My 3 best things to do in Preston next week including Preston Pride & Preston Crime Fiction Festival
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Senior reporter Aimee Seddon with her entertainment guide to three best things to do next week in Preston
Sponsored by Preston City Council & SP Electricity NW, the day begins with a Preston Pride march which will start from outside Fishergate Shopping Centre on Fishergate at 10:30am.
The main celebrations will then be held on the Flag Market from 11am.
Organisers say everyone is welcome as the city celebrates Preston's LGBTQIA+ communities with live music, guest appearances, and a variety of information stands and stalls!
The event is free, just turn up.
![The first Preston Crime Fiction Festival line-up includes [clockwise from top left]: Dorothy Koomson, Vaseem Khan, Mari Hannah, Lesley Kara and Jo Callaghan.](https://www.lep.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2026/09/14/11/44/Copy-of-image-(68).jpeg?crop=3:2,smart&trim=&width=640&quality=65)
Next, it’s the first ever Preston Crime Fiction Festival next weekend.
Running between Friday, September 25 and Sunday, September 27,the festival is set to bring more than 40 outstanding crime writers to the heart of the city.
Across the three days there will be panels, Q&As, readings, workshops, book signings, Noir at the Bar, intimate book discussions and a pop-up bookshop.
A standard weekend pass costs £98.22 but there is currently a 2 or 1 deal on so they cost £49.46 each
Tickets can be bought via Eventbrite here.
Finally, on Sunday September 27, the inaugural XMiles Preston Half Marathon and 10k takes place.
This brand new running event arrives in the city for 2026 and will be the final event in the XMiles North West Road Run Series.The route will Start and Finish in Winckley Square, taking in Fishergate, Avenahan and Miller Parks, Walton Bridge, the old Tram Road and Penwortham Old Bridge along the way.
Entry for the half marathon, which you must be at least 17 for, costs £37 for UK Athletics members and £39 for non members.
You must be 15 for the 10k and tickets cost £30 for UKA affiliated or £32 for non-affiliated.
To book your entry now visit Results Base - XMiles Preston Half Marathon & 10k.
You can also take a look at all the live events on in your local area via sites such as Eventbrite, Ticketmaster and Eventim.