Burnley Believes: Christmas celebrations return on Saturday 14 November
Get ready for live entertainment, free family activities, a magical Lantern Parade and a Christmas lights switch-on featuring some familiar Burnley faces!
Burnley Believes returns on Saturday 14 November 2026, with celebrations across the town centre from 12pm, a Lantern Parade at 4pm and the Christmas lights switch-on at 5.15pm.
Organised by Burnley BID and supported this year by Southerns Solicitors, it’s the perfect opportunity to bring the family into town and enjoy the start of Burnley’s festive season.
Meet the Christmas lights switch-on stars
Joining the Mayor, Cllr Saeed Chaudhary, to lead this year’s countdown will be:
- 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
- Radio Burnley’s Lee and Phil
Gather for the big moment at 5.15pm, when the lights will come on and snow cannons will send a flurry of festive snow over the celebrations.
Enjoy family fun across the town
Explore St James’s Street and Curzon Street, where you’ll find free crazy golf, free face painting and a family trail with the chance to win a £50 gift card.
Visit the funfair, watch the Magical Bubble Performer create spectacular giant bubbles from 2pm – 2.30pm, 3pm – 3.30pm & 4pm – 4.30pm and step into the snow globe from 12pm – 3pm for a festive photograph.
Burnley FC Women will also be joining the fun on St James’s Street. Test your aim with snowball throwing alongside Buddy the Elf, guess how many footballs are in the jar and spin the wheel for the chance to win prizes. Players will make appearances throughout the day, with opportunities for a festive selfie in the photo booth.
Burnley Believes main stage programme
Enjoy live music, dance and performances on St James’s Street with stage hosts Matty and Danny from Radio Burnley.
12pm – Welcome from Matty and Danny, Radio Burnley
12.05pm – Basically Cheer
12.15pm – Burnley College
12.45pm – Next Level Dance
1.10pm – Dynamic Dance Studio
1.20pm – Burnley Youth Theatre
1.35pm – Ashworth’s Dance Academy
1.50pm – Cliviger Holme
2.15pm – Rodeo Duo
2.50pm – Act 1 Beginners
3.10pm – Imogen
3.25pm – Sam Cheyte
3.55pm – Boff Whalley
4.05pm – Channy
4.40pm – Batala Lancaster, performing in front of the stage following the Lantern Parade
4.55pm – Channy
5.05pm – Brazen Brass Band
5.15pm – Christmas lights switch-on with Matty and Danny, Mayor Cllr Saeed Chaudhary, Dad the Dish, Burnley FC Women’s Naomi Hartley, mascots Bella and Bertie and Burnley Cricket Club players Ockert Erasmus, Daniel Pickup, Callum Clarke and Bharat Tripathi.
Discover festive food and markets
Join Dad the Dish for a Festive Food Crawl, sampling seasonal treats at eateries across Burnley while supporting a good cause.
You can also browse Burnley Market’s outdoor festive markets in Market Square at Charter Walk.
Catch live entertainment on St James’s Street
Radio Burnley’s Lee and Phil will host the main stage, introducing a packed programme of local performers and special guests.
Enjoy performances from 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 1 Beginners and more.
The line-up also features Brazen Brass Band, appearing as part of Burnley’s new Festival of Music and Culture, alongside local DJ Sam Cheyte, singer Channy, Dad the Dish and acclaimed Burnley musician and writer Boff Whalley.
Join the magical Lantern Parade
At 4pm, head to Curzon Street for the Lantern Parade, led by the powerful drumming of Batala Lancaster.
Expect a colourful procession of large puppets and lanterns inspired by local folklore and stories. Everyone is welcome to join, whether you’ve made a lantern or simply want to be part of the celebrations.
Supported by Burnley Leisure & Culture through funding from Burnley Council’s Community Pride Small Grants Programme, local artists have worked with schools and community groups to create the parade’s displays. Taking part are New Neighbours Together, New Era, Basically Cheer, West End Community Centre, Team Rise and Cliviger School.
Make a day of it in Burnley and stay for the Christmas lights switch-on and snow cannon finale at 5.15pm!
