Burnley Believes festival returns with live music, lantern parade and Christmas lights switch-on

Burnley is getting ready for a sparkling start to the festive season.

Burnley Believes returns next Saturday (November 14) bringing families, performers and community groups together for a day of entertainment and celebration.

Organised by Burnley BID and supported by Southerns Solicitors, the event starts at noon and promises live music, free activities and a magical lantern parade, culminating in the Christmas lights switch-on and snow cannon finale at 5-15pm by the Mayor Coun. Saeed Chaudhary,

Burnley FC Women’s player Naomi Hartley, Burnley FC mascots Bertie and Bella, Burnley Cricket Club players Ockert Erasmus, Daniel Pickup, Callum Clarke and Bharat Tripathi, singer Channy, food influencer Dad the Dish and Radio Burnley’s Lee and Phil will lead the countdown, with snow cannons adding a flurry of festive snow as Burnley lights up for Christmas.

Throughout the day across St James’s Street and Curzon Street, visitors can enjoy free crazy golf and face painting, follow a family trail for the chance to win a £50 gift card and visit the funfair. The Magical Bubble Performer will entertain crowds while a magical snow globe will provide the perfect setting for festive photographs.

Burnley FC Women will be inviting visitors to take part in a series of challenges and games and food lovers can join ‘Dad the Dish ‘for a festive food crawl. Burnley Market will host its outdoor festive markets.

At the heart of the celebrations will be the main stage with acts include Burnley College of Performing Arts, Burnley Youth Theatre, Next Level Dance, Rodeo Duo, Dynamic Dance Studio, Ashworth’s Dance Academy, Cliviger Holme School Choir, Basically Cheer, Act One Beginners and more.

The line-up also features Brazen Brass Band as part of Burnley’s new Festival of Music and Culture, as well as local DJ Sam Cheyte, pop sensation Channy and acclaimed Burnley musician and writer Boff Whalley.

At 4pm, the celebrations will take to the streets as the lantern parade sets off from Curzon Street, accompanied by the powerful drumming of Batala Lancaster.

The parade is supported by Burnley Leisure and Culture thanks to funding through Burnley Council’s Community Pride Small Grants Programme who have commissioned local artists to work with schools and community groups to create a series of large puppets and lanterns inspired by local folklore and stories. The groups involved include New Neighbours Together, New Era, Basically Cheer, West End Community Centre and Team Rise, as well as Cliviger School.

Charlotte Steels, Head of Culture with Burnley Leisure and Culture, said: “The lantern parade has been an important part of past celebrations and in the run up to Burnley 2027 Year of Culture it was important that we work with local groups to create something magical - with pieces that are unique to Burnley.”

For event updates and more information visit www.discoverburnley.co.uk.