Darwen Live is now just one week away, with The Ordinary Boys and Ferocious Dog set to headline the UK’s biggest free music festival.
Planning a night out? See the live What’s On in Blackburn calendar.
The event runs across three stages and more than 20 venues in Darwen town centre over the Saturday and Sunday of the Bank Holiday weekend.
Also on the 2026 bill are X Factor’s Janet Devlin, a classic dance set from Amnesia, The Lancashire Hotpots, Class of ’79 and viral TikToker Ami Alex.
Darren James from Blackburn with Darwen Council has been involved with Darwen Live for more than a decade, first as a volunteer and now as the main organiser for the King George’s Hall team.
He said: “Every year we work really hard to ensure there’s something for everyone to enjoy at Darwen Live, and this year’s line-up really does tick all the boxes.
“From punk to country, ska to soul and pop to dance, the main stages are packed across both the Saturday and Sunday with something to suit all tastes.
“Every single year we get inundated with applications from acts wanting to perform, and we’ve once again stayed true to Darwen Live’s roots by ensuring there’s a really strong mix of music icons and emerging talent for 2026.
“Of course, the three main stages – Market Square, Darwen Library Theatre and Sunbird Records – are just one part of the story too. There’s also more than 20 popular venues across the town centre offering a huge programme of live music.”
Darwen Live began in 2000 and has previously been headlined by The Buzzcocks, Bay City Rollers, The Hoosiers, Toploader, Toyah, T’Pau, Hot Chocolate and The View.
Organisers say the festival has grown year on year and is now the biggest free music festival in the UK, and may also be the biggest free music festival in Europe.
The event is organised and paid for by Blackburn with Darwen Council and is sponsored by Darwen Town Council.
Darren James added: “People travel from far and wide to enjoy Darwen Live and everything the town has to offer over the Bank Holiday weekend.
“It’s also a rare chance for young musicians to share a line-up with big-name acts, including this year’s headliners Ferocious Dog, who are joining us as part of their farewell tour, and The Ordinary Boys, who are currently recording a new album.
“It’s a big year for Sunbird Records too, as the grassroots music venue and Darwen Live’s Alternative Stage celebrates its 10th birthday, which is an incredible achievement.
“We are really proud to have built it up into the biggest free music festival, and we’re looking forward to seeing crowds once again turning out in their tens of thousands.”
For music fans, the team behind Darwen Live is also working on a line-up for King George’s Hall’s grand reopening this autumn, following its £14m transformation.
Tickets are already on sale for acts including Gabrielle, Jason Donovan, The Proclaimers, David Essex, Shed Seven, Tim Peake, Paul Smith, Tez Ilyas and Lucy Beaumont, as well as a new panto for 2026, The Wizard of Oz.
More announcements are promised.
For more information on Darwen Live, including the full line-up, visit darwen.live.
Follow Darwen Live on Facebook and Instagram.
For a full guide to what’s on at King George’s Hall and Darwen Library Theatre, visit www.bwdvenues.com.
