A good day’s Night out

Almost all events are free.

It all starts with a Summer Series of live music in the courtyard of Lancaster Castle from 1pm until 8pm for just £1, featuring the best local bands and performers.

Sunset Cinema in the castle courtyard will show a series of short films from the North West Film Archive and two classic Buster Keaton short films, accompanied by newly commissioned music by Lancaster composer Andy Whitfield.

Arts and crafts feature prominently. Local ‘guerrilla craft’ group Yarn_caster join Lancaster City Museum in celebrating Lancashire’s agricultural heritage with installations in Market Square and other city centre locations.

Storyteller Mary J Lockwood is looking for Lancaster’s secret stories and will be placing 10 story boxes in venues across Lancaster, including The Hall Cafe, Arteria, Juicafe, Roots Cafe, Atticus and more. Write your secret Lancaster story and post it in one of the boxes at any time over the week.

The North West Literary Salon will again take place at Lancaster Library at 7pm and this month features readings and discussion with published writers.

There will also be live samba music in Lancaster city centre from More Music’s Baybeat Streetband, parading from 5.30pm until 8.30pm.

Details: www.artscity.co.uk/whats-on

Marking what would have been Billy Fury’s 75th birthday and 32 years after his sad death, the original Fury’s Tornados replay his hits live on stage at the Grand Theatre in Blackpool this Sunday, and again on August 23.

Including the songs Last Night Was Made For Love, I Will, Jealousy, Halfway To Paradise, and more the singer comes alive on a giant screen while his band perform.

Now in its 17th year, the show features the vocals of Colin Gold; introduced onscreen by Fury’s long-time partner Lisa Voice.

Box Office: 01253 74 33 39 or www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk

In The Night Garden Live visits The Trafford Centre in Manchester this summer, as part of a five-venue UK tour.

This summer classic for children, touring since 2010, will run from August 1-22, with four performances a day, six days a week.

More than half a million people have seen the world’s only live production of the CBeebies top-rated show. It’s a musical theatre experience for all the family.

Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy, Makka Pakka and friends are brought to life on stage using full-size costumes, puppets, music and projections, all in its own all-weather, purpose-built inflatable showdome.

Box Office: 0333 300 0023 or www.NightGardenLive.com

The popular Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom theatre production is on the road again for a second UK and Ireland tour this year and comes to Manchester Opera House this weekend. A BAFTA award-winning TV animation, from the makers of Peppa Pig, it’s been adapted for the stage by children’s theatre producers Fiery Light Productions.

In this new musical adventure, Ben and Holly have fun and games helping Gaston clean up his messy cave; they go on a trip to The Big World with tooth-fairy Nanny Plum; and still have time to plan a surprise for King Elf’s birthday party.

It’s designed to delight all the family.

Box office: 0844 8713018 or www.atgtickets.com/manchester