Raft of events including food festival, carnival, Proms in the Park and soapbox challenge announced by council
Hyndburn Council will support 23 events in 2026 promising activities for all the family spread across high streets and green spaces around the borough.
Following an open invite in December for event proposals across nine identified categories, the council received a record 53 from local organisations. After a rigorous selection process, the council has awarded grants to deliver 23 events over the year including saving the Oswaldtwistle Carnival.
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Cllr Kimberley Whitehead, deputy leader of Hyndburn Council said: “We are so happy with the number and quality of responses we received from so many organisations. A record 53 applications received this year shows there is a real appetite for events in Hyndburn.
“The 2026 programme promises entertainment for all the family. We’re pleased that once again this year some events will showcase our parks and green spaces as well as our high street locations.”
They begin at Easter, where Community Solutions will bring their Easter Trail to Gatty Park. In May, the newly refurbished Mercer Hall in Great Harwood will provide a music lesson event for children. Accrington Food Festival, Oswaldtwistle Carnival, Proms in the Park, Soapbox Challenge and more will all take place over the summer months.
Three new theatre in the park events will also take place across Hyndburn in the summer holidays. September sees the return of Hyndburn Sound, bringing live music to pubs across Accrington and beyond, and a return to Mercer Hall for the Great Harwood Horticultural Show.
Christmas will see The Accrington Lights Switch on and Great Harwood Christmas Extravaganza and traditional light switch on events in townships across the borough. Sandwiched in between, Twilight returns to Rhyddings Park, Oswaldtwistle after a successful debut last year, organised by KSEvents.
Proms in the Park is a new event for this year taking place at Rhyddings Park, Oswaldtwistle.
Josh Allen, from Accrington Community Events said: “Hyndburn Sound is set to return for its fourth consecutive year and we’re hoping this year will be bigger and better than ever with more artists and more venues than ever before! A date is still to be set.
“We’re also delighted to announce that we have taken over Oswaldtwistle Carnival 2026 which was set to fold last year. Oswaldtwistle Carnival returns on Sunday June 21.”
Ann Warrington, from the Friends of Rhyddings Park said: “We are delighted to have been awarded Hyndburn Council’s events funding to bring Proms in the Park to life this summer. This support allows us to create an inclusive celebration for our community, right in the heart of our much‑loved park.”