Preston’s Encounter Festival 2025: Torchlight Procession, Fireworks And A Citywide Celebration

Clear your diary for Saturday 20th September because Preston is about to roll out its biggest annual street party – the Encounter Festival – and this year’s line-up is shaping up to be a real crowd-pleaser. From puppets and parades to DJs and dancing, it’s an all-day creative feast that ends the only way we know how… with a sky full of fireworks.

The Festival Village will once again take over the Flag Market, buzzing from morning ‘til night with performances, installations, craft activities and more surprises than a magician’s hat. And brand new for 2025 is the 2032 Stage, designed to showcase the best of Preston’s artistic talent – from community groups to professional performers – as the city builds excitement for the next Preston Guild in 2032.

The Flagship Torchlight Procession

The heart-thumper of the day kicks off at 7:15pm as the Torchlight Procession sets off from Moor Park, winding through the streets towards the Flag Market. And this year, the honour of leading the parade goes to a showstopper – a towering, illuminated puppet of Arthur Wharton, commissioned in partnership with Preston North End Community and Education Trust.

It’s a mixed bag of brilliance behind him:

• Brazen, the all-female brass band born at last year’s Encounter, back with new tunes and a year’s worth of swagger.

• Preston City Mela bringing the colour, rhythm and energy of South Asian arts.

• Preston Caribbean Carnival in full feathered finery, joined by regional troupes including Rhythm Carnival and the Isles of Harmony Accrington Pipe Band for a little bagpipe-meets-bongo magic.

• The Ancient Giants puppets making a majestic return.

• Local legends like Worldwise Samba, Baybeat, Jenny’s Bollywood Academy and the wonderfully eccentric Cacophony Arkestra.

In short, if it moves, grooves, bangs a drum or wears sequins, it’s probably in this procession.

Fireworks Finale Over The Flag Market

At 9pm, the music will fade, the crowd will hold its breath, and Preston’s skyline will explode into colour. The fireworks finale is the festival’s unmissable moment – a jaw-dropping display lighting up the night to mark the end of the day’s celebrations. Whether you’re front and centre in the Flag Market or catching the bursts from a nearby rooftop, it’s the sort of show that gives you goosebumps.

More Than Just A Night Out

The magic of Encounter is that it’s not just about the procession and fireworks. All day long, Preston’s streets and squares become a patchwork of creativity: street theatre, live music, craft workshops, interactive installations – you never know what’s around the next corner.

The 2032 Stage is the place to see homegrown talent share the spotlight with visiting artists. Think choirs, dance troupes, spoken word, and musicians from every genre under the sun. It’s Preston’s artistic heartbeat, ticking louder each year as the city counts down to its next Guild celebration.

And when the sun dips, the party doesn’t stop. DJs take over the Flag Market, the city’s pubs and bars open their doors, and the atmosphere shifts from family-friendly festival to late-night celebration.

How To Get There

The Torchlight Procession starts at Moor Park and ends at the Flag Market – and it’s worth grabbing your spot early for the best views. If you’re coming by car, aim for the city centre car parks (but don’t leave it to the last minute). Trains and buses serve Preston well, so public transport is a solid shout if you want to skip the parking drama.

Don’t Just Watch Fireworks – Make Your Own Magic

If Preston’s fireworks have you itching to light up the night sky, we’ve got you covered. At Epic Fireworks, we supply everything from jaw-dropping barrages and show-stopping rockets to quiet fireworks for smaller gardens and DIY display packs that take all the guesswork out of going big. Whether you’re planning a wedding, Diwali, Bonfire Night, New Year’s Eve, or even a gender reveal, we’ve got something to make it unforgettable.

And if you’re hunting for more dates to get your fireworks fix, check out our full guide: 2025 UK Firework Event Dates For Your Diary.