Blackpool Illuminations
Between September and January, Blackpool shines brighter than any summer's day
The UK’s most popular seaside resort does not shut its doors in winter. Instead, it holds its annual free light show, The Blackpool Illuminations – and it’s the best time of year to visit!
It all began in 1879
8 arc lamps sprung up along Blackpool’s seafront in 1879 (the council was experimenting with electric street lighting). This amped up to 10,000 lights in 1912 when Princess Louise opened the new section of the promenade named after her. In 1925, following WWI, the town’s light display returned bigger and better than ever.
The Illuminations now feature 1 million bulbs and 500+ designs and features
With new investment and innovation, the scale, density, and content of the Illuminations have improved year on year.
The 3.5 million annual visitors will experience a different Blackpool – a world of lit-up buildings, fairground rides, lamp posts and trams. One where its promenade, three piers and iconic tower are flashing in rainbow colours, lights, and sound. You can even add to the six miles of madness with your own light-up novelty from the prom’s street sellers.
The best seat to see the show is aboard one of the illuminated Heritage Trams
The current fleet includes the HMS Blackpool, the Fisherman’s Friend Trawler, the Western Train - and even a double-decker. The Illuminations Tour operates each evening from the ‘Heritage Tram Tours’ stop (over the road from the Pleasure Beach).
Don’t miss - Walk through the Tableaux section (at the North end) – it features the oldest illumination still on display, the Teddy Bears Picnic.