Wanderland has quickly become one of the Fylde Coast’s most popular family events, transforming Cottam Hall Playing Fields in Poulton-le-Fylde into a colourful festival of entertainment, creativity and outdoor adventure. Organised by Wyre Council, the event was created to offer families an affordable festival experience where children and adults alike could enjoy a full day of activities, performances and attractions with almost everything included in the ticket price. The festival was first held in 2024, with the aim of creating a brand-new family event for the borough that combined the atmosphere of a traditional festival with the accessibility of a local community celebration. Its inaugural year proved an immediate success, attracting families from across Wyre, Blackpool, Fylde and beyond, establishing Wanderland as a welcome addition to the area’s summer events calendar.
Following its successful debut, Wanderland returned in 2025, expanding both the entertainment programme and the range of attractions on offer. By 2026, now in its third year, the festival had firmly established itself as one of Wyre’s flagship annual events, with organisers describing it as “bigger and better than ever”. Each year, visitors are treated to a packed programme of live performances on the main stage alongside a variety of interactive attractions spread across the festival site. The entertainment has featured an ever-changing line-up designed to appeal to younger families, with popular television characters, live tribute acts, acrobatic performers and theatre companies all taking part.
Among the headline attractions over the years have been appearances by Peppa Pig, delighting younger audiences with interactive stage performances and meet-and-greet sessions. The spectacular Black Eagles, an African acrobatic and dance troupe, have amazed crowds with their energetic displays of strength, balance and athleticism, while the K-Pop Superstars Tribute Show has brought high-energy dance routines and chart favourites to the main stage. Away from the stage, Wanderland has developed a reputation for offering an impressive variety of family entertainment. Visitors have encountered roaming dinosaurs, enjoyed animal roadshows featuring reptiles, mammals and birds, watched interactive circus performances, tried their hand at circus skills, tackled a 70-foot inflatable assault course and met favourite characters including Moana, Cinderella, Iron Man and Captain America. Traditional garden games, arts and crafts, face painting, football activities and creative workshops ensure there is something to appeal to children of every age.
One of the festival’s defining features is its emphasis on value for families. Rather than charging separately for each attraction, Wanderland includes virtually all performances, workshops and activities within the admission price, allowing families to enjoy the day without worrying about additional costs. This approach has been widely praised and has helped establish the festival as an affordable summer day out. Food and drink concessions, picnic areas and a licensed bar for adults complete the festival experience, while the spacious setting at Cottam Hall Playing Fields provides plenty of room for visitors to explore, relax and enjoy the entertainment throughout the day.
Beyond providing family fun, Wanderland also plays an important role in showcasing Poulton-le-Fylde and the wider borough of Wyre. The festival brings together local businesses, performers, community organisations and volunteers, creating an event that not only attracts thousands of visitors but also celebrates the creativity and community spirit of the Fylde Coast. Although still a relatively new addition to the region’s events calendar, Wanderland has already established itself as one of the area’s most anticipated summer festivals. Its continued growth since its launch in 2024 reflects its popularity with families, and each successive year has brought new attractions, larger audiences and an even broader programme of entertainment. As Wanderland continues to evolve, it is fast becoming a summer tradition for many local families, offering a day filled with laughter, imagination and adventure while reinforcing Wyre’s reputation for hosting high-quality community events that can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages.
The event is being held this year on Saturday 25 July 2026. Book tickets here
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Images by © Wyre Council
