“Smiling faces everywhere.” “A great day out for all the family.”

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Sunday 24 August 2025. If you weren’t there, this is what you missed…

Performances:

• The Green Man has had many names and been around as long as humans have – so he has a lot of fantastical stories to tell about the people of England and all the myths they have created! This interactive storytelling act is really engaging for all the family and suitable for ages 5+ 
• Watch in amazement as Paris Bubbles paint the sky with colours by creating magical displays of bubbles.
• Egg Bingo! – Play the alternative bingo game inspired by nature that is being devised by artist Sam Selley in workshops at the Exbury Egg before and during the Festival (details here). 2:30pm on the Music Stage
• Mother Nature has been so impressed by all the nature themed activities happening at this year’s Festival that she’s decided to join us. Look out though, she doesn’t take kindly to anyone littering. Don’t worry though, her friendly squirrel sidekick will keep things jolly and fun.

Music:

• Burnley Alliance Silver Band – These firm Festival favourites will be kicking off proceedings in style. They play a wide assortment of modern and traditional music and will give us the perfect start to the day. (11:00am)
• Ben Farmer, who’ll be running his accordion through all sorts of folk ditties. He’ll also be leading a Family Ceilidh in his later slot – bring your dancing shoes! (12:55pm & 3:00pm)
• Back o’th Bush – Ben Farmer will also be appearing with Richard Moss, they are two of North West England’s most in demand folk musicians. Each has an international reputation, having won awards and accolades across the UK and Europe. As this duo they perform songs, tunes and dances from across the British Isles. (12 noon)
• Richard Moss will also be appearing with Mat Walklate a multi instrumentalist from Manchester. Steeped in the Irish tradition Mat is a skilled flute player, plays Uillian pipes (Irish bagpipes) and is recognised as one of the best harmonica players in the UK. (1:45pm)
• Hiroshima Twinkie – a Lancaster-based indie-folk-rock group with 4 part harmony and a bluegrass twist. Great to dance to, and renowned for getting congas going – we hope you’ll join in! (3:30pm)
• Baxter Rhodes – Baxter is an independent acoustic singer-songwriter from East Lancashire. ‘English Americana with a northern edge’ – Solfest. ‘A gifted singer and song-writer … as magical and mystical as Pendle Hill itself’ – Ribble Valley Jazz & Blues Festival. (4:30pm)

Drop in Workshops:

• Brightwork colouring station. Spend some quality chill out time colouring in a special design commissioned by the Festival from artist Cath Ford (versions for all ages).
• Join artists Leonie Stephenson & Kerris Casey-St.Pierre to create your own cardboard costumes: masks, crowns, hats – if you can imagine it, you can create it! Drop in workshop for children and adults alike. Smaller children may need parent/carer help.
• Make your own colourful dancing paper flower, using simple folding and cutting techniques, with artist Sharon Brown. Suitable for all ages, some supervision with cutting may be required.
• Make your own clay dish with Aiyra Ahmed, using natural materials as a template. Yours to take home.
• Fantastic face painting by the talented Miffy’s Crazy Faces
• Screen print a British Textile Biennial tote bag with Craig Atherton. Yours to take home.
• Mehndi (henna) hand painting from Zarqa Batool.
• Make a Knot Keyring with Super Slow Way. There is a small payment for this one – your postcode!
• Egg Bingo workshops at the Exbury Egg with artist Sam Selley. Family friendly drop in sessions including Lino printing and prop & costume making. Participants will help create the Egg Bingo game which will be played on the Music Stage at 2:30pm.
• Wild Strings & Water Songs – Join Ninon Ardisson, Portia Winters & Narotam Horn in the Community Garden for a playful workshop weaving together Burnley’s mill heritage and canal wildlife. Sing the canal into the mill and the mill into the canal! Drop in to reimagine Lancashire’s mill songs with local wildlife, foraged sounds, and a piano gone wild! Main workshops 12 noon to 1pm & 3pm to 4pm (plus drop in activities all day). Presented in collaboration with the British Textile Biennial & Creative Spaces Burnley

On The Water*:

• Take a boat trip on the Frayed Knot. Non-stop round trips to Burnley Wharf leaving (approximately) every 30 minutes from 11am. Our boat takes 10 passengers a time. For details on booking please see our FAQ page.
• Some fantastic news! We weren’t sure our budget would stretch to FREE canoe taster sessions this year, but thanks to Super Slow Way you will be able to get afloat and paddle along the canal. Numbers are limited, so turn up from 11am and secure your place. The launch site will be on the towpath opposite Finsley Gate Wharf.
• * Changes to the above may occur dependent on water levels.

Go on an Adventure:

• Towpath Explorers – Don’t miss their new adventure trail. No prior knowledge necessary!  Explorers of all ages and their families can sign up and test their mettle while exploring some of Burnley’s unique canalside. Engage in fun games, tackle intriguing puzzles, and immerse yourself in the magic of the canal as you work together to solve The Mermaid Mystery. Bring your curiosity and creativity and get ready to put your explorer skills to the test!
• There are also two afternoons of Explorer related free art workshops on Weds 20th & Thurs 21st – find out more HERE.

Makers Market in the Mile Room:

• Visit the stalls upstairs in the main building for a chance to buy yourself, or someone else, a unique piece of art or craft and/or delicious food items.
• Paintings, prints, textile bags, cards, glassware, jewellery, dog accessories, beauty products, cakes and more. All made by the people selling them.
• Free entrance and items start from a few pounds.

Food & Drink:

• The bar at Finsley Gate Wharf will be open and the team will be serving a full range of alcoholic and soft drinks.
• The FGW team will also be running the FGW Brilliant Barbeque stall with all your BBQ favourites.
• The Ninja Coffee van will be joining us – you can’t miss it, it’s bright orange! They’ll be serving a full range of hot drinks.
• Street Food Pizza will be joining us to serve authentic, and delicious, wood fired Italian pizzas.
• Don’t miss Deli Delite’s Dabbawala stand and their delicious authentic Indian Street Food. (Vegan and halal options available.)
• Do save some room for a cold treat from Emma’s Ice Creams.

And you can visit:

• The Exbury Egg, a laboratory for studying the environment by artist Stephen Turner. It first came to FGW 2016 when the site was derelict and disused, and Stephen invited local residents to spend time in The Egg to observe the nature and wildlife in the overgrown landscape over the summer and autumn that followed. For the Festival this year it will be home to Egg Bingo workshops with artist Sam Selley. These FREE family friendly drop in sessions will include Lino printing and prop and costume making, and will help create the Egg Bingo game which will be played on the Music Stage at 2:30pm.
• Wakes Week installation. Visit this interactive Blackpool postcard exhibition in its colourful tent, dress up and get your picture taken. (Possibly while sitting on a giant deckchair!)
• The Weavers’ Triangle Visitors’ Centre (10am-5pm). A short walk along the towpath you can step into the past with a Victorian schoolroom, an Edwardian bathroom and an authentic weaver’s dwelling – you can even have a go at weaving yourself! Fun awaits the whole family with a children’s corner, winding trails and tricky quizzes.
• You can also visit the Oak Mount Mill Engine House (2-4pm – ask at WTC for directions) which houses a steam engine dating from 1887. The engine is now operated by an electric motor and can be seen in action on special occasions. Entry to both is FREE.
• There is also a guided walk to the Engine House, led by local historian Roger Frost MBE. It will start from the Visitor Centre at 1pm on Festival Day. Free to join and booking not required.