Thornton Cleveleys Gala is Back!

Thornton Cleveleys Gala began way back in time – in 1898! It’s an annual celebration where everyone comes out in force for a day of entertainment and fun and it’s back in June 2026.

Thornton Cleveleys Gala is Back!

It’s back this year – the incredible Thornton Cleveleys Gala. Save the date for this years event!

Saturday 13 June – Gala Day at King George’s Playing Fields. The big parade, Crowning Ceremony, funfair and food and drink stalls.

• 11am – Flower laying and Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph
• 11:15am – Judging of parade entries on King Georges Playing Fields
• 12pm – Parade sets off from King Georges Playing Fields. Funfair and Stalls open on the Playing Fields
• 1pm/1:30pm – The parade returns to King Georges Playing Fields. Entertainment at the field begins.
• 2:15pm – Trophies presented to the winners of our Gala Parade in the main arena
• 2:30pm– Crowning Ceremony

Sunday 14 June at King George’s Playing Fields

• 12-2pm – Tug of War – Battle of the Pubs
• 1-5pm – Inter School & Home Educated Sports Competition
• 12-6pm – Family Fun Fair

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Parade Route

On the day, the entrance to King Georges Playing Fields via Victoria Road East will be a one way system, and exit only from 10:30am. A rolling road closure will mean that all roads are closed around 15 mins prior to the parade arriving. Roads will be reopened as soon as the parade’s passed. All side streets along the route are affected by the road closure.

The parade route hasn’t changed. It will leave King Georges Playing Fields at 12pm making its way down Victoria Road East, then left onto Lawsons Road. Along Trunnah, left at Fleetwood Road North and back up to King Georges Playing Fields, for around 1pm.

Join the Gala

There is still time to enter the Parade and take part in the celebrations!!

It would be great to see all the local community groups, the Football Teams, the Guide Association, the Scout Association, Gymnastic Club, Dance Schools and all the other youth groups that go on around Thornton. There is also the opportunity for businesses to enter our parade to promote yourselves in the area.

Here’s the link to enter the parade – all they ask for is a donation to enter.

For those taking part in the parade you will need to register at the Committee Hub on King Georges Fields on Gala Day

Volunteers Needed

Planning for the Gala always needs the help of more people. Particularly those who could help to marshal on the day.

The team is appealing for new volunteers to help. Can you join in? Just email helenemoorhouse@hotmail.co.uk for more information.

Did you know? This is an old local event and it’s been running since 1898?

Over the years the event has seen many changes. It’s had  to adapt to be able to continue to run as a successful community event, run by a team of volunteers. The event couldn’t happen without help from the local community. Whether that’s people taking part in the retinues, being on the committee, lending a hand on the day itself or being a road marshal. Each person is just as valuable and appreciated. Each year everyone want bigger and better. To achieve that needs more volunteers!!

• Join them on Facebook
• Official Gala website

Please don’t ask Visit Cleveleys if you have a query – we are just the messengers 🙂

Thornton Cleveleys Gala in Years Gone By

Reader Sheila Jenkins got in touch with us in early 2020 to share her memories of taking part in one of the many events through the years. Sheila says “The photos are from the Thornton Cleveleys Gala about 1948/9. I was an attendant to the Gala Queen and the little boy was a Page Boy. He lived next door to me and I think may be called Raymond.

“My name was Sheila Heaton then, and I lived at that time at the shop on the corner of Marsh Rd and Holmes Rd in Thornton. Our dresses were made of lilac crepe. I think they were made by a lady called Mrs Lingard who lived in or very close to Marsh Mill. After moving to Rossall in 1949, I was a Herald in the Gala in the early 50s. I continued to live in Cleveleys until I married in 1966.”

Photos from Previous Years

Thornton Gala Queen 2015 and Retinue (Photo: Sue Baker)

Cheerleaders from Manor Beach School (Photo: Sue Baker)

Thornton Primary School (Photo: Sue Baker)

Royles Brook Primary School (Photo: Sue Baker)

Baines Endowed Primary School (Photo: Sue Baker)