Churches across Lancashire are preparing to open their doors to welcome visitors this Christmas. 

Here is a list of local events during the lead up to Christmas week.

From traditional or modern carol services to vigils and concerts the Diocese said  there is "something for everyone".

There are a huge range of Christmas services and events at Blackburn Cathedral over the coming days and you can find everything and get more information by visiting the Cathedral website here. 

St Mary Magdalen, Accrington BB5 1DW holds its service of Nine Lessons and Carols on Sunday, December 17 at 6pm. The church can be found on Devonshire Street, Accrington, BB5 1DW. Join them for a traditional carol service, with readings telling the Christmas story, followed by mulled wine and mince pies.

St Thomas’ Church on Helmshore Road, Helmshore, BB4 4JR is hosting an afternoon carol service on Thursday, December 21 at 2pm, followed by festive refreshments. Then the same church will celebrate Christmas Eve with a crib service at 4pm and again at 6pm on Sunday December 24.
 
Christ Church Blackburn’s Carols by Candlelight service BB2 3ST at 7pm is on Sunday, December 17, with music provided by the Blackburn and Darwen Band;  
 
St Aidan, Mill Hill, Blackburn BB2 4EA will celebrate Christmas Day with a family and carol service at 10.30am.
 
St Paul’s, Hoddlesden, celebrates Carols in the Pub at the Ranken Arms, BB3 3NH, from 6.30pm on Wednesday, December 20. 
 
St Barnabas’ Church in Darwen hosts a brass band carol service on Sunday, December 17 at 4pm (BB3 2ET).
 
Members of Brindle St James’ Church, PR6 8NG will be taking to the streets of the village on Christmas Eve with its walking nativity event starting at 1.30pm from the church.
 
Christ Church Parbold’s Family Friendly Christingle Service will be held on Christmas Eve at 6pm; WN8 7TG.
 
St Anne’s Church Shevington WN6 8BD, hosts a service on December 20 at 6.30pm to support all those who have been bereaved in the last 12 months and a Christmas Eve live nativity trail will take place on the village’s recreation ground at 4pm with live animals and carol singing.
 
St George’s Church in Chorley town centre PR7 2AA marks Christmas starting with a vigil – youth and family service – at 6pm on Saturday, December 23. Meanwhile there will be a Childrens’ Nativity at 4pm on Christmas Eve.
 
St Paul’s Church in Withnell, PR6 8SL is inviting you to a "Carols around the Christmas Tree" event in the centre of Heapey village at 4pm. 
 
St Wilfrid’s church in Standish, WN6 0JT will celebrate its Smartie Service for young families on Christmas Eve at 2.30pm. Parish Eucharist with Christmas Carols around the tree starts at 10am.
 
All Saints at Higher Walton PR5 4EA is inviting younger parishioners to have 'Breakfast with Santa' at Holy Trinity Church Hall, Hoghton,  starting at 9.30am on Sunday, December 17. Then there will be "Carols in the Church Car Park" at 3pm. 
 
Buckshaw Village Church in the Community Centre, PR7 7HZ is holding its Carol Concert at 4.30pm on Sunday, December 17, following the church’s Sunday Lunch at The Harvester in Buckshaw from noon to 2pm.
 
St Aidan’s and St Leonards Christingle party starts at 3.30pm on Sunday, December 17 in St Aidan’s Community Hub, Bamber Bridge, PR5 6QL, followed by the Christingle service in church at 5pm.
 
St James’ Church at Lostock Hall, PR5 5BQ celebrates its Family Carol and Crib Service starting at 4pm on Saturday, December 23.
 
There is a Carols by Candlelight service taking place at St John’s Church in Leyland, PR25 1XB on Thursday 21, December at 6.30pm.
 
The North West Ambulance Service choir and the Lostock Hall Memorial Brass Band join forces for a Christmas Carol concert at St Mary’s Church, Penwortham, PR1 0AH on December 15 at 6.30pm. Entry will be £2.50 per person; under 5s free.
 
The service of Nine Lessons and Carols takes place at Christ Church, Colne BB8 7HF on Sunday, December 17 at 11am.
 
St Mary’s Trawden, will transfer to the Trawden Arms, BB8 8RU, in the village on Sunday, December 17 for a carol service, starting at 7pm.

St John’s Church in Blackpool, FY1 1BP is calling all kids, adults, wise-men and angels to take part in a fancy dress pop-up carol service for all-ages on Sunday, 24 December at 11am (doors open from 10:30). Stick around for a Christmas bap afterwards! Cedar Square, Blackpool FY1 1BP.

Carol services in the Ribble Valley: Sunday, December 17: 6pm Carol Service at St Wilfrid's, Ribchester, PR3 3XS and 7pm Carol Service at St John's, Hurst Green, BB7 9QR. Wednesday, December 20: 7.30pm Carol Service with Slaidburn Silver Band at All Hallows church, Mitton, BB7 9PH, Friday, December 22: Carol Singing around Hurst Green village; meet at 7pm at St Peter's Club.

A St Chad's Church, Poulton-le-Fylde, FY6 7BE there is Service of Nine Lessons and Carols on December 17 at 6.30pm; On Christmas Eve at 5.30pm there will be a crib service followed at 11.30pm by Midnight Eucharist and then on Christmas Day at 10.30am, Family Communion. 

St Thomas, St Anne's-on-the-Sea, FY8 1JL is taking part in "Lancashire Sings Christmas" on Monday, December 18 at 7pm. You can join in carol singing across the county at this event arranged by BBC Radio Lancashire. The venue is the Victoria Hotel, Church Road, St Anne's.

A Service of Nine Lessons and Carols takes place at Lancaster Priory, LA1 1YZ on December 17 at 6.30pm. All welcome.

You can find out more at www.achurchnearyou.com.