We somehow always manage to pop this annual post out when the weather is glorious. Purely by chance! But, we've already started planning #Preston's festive event of the year. There are exciting and affordable opportunities for huge brand exposure by partnering with us on the city's Christmas Lights Switch on event, attended by thousands of people. If you'd like to get involved and maximise business awareness at a key time of year, get in touch. Email: [email protected]

Preston Weekender Delivers City Boost! Preston cemented its growing reputation as a destination for live events, following the resounding success of this year’s Preston Weekender, organised by Preston BID and Preston City Council. Drawing visitors from across the country, and beyond, the event transformed the city into a vibrant hub of music, culture, and entertainment. Hotels across the city were at capacity throughout the weekend, with many bars, restaurants, and venues, noting a surge in trade. For Saturday’s Cream gig, 43% of ticket holders came from Lancashire, with the event drawing in 57% of attendees from across the north west, the wider UK, and even Europe, with some guests flying in from Malta, Poland and Greece! Dance music icon Paul Oakenfold headlined alongside hit maker Joel Corry, who said: “It was an awesome night, I absolutely loved playing the gig”. Paul and Joel were very ably supported by Preston favourites, Brian Hudson and Jason Marx, and Cream's 'Kola'. Sunday’s gig was offered as a free event, for families across the city and beyond, featuring performances from the renowned Bjorn Again, and master magician & Britain’s Got Talent champ, Harry Moulding. Across the Weekender city centre footfall was up year on year, by 23%, also boosted by additional activity like the PNE home game, Canopy of Colour and pay weekend. Weekender attendees spent time enjoying Preston’s offer before and after the events, with the daytime gatherings and late-night headline shows showcasing Preston at its very best, welcoming and energetic. Cat Fin, owner of Preston’s renowned ‘Pintxos’, said: “The Preston Weekender shows that people can and will come into the city to spend money. “Operationally we change our vibe for the weekend, and this one was a huge success, not only for the city, but as an independent venue we had people visiting from across Lancashire for pre-event food and post-event drinks. “I grew up on Ibiza Cream Classics, so my father and I had a lovely little rave upstairs where we could see the headliners from our seat, because his knees aren't what they used to be!" Feedback from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the upgrade of the Saturday event, the programming, and the atmosphere across the city. Many visitors went on to highlight Preston’s accessibility, and the warm welcome from local businesses and residents. The Weekender attracted major artists and leading brands, further underlining Preston’s growing reputation on the events stage. High profile performances and branded activations helped elevate the event, bringing additional visibility and credibility to proud Preston. Mark Whittle from Preston BID, said: “This year’s Preston Weekender exceeded expectations. Seeing people travel from all over the UK to experience what the city has to offer is a huge bonus. The support from residents, visitors, local businesses, artists, and brand partners has been incredible. “With the backing of business, the wider city and the Council, we hope that in the not too distant future, that the Preston Weekender becomes an even bigger event; one that’s widely recognised and that brings even more people in to our great city.” Adrian Phillips, Chief Executive of Preston City Council said: “The 2026 edition of The Preston Weekender has been a powerful demonstration of what our city can achieve. The scale of attendance, an uplift in footfall, and the clear economic impact for local businesses, underline the importance of events like this to Preston’s continued growth. “We are incredibly proud of what has been delivered and excited about the opportunity to build on this success in the years ahead.” Local stakeholders echoed the sentiment, pointing to the economic and cultural impact of the event. With hotels brimming, venues seeing an uptick, and increased city centre footfall, the Weekender has delivered a measurable boost for Preston. Lauren Taylor, of Walker & Williams Aparthotels, said: “We saw a fantastic boost in trade during the Preston Weekender; with our No.10 boutique apartments booked out across the entire event. “The atmosphere across the city was incredible, with a real buzz that could be felt by visitors and businesses alike. Events like this not only drive strong occupancy and footfall, but also shine a spotlight on Preston as a vibrant, welcoming destination with much to offer. “The Weekender is a brilliant showcase of the city’s culture, hospitality and community spirit, and it plays a vital role in supporting local businesses and the wider visitor economy. “We’d love to see more events of this scale and ambition in the future, continuing to celebrate and highlight our brilliant city while attracting even more people to experience everything Preston has to offer.” As the event’s reputation continues to build, plans are already underway to grow the Weekender even further, with more city engagement, bigger audiences, and more renowned artists, in the years ahead.