A ROUND-UP OF FUN FAMILY EVENTS ACROSS BURNLEY THIS CHRISTMAS ❄️

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

...and this month, Burnley is bursting with family-friendly festive fun!

We've rounded up the very best events so you don't miss a thing. From creative workshops to exciting shows, there's something for every age and every weekend. Take a look at what's coming up and be sure to mark your calendars.

Christmas at Charter Walk

Get ready for a month full of Christmas fun at Charter Walk Shopping Centre. Every Saturday leading up to Christmas, little ones can join Santa's helpers at the Festive Elf Workshops, taking place December 6th, 13th & 20th from 11am - 4pm. 

Don't miss the special Pinecone Decorating Workshop on December 6th, where families can create their own festive keepsake.

Children can also send their wishes straight to the North Pole at the Letters to Santa experience - complete with a personalised email reply and entry into a £250 prize draw for The Entertainer.  And to top it all off, the centre will come alive with ​​​​​​​Christmas Character Appearances, including The Grinch on December 6th, The Santa Band on December 13th & 22nd, ​​​​​​​The Elves on December 13th and Holly & Ivy on December 20th.

Christmas Artisan Market

Back with goodies and gifts, Burnley's Artisan Market returns to St James's Street and Charter Walk this Saturday (6th December) from 10am - 4pm with a festive twist.

Expect a whole host of fabulous independent businesses selling everything from food, drink, gifts, crafts, art and lots of festive treats.

Christmas Gift Market & Grotto at Burnley Market

Get ready for a festive-packed Saturday at Burnley Market on December 13th because from 9am, you can explore the Christmas Gift Market, enjoy FREE professional children’s photography, drop-in for fun craft sessions and even visit Santa in his grotto. With so much seasonal magic happening under one roof, it’s the perfect family day out.

Christmas Bhangra with the Jolly Bolly Elf

Join the Jolly Bolly Elf at Down Town on December 22nd for a lively Christmas Bhangra experience filled with singing, dancing, and plenty of family laughter.

Little ones can enjoy Bhangra jingles, Bollywood sparkle, and interactive festive cheer - perfect for under-7s!

Tickets are “Pay What You Decide,” with free or £4 advance options available. Don’t forget to bring a favourite cuddly toy too. 

A Christmas Carol at Burnley Mechanics

Don't miss A Christmas Carol at Burnley Mechanics Theatre this festive season, with performances on December 23rd & 24th.

Follow Ebenezer Scrooge on his journey through the past, present and future in this heartwarming adaptation by Operation Moonlight.

To find out more on these events, book tickets or discover more activities in the town - just click the button below. 

Shop Local on Small Business Saturday ✨

Small Business Saturday takes place this weekend (December 6th) celebrating the UK’s much-loved 5.45 million small businesses and encouraging the nation to show their support - particularly by shopping small and spending locally. 

It’s a great moment to shine a light on the incredible independent businesses that make Burnley unique.

From brilliant retailers like Labels For Cares, Waterlife & Pets, Brown Opticians, Wild Venus, Haffner's Butchers, Sweet William Florists and Electron Records, to much-loved cafés, restaurants and bars including Aroma Asian Restaurant, Bridge Bier Haus, Central Kitchen, Cosy Coffee, Ellis's, Electric Circus, Real Food Hall,  Stack n Stir, The Palazzo and The Winter Lotus Brewhouse, there are so many favourites to explore.

Whether you’re picking up gifts, treating yourself or planning a catch-up with friends, choosing local helps support the people and passion behind these independent businesses.

Breakfast with Santa at Real Food Hall 🥞

Start your Christmas with a sprinkle of festive magic as Real Food Hall hosts Breakfast with Santa! 

For £9.99 per child (with grown-ups joining for free!), little ones can tuck into a tasty breakfast with free juice, unwrap a Christmas puzzle pack and present, and enjoy a jolly visit from the big man in red himself.

It's the perfect way to warm bellies, spark smiles and kick-start the festive season. 

The Polar Express Pyjama Party with Reel Cinema 🚂

All aboard! From December 20th - 24th, snuggle into your cosiest pyjamas and join Reel Cinema at Pioneer Place for a Polar Express Pyjama Party - a festive film experience that's as heartwarming as a cup of hot chocolate! 

Before the adventure begins, don't forget to snap a photo with the conductor, then settle with a festive biscuit as you enjoy a screening of The Polar Express - the enchanting tale of belief, bravery and a midnight train ride to the North Pole. 

Rapunzel Announced as Burnley's 2026 Pantomime!

Get ready for a hair-lariously good time as the award-winning Burnley Pantomime Society brings the tangled tale of Rapunzel to the stage for their 2026 pantomime! 🌼

Scripted by Barry Crossley, this family favourite is packed with laughs, magic and more twists than Rapunzel’s braid itself.

The adventure begins on January 9th 2026, with performances running across two fun-filled weekends: Fridays at 7pm, Saturdays at 12pm, 2pm, and 7pm (times vary by date), and Sundays at 12pm and 4.30pm, plus an extra show on Thursday 14th at 7pm.

Christmas Opening Hours in Burnley 🕰️

Get ready to tick off that Christmas list in style with extended shopping hours in Burnley.

You can enjoy more time on December 11th, 18th, 22nd & 23rd when Charter Walk will be open until 7pm. 

Over Christmas week, Charter Walk is also open Christmas Eve (9am - 4.30pm), Boxing Day (9am - 5.30pm), New Year’s Eve (9am – 5.30pm) and closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

That's not all! The retail parks will be open even later on the run-up to Christmas - so make sure to check with stores for opening times ahead of your visit. Please note: opening times for businesses around the town may vary.

Tinsel at the Turf 🎄

Tinsel at the Turf is back this Christmas for two magical sessions on December 22nd. 

While you finish your last-minute Christmas shopping, your little ones (ages 5 - 12) can enjoy a stadium tour, crafts, games, activities, and even a visit from Santa Claus himself!

This is one of the most popular events in the town, so make sure to book your tickets now via the Burnley FC In the Community website.

Don't Miss the Boxing Day Sales in Burnley 🛍️

Get ready to bag the best bargains of the season because the Boxing Day Sales are coming! From big discounts to limited-time offers, there’s plenty to snap up across the town. Want the inside scoop? Make sure you’re following us on social media @discoverburnley, where we’ll be sharing all the hottest deals as they drop. 

Additional Events to Look Forward to This Month...

A Victorian Christmas Celebrations, 5 December, 1pm - 3pm 📍Gawthorpe Hall

Festive Drop-In Cafe, 5 December - 2pm - 4pm📍Burnley Library

Winter Wonderland Christmas Party, 5 December, 7pm - 11.45pm 📍Burnley Football Club

Burnley College Winter Wonderland, 6 December, 10am - 3pm📍Burnley College

Bingo Christmas Party, 7 December, 10.30am - 3.45pm📍Buzz Bingo Club

Festive Wreath Workshop, 12 December, 1pm - 3.30pm📍Downtown

Northern Soul at the Club, 17 December, 3pm - 7pm📍Burnley Miners Social Club

The Rave Kids Family Christmas Rave, 20 December, 12pm - 3.30pm 📍Hidden

Record Fair, 27 December - 9am - 5pm📍Burnley Market