Events and business opening to look forward to in Lancashire

Eight at Gazegil, in Newby, is set to open in March. This eco-restaurant is expected to be another unmissable stop on any Lancashire food-lovers itinerary.

Blackburn’s Festival of Making, a festival which celebrating all aspects of UK making and manufacture, is also set to come back with a bang in July.

In wider parts of Lancashire, Billy Bob’s Myerscough has unveiled the first ever dine-in Coca Cola truck experience. It opened in Preston in December – have you visited yet?

You will also find new museums, like Showtown in Blackpool,  luxury accommodation including sustainable garden rooms at the two Michelin-starred Moor Hall Restaurant with Rooms.

Vistors can also expect the arrival of beautifully painted Elmer Elephants in Blackpool this April and a series of brilliant events and locations celebrating significant anniversaries.

Events and business openings to look forwards to in Lancashire in 2024

Showtown Museum, Blackpool
Expected early 2024

Blackpool’s museum of fun and entertainment will open March 2024 and it will not disappoint! The town’s brand new all-singing and all-dancing museum will be a great day out for the whole family. There will be so much to see and do with interactive displays and learning spaces that all capture the spirit of the resort.

There will be six themed galleries focusing on magic, circus, shows, dance, seaside and the illuminations with each one telling the story of the area. From the many great entertainers who put the resort on the map, the circus that has made Blackpool Tower its home and the world-famous illuminations that draw millions of visitors to the resort during the winter months. The museum aims to put the backstage story of everything that you get from Blackpool at the forefront of visitor’s minds.

Eight at Gazegill, Ribble Valley 

Opening spring 2024

Eight at Gazegill chef,  Doug Crampton (Image: Visit Lancashire)

This eco-restaurant is expected to be another unmissable stop on any Lancashire food lovers itinerary.

Serving up to 100 guests and powered by sustainable energy, the restaurant will source almost all of its food from its 250-acre farm, Gazegill Organics. Anything not grown on site will be provided by local farms and suppliers in Lancashire’s renowned Ribble Valley.

The restaurant has been constructed from sustainably sourced green oak and glass, providing breathtaking views across the Ribble Valley and additional outside seating will connect visitors directly with the surrounding beautiful countryside. Led by renown chef Doug Crampton there are ‘Taste of Gazegill’ events throughout February for people to sample some of dishes and delights that will be available to diners throughout the seasons.

Coca-Cola Truck at Billy Bob’s Myerscough Preston

Opened December 2023

Coca-Cola Truck at Billy Bob’s Myerscough Preston (Image: Visit Lancashire)

Step inside the icon! Billy Bob’s Myerscough has unveiled the first ever dine-in Coca Cola truck experience! Billy Bob's Myerscough, renowned for seamlessly combining an exceptional dining experience with adventurous kids' play and delightful ice cream treats, has upped the ante once again, as it proudly unveils its latest gem: a full-sized Coca Cola Truck, that guests can dine aboard!

aking centre stage smack bang in the heart of the diner, the Coca Cola Truck invites guests not only to relish mouth-watering dishes, but also seize a unique photo opportunity at the driver's seat! The truck doubles the capacity of the diner and although the truck is synonymous with Christmas because of the famous “holidays are coming” ads; this dining experience is for the whole year round.

Garden Rooms at Moor Hall in Aughton

Expected Spring 2024

Moor Hall Restaurant and Rooms are about to get even better with the development of seven garden rooms, connecting you with nature in comfort and deluxe style. Each garden room will feature lounge area, bathroom, bedroom and outdoor terrace located in the woodlands of this Michelin Star restaurant’s extensive grounds.

The development of these rooms will allow more visitors to experience Moor Hall Restaurant with its two Michelin stars, and its sister restaurant The Barn which has a Michelin Star of its own.

Located in the Lancashire village of Aughton, you’ll also find a third Michelin Star restaurant, So-lo. Making Aughton Lancashire’s most Michelin-starred village – and a must-visit gourmet destination like no other.

New glamping pods at Secret Garden Glamping, Skelmersdale
Open January/February 2024

The UK’s most popular glamping site has just got bigger. The no longer so secret ‘Secret Garden Glamping’ site has featured on Channels Four and Five, Four in a Bed and most recently owner Derry Green wowed the Dragons and the audience on BBC’s Dragons Den by receiving four offers from five of the investors before taking up Deborah Meadon’s offer. The money invested will allow for more Secret Garden Sites to open across the UK in the future, but for 2024 the original site in Skelmersdale, West Lancashire, welcomes two new additions - The Wonderland and The Luxe, launching on January 19 and February 2, respectively.

The Wonderland is a giant igloo which stands proud at seven metres tall complete with underfloor heating, smart TVs, fully equipped kitchen, outdoor bar, private decking areas, hot tub, sauna, cold plunge pool, two double beds and more.

Due to the impressive structure and the special transparent material that makes up The Woodland, it is perfect for an evening of stargazing and panoramic views of the landscape. The Luxe is under wraps until February 2 b,ut promises to be a stunning pod bringing the total up to 13 on the secluded site.

Four Star Holiday Inn, Blackpool
Expected spring 2024

This development is part of phase two of the Talbot Gateway Regeneration Project and sees the area around Blackpool North Station and Talbot Road regenerated to offer a better connection to the town’s well-loved promenade.

