It’s the final countdown to Blackburn’s Christmas Lights Switch-On
- Crafty Vintage
- Nov 19
- 3 min read
Crafting a bit of festive joy… we’re counting down to one of Blackburn’s most anticipated events of the year: the lights switch-on for the 2025 season. As the team behind Crafty Vintage, we’re excited to share this with our local community and encourage everyone to come along, soak up the atmosphere, and support local makers, traders and creatives.
When & Where
Date: Saturday 22 November 2025. Blackburn Life+2discoverblackburn.co.uk+2
Time: Entertainment starts from 11 am in the town centre, with the main switch-on later in the evening. Blackburn Life+1
Location: The main stage is set up near the Old Town Hall, Blackburn in Blackburn town centre. Blackburn Life+1
What’s in store
This year’s switch-on event is a full-day affair, designed for all ages, and designed to celebrate our town, our local traders, our makers – and the spirit of craft. Here’s a snapshot of what’s happening:
A brand new festive market under a marquee on King William Street, Blackburn opens on Friday afternoon and continues through to Saturday. It features food, festive gifts, handmade crafts and more – perfect for a local shopping spree. Blackburn Life+1
Live entertainment all day: dance schools, theatre groups, community performers and more. For example the lovely line-up includes local favourites like Blackburn Musical Theatre Company, Katrina’s Dance Academy, Darrell Smith (who’s known for his BBC Proms performance) and appearances by a football legend, David Dunn. Blackburn Life
A magical projection show onto the Old Town Hall instead of the usual fireworks, lighting up the building with festive imagery to mark the official lights-on moment. Blackburn Life+1
Why this matters to Crafty Vintage & local makers
At Crafty Vintage our heart lies in craft, community and creativity – so this switch-on ticks so many boxes:
Visibility for makers: The market offers a valuable platform for artisan stalls, vintage finds, creative pop-ups and local small businesses – just the sort of crowd we champion.
Footfall into town centre: A bustling, joyful event like this draws in families and foot traffic, benefiting local shops, cafés, vintage and craft traders alike.
Crafted experience: The live performers, the market ambience, the projection show — this is all about creating a memorable, crafted moment for Blackburn.
Support local: It’s an opportunity for our community to show up, buy local, connect with makers, and find unique gifts rather than generic high-street fare.
Tips for your visit
Arrive early for the best access to the market stalls and to settle into the entertainment line-up.
Dress for the weather – as we know, Lancashire November evenings can be brisk. So wrap up, bring your coat and perhaps a hot drink.
Plan parking or public transport – as the town centre will be busier than usual. Consider arriving a little earlier to avoid the rush.
Support local stalls: Keep an eye out for vintage, handmade crafts and unique gifts – the kind of treasures we love at Crafty Vintage.
Stay for the finale: The projection show on the Old Town Hall is the highlight – if you can, stay until the lights are switched on to feel the full effect.
This event is more than just a lights switch-on. It’s a celebration of community, creativity and commerce in Blackburn. Whether you’re browsing vintage gems, enjoying the live acts or simply soaking in the festive atmosphere, it promises to be a special day.
If you’re a local maker, artist or creative start up and you’d like to be part of future Crafty Vintage events, we’d love to hear from you. We’re always on the lookout for new talent, original products and creators who put real craft into what they do. Whether you’re just starting out or already established, our markets and festivals are designed to give independent businesses a platform, a crowd and the chance to grow. Get in touch via the Crafty Vintage website or our social channels and we’ll send you details of the next events and opportunities.
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