Published Monday 9 December 2024 at 17:58
Christmas has well and truly arrived here in Blackburn, and there’s so much for the whole family to enjoy.
From the super-popular panto at King George’s Hall to Escapades, a brand new festive tavern, plus The Firepit’s winter wonderland tipi, ice skating, cinema dates and a whole host of free events and activities every single weekend.
With so much going on, we’ve put together this useful guide so you don’t miss a thing!
Keep reading to find out more…
Have a ‘ball’ at the panto!
Christmas just isn’t Christmas without a trip to the panto.
And this year you’ll have a ‘ball’ with arguably the most famous pantomime of them all… Cinderella.
With catchy songs, dazzling dance routines, stunning scenery and sparkly costumes, along with plenty of giggles for all generations, this is a show not to be missed.
Cinderella is running at King George’s Hall until December 31st, with a range of different performance times to suit all families.
Whether it’s a Christmas day out or seeing in the New Year, it’s sure to be one of your most memorable moments from Christmas 2024.
Plus, we have a special discount code that reduces tickets to just £16 each – a saving of up to £6 per ticket.
Simply click this link to head over to BwD Venues now to book your tickets and enter BWDDISCOVER at the checkout.
Step into Christmas at Escapades – Blackburn’s brand-new festive tavern!
Just across the road from King George’s Hall at 35 Northgate, you’ll find Escapades – Blackburn’s new pop-up festive tavern.
‘Escapades’ brings together the most delicious festive food, dazzling drinks and a packed line-up between now and Christmas Eve and everyone is welcome.
Christine Cort – an expert in place-making and brand-building – has pulled out all the stops to create something extra special for her hometown. And she’s enlisted the help of pal and celebrity chef, Paul Heathcote and his company, Escapade to devise a street market approach to the food and drink that’s set to be an absolute gift to foodies.
Think mouth-watering Christmas dinner stacks with dipping gravy, market bratwursts, pigs in blankets with cranberry sauce and truffle crisps. Throw in mince pie crumbles with piping hot custard and spiced chocolate brownies with Baileys cream and you really do have the perfect recipe!
For families, there’ll also be board games during the day and elf juice for the little ones plus singalongs with the cast of Cinderella.
The pop-up tavern is open every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday with extra days in the run-up to Christmas Eve.
Find out more by clicking this link now.
Get festive at The Firepit’s super-festive tipi
And festive it is with full log cabin vibes, twinkling Christmas lights and beautiful decs, plus a crackling fire and delicious hot chocolates (…with delicious mulled wine for the Mums too!)
Building on the huge success of last year, there’s an exciting line-up of events and activities, again, taking you right up until Christmas Eve.
Step inside and you can enjoy everything from magical visits with Father Christmas to festive face-painting, Christmas crafts and wreath-making.
At night, the tipi transforms into the ultimate Christmas party spot with live music every Friday and Saturday plus The Firepit’s popular food and drinks offer – with a festive twist thrown in, of course!
Free face-painting on Sundays in December
On Sunday 8th, 15th and 22nd of December, take advantage of free face-painting for children aged 3+ at The Firepit Tipi… perfect if you’re heading to the panto.
What design will you pick? A tiara, glass slipper or even the pumpkin carriage as an ode to Cinderella? Or something fabulously festive such as an elf, reindeer or a snowman?
Free Sunday face-painting at the Firepi Tipi will be taking place between 12pm and 3pm.
There’s no need to book, just drop in.
Santa’s Grotto
The Firepit Tipi really is so festive this year that even Santa himself will be paying a visit on Saturday 14th and 21st of December!
The man of the moment will be in his grotto in the Tipi from 12pm till 4pm. Each child will get to spend time with Santa and receive a gift to take home. And tickets cost just £10.
To book your slot, give The Firepit a ring on: 01254 839094 or message them on their Facebook page to speak to one of Santa’s helpers.
Santa’s Grotto is very popular, so we recommend booking as soon as you can.
Even more family friendly festive activities…
Believe it or not, there’s lots more family-friendly Christmas activities at The Firepit Tipi throughout this month… for big kids and little kids!
This includes plenty for craft lovers such as wreath making, lantern making and seasonal embroidery workshops – Christmas is the ideal time for trying your hand at a new handicraft after all.
Plus there’s the Not Only a Street Market on the evening of Thursday 12th December, which is set to be a gloriously festive event with artisan market stalls, live music performances and an interactive screen printing and bauble design workshop for all ages.
Check out the Tipi What’s On page for the full line-up and all the details.
The Festival of Light is back!
As if all of this wasn’t enough, Blackburn’s Festival of Light is also back for 2024.
And it’s taking on a lunar theme, inspired by the wonder and mystery of the moon.
The parade will take place on Saturday, December 14th from 5:15pm.
It sets off from in front of the cathedral – a stone’s throw from The Firepit Tipi. If you can’t catch the start, head to the Town Hall by 6pm to see the fabulous finale.
Illuminated window trail
An illuminated window trail will also run from 7th December until Christmas Eve, and is an easy, free activity for families to enjoy.
The light displays have been made by students at Blackburn College and artists from the Festival of Light and make up a window trail across Blackburn town centre.
Look for the letter within each display to find the secret word!
Check out the event page for more info.
Get your skates on and head to Planet Ice
Did you know that Blackburn is home to one of the UK’s 14 branches of Planet Ice?
And, what better time that Christmas to live your alpine dreams and don some skates with your loved ones.
Planet Ice is less than half a mile’s walk from the town centre meaning you can make a day of it.
Head to their website to book ice skating tickets and check out their festive “Skate and See Santa” events.
Have a Reel-y good time at REEL Cinema
With family-favourites such as Moana 2 and Wicked playing throughout December, Reel Cinema is a great place to head to this Christmas.
There’s a licensed bar and snacks counter too, so you can enjoy a well deserved drink and tasty snack during the movie.
And you can enjoy free parking underneath the cinema too.
Escapades and The Firepit Tipi are within close walking distance if you want to make your cinema trip extra festive!
Discover a magical Christmas in Blackburn town centre
It’s easy to have a wonderful Christmas with an abundance of family-friendly events this December in Blackburn.
So grab your diary, check out the What’s On page and get planning your family’s best ever Christmas right here in Blackburn town centre.
Don’t miss a thing, follow Discover Blackburn on Facebook and Instagram now.