5 things to do next week (20-26 May 2024)

Assistant editor Iain Lynn with his entertainments guide to five things to do next week in and around Lancashire

Transcript

00:00Hello and welcome to another edition of 5 things to do and we start this week at the

00:09seaside with a couple of big events in Blackpool. Firstly at the Winter Gardens on the 21st

00:14of May it's Strictly the Professionals. Join a dazzling dozen of the world's best professional

00:19dancers as they take to the road for the 2024 official Strictly the Professionals UK tour.

00:25This exhilarating show will showcase the exceptional talent of 12 of TV's beloved

00:29professional dancers, supported by incredible singers and a live band, all performed within

00:34the wonderful world of glamour and sparkle that fans know and love from the smash hit series.

00:39Prices for that one are from £40. And while we're in Blackpool the world famous Tower is

00:45putting on a live weekender event from the 24th to the 26th of May. Celebrate the bank

00:50holiday weekend in style as the iconic Blackpool Tower transforms into the epicentre of entertainment

00:54music and fun. Highlights include BBC Radio 2's Sound of the 80s with Gary Davis on the Friday,

01:01Joe Wiley's 90s anthems on the Saturday and the brand new Heavies on the Sunday.

01:06Tickets are £32 but there are full weekend passes available. Comedy next in Burnley as

01:12Count Arthur Strong descends on the Mechanics Theatre on the 24th of May. Eccentric,

01:17septuagenarian former musical performer or pompous out-of-work actor from Doncaster,

01:22you decide. A character who shot to fame through a BBC Radio 4 series which followed the Count

01:27on his daily business and causing confusion in almost every situation. Join Arthur for this

01:32never-to-be-forgotten start to his farewell tour in And It's Good Night From Him. Tickets cost £25.

01:38One for the family next because Half Term Week sees the return of the Seaside Carnival

01:44to Knowsley Safari Park. From Saturday the 25th of May to Sunday the 2nd of June,

01:49young and old alike can have a go at acrobatic skills such as aerial skills, hula-hooping and

01:54plate-spinning as well as pier-themed game stalls including Coconut Shire, Tin Can Alley and Huckaduck

02:01in addition to Knowsley Safari's existing rides and amusements. There is of course everything

02:05you'd expect from the Safari Park too like tigers, lions, rhino, camels and wolves but

02:10for one special week the Seaside Carnival event means the whole family can soak up a traditional

02:15seaside vibe relaxing on the sand with an ice cream and enjoying the entertainment of themed

02:20performers including giant stilt walkers. It's all included in the general admission ticket price

02:25and as if that wasn't enough of a treat there's 25% off during the event when booking online

02:30in advance. Lastly to Preston because it is time for the Caribbean Carnival weekend. Saturday the

02:3725th and Sunday the 26th sees the return of this hugely popular event for its 50th anniversary at

02:43Moor Park. The Carnival Festival celebrates all things from the Caribbean culture that lives within

02:47the city and it's open to everyone of every age. The weekend of festivities starts with the One

02:52Park event on Saturday the 25th of May with live stage performances from 12pm until 9pm.

02:59The Carnival this year is planned to be bigger and better than before including a vibrant colourful

03:03procession through the city centre on Sunday the 26th. Participants will wear large costume pieces

03:08from the last 50 years and will dance and drum their way along the route. The Sunday parade is

03:14free but the Saturday park event is ticketed from £5 to £15. Let's hope they bring some of that

03:20Caribbean sunshine and rum. Join me next week for another Five Things to Do but in the meantime

03:25have a fabulous week and a bank holiday weekend and I'll see you next time.