The site will be home to a new tramway interchange at Blackpool North Station, a new underpass for ease of pedestrian travel and the creation of a brand new 144-bedroom Holiday Inn, complete with Marco Pierre White’s New York Italian restaurant, conference facilities and fitness centre. Nearby the town centre will also be home to an improved evening leisure offering and new retail locations. The new Backlot Cinema, a taste of Hollywood, will boast one of the largest IMAX screen in the country, showing the latest blockbusters in stylish, up-to-the-minute surroundings.

Offshore Hotel St Annes,

Expected spring 2024

This brand-new hotel will open this March in Lytham St Annes and we can’t wait. Offshore is situated in a prime position on the seafront, born out of total refurbishment and remodelling of the former Lindum and Carlton hotels in the town.

The 99 bedrooms, which will include premium sea-view rooms, dog friendly accommodation and accessible rooms, are perfectly placed for a base to explore Lancashire. In addition to the rooms there will be a reimagined bar and lounge area and large outdoor seating terrace to offer all-day laid-back dining and delicious drink and the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy the views across the Irish Sea.

Bookings are being taken for stays from March onwards and start at around £89 for a double bed and breakfast for one night.

Elmer’s Big Parade, Blackpool
April  13 to June 9

Elmer’s Big Parade, Blackpool (Image: Visit Lancashire)

Head to Blackpool to encounter the fantastical, uniquely decorated, elephant sculptures! Elmer the patchwork elephant is one of the most iconic, well-known elephants from a series of children’s books that have entertained youngsters for more than 30 years.

Translated into more than 50 languages, delighting children around the world, the Elmer inspired trail is sure to delight children and adults alike. The trail will fundraise for Brian House Children’s Hospice and there will also be a trail of mini Elmers decorated by local schoolchildren.

Forest of Bowland National Landscape 60th Anniversary, Ribble Valley
February 2024

Celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Forest of Bowland National Landscape with a walkthrough nature, a unique stargazing festival and an exhibition showcasing its beauty.

Clitheroe Castle Museum will host a special exhibition from February, with imagery that spotlights some of the beautiful Bowland landscape from over the years, with more than 30 images capturing it’s beauty and variety. You can also take part in the National Landscape’s Dark Skies Festival, complete with stargazing, dark-skies inspired food tour, family crafts and more.

HAPPA Charity 50th Anniversary, Burnley
April 2024

HAPPA (Horses and Ponies Protection Association) is celebrating a milestone in the charity’s history this year; its Golden Anniversary of its time in Burnley, Lancashire.

50 Years since the charity’s headquarters and operations moved to the town and Burnley ensured that the charity had a settled and secure base for its horses, ponies and donkeys for years to come. There will be several events throughout the year to celebrate this milestone for the charity but the first of them will take place at The Fence Gate Inn on Saturday, April 20; the HAPPA Golden Anniversary Ball! Complete with glitz, glam and great Entertainment guests will be treated to a three-course meal and entertainment by 80s signer Nathan Moore.

Garstang Walking Festival 20th Anniversary, Garstang
May 4 to May 12

Join in with some fantastic walks and experience springtime in the countryside in rural Wyre, Forest of Bowland and Morecambe Bay.

This nine-day celebration of walking features 40 walks for all ages & abilities in the company of knowledgeable walk leaders. The area is known as a haven for walkers, providing everything from coastal routes to countryside and hill walks and the festival includes the three-day long-distance Wyre Way Challenge for those who are up to it, which is a 45-mile long route exploring the history and wildlife from the mouth of the Wyre Estuary to its source in the Forest of Bowland.

The Garstang Walking Festival brochure is expected in February and will include additional celebrations to mark the 20th anniversary.

Caribbean Carnival 50th Anniversary, Preston
May/June 2024

One of the largest celebrations of Caribbean Culture has been taking place in Preston for 50 years, and they are planning on making this year’s carnival the biggest one yet. The Caribbean Carnival is open to all, and attracts thousands of visitors to Preston’s streets each year. Be part of the celebrations as the city.

Baylight ’24, Morecambe
February 15 – 17, 2024

One of the newest, but most impactful light shows to hit the Lancashire coastline, 2024 will see the second instalment of Baylight on Morecambe’s seafront. The inaugural event attracted the crowds, despite the weather and bore witness to a fantastic parade down the promenade. Next year promises to be bigger and better, with light installations from around the world taking pride of place over the Lancashire coast.

National Festival of Making, Blackburn
July 6 – 7

National Festival of Making, Blackburn (Image: Visit Lancashire)

Celebrating all aspects of UK making and manufacture, from the kitchen table to the factory floor, the National Festival of Making is a unique and wonderful programme that combines art, manufacturing, making and community. With world class art commissions, performances, markets, talks and workshops designed to educate and entertain, the whole weekend makes for a free festival that visitors of all ages will love. The festival attracts upwards of 30-40,000 people and takes over twenty venues across the town centre. Formed in 2016, the ambition of the National Festival of Making is to be a nationally relevant cultural festival in Blackburn, while celebrating the unique manufacturing heritage and contemporary characteristics of the town and region more widely. It gets bigger and better every year and 2024 will be no different.

A spokesperson for Visit Lancashire said: “When was the last time you visited Lancashire? Whether it was weeks, months or years ago, we can almost guarantee that there will be something you haven’t seen yet. Mostly rural, with a stunning 137-mile coastline, Lancashire is a fascinating, historic and beautiful county with so much to offer.”