The Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival (Colne)

The Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival (Colne) 2026

From 28th to 30th August 2026, Colne in East Lancashire hosts the 35th Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival. This award-winning event transforms the town into a vibrant hub for blues, R&B, folk, rock and Americana music.

Music

Experience a mix of renowned UK and international artists alongside exciting new bands across multiple venues, including the Pendle Hippodrome Theatre and the Muni Theatre. The festival spans theatres, pubs and community spaces throughout Colne, with free gigs, jam sessions and live performances filling the streets.

Family Activities

The festival is family-friendly, featuring entertainers, street performers, face painters and craft stalls, ensuring fun for all ages.

Food & Drink

Enjoy a variety of local and international street foods from market stalls, including fish and chips, gourmet burgers and churros. Beer gardens and pop-up cafés offer relaxing spaces between sets.

Community

Colne’s welcoming atmosphere shines through blues-themed shop displays and helpful volunteers. Known as one of the UK’s friendliest music weekends, the festival combines world-class entertainment with genuine Lancashire hospitality.

By car, Colne is easy to reach from major cities. The town lies just off the M65 motorway (take Junction 14 for Colne) and is also served by the A6068 (towards Burnley and Preston) and the A56 (towards Skipton). Driving from Manchester or Leeds means joining the M65, then following local signs into Colne. Parking is available in the town centre and near key venues, but spaces fill up fast during busy weekends. If you drive, consider car-sharing or a local taxi, or park a little further out and enjoy the short walk into town.

Public transport is another option. Colne has a train station on the East Lancashire Line: regular services run from Manchester Victoria (via Burnley and Accrington) and from Preston (via Blackburn and Accrington), although some journeys may require changing trains in Accrington or Burnley. It’s a good idea to check timetables ahead of time, especially on holiday weekends when schedules can be reduced. Local buses also link Colne with nearby towns; for example, the well-known X43 bus to Skipton stops in Colne during the summer. If you’re flying in, Manchester Airport is about an hour’s drive from Colne, with good rail and coach connections into Lancashire. Leeds Bradford Airport is another option (roughly 1.5 hours by car). Keep in mind that transport services may be limited on a bank holiday, so plan your journey carefully or consider a taxi for the final leg.

Accommodation in Colne can fill up quickly for the festival, so it’s wise to book early. The town offers several hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs, many within easy walking distance of the venues. If Colne’s lodging is full, consider nearby towns: Burnley and Nelson have additional hotels and are just 15–20 minutes away by car, and the popular market town of Skipton is about 30 minutes away. The beautiful Pendle countryside also has scenic campsites and caravan parks for outdoor fans; in some years an official community campsite is even set up near Colne for the bank holiday weekend. Wherever you stay, reserving in advance will secure the best choices and locations.