Published Wednesday 19 November 2025 at 11:43
There’s just days to go until Blackburn’s biggest festive celebration of the year – the Christmas lights switch on!
The popular event is set to take place this Saturday – November 22nd – with new festive markets open on Friday afternoon too.
This year, Blackburn BID has teamed up with Blackburn with Darwen Council, Crafty Vintage, BBC Radio Lancashire and Culturapedia to offer a packed programme filled with community performers, live entertainment, festive characters, brand-new attractions and two hometown headliners.
Taking centre stage this year are:
- David Dunn – Blackburn Rovers legend, switching on the lights as the club celebrates its 150th anniversary
- Darrell Smith – Northern Soul sensation whose BBC Proms performance won him wide critical acclaim
Dunny’s appearance comes during a milestone year for the club, as Blackburn Rovers celebrates its proud history that dates right back to 1875.
He said:
What an absolute privilege to be asked to switch on the Christmas lights in Blackburn – a town I’ve been so proud to represent for so long.
There’s a fantastic line-up of family fun that guarantees to get us all in the Christmas spirit.
I can’t wait to see the town packed out and everyone enjoying themselves.
Darrell will also help get the Christmas party started with a high-energy set.
The singer, who is from the borough, has performed to sell-out audiences across the UK and will bring his authentic Northern Soul sound back home for the town’s biggest festive event.
He added:
It’s always special to perform in my hometown and being part of the Blackburn Christmas Lights Switch-On makes it even more meaningful.
I can’t wait to see the town lit up and everyone having fun.
Here’s what you need to know about the event:
Brand-new festive market – opens Friday
The celebrations will begin on Friday afternoon, with Crafty Vintage opening a brand-new covered Christmas market on King William Street.
Featuring unique gifts, food, crafts and festive treats, it’ll be open for you to visit on:
- Friday: 12pm – 5pm
- Saturday: 10am – 6pm
Saturday – a full day of festive fun
From 10am, you can enjoy a full programme of free fun right across the town centre, including:
- The Crafty Vintage festive markets
- Christmas crafts in Blackburn Market with Culturapedia’s Winter Windows workshop
- Storytelling with Father Christmas at Blackburn Library (more below)
- A magical wandering Yule Goat
- Fire dancers, stilt walkers and street performers
- Fairground rides, including a helter skelter
Then, on the main stage near the Old Town Hall, BBC Radio Lancashire’s Sharon Hartley will host the afternoon line-up from 2pm, leading into the spectacular finale.
The line-up includes:
- Community performances from:
- Bernese Theatre School
- Katrina’s Dance Academy
- Blackburn Musical Theatre Company
- Lancashire Dance Academy
- Ella Shaw Academy of Arts
- Darwen School of Music’s Begin2Sing
- Made for Stage
- Zoe Taylor Dance Academy
- Jokes with the big man himself, Father Christmas
- An Ice Glitz Frozen Fantasy ice show
- Performance by Darrell Smith
- Special guest appearance from Rover’s legend, David Dunn
- A brand-new Christmas light projection on the Old Town Hall
The projection show
As darkness falls, all eyes will turn to Blackburn Town Hall for a stunning projection show, illuminating the building with festive magic after the big switch-on moment with David Dunn and Darrell Smith.
Special storytelling sessions with Father Christmas
Also new for 2025, Father Christmas will make a special visit from the North Pole to host a hugely popular storytelling session in Blackburn Library.
Tickets are free and are already proving hugely popular.
You can book yours through the Discover Blackburn website – here is the link you need.
Nicola Clayton, Chair of the Blackburn BID Board, said:
We know just how much residents and visitors love our Christmas Lights Switch-On, and this year we’re offering even more – over two days!
With festive markets, free live entertainment and so much planned, come and spend the day here and enjoy everything our town centre has to offer.
And Councillor Quesir Mahmood, Deputy Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, added:
Thousands turn out every year for our switch-ons – they’re a brilliant way to showcase all our town has to offer and Christmas cheer is guaranteed.
Come to Blackburn this Saturday and discover something new.
Plan your visit
Full details of the Christmas Lights Switch-On, including timings, stage line-up, and activity map, can be found on the Discover Blackburn website:
There’s also guides to the town centre, including for shopping, eating out and what’s on.
And you see all the latest updates on Discover Blackburn’s Facebook, Insta and TikTok.