Armed Forces Day
This annual, family-friendly event is a chance to show your support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community, past and present. The day starts with a military parade at 11am from Mesnes Park, heading along Mesnes Street and Standishgate towards market Place, where you will find music and entertainment, fun fair and stalls plus an array of military vehicles and displays on show. Kindly sponsered by Capricorn Security Group Ltd (external link).
When: Saturday 28th June
Where: Wigan Town Centre
Tickets: Free to attend, some activities may incur a small charge
The Herds
An awe-inspiring public art performance featuring eye-catching wildlife puppets with a climate action message is migrating its way to the Borough this summer as part of Manchester International Festival 2025. Come and see The Herds – a large herd of life-sized wild animals – as they pass through Pennington Flash as part of their 20,000km journey from Africa to the Arctic Circle.
When: Saturday 5th July
Where: Pennington Flash, Leigh
Tickets: Free to attend, for more information, visit The Herds (external link)
ABBA
“You can dance! You can jive! Havin’ the time of your Life!”
Relive the magic of the iconic 70's band in our dazzlingly decorated event suite. Enjoy a delicious two course summer menu and dance the night away to the greatest hits of ABBA, spun by our fantastic DJ.
When: Saturday 5th July
Where: Leigh Sports Village Stadium, Sale Way, Leigh, WN7 4JY
Tickets: £27.95, for more information, visit Leigh Sports Village - ABBA Themed Party Night (external link)
Flashes Festival of Nature
Pennington Flash forms part of The Flashes of Wigan and Leigh, the only National Nature Reserve in Greater Manchester and you are invited to spend a fun-filled day at its annual showcase, as part of a weekend of nature-themed events. Come along and learn more about the abundance of wildlife that resides in and around this amazing site and it’s importance to our landscape, through a range of activities that include guided walks, stalls, arts and crafts and much more.
When: Sunday 6th July
Where: Pennington Flash, Leigh
Tickets: Free to attend, some activities may include a small charge
The Addams Family, The Musical Comedy
Wednesday Addams, known for her love of darkness, has fallen in love with a sweet man from a seemingly respectable and ordinary family. Everything changes when the Addams host a dinner for Wednesday’s boyfriend and his ‘normal’ family. What could go wrong? They’re creepy and they’re spooky, but they have some great songs! A fun production and fantastic family Entertainment! Based on characters created by Charles Addams. The Addams Family is presented through special arrangements with all authorised performance materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide (TRW).
When: 9th to 19th July
Where: Wigan Little Theatre
Tickets: £12 to £15 (plus fees), book The Addams Family tickets (external link)
Pride in Leigh
Pride in Leigh is back! Join us for a fabulous day filled with artisan stalls, bouncin’ mad castles, live music, a bar, and delicious food. You're welcome to bring your own gazebo if you'd like, but everything else you need will be there. It’s a day to celebrate love, unity, and the incredible spirit of our community. Whether you're LGBTQ+ or an ally, come and share in the joy, connection, and pride that brings us all together. Let’s make it a day to remember—full of colour, laughter, and community connections.
When: 26th July, 12pm-9pm
Where: Pennington Hall Park, Leigh
Tickets: Free to attend, no tickets required
Wigan Pride
Dress yourself in rainbows, find your flags, and get ready to celebrate a fabulous, feel-good, summer party in style: Wigan Pride is back and it’s the 10th anniversary! There will be a community parade, music and entertainment, plus community performances and activities, a family friendly area and quiet zone, for those who need to take a break from all the excitement! We’re proud to support this event and to announce a new headline sponsor; Calisen, owner and installer of smart energy infrastructures that help power a more sustainable world. Follow Wigan Pride on Facebook (external link) and Wigan Pride on Instagram (external link) for more information.
When: 16th August
Where: Wigan Town Centre
Tickets: Free to attend, no tickets required
Proms in the Park Wigan
Join the Tyldesley Brass Band for a fantastic evening of fanfare, flag waving and fireworks in the beautiful surroundings of Mesnes Park. Bring your own blankets, chairs and picnic or treat yourself to one of our VIP packages for a memorable musical evening that is sure to be a highlight of the summer season.
When: Saturday 30th August 2025, gates open 6pm
Where: Mesnes Park, Wigan
Tickets: VIP- £45.50 plus Eventbrite fees (minimum of 4 and maximum of 8 guests per booking), Adult - £10.88 plus fees, Children (aged 5-15 years) - £8.12 plus fees, Babies and toddlers (4 and under) - Free. Book Proms in the Park Wigan tickets (external link).
Proms in the Park Leigh
Join us the following weekend at Leigh for a second evening of proms magic, this time in the beautiful surroundings of Pennington Hall Park. The Tyldesley Brass Band will once again serenade you until sunset and bring the summer season to a close with a bang.
