18th May 2026

All for Jesus - People from across Lancashire gather in Blackpool for The Big Day Out for the Diocesan centenary

People from across Lancashire were 'All for Jesus' as they gathered in Blackpool at the weekend for The Big Day Out – a vibrant, faith-filled celebration held as part of The Church of England in Lancashire’s centenary year.

Taking place in and around St John’s Square, in the shadow of the world-famous Blackpool Tower and close to the iconic Winter Gardens, the event on Saturday welcomed more than 1000 people from Blackburn Diocese's parishes from every part of the County. 

• WATCH VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY HERE
• Pictures and videos from the day (with more to come) here on Facebook and also here on Instagram as well as the Diocesan Board of Education’s Facebook page and the Board of Education’s Instagram

Overflowing with joy and running from mid-morning to mid-afternoon, The Big Day Out also captured the attention of holidaymakers and day-trippers in Blackpool, with numbers swelled further by many passers-by stopping to watch, listen and join in, particularly during the open-air worship celebration in the afternoon. 

During that celebration everyone on the square heard Rt Rev Philip North, Bishop of Blackburn, deliver an inspiring message about the transforming hope found in Jesus Christ. 

Bishop Philip said: “Jesus sacrifices everything to find you. His plan for you is joy. That’s why Jesus went to the cross; why Jesus risks everything. So in our centenary year, and every year, we are ‘All for Jesus’ because Jesus is all for us.”

With preparations taking place for months beforehand and the event being covered in prayer, organisers were delighted to see such a strong turnout from across the Diocese.

• BBC Radio Lancashire covered the event on the day – listen here at 02h 41m 05s and in reports the following morning on their faith/ethics programme – listen here at 01h 09m 40s and 02h 22m 10s.

During the morning, families gathered inside Blackpool Church St John’s next to the square in the 'Family Zone' for a lively and engaging programme led by a dedicated team of family leaders. Children and their parents, carers and guardians enjoyed a mix of activities, including singing, storytelling and crafts – all rooted in the message of Jesus. 

At the nearby St John’s Church of England Primary School, the 'Youth Zone' provided an energetic space for young people, complete with inflatables, games and food; creating a welcoming environment where faith and fun went hand in hand.

Meanwhile, St John’s Square itself was alive with music and entertainment, with adults enjoying music and live performances on the stage. Lunchtime arrived and so did a superb free hog roast lunch and there was a strong sense of fellowship as everyone munched their food together in the heart of the town.

During lunch, the Vicar at Buckshaw Village Church near Chorley, Rev Ian Sarginson, said: “It’s great to come together with the Diocesan family to celebrate 100 years of the Diocese this year … we’ve even got some ‘All for Jesus’ Blackpool rock to mark the occasion too!”

Narina Harborne, also from Buckshaw Village Church, commented: “It’s been great to be here together today with so many people from across the Diocese.”

Parish administrator from Christ Church, Thornton, Sally Johnson, said: “I brought two friends - one has a son aged 9, the other has a grown up daughter who has four children aged from 2 to 7. The children have loved it - the people running the stalls were so patient and kind; all the organisers, safeguarding coordinators and volunteers were smiling, helpful and full of information – and the hog roast was amazing! A big pat on the back to everyone for their unfailing good humour and for making today really memorable.”

Rev Grace Gaze, Rector of Bowland Benefice, added: “It’s been such a huge joy to share today with so many people from across our diocesan family.”

And her husband, Rev Matt Gaze, Curate from St Paul’s Hoddlesden and St Barnabas’ Darwen added: ”An awesome day. Everything has been great – the bands, the talks, the people - even the weather hasn’t stopped us!”

Events continued and the afternoon culminated in open-air worship from the main stage led by Rt Rev Dr Jill Duff, Bishop of Lancaster and Rev Andy Dykes from Blackpool Church, St John’. Rev Andy and his team were an integral part of the organising committee for The Big Day Out.

During the worship celebration there were powerful moments of testimony on three videos featuring three people from parishes in Lancashire – Jade Grime from St Bartholomew’s in Darwen; Jem Fletcher from Blackpool Church and Matthew Hanson from St Bartholomew’s in Colne.

Each person shared their moving and deeply personal journey to faith in Jesus Christ. The videos will be available to watch shortly on the Diocesan social media channels - here on Facebook and also here on Instagram as well as here on the Diocesan Board of Education’s Facebook page and the Board of Education’s Instagram - alongside the video highlights reel of the day and other short videos and many pictures taken at The Big Day Out, already available.

As the Diocese continues to mark its centenary year in 2026, The Big Day Out was the first in a series of celebrations planned with Jesus Christ firmly at the centre.

Immediately after The Big Day Out came to a close, Bishop Philip said: “We’ve seen something very powerful today: people of all ages from our parishes across Lancashire coming together, joyfully enjoying each other's company and being drawn again to the person of Jesus Christ.

"In all the laughter, fun and conversations, in the acts of welcome and in the worship, there has been a real sense of God’s presence among us as we collectively marked 100 years of our Diocese. 

“As we look to the future, my prayer is that this day will be deeply significant and encourage us to go on sharing that same hope with confidence - knowing that the love of Jesus Christ is for every person and every community in Lancashire.”

Meanwhile, Rev Steve Haskett, Director of Mission and chair of the Big Day Out organising committee said: “It has been an absolutely brilliant day and a real privilege to see it all come together. The atmosphere has been full of joy, laughter and faith, and it’s been wonderful to watch people of all ages encountering Jesus in such a welcoming and creative way.

“I want to say a huge thank you to the organising team, all our staff, the people from Blackpool Church St John's who have supported the day and the many volunteers; all of whom have worked so hard behind the scenes.

“Events like this simply wouldn’t happen without their dedication, prayer and commitment, and we are incredibly grateful to every single person who played a part.”

Captions for the above pictures, top to bottom:

'Pictures by Clive Lawrence for Blackburn Diocese', except pics 3 and 11 by Heather Lee for Blackburn Diocese and pics 4 and 12 by Ronnie Semley for Blackburn Diocese

Pic 1  The scene across St John’s Square in Blackpool from the stage as the worship celebration at The Big Day Out got underway

Pic 2  Bishop Philip speaks on the stage during The Big Day Out in Blackpool

Pic 3  Families enjoyed the activities and fun in the children’s zone at The Big Day Out in Blackpool

Pic 4  A group of young people take a break in the Youth Zone during The Big Day Out in Blackpool

Pic 5  Bishop Jill and Rev Andy Dykes lead the worship celebration at The Big Day Out in Blackpool with help from a crowd-surfing inflatable dolphin!

Pic 6  Bishop Philip, third from left, meets with the crowds who came from every corner of Lancashire for The Big Day Out in Blackpool

Pic 7  A group from St John’s Church in Leyland enjoying The Big Day Out in Blackpool

Pic 8  A contingent from St Nicholas’ Church in Fleetwood having fun at The Big Day Out in Blackpool

Pic 9  (l-r) Faouir, Bede and Splendour Obi Favour from Blackpool Church, St John’s with Bishop Philip at The Big Day Out in Blackpool

Pic 10  L/R Dianne Otto, Helen and Rev Peter Ballard, with Margaret and Graham Rand of St John’s Ellel and St James’ Shireshead

Pic 11  Children enjoying the fun activities in the Family Zone at The Big Day Out in Blackpool

Pic 12  Brandon and Nathan from St John's Church in Leyland were among the young people who enjoyed the morning in the Youth Zone at nearby St John's CofE School