Blackpool Illuminations

The switching on of the Blackpool Illuminations, on September 1st is one of the biggest events of the year for Britain’s premier seaside resort. Illuminating Blackpool’s famous Golden Mile, the lights are on from 1st September to 5th November.

As most resorts close for the winter, the season at Blackpool is extended throughout autumn with all the razzle-dazzle of this famous beside the seaside town. Lining Blackpool’s promenade and lighting up the famous Blackpool Tower, the illuminations stretch some six miles with lightshows and lasers, over 500 designs and features and more than 5,000 floodlights and spotlights, to entertain children of all ages and at a cost of £2.4 million.

One of the best ways to see the lights is to take an illuminated tram ride along the Promenade and be part of Blackpool’s Illuminations.

The September 1 st ‘switch on’ is a huge event for Blackpool and down the years the task of flipping the switch has gone to such luminaries as Jane Mansfield, Gracie Fields, Sir Matt Busby, Andrew Lloyd Webber and the Bee Gees. The close of the lights on November 5th sees a massive firework display to coincide with Bonfire Night.