The Best Festivals in Lancashire

From quaint villages with calm rivers gently flowing beneath mossy bridges to the seaside madness of Blackpool to raves deep in the Lancastrian woodland; there's a wide variety of atmospheres to choose from in Lancashire. The one thing you can count on though is that every one of these festivals will be set in one of the multitudes of gorgeous outdoor spaces, meaning that you can both appreciate the county's beauty, and party to all the musical talent that want to as well. 

If a party's what you want, a party is what you shall receive. If kicking back with a pint is more your scene, there's plenty of opportunity for that too. Or, if you're more the type to go head-first into a moshpit and ask questions later, then they'll be something for you to charge into as well. 

Lancashire is an oft under-appreciated area for UK Fretsivals, and we don't like that, so we've put together our list of the very best festivals the Northwestern county has on offer. Scroll down and check them out!

(Click on the headers or images for FAQs and more information about each festival, and make sure to secure tickets in the boxes below each event.)

Highest Point

When: Williamson Park, Lancaster, Lancashire 

When: Thursday 11th - Saturday 13th May 2023

Lineup: Hacienda Classical, Bastille, Anne-Marie, Danny Howard, Friendly Fires, Freya Ridings, Sigma, Skream, Sub Focus, Charlie Tee, Elvana, K-Klass, Toploader

Lancaster's number one open-air live music event, Highest Point has confirmed its return to the city's majestic Williamson Park next summer.

Taking over the magnificent grounds of the hill-top park once more, providing four days of amazing wall-to-wall entertainment, the festival will welcome a score of fantastic performances from recently announced headliners, Anne-Marie, Bastille and the Hacienda Classical, who make their long-overdue return to open proceedings on Thursday 11th May. Many more acts have still yet to be announced.

Tickets for the fifth instalment of the popular North West event are already in high demand. Secure yours now in the box below to avoid bitter disappointment.

Tickets for Highest Point Festival

Lytham Festival

When: Lytham Green, Lytham St Anne's, Lancashire

When: Tuesday 28th June - Sunday 10th July

Lineup: Jamiroquai, Fun Lovin Criminals, George Ezra, Cat Burns, Sting, Blondie, Kaiser Chiefs, Lionel Richie, Motley Crue Def Leppard

Before you get too excited, this, unfortunately, isn’t one massive festival. Lytham Festival is broken down into two parts with a break in between. It’s more like a series of day festivals than one giant fest. Sorry to kill your dreams. But still, the lineup is looking glorious, and there are some rare acts on there, such as the glam rock icons Motley Crue and new wave rock legends Def Leppard, both of whom don’t have many other UK dates booked this year; legends like Sting, Blondie, and, Lionel Richie; and even some modern pop icons in Jamiroquai and George Ezra It's definitely one to consider, especially if the thought of camping makes you want to shed a few tears. 

Find more information on Lytham Festival - here

Wile Out

When: Towneley Park in Burnley, Lancashire 

When: Saturday 19th August 2023

Lineup: TBA 

What started out as a highly successful, exclusive preparty hosted by Craig David has boomed and Wile Out Festival will return to Burnley's Towneley Park in Lancashire, on Saturday 19th August, with some of the biggest names in house, tech house, drum n bass and bassline in tow. An ideal festival for those who enjoy a slightly more intimate vibe than some of the other huge dance get-togethers in the area, but also just want to let loose to some of the best music in the scene.

Last year's edition saw the likes of Craig David, Wilkinson, and Sub Focus, grace its stage and although we don't have names for the 2023 edition just yet we are positive that it will more than live up to expectations. If this sounds like the perfect fest for you, then keep your eyes peeled for the first names announced on the lineup, as they will be released soon. 

Tickets for Wile Out

Retro In The Park

When: Towneley Park in Burnley, Lancashire

When: Saturday 27th - Sunday 28th May 2023

Lineup: Rodger Sanchez, Todd Terry, Judge Jules, Graeme Park, K-Klass, Lovely Laura & Ben Santiago, Peter Heller 

Step back in time and relive the music of yesteryear at Retro in the Park 2023! The ultimate Lancashire summer nostalgia trip is back and it's bigger and better than ever before. With a lineup like this one, the weekend is bound to be an unforgettable day of classic hits, dancing, and good vibes in the heart of Towneley Park in Burnley.

This year's lineup features some of the biggest names in old-school dance music, including legendary acts like Rodger Sanchez, Todd Terry, Judge Jules, Graeme Park, and K-Klass, who will be joined by a host of other talented performers of your past, all bringing their own unique flavour to the party. If you thin modern lineups lack the calibre of those of your youth, then this is the festival for you!

