Skip to main content

What's On - Encounter Festival

Encounter Festival is back for 2024 with a fresh new look and our Torchlight Procession and firework spectacle once again taking centre stage.

On Saturday you can play on the giant marble run, get involved in our chilled silent disco and enjoy epic shows across the Bus Station and the Flag Market.

We've got choirs and Qawwali on our Community and Traditions Stage to showcase all the fabulous groups that perform in Preston all year round.

On Sunday we're in Winckley Square with wonderful family shows, a range of food stalls, games and craft activities to fill the day. You might even chance upon our Invisible Man walking down Fishergate!

For low cost parking at this event, head to Fishergate Shopping Centre's award winning Car Park - £2 for 2 hours or £8.50 all day.

Check out Your Visit for information on travel and parking to plan your perfect 2024 Encounter weekend!

Download the Official 2024 Encounter Programme (PDF) [2MB] .

Search events by day

Saturday Sunday

Search events by venue

Bus Station Flag Market Winckley Square Sunday

All events

Petting Zoo

21 September (11:45am - 12:45pm, 3:40pm - 4:40pm): A fun filled interactive day of musical activities.

WILD

21 September (12pm - 12:45pm, 3pm - 3:45pm): Showing what it means to be wild!

Magical Story Jars

21 September (12pm - 3pm): A free drop-in activity designed to inspire kids to have fun playing with ideas and creating their own stories.

Let's Grow Preston Allotment Show

21 September (12pm, 4:30pm): An encounter you can take with you, with lots of information to learn for your own garden.

Wild Rumpus Giant Marble Run

21 September (12pm - 4pm): A simple but fantastic experience using upcycled materials.

Family Catwalk Extravaganza

21 September (12:45pm - 1:20pm, 2:20pm - 2:55pm): A fabulous celebration of self expression.

Community and Traditions Stage

21 September (1pm - 5:30pm): Featuring Preston People's Choir, Hussnain Hanif and The Nasheed Choir, the return of Urooj Qawwal and lots more.

Plot 17

21 September (1:25pm - 2pm, 3:50pm - 4:30pm): A hip-hop garden festival for families.

Betty Brown Bags

21 September (1:25pm - 1:55pm, 3:10pm - 3:40pm): Celebrating the strength and resilience of Northern working class culture.

Bollywood Dance Workshop with Jenish Patel

21 September (1:55pm - 2:20pm): A fantastic dance workshop to get you moving and grooving.

Same But Different

21 September (2pm - 3:50pm): An accessible silent disco DJ'd by The Fat Britney and Matthew Beautyman.

Music with Soulhouse Avenue and Buddha

21 September (6:30pm - 8:30pm): Feel the soul enter you with this musical sensation from Soulhouse Avenue and Buddha.

Torchlight Procession

21 September (7pm): Join us on Saturday night for our fabulous Torchlight Procession and Firework Finale.

Ribble of Dreams - imitating the dog

21 - 22 September (all day): Discover a digital trail through Preston.

The Invisible Man

22 September (11am, 12.30pm and 2pm): Introducing The Invisible man, The Man who isn't there!

Ski Band

22 September (11:35am, 1:25pm and 3:15pm): The Ski band are a five piece, mobile street band skilled in engaging with and entertaining festival and celebration crowds.

Everywhere's a Beach

22 September (12pm and 2pm): Join us for a day at the beach unlike any other in this high energy, outdoor circus theatre show!

Magical Story Jars

22 September (12pm - 3:30pm): A free drop-in activity designed to inspire kids to have fun playing with ideas and creating their own stories.

Mughal Miniatures - Animal Paradise

22 September (12:45pm and 2:45pm): A vibrant outdoor performance event for all the family celebrating the exquisite traditional art of Indian and Persian miniature painting.