Tourism awards reveal events shortlist

The finalists in the best small and large event categories in this year’s Lancashire Tourism Awards have been announced.

Marketing Lancashire says the list “showcases the enormous range and appeal of events” taking place in the county.

From music and dance festivals, steam train and 1940s experiences, to theatre and flower shows, events that have taken place on canals, in town centres and even in a shopping village, together have delivered an “unforgettable year for hundreds of thousands of visitors”.

The finalists in the events categories will now be interviewed, along with the other finalists already named in the competition, by a judging panel of tourism, leisure and industry-related experts.

All the winners will be announced at the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2024 ceremony in February next year.

The finalists announced are:

• Small Event (under 15,000 visitors)
• Autumn Steam Gala at Ribble Steam Railway & Museum, Preston
• Burnley Canal Festival
• Chorley Flower Show
• Folk, Roots & Maritime Festival, Lytham
• Spot On Festival, Poulton-le-Fylde
• The Dukes Park Show - Alice in Wonderland, Lancaster
• Thornton Rocks, Thornton in Craven
• Large Event (over 15,000 visitors)
• Affinity Summer of Fun, Fleetwood
• Blackpool Dance Festival
• Lytham 1940’s Weekend
• National Festival of Making, Blackburn
• Santa Specials at East Lancashire Railway, Rawtenstall
• The Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival, Colne

Vikki Harris, partnerships and marketing director at Marketing Lancashire, said: “This year, we’ve had more applications than ever and our judges certainly have a task ahead of them, deciding on the winners.

“The list of finalists is a great representation of the kind of events that make Lancashire such an attractive proposition for visitors of all kinds, from all walks of life and from all over the UK and beyond.

“We look forward to celebrating with the creative and talented teams that make these wonderful events happen, at the awards ceremony in February.”

Lancashire Business View is a sponsor of the 2024 awards. For a list of finalists in all categories go to lancashiretourismawards.com