Easter is nearly upon us and there are a whole host of events and activities taking place across Lancashire.
Thrillseekers can visit Blackburn, where an Easter fair is taking place, and families can take advantage of an Easter egg hunt at Mrs Dowsons Farm.
While some activities are taking place this weekend, others are happening throughout the school holidays.
Here are some events taking place across Lancashire this Easter:
- Blackburn’s Easter Fair
Blackburn’s Easter Fair is set to return to Witton Country Park, from March 29 until April 14.
It will be open daily from 12pm until 8.30pm. Admission is free at all times and prices start at £2.50 per ride.
With more than 50 rides and attractions, the Witton Park event has something for everyone.
New for 2024 is the Polar Express, a fast-paced toboggan ride that sees riders travel over two undulating ‘mountains’.
2. Easter Escapade in Blackburn town centre
Between Thursday March 28 and Saturday April 13, visitors are invited to help the Easter Bunny in a mission involving the 'most special Easter egg that has ever been created', by completing the free trail.
Maps are available at the Ask Me Point in The Mall, which lists the 10 venues where you can find the fun puzzles. They include The Mall Blackburn, The Works, Rhode Island Coffee, The Bat Cave, Blackburn Central Library, Mortimers Estate Agents, Grays Schoolwear, Geek Retreat, Checks & Greys and The Firepit.
Completed trail leaflets can be entered into a free prize draw with a chance of winning £100 in high street vouchers.
Venues are not open during Bank Holidays – including Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday
3. Colne Easter Market
There will be an Easter market with more than 45 traders, a variety of funfair rides and an unnamed surprise special guest.
Free activities include donkey rides, face painting, crazy golf, rodeo sheep, archery, circus shows and workshops, magic, balloon modelling, and more.
There will also be free Easter goodies handed out by Willy Wonka and his Oompa Loompas, performances from the Accrington Pipe Band, and an Easter egg trail.
4. Theatre productions across Blackburn with Darwen
Theatre companies from across the country have been drafted in to spark imaginations at Blackburn and Darwen's markets.
Bread and Butter Theatre will be bringing Herdwick sheep Heidi and Henrietta to Blackburn Market on April 3 and Darwen Market on April 5, arriving from the Lakeland Fells to proudly show off their quintuplets.
Then an eco-themed show comes via Mind The Gap, when Homie meets Birdie, a new friend struggling to cope with plastics and pollution.
The production will be at Darwen Market Square on April 12 and Church Street in Blackburn the following day.
5. Easter duck hunt
A giant Easter duck hunt is back at WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, in Burscough, challenging families to find all 25 giant rubber ducks from March 29 to April 14.
WWT Martin Mere is inviting families to pick up a trail card for £1 and find 25 giant yellow ducks hidden amongst real-life wetland stars such as flamingos, otters, and white storks.
Families will need to use all of their detective skills and search high and low, discovering which cheeky yellow duck is still missing. Can you work it out and win a tasty prize?
Nick Brooks, centre manager at WWT, said: “The giant yellow ducks have gone walkabout again out Martin Mere - but this time they’ve found brand new spots to hide in!
“We’re having trouble finding them and need your help. Some will be hiding behind reeds, some have escaped into our Wild Walk, and some are being extremely sneaky hiding amongst our real birds. We’ve got a tasty treat for families that can help us track them down!”
6. Malice in Wonderland
Fancy doing something different this Easter? Then consider taking part in an interactive family-friendly mystery event in the grounds of Holker Hall and Gardens in Grange-Over-Sands.
Malice in Wonderland is part mystery, part scavenger hunt and takes place at the historic venue on Easter Sunday, March 31.
Families can draw upon their best sleuthing skills as they try and solve the mystery of the jam tart thief and work out which ‘Wonderlander’ is to blame.
With help from familiar characters, who will be roaming around the gardens in full costume, visitors will need to uncover clues, complete crazy quests and unravel riddles.
A child ticket costs £15 and includes one free adult. Additional adult tickets cost £5.
If mystery solving is not your thing, then on the Saturday and Sunday families can enjoy face painting and indulge their creative side by decorating their own egg (£2pp) before having a go at egg rolling.
7. Easter at Mrs Dowsons
Clayton-Le-Dale farm, Mrs Dowsons, has a lot going on this Easter.
The Easter Egg hunt trail will allow you to explore the farm this spring, with the team of actors, storytelling and all the fun of the farm.
The rabbits have been up to their tricks hiding clues all around the farm. Use your Easter booklet to find clues and make the secret password, all whilst exploring the farm and meeting the farm animals.
Your hard work will be rewarded with a prize, and you'll be able to meet the Easter Bunny and his friends, taking lots of selfies to share on social media, if you like.
Ticket prices start from £10.79.
Lambing Live event, when kids can feed lambs on the farm, is included in Easter admission ticket.
Events take place from March 28 until April 14.
8. Blackpool Pleasure Beach
As well as the rollercoasters, rides and attractions, there is a jam-packed lineup of live entertainment and Easter activities at Blackpool Pleasure Beach.
Every day from March 30 to April 7, you’ll be able to take part in fun games around the park. Take on the challenge with the ‘eggstreme eats contest’, bounce to the finish line in the bunny hop race, keep a steady hand in the egg ‘n’ spoon race, and take part in the Easter egg hunt, finding hidden eggs all over the park.
Get crafty with egg decorating and Easter bonnet making workshops. Kid Bop Bunny Hop shows will be popping up across the park and are free for all of guests to watch.
Opening hours have been extended until 9pm on Easter Saturday.
9. Wonka Meet and Greet
Jump into the magical world of chocolate this Easter at Affinity Lancashire in Fleetwood.
On Easter Saturday, the Wonkavision Cod Club will be creating some spectacular Wonka themed googles, plus you'll have the chance to meet Mr Wonka and an Oompa Loompa when they appear at the centre.
Whilst you're visiting, why not browse the local stalls on Easter Artisan Street.
It's a day not to be missed.
10. Highest Point ticket Easter egg hunt
Highest Point Festival tickets and goodies are up for grabs as part of a giant Easter egg hunt.
More than 20 eggs will be hidden across Lancaster, Morecambe, Heysham, Carnforth and the surrounding areas.
The hunt starts on Good Friday and clues will be posted on Highest Point’s social media pages throughout the day.
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