Everything you need to know about St Helens Heritage Festival 2025 this month 

St Helens is celebrating the town’s rich and varied history with a fabulous family-friendly festival later this month.

The St Helens Heritage Festival promises to be bigger and better than ever for 2025, with a host of activities and attractions taking over the whole of the borough centre.

As well as community groups and heritage organisations taking part, this year’s line-up will include church tours, free glass blowing demonstrations at The World of Glass Museum, craft workshops, performances, markets, and more.

“Our borough is steeped in heritage, being the birthplace of the railway, England’s first industrial canal, as well as world leaders in glass, pharmaceuticals, and – of course – the mighty St Helens Rugby Football Club!” says Councillor Kate Groucutt, St Helens’ cabinet member for business, leisure and heritage.

So if you fancy heading to St Helens to find out more, here’s everything you need to know.

When is St Helens Heritage Festival 2025?

The event will be held on Saturday, May 31, between 10am-3pm.

Where is it being held?

It’s taking place throughout the town centre this year including St Helens Town Hall, with action inside and outside in Victoria Square; Church Square, the Parish Church and The World of Glass Museum.

How much is it?

Not a penny – it’s all absolutely free!

Who’s going to be there?

Loads of heritage groups, historical societies and other organisations will be at the event to showcase St Helens’ fascinating and varied history, including St Helens Archive Service, Sankey Canal Restoration Society, Rainhill Railway & Heritage Society, Lucem House Community Cinema, House of Memories – Liverpool Museum, and The World of Glass to name a few.

But that’s not all you’ll be able to find!

Explore a vintage bus

The North West Museum of Transport is taking part in the Heritage Weekend and it’ll be parking outside the Town Hall with one of its vintage buses, so you can hop on board to see how people got around town back in the day. 

Classic cars

St Helens Classic Car Association will be motoring into the centre with a collection of motor vehicles to bring back memories of the past. You’ll find these lined up in Victoria Square, right outside the Town Hall.

Mucky Mountains Morris Dancers

For those who might not know, Morris dancing’s a form of English folk dance in which the Morris men and women usually wear bells on their shins and shoes, and dance with sticks, swords and handkerchiefs. It’s tons of fun and the St Helens-based Mucky Mountains Morris Dancers are fantastic. So, you can go down and watch them or, if you’ve ever wanted to shake a leg, wave a hanky or brandish a stick, have a go with them! They’ll be performing outside the Town Hall on Victoria Square.

Victorian Time Travellers

Street theatre performers Karen Bell and Dafe Bullock – aka Professor Weft and Miss Warp – take you on a trip through time with their box of cosmic secrets. Originally from 1888 (or so they say!) they drive around in an H. G. Wells-style Time Machine and captivate crowds with a series of time travel and science-themed magic, and mind-reading tricks.

Artisan Pop Up Market

Known for its lively atmosphere and award-winning producers, The Pop Up Market will be in Church Square throughout the day with stalls selling everything from handmade products, sweets and treats from across the globe, street food, and a craft stall that’s perfect for children. There’s even face painting for kids too!

Church tours

A church has been on the site of St Helens Parish Church since 1552 and the current church was opened in 1926. You can go inside to admire its historical features, enjoy a tour and hear the bells  – or indulge in a piece of homemade cake in the café.

Craft activities in St Helens Library (within The World of Glass)

There’s tons of crafts going on in the library from making tissue paper stained glass windows or paper lanterns. There’s going to be a children’s local history treasure hunt as well as a local history book display.

The World of Glass Museum

It’s where to start with World of Glass which has got Tank House and Gallery tours, an exhibition of music and culture in ‘80s and ‘90s St Helens, and the chance to see live glass blowing and more.

Heritage Trail

Rotary St Helens will lead a heritage trail through various historical sites in the town centre, including Beechams, The Hotties at The World of Glass, and St Helens Parish Church.

Find out more information on the St Helens Heritage Festival website.

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