Things to do (July 20 - 25)

Start the summer holidays off with one or two of these events:
Heysham is set for a Viking invasionHeysham is set for a Viking invasion
Heysham is set for a Viking invasion

PAID: Classic Car Show & Motorbike Show, Lytham, Sunday, July 22

Make the most of the summer holidays with a combination of horsepower and history as Lytham Hall hosts Mark Woodward’s Classic Car & Motorbike Show. The classic Georgian mansion will provide the perfect backdrop to some of the most elegant and timeless classic cars, motorcycles and more, as enthusiasts from across the country head for the seaside to show off their classics. You can pick up tips from the experts, with arena commentary and show stands and more. The show runs from 10am until 4pm. Admission is £7 adults; £2.50 children.

FREE: Rock on the Rec, Ribchester, Saturday, July 21

Lytham Hall is the setting for a Classic Car & Motorbike ShowLytham Hall is the setting for a Classic Car & Motorbike Show
Lytham Hall is the setting for a Classic Car & Motorbike Show
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Ribchester Rovers Football Club is hosting a one day rock festival on their pitch at Ribchester Recreational Field. The free event, which starts at 12.30pm, features six local bands playing a mix of popular rock classics from the likes of David Bowie, Oasis and The Rolling Stones as well as innovative new material. The show is headlined by four-piece rock band Sky Valley Mistress from Darwen (pictured), and also features The Slydes, The Rare Sugar Collective, Electric Circus, Clean Break, and David Jaggs.

PAID: The Ghost Tram, Blackpool, Friday, July 20

Heritage Tram Tours and Supernatural Events have joined forces to bring you The Ghost Tram. Starting at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, those brave enough to join the host, The Victorian Ghost Hunter, will travel across the Fylde Coast to Fleetwood and back hearing stories of the supernatural and tales of terror along the way. It departs from North Pier Heritage Tram Stop at 7.30pm, and lasts approximately one and a half hours. Tickets are £9.50 adults; £4 under 16s. Call 01253 209521 to book.

FREE: Heysham Viking Festival, Heysham, Saturday, July 21 and Sunday, July 22

Sky Valley Mistress is just one of the bands performing at Rock on the RecSky Valley Mistress is just one of the bands performing at Rock on the Rec
Sky Valley Mistress is just one of the bands performing at Rock on the Rec

Celebrate Heysham Viking Festival with a living history encampment, parade, battle re-enactment, fairground, weapons display, craft stalls, combat competition and food. There’s also live music at Heysham Cricket Club, on the Saturday night. The fun starts at 10.30am each day. There are also various workshops, talks and guided walks happening throughout the weekend. For more information visit www.facebook.com/heyshamvikings/

PAID: Summer Scrapbook, Lancaster, Saturday, July 21

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Head to Lancaster City Museum for a quick craft workshop to help record your summer holiday memories. There are drop-in session between 1pm and 3.30pm. All drop-in sessions are 50p per child. At Lancaster City Museum you can also discover more about Lancaster’s past from the Romans to the present day and trace the pedigree of Lancaster’s regiment from 1680 onwards at the King’s Own Royal Regiment Museum. Call 01524 64637 for more information or ask at reception.

PAID: Sooty’s 70th Birthday Party, Blackpool, Saturday, July 21

Head to Brockholes Nature Reserve for the Silent End of Term DiscoHead to Brockholes Nature Reserve for the Silent End of Term Disco
Head to Brockholes Nature Reserve for the Silent End of Term Disco

Izzy Wizzy let’s get busy! Join Sooty, Sweep and Soo and TV’s Richard Cadell as they celebrate Sooty’s 70th Birthday in fine style. With buckets of laughs and audience participation; it’s a family show to delight Sooty fans old and new. Plus a chance to meet Richard and Sooty after the show. It’s at the North Pier Theatre, curtain up at 5pm. Tickets are £7, children under two go free. To book, visit www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/blackpool/north-pier-theatre-blackpool/sootys-70th-birthday-party

FREE: Preston PedalFest, Preston, Sunday, July 22

Get on your bike and celebrate the start of the summer holiday’s at Preston PedalFest on Avenham and Miller Parks. Take the family for a range of fun activities and prizes. Activities taking place include HSBC UK Guided Rides; Ladies Only Family Ride; Xplorer Family Challenge; Ribbleton Bike Revival and much more. Plus there is also a cycle sportive taking place offering a challenging 67 mile and 37 mile cycle route for the keen cyclists out there. Runs from 9am until 3pm. For more information visit www.facebook.com/events/374228366419165/

