Community events

Beat the Street is an Intelligent Health tool for partners to improve public health and place at scale. 

In simple terms Beat the Street is an interactive game that transforms places into a live game. Participants use special cards or an app to tap “Beat Boxes” placed on lampposts around town. Each tap earns points and helps you and your team climb the leaderboard. It’s a great way to discover new parts of the town, stay active, and have fun with friends, family, and neighbours. 

How to Get Involved 

• Register: Sign up online. Registration opens a few weeks before the game starts. 
• Get Your Card and Map: All primary school aged children will be sent home with a family pack. 
  Anyone else looking to join the game, can pick up your Beat the Street card and maps from designated distribution points across the borough. 
• Join a Team: Create or join a team to compete against others. Schools, community groups, workplaces, and families can all form teams and work together to win prizes. 
• Find Beat Boxes: Use the online or physical paper map to find Beat Boxes located across Burnley. Plan your routes and start tapping. 
• Start Playing: Walk, run, or cycle to as many Beat Boxes as possible, tapping them with your card or to earn points. The more you tap, the more points you earn! 
• Track Progress: Keep an eye on the leaderboard and see how you and your team are doing. Set goals and try to beat your personal best. 
  Find new boxes, routes and keep your eyes peeled for special events and themed weeks where you can earn more points on specific Beat Boxes. 

In previous editions of Beat the Street Burnley, the community has shown incredible enthusiasm and participation. Here are some of the highlights. 

• Participation: Thousands of residents joined the game. The first game in 2021 saw over 10,000 people walking, running and wheeling across the borough. In 2023 this raised to nearly 12,500 people with a wide range of ages and backgrounds taking part. Schools, community groups, and local businesses formed teams to compete. 
• Health Benefits: Surveys from previous games indicated improvements in physical activity levels and overall health among participants. Many people continued to stay active even after the game ended. 
• Achievements: Participants collectively walked, ran, and cycled tens of thousands of miles. The game not only helped people get active but also encouraged them to explore different parts of Burnley. Miles travelled = Points earned = Trees planted. 
• Community Impact: Beat the Street fostered a stronger sense of community. Many participants reported feeling more connected to their neighbours and more engaged in local activities. 
• Trees Planted: 2,298 trees were earned through players in the 2023 game, and an additional 1,946 trees earned in 2025. Players returned later that year to help plant them across 15 different sites. You can find more information about the Beat the Street Tree planting sites here. 
• Environmental Impact: Not only did participants contribute to environmental improvements through the tree planting scheme, but walking and cycling instead of driving reduces carbon footprints. 

• Health and Fitness: Beat the Street encourages physical activity enhancing overall fitness for people of all ages. 
• Community Engagement: The game brings people together, fostering a sense of community. Meet new friends, strengthen neighbourhood connections, and enjoy shared experiences. 
• Environmental Awareness: Walking and cycling instead of driving reduces your carbon footprint. Beat the Street promotes eco-friendly habits and a greater appreciation for the local environment. 
• Fun and Adventure: Beat the Street is a fun way to explore Burnley, discover new areas, and take on new challenges. It’s a family-friendly activity that everyone can enjoy. 
• Mental Wellbeing: Regular exercise boosts mood and reduces stress. Exploring the outdoors and achieving game milestones can also enhance mental health and wellbeing. 

The NAture Festival aims to encourage people of all ages to connect with nature and enjoy Burnley’s green spaces.  It supports environmental awareness and highlights local projects, activities and initiatives. 

The Nature Festival is a jointly organised event, led by Burnley Leisure and Culture but supported by a large range of partners including Burnley Borough Council, Newground Together, Canal and Rivers Trust, Lancashire Wildlife Trust and Friends of Towneley Park to name a few.  

• Hedge laying, puddle jumping, mud kitchens, eco crafts, and insect/bee house making  
• Cycle trials and smoothie bike 
• Park yoga, guided walks, and mindfulness activities in nature
• Creative workshops like willow crowns, nature inspired poetry postcards and giant bubbles
• Entertainment such as drumming sessions, campfire conversations, face painting, and seasonal competitions.

The festival takes place in Towneley Park, in the Hall gardens, woods and Offshoots community garden. It takes place in Autumn, normally in October or November. 2027 date to be confirmed soon.