A four-day live music event will still happen in Lancaster this October despite the annual music festival taking a break.
Lancaster BID has announced plans to run an event called 'Love Lancaster Live' during the second weekend of October, traditionally the time of Lancaster Music Festival.
The festival team announced earlier this week that they are putting the event on hold and it will not take place in 2025.
Lancaster BID decided to step in to run their own live music event, originally planned for the weekend of October 17-19.
This has now been moved to take place over four days from October 9-12, much to the relief of many Lancaster venue bosses who already have musical acts booked in for the usual Lancaster Music Festival weekend.
Tony Johnson, Lancaster BID manager (pictured below), said on Thursday: "We have decided to change the date to a week earlier based on feedback from some of the pubs/venues who have already booked acts for the week earlier.
"We are also aware of local bands that have booked those dates already and scheduled other gigs for the week after.
"We feel moving it a week earlier is the sensible decision and we are excited to developing our plans over the coming weeks. Watch this space."
A spokesperson for Lancaster BID (Business Improvement District) said, earlier in the week.
"Lancaster BID is already making plans for Love Lancaster Live.
"With the hard working volunteer team from Lancaster Music Festival taking a well-earned break this year, Lancaster BID is stepping in to ensure music is still celebrated throughout the city.
"With the support of the fantastic LMF team, who have already been a huge help with advice and contacts, Lancaster BID is planning a family friendly musical medley throughout the city.
"BID will be working with pubs and other venues throughout the city centre to pull together and promote a programme of live music for all tastes including live acts in public spaces to ensure it is accessible to all.
"Final details are still being developed so keep an eye on the Love Lancaster BID social media and website for further details as they are confirmed. BID will be contacting all previous LMF venues over the coming months to let them know how they can be involved."
The Lancaster Music Festival team put out this statement on Monday,.
"You might be wondering why we haven’t spoken much about the next Lancaster Music Festival.
"Well, that’s because we have a little announcement to make: we’ve made the difficult decision to put Lancaster Music Festival on hold.
"We’ve thought long and hard about it and weighed up current circumstances and factors and the time feels right to put the brakes on for a bit.
A spokesperson for the Lancaster Music Festival team said on Monday: "It’s likely no surprise to you that putting LMF together is a huge effort and faces more challenges and hurdles every year. This is especially true when it comes to funding, whether that’s applying, being successful or facing failed bids.
"Though we give our all to the festival, we are a small team, all of whom have other jobs and commitments.
"We know this news will be disappointing to you, but we hope you understand.
"We love this festival, and we want to make sure we can deliver it to the best of our abilities every time.
"For us, it’s always been about watching our city and our community come together, come alive, and celebrate music and talent, see our businesses thrive and have a great time laughing, singing, dancing.
"We don’t want to change or compromise that. Keep it local. Keep it diverse. Keep it without hierarchy. Keep it as free as we possibly can. Keep it for everyone. That’s always been the mission and that’s how we’d like it to stay.
"All being well, this is just a pause, a hit of the snooze button, and we’re back with you soon. That’s what we want, that’s what we hope.
"In the meanwhile though, we’re looking to the brilliant Love Lancaster BID team who have generously stepped forward to put on their own version of a music celebration later this year.
"They'll be working with venues to create Love Lancaster Live and as the team behind Dino Fest, Christmas events and more, we know they'll do a fantastic job - so give their social media a follow and keep an eye out for Love Lancaster Live!
"We’ll keep posting and updating you on what we have going on throughout this break and, of course, big up BID’s event – no radio silence here!"
The Beyond Radio Facebook page was full of comments from people giving their views on the pausing of Lancaster Music Festival.
Robert Allan said: "This is far too important to the local economy. Really hope they reconsider."
Stuart Michaels, who runs Morecambe Music Festival, said: "I’m sure the guys at Lancaster Music Festival will be back in 2026! Gutted they have to take a break this year, excellent for the city and local businesses."
Parsley O'Bean said: "This feels like Christmas has been cancelled."
Nick Lakin said: "Nowt wrong with a year’s break. Happens all the time. Go and see a year of creativity in the city all year round, as there always is. It’ll keep!"
And Faye Stephenson said: "Shame they have opted to do this, this year when there is no Highest Point Festival either. All for taking a break but should look at the wider landscape before doing it to ensure there is plenty still happening in the area."
The music festival is run by a team of volunteers.
Lancaster BID is a separate company, funded by Lancaster businesses, and set up to help make improvements to the city centre.
Read more: Lancaster Music Festival taking a break and will not be held in 2025 - Beyond Radio
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