday 27th June in Nelson, Lancashire from 12noon to 6pm.

The Pendle Festival of Culture is part of This is Nelson, which is the arts and culture strand of the Nelson Town Deal.

The festival is taking place along Market Street and Scotland Road in Nelson town centre and all are welcome.  

The festival will feature a spectacular line-up of local and international musicians and performers, including Lancashire based Dance Artist, Aimee Williamson performing a story centred around Pendle Witches.

There will also be interactive art workshops, exhibitions and installations. Audiences can also enjoy a Young Makers Market, face painting, street food from local businesses, storytelling and funfair rides.

Holly Noonan of Building Bridges said: “Many towns and cities have festivals celebrating diversity, but one of the things that makes Pendle Festival of Culture unique is the Peace Walks.

"People create banners and flags in artist-led workshops and these are carried by people from different areas of Pendle to the centre of Nelson. Their arrival, accompanied by music, kicks off the festival. It’s a symbolic and physical coming-together of different communities across our area, and represents unity, peace and fun!”

One local resident said of last year’s festival, “This had to be the best festival yet! The smell of the foods as we walked towards the Talkaoke; the colourful instruments; to me it was heaven. It brought my sleepy kids to life, and we encourage this, so very very special.”

For more information about the festival and to register for any of the Peace Walks and flag kit, email [email protected].

Early thanks are given to our sponsors and supporters for this event, the Big Lottery Community Fund, This is Nelson, Nelson Town Council, Pendle Borough Council, St Bartholomew's Church, Pendleside Hospice, Barrowford Primary School, Building Bridges Pendle, In-Situ, Super Slow Way. Pendle Festival of Culture is part of This Is Nelson, supported by Arts Council England.