There’s plenty of family fun at the markets this February half term!

Looking to make memories with the family for free? Dive into our fabulous cultural programme on offer at Blackburn and Darwen Markets!

From Monday, 17 February to Friday, 21 February, there will be an array of fun and friendly activities offered by local company, Culturapedia, who we are pleased to be working with once again. And yes, they’re all free!

Whether you are a budding artist, a theatre lover or just fancy trying something new…we’ve got you! Look at what we have on offer…

Who doesn’t love a story? Why not have a go at telling your own tale by joining our Crankie Making workshop led by artist Alice Rowbottom.  Crankies are a way of telling stories with pictures. Draw, craft and create your very own cardboard crankie theatre to take away with you. Blackburn Market on Wed 19 February and Darwen Market on Monday 17 February. Drop in from 11am to 3pm.

Calling all our eco warriors and flower lovers! Join us for an exciting Seed Bomb Workshop with The Making Rooms where we’ll craft sustainable seed bombs using recycled cardboard. Discover how to spread a little flower power while learning fun and eco-friendly ways to make a difference. Perfect for all ages, let’s make something beautiful for the planet together! Blackburn Market on Friday 21 February and Darwen Market on Wednesday 19 February. Drop in from 11am to 3pm.

Want to lose yourself in an adventure? Watch the 30-minute performance of Where Do Noses Grow? by Goofus Theatre. One night Lucy cannot sleep. She hears a strange sound bouncing around her bed! What is it? She awakes and discovers a strange, crumbled bit of brown paper, paper that seems to be alive… what can it be? It wants her to follow it… And so, begins a fantastical journey full of strange encounters and play. She sets off to reach the island of noses where the strange nose rose grows. So… Where do the Noses grow? Come and join Lucy and see for yourself! Blackburn Market on Saturday 22 February and Darwen Market on Friday 21 February. This free show lasts for 30 minutes and will be performed 4 times per day at 11am, 12pm, 1pm & 2pm. There is no need to book but please arrive 5 minutes before the show begins everyone can be seated. Suitable for ages 2+

Blackburn Bid is funding a Blackburn Print Rally on Friday 21 & Saturday 22 February from 11am to 3pm. Take part by visiting all four locations across town to build up your own Blackburn print designed by Blackburn-based printmaker Ian Halawi. Stamp four different colours at four different stations across town to complete an amazing keepsake design. We recommend visiting Blackburn Market, The Mall (Ask Me Station), Blackburn Central Library, and Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery in that order to build up your print accordingly.

Plan your half term week by putting these dates in your dairy now! Be sure to tell your friends too, the more the merrier!

Councillor Jim Smith, Executive Member for Environment and Communities said:  

We are delighted to be able to continue to bring a variety of free activities and events to both the borough’s markets this half term and hope residents will attend in their droves.

And remember, all our traders will have plenty of shopping and food available as usual for you to make the most of your visit and shop local.

For more information, please visit Blackburn Market’s Facebook page or Darwen Market’s Facebook page.