The idea
Love Clitheroe Festival is a free, annual event that brings high-quality arts and music into the heart of our rural community. Planned for June 2026, it offers a unique opportunity for local families to engage with live performance, creative workshops and family activities without the cost or travel barriers often faced in rural areas.
The Ribble Valley has some of the lowest levels of cultural engagement in England, made worse by limited public transport and large distances between towns and villages. For many, events in cities like Manchester and Liverpool are not accessible. Love Clitheroe addresses this gap by celebrating local music and making the arts visible and approachable. It gives residents, especially those with little prior engagement, a chance to connect with creativity close to home. By removing cost and access barriers, the festival helps build community pride, supports wellbeing, and opens the door to greater participation in the arts.
What we'll deliver
- Offer 5000 people the opportunity to access free arts experiences
- Reduce isolation for up to 5000 people in the Ribble Valley
- Break down geographical barriers to the arts for 5000 people in rural Lancashire
Why it's a great idea
Love Clitheroe Festival supports wellbeing, reduces isolation and brings people together by providing access to high-quality arts in a rural area. It gives local artists and performers a platform, helping build pride, participation and a stronger creative community. The festival makes culture visible and accessible, encouraging people to see the arts as something they can take part in.
Love Clitheroe Festival puts families and young people at its heart. We want young people to grow up experiencing the well-being benefits of access to creativity. Our tailored 'youth zone' includes a craft tent, climbing wall, nail salon, and other activities designed to encourage creativity and spark a lifelong interest in the arts.
Admission is free, removing financial barriers and opening up the festival to people of all ages and backgrounds. By showcasing local talent and creating shared cultural moments, the festival inspires connection, creativity and pride across the region.
Steps to get it done
- Recruit at least 8 local musical acts, including emerging artists, to give live performances
- Organise at least 8 different creative stations for child-friendly activities
- Provide a free BBQ meal for at least 1000 people at the festival
- Offer up to 5,000 free tickets to the Love Clitheroe Festival for people of all ages