When: Saturday 6th September 2025, gates open 6pm
Where: Pennington Hall Park, Leigh
Tickets: VIP- £45.50 plus Eventbrite fees (minimum of 4 and maximum of 8 guests per booking), Adult - £10.88 plus fees, Children (aged 5-15 years) - £8.12 plus fees, Babies and toddlers (4 and under) - Free. Book Proms in the Park Leigh tickets (external link).
Museum of Wigan Life
With new objects for 2025 our interactive, family friendly exhibition will showcase over 400 amazing artefacts from the museum collections - from costume to fine art and machinery. Explore our treasures from the familiar to the mysterious including the revamped Roman and Egyptian displays.
When: Friday 15th February to December 2025. Tuesday to Friday 10am to 4pm. Saturday 10am to 2pm.
Where: Museum of Wigan Life, Library Street, Wigan
Tickets: Free, no booking required
Catch-as-Catch-Can Wrestling Exhibition
Did you know that Wigan was long known as a hot bed of wrestling? Discover the history of the unique Catch-as-Catch-Can wrestling style, and the stories of the fighters keeping the sport alive.
When: Tuesday - Friday, 10am-4pm, Saturday 10am-2pm
Where: Archives: Wigan & Leigh
Tickets: Free to attend
Sunday Jazz in Wigan
Bringing quality local, national and international jazz to the North West for over 30 years. Each event takes place on the last Sunday of every month, with occasional special guests.
When: Last Sunday of every month
Where: Whelley Ex-Serviceman’s Club, Vauxhall Road, Wigan, WN1 3LU
Tickets: £13 advance ticket, £10 for patrons, book tickets for Sunday Jazz in Wigan (external link)
Scotman's Flash: Outdoor watersports
Scotman’s Flash is the perfect place to discover the world of watersports – right on your doorstep. Just a short distance from the centre of Wigan, this hidden gem can be found amid the Flashes of Wigan and Leigh National Nature Reserve, the first and only ‘NNR’ in the whole of Greater Manchester. Here you can get active in a fun and thrilling way, with paddle boarding, canoeing, kayaking, sailing and other activities for adults and children of all abilities. Part of Be Well Outdoors, Scotman’s Flash is available for individual and family bookings, school trips, corporate bookings and parties.
When: Various
Where: Scotman's Flash, Wigan
Tickets: Various prices, book watersports at Scotman's Flash (external link)
Haigh high ropes and low ropes adventures
A window into the world of outdoor adventure awaits you at Haigh Woodland Park! You can take fun to new heights on our thrilling ropes courses or ignite a passion for nature and bushcraft amid our glorious ancient woodland. Connect and interact with nature, discover new skills and learn more about the natural environment… and yourself! Part of Be Well Outdoors, Haigh high ropes and adventure is available for individual and family bookings, school trips, corporate experiences and parties
When: Various
Where: Haigh Woodland Park, Wigan
Tickets: £10 - £15, book Haigh high ropes and low ropes adventures (external link)
Adventure golf at Haigh
Show you're king or queen of the course with an unforgettable adventure golf experience at Haigh Woodland Park. This 18 hole adventure golf course offers many challenges and obstacles to test your skills. You can take a ride on the Viking boat, challenge yourself by putting through a tree stump vortex hole, or simply indulge in the stunning views that make this adventure golf course like no other. No need to book in advance (unless you're a group of 13 or more, see group bookings below), just turn up and pay at the Visitor Centre to play a game.
When: Open every day, 9am - 5pm. Last entry to course is at 3.30pm
Where: Haigh Woodland Park, Wigan
Cost: £18 Family, £5.50 Adult, £4.50 Child aged 3-15
FootGolf at Haigh
FootGolf blends two of our most popular sports and adds in a dash of fun. No plus fours are needed, no studded boots or shinpads. Simply follow the rules of golf and let your feet do the talking. If you can kick a ball you can play FootGolf - it’s that simple! This experience is ideal for all the family. It's also a perfect way to destress after work, celebrate success, or to host an unusual corporate event such as teambuilding.
When: Various
Where: Haigh Woodland Park, Wigan
Tickets: Various prices, book FootGolf at Haigh (external link)
We're here to showcase the best of our borough so that residents and visitors alike can make the most of the fantastic hospitality on offer. If you are hosting a public event within the borough you can list it on our What’s On section by filling in our event listing form (external link).
What's On Wigan and Leigh - Culture Guide
Our culture guide for Wigan Borough, which includes lots of activities and events at The Museum of Wigan Life, Archives: Wigan & Leigh and The Turnpike Gallery and borough libraries.
For more events in Wigan Borough visit our Facebook page.
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