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

Plans to transform the former St Mary’s College building in Blackburn into an event venue have been scrapped following community concerns and Council intervention.

This February, Masters of Martial Arts Academy invites the women of Blackburn to join their empowering Ladies Self-Defence Course.

Join us at Soccer Stars Academy in Darwen for an unforgettable football experience! Our exciting new classes, starting on Saturday, January 18th, are designed for children aged 18 months to 12 years.

The confusion sprouted when a fresh jacket potato venture announced its New Year launch in Blackburn, causing a hot potato of a rumour—many believed the TikTok-famous Spud Brothers (with over 3.3 million followers) were rolling into town.

The festive season has officially begun at Blackburn Empire Theatre with the launch of this year’s spectacular pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk.

It’s official! The former Debenhams site in Blackburn town centre is getting a brand-new lease of life with the arrival of TJ Hughes

Bonmarché, the UK’s largest retailer for women’s fashion, will open a new store in Blackburn on the 12th of December.

Calling all comedy fans! For a limited time only, grab Early Bird tickets for just £6 to experience the Empire Comedy Club’s stellar triple-headline show on Saturday, 22 March 2025

With Halloween just around the corner, it’s time to dive into Blackburn’s spookiest spots. From historic theatres to haunted pubs, here are some ghostly tales that might just make your hair stand on end.

It’s that time again—no, not Christmas (yet), but the night when we get to squeeze in an extra hour of beauty sleep, Netflix, or early morning snoozing!

Get ready for a spectacular evening of fun, fireworks, and fundraising at the Annual Blackburn Charity Bonfire, returning to Witton Park on Thursday, 9th November

Blackburn Empire Theatre is gearing up for a night of vibrant soul music on Saturday, 26th October, as the legendary STAX of SOUL brings their celebrated Legacy Tour to East Lancashire.

Kerry Ellis, the Queen of the West End, will bring her critically acclaimed Queen of the West End tour to Blackburn Empire Theatre on Wednesday 24 September 2025.

Darwen’s St John Ambulance station is set for a grand revival thanks to a generous donation that has provided the charity with a new home—completely free of charge.

Darwen’s Christmas lights switch-on headliner has been revealed as none other than 90s electro dance icons, K-Klass!

A group of young Palestinians from the West Bank were warmly welcomed by the Mayor of Blackburn when they visited Blackburn Town Hall on Monday.

Get ready for an evening of supernatural comedy as Britain’s favorite clairvoyant, Clinton Baptiste, brings his brand-new show Roller Ghoster! to the Blackburn Empire Theatre this Halloween!

What do lovestruck beekeepers, menopausal mermaids, zombie prime ministers and deadly rival dentists have in common? They’ve all been the subject of a Totally Improvised Musical! Don’t miss the opening and closing night of your very own musical at The Blackburn Empire Theatre this Thursday.

Blackburn residents are being warned about a new parking fine scam after several reports were received by the Council.

The cast of Jack and the Beanstalk, Blackburn Empire Theatre’s highly anticipated pantomime, took a break from rehearsals to bring some festive fun to The Mall in Blackburn.

Attention true crime fans and curious minds alike! Mark your calendars for Wednesday, 4 September 2024, because the Blackburn Empire Theatre is bringing you an electrifying evening with none other

Blackburn-based Alcedo Care Group Home has been recognised as one of the Top 20 Large Home Care Groups in the UK for the fifth consecutive year. Selected from 856 home

Starting in June 2026, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council will introduce a food waste collection service for all residents.

A fearless team of 30 individuals from across Alcedo Care Group, including employees from its Blackburn branch on Anchor Court in Darwen, have come together to raise more than £6,000

A significant investment is being made into the protection and enhancement of Blackburn’s natural habitats over the next three years, as part of a £793,000 contribution by five-star housebuilder, Bovis

Altaf Ibrahim Patel, known locally as Tiger Patel, has announced his decision to withdraw from the general election race in Blackburn and encouraged another independent, Adnan Hussain, to step aside too . This decision aims to consolidate the vote against the Labour Party.

Rt Hon Jack Straw was honoured and celebrated for his commitment and contribution to the Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone at a packed-out event hosted by the charity at Blackburn Rovers on 27 March.

Four artists have been commissioned to work with world-leading manufacturers as part of Art in Manufacturing, the headline commissioning programme for the National Festival of Making in Blackburn, Lancashire.

KINGSWOOD Homes is hosting an informative event to let house hunters know how they can help to sell their current home.

ecent data from the DVLA on UK driving licences suggests that Bacup has the most dangerous drivers in the North West, based on points per population, with Blackburn coming in in seventh spot.

A Blackburn-based BNI chapter is celebrating after its members generated over £2 million in the last year, bringing the total amount of work referred within the group to over £10 million since its launch.

Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Mims Davies MP, was the guest of honour at Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone’s Careers Fair on Thursday 29th February 2024.

Family-owned and run Swansway Motor Group has recently partnered with four community foundations across the West Midlands and North West with plans to support them in 2024.

Countryside Homes launches exclusive initiatives for reservations made throughout February

KINGSWOOD Homes are hosting a ‘Wellies On’ event on Saturday 24th February at Green Hills.

Gill Singh is on a mission: to track down her cherished “Pub Files”, which she regrets losing in 2011.