Blackpool Illuminations

The Blackpool Illuminations are one of the most famous and thrilling light displays in the world and here you can find all of the essential information ahead of your visit as well as details of the best hotel and guest house offers and ticket discounts for the main attractions in and around Blackpool.

Blackpool Illuminations 2023: All you need to know

The autumn and winter seasons just wouldn’t be the same in Blackpool without the spectacular illuminations which stretch six miles along the seafront and the famous light show returns with a bang next week!

The big switch-on

Blackpool Illuminations are set to light up the town in just over a weeks’ time with many thousands of extra visitors set to descend upon the town for the four-month long display. The big switch-on event will feature a spectacular fireworks display and live music, while pop sensation Sophie Ellis Bextor will perform the actual switch-on. The live show will be held outside for the first time in four years, having been held in the Tower Ballroom each year since 2020. Following the success of the extended illuminations of 2022, this year’s event will run until 1st January 2024.

Times & Dates

The lights will initially be switched on on Friday 1st September at 9pm, however subsequent times will vary throughout the autumn and winter months. From 2nd September until 14th September, the lights will be turned on at 8am, while from 15th September until 22nd September the switch-on time will be 7:45pm. This will be brought forward to 7:30pm from 23rd September until 28th September, while the illuminations will start at 7:15 from 29th September to 5th October and 7pm from 6th October to 12th October.

From 13th October until 19th October the lights will be turned on at 6:15pm, from 20th October until 28th October it will be 6pm and from 29th October until 14th December it will be 5pm. From then until the final switch-on on January 1st the switch-on will be 4:30pm.

New Installations

In amongst the old favourites there will be a selection of new installations in 2023 and these include Light Around The World which has been created by native American specialist Bruce Alfred. Spitfire Island has been developed using the latest 3D technology while Lollies In Love With Life has been created by Dr Chila Kumari Singh Burman MBE.

Lightpool Festival

The free Blackpool Lightpool festival will take place from 20th October to 28th October with artwork created in the Netherlands, France, Spain and Australia. There will be giant jellyfish along the Golden Mile as well as other amazing creations including a cube made from 448 glass jars, each with a tiny tableau.

Parking

As with any major event, the Blackpool Illuminations switch-on will be very busy and parking spaces will be at a premium. The car parks closer to the town centre will fill very fast and the best advice is to park further out and either walk to the event or take one of the regular trams along the seafront. Customers can pay by app when using one of the council operated car parks.