Feeling Purple: Bank Holiday weekend to display Lichfield's hospitality and attractions

A festival which aims to celebrate the best of Lichfield, day and night is returning to the city centre next week for the Bank Holiday weekend.

Purple Flag Weekend will see events across the city centre from next Friday to the following Monday including live music, themed drinks, special offers, guided tours and a new city-wide trail.

Returning after the success of last year’s debut event, this year’s event will see even more businesses, venues and partners taking part in a coordinated celebration of Lichfield’s hospitality and visitor economy.

It is timed to take place alongside Bower Day on Monday May 25

Visitors will be encouraged to explore participating venues across the city centre as part of a brand-new Purple Flag Trail, collecting stickers along the way and redeeming completed trail cards for a limited-edition reusable pint cup.

Participating venues include The George Hotel, Toluca Mexican Bar & Grill, Le Rêve, The George & Dragon, The Angel Inn, The Kings Head, The Quill & Scholar, 55 Wade Street and many more.

Purple Flag is a national accreditation awarded to town and city centres that provide a safe, vibrant and well-managed evening and night-time economy

It recognises the strong partnership working between businesses, Staffordshire Police, community safety partners and Lichfield District Council.

Included in the weekend will be the Garrick Theatre, Lichfield Cathedral and The Hub at St Mary’s, Guided tours of the city will be staged,

Councillor Janice Silvester-Hall, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Visitor Economy, Ecology and Climate Change, said:

“After the success of last year’s event, it’s fantastic to see this Purple Flag Weekend returning bigger and better for 2026.

“The weekend is about celebrating everything that makes Lichfield such a welcoming and vibrant place to visit, from our independent hospitality venues and live music scene to the partnership work that helps create a safe and enjoyable city centre for everyone.

“We’d encourage residents and visitors to come into the city over the bank holiday weekend, explore somewhere new and support the fantastic local businesses taking part.”

Throughout the weekend, community safety partners including Late Night Listeners and Lichfield District Community Safety Partnership will also have a visible presence in the city centre helping provide support and reassurance to visitors.

Trail guides and further information will be available via participating venues and online at Visit Lichfield.

For more information, please visit www.visitlichfield.co.uk/purple-flag

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