A spectacular flower festival which attracted thousands of people to Blackburn Cathedral is set to return in June 2020.

Blackburn Cathedral Flower Festival 2020 was officially launched today, when the patron of the festival, Lady Shuttleworth, planted new Fuchsia trees in the grounds of the Cathedral.

The Flower Festival will run for 5 days from 17 to 21 June 2020.

Thousands of blooms will fill Blackburn Cathedral with spectacular contemporary installations. The stunning light and open architecture will provide an ideal environment to showcase beautiful and imaginative floral displays designed by the internationally renowned, Craig Bullock as Artistic Director, assisted by Bill Dixon and interpreted by a team of experienced floral artists from across the UK.

The Dean of Blackburn, The Very Reverend Peter Howell-Jones, said: “It’s exciting that the Flower Festival is returning to the spectacular setting of Lancashire’s Cathedral next year. In 2016, the event attracted high praise and acclaim from visitors and professionals alike and brought thousands of people to the town from the whole of the UK. The festival is an event of national significance.

“I am sure that the Friends of Blackburn Cathedral, who are organising the event again, will create another spectacular visitor attraction.”

Karen Brooke, one of the organising team, said: “Since the success of the 2016 Festival, we have been asked numerous times when the event was returning. A festival of this scale takes an enormous amount of planning and we are thrilled we can bring the event back in 2020. We have already received an incredible amount of support from the council, local businesses, volunteers and visitors and we are looking forward to working with more partners over the coming months.

“We already have a packed programme around the Festival in place, including a demonstration by international designer and floral artist, Tom de Houwer from Belgium, a celebration dinner and the popular “Jazz and Fizz” music and lights evening event.”

The Blackburn Cathedral Flower Festival 2020 takes place from 17 to 21 June 2020 and tickets will be on sale via the official website soon www.blackburncathedralflowerfestival.com.

The Blackburn Cathedral Flower Festival is organised by and in aid of The Friends of Blackburn Cathedral.

Pictured below is the Mayor and Mayoress of Blackburn with Darwen with supporters, partners, sponsors and members of the Friends of Blackburn Cathedral at the launch of the Flower Festival.