You know the countdown towards Christmas is officially underway once the Blackpool Illuminations have been switched on. Following suit from last year, the lights will be turned on at the start of September and run through to early January, to give people plenty of time to visit.
The illuminations were founded in 1879 and each and every year since the lights have lit up Blackpool for 66 days of the second half of the year - except for in 2020 due to the pandemic. Stretching across 6.1 miles of Blackpool’s promenade, the dazzling display uses over one million light bulbs.
Importantly, those who want to go and enjoy the Blackpool Illuminations don’t have to spend money or buy a ticket as they’re free for all.
READ MORE: TV star set to switch on Blackpool Illuminations after Johnny Vegas forced to pull out
When will Blackpool Illuminations be switched on?
This year’s switch on event will take place on Friday, September 2 at 9.15pm. The display will last for a few months and run into the new year, with the last date to catch the lights on Monday, January 2, which will be turned off at 10.30pm.
From then on, the lights are generally switched on at 8pm and turned off at 10.30pm. On weekends they remain on until midnight on Saturday and 11pm on Sunday. To see the full list of switch-on times for the Illuminations you can visit the VisitBlackpool site.
Who is hosting the official Switch-On?
Earlier this year Johnny Vegas was confirmed to turn on the Blackpool Illuminations, however he recently had to pull out due to ‘unforeseen personal circumstances’. Fortunately, tv star and designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has stepped in for this Friday’s big switch on.
His appearance as switch-on star coincides with the unveiling of a dazzling makeover for the Golden Mile in which Llewelyn-Bowen has created a stretch of Art Deco-style features that will celebrate a golden age of 1930s glamour. The 21 overhead light installations form a brand new section entitled Neo Neon in front of The Blackpool Tower.
This year’s event will be staged in association with MTV, and will feature live music performances in the iconic ballroom, welcoming in four months of Illuminations in the resort. The event will be hosted by Becca Dudley and will include performances by Blue, Tom Grennan, Mae Muller, Fuse ODG and Nina Nesbitt.
Where can I watch the official Switch-On?
There was a ballot to secure tickets, so if you missed out luckily they will be live streaming the Switch-On across MTV and Visit Blackpool channels.
The biggest night in Blackpool’s events calendar will also be shown on a giant screen on the Promenade. The annual Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On concert, will be live-streamed on a screen on the nearby Tower Festival Headland.
How long does it take to drive through Blackpool Illuminations?
This is very much dependent on how busy the Illuminations are on the day you decide to go, and the amount of traffic. Wherever possible, organisers advise visitors to park up and take in the display on foot.
Will there be Tower projections?
This year, the Blackpool Tower Projections will run between September 2 and January 2, transforming the iconic Tower building into a beacon of light, colour and sound.
From festive-filled narratives to sci-fi projections, these free-to-watch, digitally-mapped shows are a mesmerising treat for all. Amongst the projections is Frost Fairies, an enchanting children’s story of fairies; Down The Rabbit Hole, the story of an astronaut exploring new worlds; and Enchanted Blackpool, created by Cecil Llewelyn-Bowen - daughter of Illuminations creator Laurence.
Blackpool Illuminations top tips
While the lights will be on for several weeks, it’s best to beat the peak and come mid-week as a way to avoid heavy traffic. You can also take in the sights by walking, which means you can grab a fish and chips on your way.
There’s also the option to book an illuminated tram tour - a great way to explore all the Illuminations. Regularly departing from the Pleasure Beach loop, the trams run all the way to Bispham, and you can hop off at several stops on the return journey.
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
-
The best restaurants and takeaways open late at night in Greater Manchester
-
Instagram goes wild for "Manchester's new hotspot" with perfect posing wall
-
Manchester bar defends gender neutral toilets after backlash
-
A love letter to Italy, the Denton cafe with some of the best pasta in Greater Manchester
-
The sunflower meadow with sunflower ice cream in Greater Manchester
