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
NHS Healthcare Assistant and former textile worker Coun Parwaiz Akhtar is the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen for 2023/24.
LANCASHIRE homebuyers and their families can be the first to experience Kingswood Homes’ new collection of homes when two show homes open their doors on Saturday 27th May.
Now in its fifth year, ‘Art in Manufacturing’ is the competitive headline commissioning programme that places artists in residence with some of the UK’s leading manufacturers as part of the National Festival of Making.
The Dean of Blackburn had his head shaved during the Eucharist on Sunday 14 May 2023 to raise funds for the local Hospice and raise awareness of its vital service to the community.
Children have been having a really wild time in The Mall Blackburn as part of its free programme of activities this Easter.
Blackburn Exchange has announced plans for an Open Day on Tuesday 28th March 2023.
A new prayer shelter at Pleasington Cemetery will soon be open, allowing families to respectfully say goodbye to their loved ones at the most sensitive time.
Blackburn with Darwen has been announced as a new Government Levelling Up Partner – unlocking £20m of new funding.
The Exchange has been awarded £192,000 from the Lottery Heritage Fund
Following the success of his most recent sell-out magic show, Richard Jones presents An Evening of Magic, a 26-date UK tour. The great news is, he’s coming to Blackburn this April!
Escape to Fun Island returns just in time for the half-term school holidays after proving a big hit last year.
Blackburn Empire Theatre has today announced the passing of their long-serving Chairman, Michael Berry.
A brand new venture opens for bookings at the end of February, with touches of luxury and glamour for the ultimate break.
The Right Reverend Philip North has today been announced by 10 Downing Street as the next Bishop of Blackburn.
Need some MAGIC this Christmas? 33% off PANTO courtesy of Blackburn Life and Square Cactus.
The manager of Blackburn BID, Catherine Price, has made a last minute plea to shop with Blackburn Town Centre businesses this Christmas.
THE YOUNGSTERS at Derian House had a ball when they were visited by two groups of special guests just in time for Christmas.
From 3rd January 2023, Turtle Bay is giving away a £10 gift to fans around the country as the Caribbean restaurant and bar promises a no-strings attached present to welcome in the New Year.
GIVEAWAY ALERT Our 12 Days of Christmas giveaway has officially started.Enter now to be in with a chance of winning 1 of 12 amazing prizes All you have to do
We’ve teamed up with Darwen Library Theatre, to offer one lucky family the opportunity to win tickets to see “Dear Santa LIVE”
Here’s your chance to enjoy the panto, Jack & the Beanstalk, at Blackburn’s King George’s Hall by winning a family ticket.
Here’s how you can win £50 to spend at Le RainFlorist. What a great way to say thank you to someone special.
You could win a Family Tickets to this year’s production of Cinderella at the Blackburn Empire Theatre.
Shone Productions and King George’s Hall are delighted to announce that Ricky Groves will be stepping into the role of Fleshcreep at this year’s pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk. Best known for
Caribbean restaurant and bar Turtle Bay Blackburn are giving you and your office the chance to win a £250 voucher for your office Christmas party…
Blackburn Life is back with our Big Christmas Giveaway Competition.
A Trail that has a Tantalisingly Tasty Theme will have families hunting for Gingerbread across Blackburn this Christmas.
Here are the road closures that may affect your journeys this Sunday
Blackburn Life were lucky enough to be invited to the final dress rehearsal for this year’s pantomime at Blackburn Empire Theatre of Cinderella. The show, which opens to the public this Saturday (26th November) stars Linda Lusardi, Lucy Kane and JezO.
Christmas really has come early for Youth Zone Darwen thanks to a £100K funding boost from the John Lewis Foundation Trust.
The Shh Bar, which announced last month it was not to relocate, but close its doors has now thanked customers as it closed for the final time.
The Post Office are proposing to move the Blackburn Town Centre Post Office from its current base at 29-33 Ainsworth Street, Blackburn to the former Crawshaw’s shop at 4-6 Railway Road, Blackburn.
Blackburn’s Christmas Lights switch on has been announced for Saturday 26th November 2022 with Strictly contestant AJ Odudu switching on the lights this year.
The ‘Blackburn Glitter Ball’ will host a day of dance and music on King William Street – with hopes of scoring a 10 with the crowds!
Blackburn’s latest Hotel has opened as Hotel 99 in the former Wheatsheaf pub on Mincing Lane in the Town Centre, under the Best Western brand.
Caribbean restaurant and bar Turtle Bay Blackburn has launched its Christmas offering and its sunkissed tropical escapism all the way.
Work to finish a new Darwen-themed play area at Blacksnape Playing Fields is due to be completed in the coming days and is the renovated area is promised to “provide local young children and families’ hours of outdoor fun and games for years to come.”