Annual Events

Newburgh Fair

In the fourteen century Newburgh was renowned for its weekly market and an annual fair which was held in June and included sporting events, aunt sallies, merry-go-rounds and all the fun of the fair.

The concept of the modern day Newburgh Fair was the brainchild of the Reverend Douglas Bell, vicar of Newburgh from 1952 to 1976. Newburgh Fair was resurrected in 1977 and organised by a group of local volunteer residents. Since then it has been held in June each year.

A themed procession takes place around the village, Rose Queens are crowned, a fete takes place with fairground rides and stalls for charity, there is entertainment in an arena and there is an evening ball.

Today the fair continues to be organised by a group of residents (supported by most of the village on the day!). It has raised thousands of pounds for local charities.

To celebrate the millennium, events took place over five days including evening entertainment as well as the day of the fair. In 2002 a new recipe for the traditional Newburgh Fairing Cake was invented to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. In 2004 Newburgh Fair played an important part in the 700th anniversary celebrations of Newburgh village and was again celebrated over five days.

Newburgh Fair will take place again this year on Sat 20 June 2026 and the theme will be David Attenborough in celebration of his 100th birthday in May.

For more information contact Anne Menarry: email annemenarry@gmail.com See also https://www.facebook.com/newburghfair/

The Lancashire Best Kept Village Competition

An annual competition, organised by Lancashire County Council and Lancashire Tourism Partnership. Newburgh has won the competition on five occasions and been runner-up several times. It won the Champion Village Class for the second time in 2006, was highly commended in 2010 and won the Small Villages category in 2011.  Our most recent success was in winning the Medium Village class in 2025.