It’s been hailed as ‘an absolute spectacle’
More than 150 tractors took part in a festive event in Lancashire on Sunday night(Image: Clitheroe YFC)
A festive event which attracts thousands of spectators each year returned in spectacular fashion near Greater Manchester at the weekend – and could perhaps be seen from miles away.
The Clitheroe YFC Christmas Tractor Run 2025 returned for its sixth year and saw more than 150 tractors take part – all dressed up for the occasion with festive lights and stunning Christmas displays in order to raise money for local charities and organisations. Held by the Clitheroe Young Farmers Club, the event, in Lancashire’s Ribble Valley, has drawn in big crowds over the years for its ‘unforgettable atmosphere’ – demonstrating the creativity of the farmers for their transformation of the vehicles.
Located a little over an hour away from Greater Manchester by train, the event took place on Sunday evening (December 21) and saw thousands of spectators line the street as the tractors made its way through the two-and-a-half-hour journey from Chatburn to the Nick of Pendle – by way of West Bradford, Waddington, Clitheroe town centre, Barrow, Whalley and Sabden.
Clitheroe YFC Christmas Tractor Run has taken place in Lancashire(Image: Clitheroe YFC)
Amongst the tractors on display this year included Santa and his sleigh, plenty of musical air horns and even snow machines. Many took the opportunity to dazzle at night with neon-style set-ups featuring fairy lights. Some even featured inflatables in an attempt to impress and stand out.
Meg Goring, the Chair of Clitheroe Young Farmers, said this year’s event was held to raise money for the British Heart Foundation as well as the Clitheroe Young Farmers Club, which is a youth charity supporting young people aged 10–28 in rural areas. There was even a competition to find the Best Decorated Tractor of the year – which was judged by Tom Carlisle, who is better known on social media as The Dalesfarmer.
Posting online after the event, Tom wrote: “165 lit up tractors – an absolute spectacle and raising funds for the British heart foundation @the_bhf. An honour to be asked to judge this! Well done to all those who turned out.” Tom, who was also asked to judge a similar event in Skipton at the weekend, added in another post: “The quality of the tractors was outstanding, going above and beyond. Not just raising thousands of pounds for charity but also the profile of British farming. Well done to all those involved!”
Each tractor took part in a tour of more than two hours to show off their designs to thousands of spectators(Image: Clitheroe YFC)
Ben Howard took home the top prize of Best Decorated on the evening, with a reindeer inspired design. Second place went to Oli Howarth, sporting a neon theme, whilst third place was given to Bradley Green, whose tractor featured the Grinch himself.
The Chair of Clitheroe Young Farmers said more than £8,000 has been raised so far for the two charities, with hopes that donations will continue online in a bid to beat last year’s total of £10,000. One donor on their fundraising page wrote: “Amazing effort by all, for great charities every year.”
Another donor wrote: “A new family Christmas tradition for us watching the Tractors. Our children absolutely loved it and the efforts you all went to were fab. Well done all.” One other simply added: “Brilliant display.”
The fundraiser for the Tractor Run can be found here.