Celebrating the Centenary of Eric Morecambe - one of Britain's best-loved comedians

Eric Morecambe, born John Eric Bartholomew in Morecambe in 1926, took his stage name from the place that shaped him and never stopped inspiring him. From winning local talent contests as a boy to becoming one half of the legendary double act Morecambe and Wise, his warmth, wit and unmistakable comic timing made him one of Britain’s best‑loved entertainers. Fiercely proud of his hometown, Eric’s legacy lives on in Morecambe itself and in the enduring affection audiences still hold for a comedian who helped define British humour. In this, his centenary year, organisations across the district come together to celebrate the warmth and talent of this man who shaped the future of comedy and entertainment.

Event

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Date and Details

Radio Morecambe: We Love 70s Morecambe and Wise special

DJ Steve Middlesbrough invites you on a musical journey back to the 1970s and the height of Morecambe and Wise’s fame, featuring hilarious songs from their iconic sketch show and numbers from some of the legendary musical guests who gamely braved their company!

  • 12th May, 2026

  • 2-5pm

  • £5 payable on the door

  • The Platform, LA4 4DB


Follow The Sunshine: Eric Morecambe Centenary Exhibition

Browse a collection of photos, postcards, letters and scripts giving an insight into Eric Morecambe’s life, including personal items from his collection.

  • Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 12 May

  • 11am-4pm

  • Free

  • Morecambe Heritage, The Arndale Centre, LA4 5DH


Special Collections and Archives: 100th Birthday of Eric Morecambe

For Mental Health Awareness Week, the Special Collections and Archives are holding a comedy related event associated with the Jack Hylton Archive held by the Special Collections and Archives in the Library.

  • 2.30-3.30pm: Audience with Peter Jetson: resident organist at Morecambe Winter Gardens

  • 3.45-4.15pm: Talk Gary Brannan, Keeper of Archives and Special Collections at Borthwick Institute for Archives at the University of York, about the Eric Morecambe materials they have recently acquired for their collections and the comedy related collection held at the Borthwick.

  • 4.15 - 4.45pm: Talk from Katie Waring, Special Collections and Archives Manager at Lancaster University about the Jack Hylton archive.

Follow The Sunshine: Eric Morecambe Centenary Walks

 

Take a whistlestop tour of some key locations in the early life and career of legendary comedian Eric Morecambe on the new ‘Follow The Sunshine’ trail.

 

  • 14th May, 2026

  • 2-3.30pm

  • £2 payable on departure

  • Departing from Eric Morecambe Statue, LA4 4BJ


 

Happy Birthday Eric!

 

Welcome Gary and Gail Morecambe to town as they mark their dad's 100th birthday with a visit to his iconic statue on Morecambe Promenade.

 

  • 14th May, 2026

  • 10.30am

  • Eric Morecambe Statue, Morecambe Promenade


 

Follow The Sunshine: Eric Morecambe Centenary Walks

 

Take a whistlestop tour of some key locations in the early life and career of legendary comedian Eric Morecambe on the new ‘Follow The Sunshine’ trail.

 

  • 15th May, 2026

  • 2-3.30pm

  • £2 payable on departure

  • Departing from Eric Morecambe Statue, LA4 4BJ


 

Morecambe Bay Academy’s Eric Morecambe Run

 

Support the students from Morecambe Bay Academy as they run 1 mile along the Promenade, performing the trademark Morecambe and Wise skip.

 

  • 15th May, 2026

  • Time TBC soon!

  • Morecambe Promenade


 

 

Eric Morecambe 100 screening: The Intelligence Men

Enjoy Morecambe and Wise’s first big-screen outing: comic spy caper The Intelligence Men.

 

  • 15th May, 2026
    2pm

  • Free entry, no booking required

  • The Jubilee Club, LA4 6NZ


 

 

Winter Gardens Eric Morecambe Open Days

Enjoy classic clips featuring Morecambe and Wise on the big screen and a small exhibition of Eric Morecambe memorabilia from the private collection of David Harrop.

 

  • 16th May, 2026

  • 12pm-3pm

  • Free entry, no booking required

  • Morecambe Winter Gardens, LA4 4BU


 

Follow The Sunshine: Eric Morecambe Centenary Walks

Take a whistlestop tour of some key locations in the early life and career of legendary comedian Eric Morecambe on the new ‘Follow The Sunshine’ trail.

 

  • 16th May, 2026

  • 2-3.30pm

  • £2 payable on departure

  • Departing from Eric Morecambe Statue, LA4 4BJ


 

Eric and Ern

The hit West End show celebrating Britain's best-loved comedy duo comes to Morecambe Winter Gardens.

 

  • 16th May, 2026

  • 7.30pm

  • Tickets £13.48-21.56, booking essential

  • Morecambe Winter Gardens, LA4 4BU


 

Eric Morecambe Centenary Discussion

 

Explore the life, career and enduring legacy of Eric Morecambe and his legendary comedy partnership with Ernie Wise through the eyes of Gary and Gail Morecambe.

 

  • 16th May, 2026

  • 4-5pm

  • Free, but ticketed. Booking essential.

  • Morecambe Winter Gardens, LA4 4BU


 

Winter Gardens Eric Morecambe Open Days

 

Enjoy classic clips featuring Morecambe and Wise on the big screen and a small exhibition of Eric Morecambe memorabilia from the private collection of David Harrop.

 

  • 17th May, 2026

  • 12pm-3pm

  • Free entry, no booking required

  • Morecambe Winter Gardens, LA4 4BU


 

Eric Morecambe 100 screening: That Riviera Touch

 

 

Eric and Ern star as two hapless traffic wardens who head to the French Riviera for a holiday, only to find themselves caught in a caper involving stolen gems, a vintage car, and a suspicious villa...

 

  • 17th May, 2026

  • 4pm

  • Free, but ticketed. Booking essential.

  • Morecambe Winter Gardens, LA4 4BU


 

Eric and Ern

 

The hit West End show celebrating Britain's best-loved comedy duo comes to Morecambe Winter Gardens.

 

  • 17th May, 2026

  • 7.30pm

  • Tickets £13.48-21.56, booking essential

  • Morecambe Winter Gardens, LA4 4BU


 

Eric Morecambe 100: SEND family session

For families with neurodivergence, special educational needs, disability and additional needs, play your own way while exploring the funny world of Eric Morecambe.

 

  • 25th May, 2026

  • 11am-3pm

  • £8 - booking essential

  • More Music, LA3 1QT


 

All The Right Notes: A Musical Tribute to Morecambe and Wise

Enjoy a musical tribute to the iconic duo Morecambe and Wise, with numbers from their greatest musical sketches and nods to some of their most famous musical guests performed by Morecambe Brass Band.

 

  • 4th July, 2026

  • 7.30pm

  • Free, but ticketed. Booking essential

  • The Platform, LA4 4DB


 

Eric On The Bay

Enjoy the visual spectacle of 100 Erics 'skipping' out on the bay in this performance art and photography project.

 

  • 14th July, 2026

  • 5.30pm

  • Morecambe Promenade


Eric Morecambe 100: Other Public Events and Activities

 

A mural tribute to Eric Morecambe, commissioned by Morecambe Business Improvement District (Morecambe BID), will be unveiled in May – date and time to be confirmed.

Morecambe Town Council will unveil an Eric Morecambe 100-themed display at Morecambe Train Station – date and time to be confirmed.

The ‘Ninja Knitters’ of Morecambe’s life-size crocheted Eric Morecambe mannequin will be popping up at various events around town – dates and times to be confirmed.

 

  •  Throughout 2026

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