An exciting range of new attractions and community-focused initiatives have been unveiled for the 2026 Great Harwood Christmas Extravaganza, promising another unforgettable festive celebration in the heart of the town.
The free-to-attend event, proudly sponsored by Hyndburn Borough Council and organised by Scott Dawson Advertising, will take place on Saturday, 12th December on Queen Street in Great Harwood.
Building on the huge success of previous years, organisers have revealed a series of fresh additions designed to make this year’s extravaganza bigger, better and more inclusive than ever before.
Among the highlights for 2026 is a brand-new competition inviting members of the public to nominate and vote for a “local champion” who will take centre stage during the event’s grand finale. The chosen individual will have the honour of appearing on the main stage and pushing the plunger after the big Christmas countdown, which will feature snow, adding a special community touch to the magical moment.
To nominate your “local hero” please email editor@amazingaccrington.co.uk explaining who you are nominating and why. The winner will be announced three weeks before the event.
Visitors will be able to enjoy a new seating area under the main event gazebo, ensuring more families and visitors can comfortably enjoy the live entertainment and main stage performances throughout the day.
In a continued drive to champion the high street, five local businesses will have the opportunity to secure a free pop-up stall as part of the Christmas market on Queen Street. These sought-after spaces will give businesses a prime opportunity to showcase their products and services during one of the town’s busiest days of the year.
Businesses on the high street interested in securing a spot have until Saturday, 28th February to apply for consideration, and can apply by emailing editor@amazingaccrington.co.uk
Support for local traders will extend well beyond the event itself. 1,500 #ShopLocal flyers will be distributed ahead of the extravaganza to promote Great Harwood’s independent businesses and encourage residents to shop locally during the festive season. In addition, Scott Dawson Advertising will host a dedicated social media workshop for local shopkeepers and businesses, equipping them with practical tools and advice to maximise their online presence during the crucial Christmas period.
Shops will also be encouraged to collaborate creatively with their suppliers, hosting pop-up experiences within their own premises, similar to successful partnerships such as Honey Q at Brie Mine. The aim is to create a vibrant, joined-up festive experience throughout the town centre.
Local shopkeepers will also be engaged in the planning of stalls, with a questionnaire to be sent out to local businesses in March 2026.
Continuing the theme of community engagement, a new special ‘Elf Trail’ will see local schoolchildren encouraged to visit participating shops in Great Harwood, Clayton and Rishton. The initiative is designed to create festive fun for children while inspiring families to explore local businesses and support the #ShopLocal campaign in the run-up to Christmas.
These exciting additions follow another spectacular Great Harwood Christmas Extravaganza last December, which saw the town transformed into a bustling Christmas market with live entertainment throughout the day on the main stage. Plans are already well underway for this year’s full line-up of entertainment, with acts currently being booked to ensure another packed programme of festive performances.
Stallholders looking to secure a place at this year’s Great Harwood Christmas Extravaganza can submit their applications here: www.amazingaccrington.co.uk/amazingaccrington-2026-stallholder-application/
The strategy for charity stalls will be released for bookings on 1st April, after the shop surveys have taken place.
Cllr Kimberley Whitehead, Deputy Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council, said: “We are absolutely delighted to see the Great Harwood Christmas Extravaganza return for 2026 with so many exciting new elements. I know who I am voting for on the stage!
“This event has quickly become a highlight of the festive calendar, bringing our community together and shining a spotlight on our fantastic local businesses. It’s wonderful to see continued investment in initiatives that support our high streets while creating a magical experience for families across Hyndburn.”
Murray Dawson, Managing Director of Scott Dawson Advertising, said: “The Great Harwood Christmas Extravaganza has been fantastic over the last two years and each year we challenge ourselves to improve and build on that success. A significant amount of hard work is taking place behind the scenes to make this year’s event even more special.
“We’re incredibly proud of how the community has embraced it, and we can’t wait to share more exciting announcements in the coming months.”
With Blondied wowing the crowds last year and East 17 in 2024, who will be the headline act this December?
Learn more and stay up to date by following Great Harwood Events on social media.
