The 2026 May Day Festival will be on bank holiday Monday 4th May 2026.
The Burnley May Day Festival is held every year on the May Day bank holiday Monday. Other than the two Covid years it has run every year since the bank holiday was established in 1978 and is held at Towneley Park. It is preceded by a May Day parade that will set off from the bottom of Lime Avenue and go around the triangle area of the park, finishing up at the stage. The parade sets off at 12 noon, assemble from 11:30am.
The event at Towneley runs from 11am when the fun fair opens until around 4pm with the speakers at 1pm after the parade has arrived.
The event is organised by North East Lancashire Trades Council’s May Day committee.
This year’s speakers were; Richard Burgon, Labour M.P. for Leeds East; Matthew Collins of Hope not Hate and Lydia Meryll, UCU North West Environmental rep.
The previous year’s main speaker was Justin Madders M.P., shadow minister for Employment Rights and Protections. In 2023 we had Angela Rayner who also spoke in 2019. Before that we had John McDonnell in 2018, Sir Kier Starmer in 2017, and Jeremy Corbyn in 2016.
Sadly, due to increased costs we’ve had to raise our prices for the first time since 2008, we hope that you will continue to support us.
2025 advertising rates for the brochure are as follows:
Full Page: £170; Half Page: £85; Quarter Page: £50
Stall Hire, both in the marquee or on the field is £15 for charities and Trade Unions; £30 for others. This is the first price increase since 2009. Stalls in the marquee are one trestle table and a chair, for stalls on the field you need to bring your own gazebo, table or whatever. For larger areas on the field contact Peter Thorne.
To book a stall or brochure advert contact Peter Thorne. For details of the parade contact Peter Thorne. Contact details below.
Requests for brochure adverts and stalls for 2026 will be sent out in December.
Booking forms can be downloaded here:
And Brochure advert booking forms can be downloaded here:
Peter Thorne: 25 Glen View Road, Burnley, Lancashire, BB11 2QW.
Tel: 01282-421757.
e-mail: peter.thorne@sky.com
Any problems with this page please email webmaster@burnleytuc.org