FREE: Blackpool Carnival, Blackpool, Sunday, July 22

Learn the art of wildlife painting at Barton Grange Garden CentreLearn the art of wildlife painting at Barton Grange Garden Centre
Learn the art of wildlife painting at Barton Grange Garden Centre
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Take the family and enjoy a day of fantastic entertainment on the Waterloo Headland, South Shore (opposite McDonald’s) with live acts performing on stage including bands, drummers, dance groups and not forgetting the Central to South Pier Parade lead by the Carnival Queen. Blackpool International Carnival has been organised by the local community to celebrate the diverse cultures in and around Blackpool.The action runs from 12pm until 8pm. For more details visit www.blackpoolcarnivalcic.co.uk/

FREE: Garstang Scarecrow Festival, Garstang, Saturday, July 21 and Sunday, July 22

The charming market town of Garstang is hosting its very first Scarecrow Festival. Go along and see the scarecrow trail, enjoy the funfair and rides, food stalls, scarecrow treasure hunt, decorate your own gingerbread scarecrow, enjoy the pebble hunt, live music around the town, face painting and much more. On Sunday from 2.30pm there will be brass band live music, followed by the grand raffle prize draw and presentation of trophy winners.

PAID: The Silent End of Term Disco, Preston, Sunday, July 22

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Our Kids Social are back at Brockholes Nature Reserve to celebrate the end of term in style. Take your tribe as they go back to the island for a super Sunday afternoon packed with family fun. With dancefloor themed arts and crafts, fancy dress up and family photo frame, dancefloor props and bubbles, festival face painting and of course our infamous two channel silent disco - this is the only way to celebrate the start of the summer holidays. Advance booking is required - visit https://ourkids.social/

PAID: Wildlife Painting Day, Preston, Saturday, July 21

Cross of Greet Bridge, near Slaidburn, is the venue for an interesting walkCross of Greet Bridge, near Slaidburn, is the venue for an interesting walk
Cross of Greet Bridge, near Slaidburn, is the venue for an interesting walk

Budding and more experienced artists have a unique opportunity to learn how to paint a hare at this event, to be held at Barton Grange Garden Centre on Saturday. Course participants will work with acrylic paints to build a realistic painting of a hare in the snow shown above. Following step-by-step tuition they will learn how to paint fur while also depicting light and shade, and how to paint a hares facial features and complementary background too. Visit www.bartongrange.co.uk/events/wildlife-painting-day/ for a list of equipment you will need to bring and booking details.

PAID: Driving Mr Morecambe, Preston, Saturday, July 21

Mike Fountain will be talking about his hilarious 14 years as Eric Morecambe’s chauffeur, handyman and friend during this Saturday morning lecture at the Lancashire Infantry Museum, at Fulwood Barracks, Preston. Starts 11am. Admission is £2, and photo ID (eg driving licence) required to gain entry. Refreshments available by donation.

FREE: Cross of Greet Wildlife Wander, Slaidburn, Saturday, July 21

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Take a gentle wander around the area adjacent to the Cross of Greet Bridge near Slaidburn , observing and recording plants, insects and other interesting wildlife. It’s a chance to learn a little from those who know a little. Runs from 10am until 2pm on Saturday. The walk should take approximately two miles, with some steep and uneven ground. Suitable clothing and comfortable footwear is essential. Although admission is free, pre-booking is needed. The walk is part of the Festival Bowland. For more information contact Barrie Tyrer on [email protected]

FREE: Xplorer, Preston, Wednesday, July 25

Round up the kids and take them along to Preston’s Avenham Park for the Xplorer Challenge on Wednesday, July 25. It’s a family navigational challenge that is both fun and educational. Explore the park and follow the map to find the markers. At each marker, young children can identify the picture or the older children can challenge themselves by answering a question. Register at the Pavilion and collect your map on the day. Runs between 10am and 12pm.

PAID: Yarny Potter Trail and Raffle, Lancaster, from July 23 until September 2

Explore Lancaster’s heritage via the wizarding world of Harry Potter. Trail sheets are available from the Lancaster City Museum reception, and admission is 50p per trail (includes one entry into the raffle); additional tickets can be purchased at 25p each or five for £1. This event runs every day, from 10am until 5pm, from July 23 until September 2.