Breaking News in Blackburn
Stay informed with the most pressing and breaking stories from Blackburn. From major events to urgent updates, find it here.
Snow White Panto Launched at Historic Hoghton Tower
The magic of Christmas came early this year as the cast of the Blackburn Empire Theatre’s 2025 pantomime, Snow White, gathered at the historic Hoghton Tower for the official launch of the show.
What’s On in Blackburn: Monday 15 to Sunday 21 September 2025
Looking for things to do in Blackburn & Darwen this week? 🎉 Blackburn’s biggest and busiest What’s On Guide is back — with events for every taste and age! From gothic exhibitions and live music to comedy gigs, drama, Pokémon tournaments and wellbeing workshops, it’s all happening right here.
Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery is preparing to launch what’s being described as its most ambitious exhibition to date — a breathtaking showcase of rare books, manuscripts, artworks, and ceramics that explores how nature has inspired creative expression across centuries, cultures, and religions. The Nature of Gothic opens this weekend and runs through to December.
Plans are underway that could bring the biggest shake-up to Blackburn with Darwen’s local government in over 50 years — potentially ending its status as an independent council and merging it into a much larger East Lancashire authority. Residents, businesses and community groups are now being urged to have their say before final proposals are submitted in November.
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Older Blackburn News
Did you miss out? Here are some of the older stories and news about Blackburn and Darwen
What’s On in Blackburn: Monday 8 to Sunday 14 September 2025
Looking for things to do in Blackburn & Darwen this week? 🎉 Blackburn’s biggest and most exciting What’s On Guide is back — featuring comedy clubs, music legends, soul tours, and a huge 3-day community festival! Plus, new events are added every day. It’s also free to add your own events to the guide!
Songs From The Rat Pack – A Swinging Big Band Spectacular
Yorkshire’s premier Big Band brings the golden age of swing to Blackburn with a spectacular Rat Pack celebration this September.
This Week in Blackburn (Mon 01 – Sun 07 Sept 2025)
Looking for things to do in Blackburn & Darwen this week? 🎉 Blackburn’s biggest and busiest What’s On Guide is back — with over 40 new events added in the last 7 days! From legendary live music and comedy nights to community festivals, bingo, gaming and family fun, it’s all right here. Don’t forget — it’s completely free to add your own events too.
Blackburn News Archive
All the archived stories from Blackburn Life – News about Blackburn and Darwen
The highly anticipated Big Soul Night Out scheduled for Saturday 24 January 2026 at King George’s Hall in Blackburn has been cancelled.
An appeal has been lodged against the Council’s refusal of planning permission for an unlawful caravan site in Darwen – and while the appeal is underway, the Council’s enforcement action to remove the site is effectively paused.
Hobkirk Sewing Machines is offering a limited-time 20% discount on some of its most popular sewing threads — perfect for keen sewists planning their next project.
Blackburn’s Business Improvement District (BID) is recruiting for a new BID Manager, following a change in leadership.
Catch it in Cathedral Square from this Saturday for 5 weeks – covering both May Bank Holidays, VE Day, and half-term.
Blackburn Road Runners’ Lynne Knowles had more than one reason to celebrate last weekend — not only was it her birthday, but she also completed her first-ever marathon at the Manchester Marathon, overcoming a major injury along the way.
Workers’ Memorial Day was marked in Blackburn with Darwen this week, with a ceremony attended by union members, local representatives, and supporters from across the borough.
Another of Blackburn’s town centre bars could be set for change, with the Blackburn Times on Northgate now up for sale.
Improvement works across key junctions in Blackburn with Darwen are continuing as part of a major investment in local bus services – but residents are being advised to expect some disruption while the upgrades take place.
Children’s Services in Blackburn with Darwen have received a ‘Good’ rating across the board from Ofsted, marking a significant step forward since the previous inspection in 2022.
A former live music venue in Blackburn town centre is set for a new lease of life – as a new Chaii tea café.