Tickets for Retro In The Park

Rebellion Festival

When: Winter Gardens in Blackpool, Lancashire

When: Thursday 3rd - Sunday 6th August 2023

Lineup: The Damned, Steel Pulse, Descendants, Die Toten Hosen, New Model Army, Bob Vylan, Bad Manners, Kid Kapichi

The UK’s largest independent punk music festival is back with a pretty damn impressive lineup. We have some essential punk heroes including The Damned, Steel Pulse, Descendants, and Die Toten Hosen. But there are also some smaller bands who are making serious waves in the scene and punching up to these bigger names in true punk style. The likes of such as Bob Vylan, Bad Manners, and Kid Kapichi are who we're on about, and with the way these lot play live, we are sure crowds will be leaving with some fondly remembered bruises.

Basically, it’s gonna be crazy, and we do not want you to miss out on a thing. Get them tickets soldier and charge head first into the no-man's-land-esque moshpits that are bound to arise.

Find more information on Rebellion Festival - here

Beat-Herder Festival

When: Dockber Farm in Sawley, Lancashire

When: Thursday 13 - Sunday 16 July 2023

Lineup: TBA

Beat-Herder has come a long way since its inception in 2006. Back then, there were only 1,200 attendees, four small tents, a naked sauna and a “couple of hippy food stalls.” Now, Beat-Herder expects around 12,000 attendees and has 16 additional music areas, fairground rides, and more. The lineup for 2023 hasn’t been announced just yet, but you can expect electronic music, reggae, dubstep, house, techno, drum and bass, folk, all that good stuff and more. Last year's edition saw the likes of Nile Rodgers & Chic, Hot Chip, the Wailers, Public Service Broadcasting, David Rodigan, and Alan Fitzpatrick amongst many others; Oh, and the fest even closes with a bit of comedy! 

Basically its one of the most musically diverse and 'coolest' festivals on the Lancashire calendar, and if you're a bit left field, or you just like your lineups to feature a wide array of some of the most original acts in the biz, then beat-herder has to be your festival stomping grounds this summer

Find more information on Beat-Herder Festival - here

Save The Rave: Outdoor 90s Festival

When: Victoria Park in Southport, Lancashire

When: Saturday 22nd July 2023

Lineup: Ultrabeat, Phats & Small, Dave Pearce, K-Klass, Angie Brown, Marcella Woods, Lee Butler

Get ready to experience a blast from the past with Save The Rave: Outdoor 90s Festival 2023! This festival is the ultimate celebration of all things the 90s, from the music to the fashion and everything in between. Transporting you and your pals back in time to relive the golden era of dance music with the biggest and best acts from the 90s, dancing the day away to classic tracks from the likes of Ultrabeat, Phats & Small, Dave Pearce, K-Klass, Angie Brown, and many more.

The stunning grounds of Victoria Park in Southport is the perfect setting to relive those nostalgic memories and create new ones with friends old and new. So, don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the ultimate 90s festival. Get your tickets now and prepare for a day of pure nostalgia and raving like it's 1999!

Tickets for Save The Rave: Outdoor 90s Festival

Restricted Forest Festival

When: Witton Park in Blackburn, Lancashire

When: Saturday 24 June 2023

Lineup: Judge Jules, Corona, Darren Styles, Darude, Ultrabeat, Artful Dodger, David Rust, Flip N Fill

Restricted Forest Festival is here to deliver what we all need from time to time - a good old-fashioned rave-up. With music from the realms of house, techno and old school, this fest offers exactly what any raver could want in a secluded forest location. 

There's a lot of mystery surrounding the event but the forest itself is its own mystery. It's said that our ancestors were banned after becoming too addicted to the secret of the forest. Now it has been unlocked again for our everlasting enjoyment.

The 2023 edition is absolutely stacked with a mix of classic rave groovers and some up-and-coming talent thrown in for good measure. With names like The Artful Dodger, Corona, Darude and Ultra Beat peppering the lineup, it's clear that this is going to be a secluded forest rave of seismic proportions. 

So grab your ticket, stick on your wellies, and get your gun fingers out because it’s gonna be a mad one. 

Tickets for Restricted Forest Festival

No matter which Lancashire festival you choose, we know you’ll have a cracking time. It truly is crazy how diverse the festivals in this county are. And with so many different types on offer, it’s hard to imagine that there isn’t one that’ll suit your needs. Anyway, we’ll catch you later. We’ve got train tickets to book and festival tickets to buy!

Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.

Header image: Highest Point Festival