Blackburn will welcome a familiar West End face this July, as singer and actor Lee Mead brings his brand-new live show, The Best of Me, to the Blackburn Empire Theatre on Friday 4 July 2025.
There’s no doubt the news that Marks & Spencer will leave Blackburn town centre will be met with disappointment by many. For decades, M&S has been a cornerstone of high street shopping in Blackburn, a familiar name on a changing landscape. But when it comes to the future of the brand in our borough, the newly approved move to Whitebirk is, in truth, the best Blackburn could have hoped for.
Something HUGE is making a splash at Darwen Leisure Centre – and you could be the first to try it out!
To the Batcave, Blackburn’s independent comic book haven, is gearing up for one of the most exciting days in the geek calendar – Free Comic Book Day 2025!
A brand-new exhibition celebrating 150 years of Blackburn Rovers Football Club has opened at Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery—just yards from where the club was first formed in 1875.
A much-missed bus service is making a welcome return in Blackburn – nearly a decade after it was withdrawn.
Refurbishment work is set to begin at Darwen Town Hall, following Council approval of plans to upgrade the building and prepare it for the relocation of joint Council and NHS services.
Witton Country Park will come alive this May Bank Holiday as Blackburn hosts a major community celebration to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day.
Blakewater Homecare in Blackburn recently welcomed a special guest as the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, Councillor Brian Taylor, paid a visit last Friday to celebrate the service’s recent success in its first CQC (Care Quality Commission) assessment.
Spring is here – and so is a fantastic Spring Sale from Hobkirk Sewing Machines, one of Blackburn’s best-loved crafting suppliers.
A legendary sitcom is coming back to life in Blackburn this spring, as Steptoe and Son – LIVE! hits the stage at Blackburn Empire Theatre on Thursday 24 April 2025.
The Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, Councillor Brian Taylor, has shared a special message to mark Eid ul Fitr, one of the most significant celebrations in the Islamic calendar.
Work is set to begin on a significant improvement project at Sunnyhurst Woods in Darwen, with upgrades to the main path forming part of the wider £100m Darwen Town Deal.
This Easter, the Blackburn Empire Theatre is the place to be for fun, laughter, and a little bit of magic for the whole family – and leading the way is none other than TV legend Linda Lusardi, starring in the sparkling Easter pantomime Sleeping Beauty on Sunday 13th April.
Blackburn with Darwen’s Community History Librarian, Mary Painter, has been shortlisted for a Libraries Connected Award – a national recognition celebrating the achievements of exceptional library staff across the UK.
Looking for the perfect gift for the crafty mum in your life? Or maybe you are the crafty mum who deserves something special? This Mother’s Day, Blackburn’s own Hobkirk Sewing Machines has just the thing!
We’re putting a heartfelt call out to the people of Blackburn and beyond – can you help solve this local mystery?
Calling all crafters, sewists, and fabric lovers! Blackburn’s very own Hobkirk Sewing Machines is treating you to an exclusive FREE delivery offer on all fabric and haberdashery orders over £5 – just in time to stock up on your spring sewing supplies.
More than 20 extra places have become available at Longshaw Infant School’s nursery in Blackburn, following investment from homebuilder Countryside Homes
Magic comes to town this Sunday as Masters of Deception brings mind-blowing illusions to the Blackburn Empire Theatre.
Join the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, Councillor Brian Taylor, for two exciting charity quiz nights in support of Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) and Papyrus Prevention of Suicide in the Young. Gather your team, test your knowledge, and help raise funds for these vital causes while enjoying a night of friendly competition.
Blackburn’s food scene has been making waves on social media, and one takeaway in particular has caught the attention of food lovers and content creators alike—Fry Chicks Randal St, Blackburn.
Blackburn is bracing for yet another loss, with the announcement that NatWest’s branch in Copy Nook / Audley will close its doors for good on 12th May 2025.
Celebrate the timeless music of Peter Green, the legendary founder of Fleetwood Mac, in an unforgettable evening of live music.
Job seekers and career changers, take note: Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and Blackburn College are teaming up to host a free, three-day recruitment event designed to help you land your dream job.