Blackpool is once again being transformed this Christmas as a festive village returns to the resort.
Christmas By The Sea first took place last year and brought in record visitor numbers to the town.
Now the event, which features a free ice rink, artificial snow falls and festive tram rides, is here again.
Read more: The ultimate guide to Christmas events for kids in Manchester
Situated on the Tower Festival Headland opposite The Blackpool Tower, the Christmas village is open from now until January 2, throughout the resort's extended Illuminations season.
There's no advance booking for the ice rink, so you simply turn up to skate and there's free skate hire for both adults and children.
Festive light installations and projection shows will be bringing some added colour, with the log cabins selling a range of festive treats, from warm cookie dough, hot chocolate and mulled wine, to Yorkshire pudding wraps and Bavarian sausages.
The much-loved Blackpool Tower will come alive each evening with 3D light projection show Frost Fairies.
Specially produced by video projection artists Illuminos, Frost Fairies is 'an enchanting children’s story of fairies, fireflies, precious jewels and ice palaces'. It will be projected nightly along with several other projection shows - including one celebrating Sooty's 70th birthday - until January 2.
The village will also see themed children’s attractions and the return of the Star Flyer which, at 260ft tall, is one of Europe’s tallest swing rides.
Blackpool's Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID), which represents scores of tourism operators, has joined forces with sponsors TalkTalk to ensure the event can go ahead during the Illuminations season.
Kate Shane, chair of the TBID Management Group, said: “The Blackpool TBID was established last year with the purpose of maintaining Blackpool's position as the UK's number one seaside destination and events are key to our strategy.
“The Christmas By The Sea event last year drove record visitor numbers to the town and the many tourism businesses we represent are keen to make this year’s celebrations even bigger and better. We are delighted to be able to offer the level of support to make it happen again in 2022.”
Ben Cooper, head of marketing from TalkTalk, said: “We’re delighted to be sponsoring Christmas By The Sea in Blackpool this year. There’s nowhere quite like Blackpool in the winter and as a northern-based provider, it’s brilliant to be sponsoring such a pinnacle event up north.
“We can’t wait for Christmas By The Sea to kick off and hope everyone enjoys all the free family activities on offer.”
Coun Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, added: “Christmas By The Sea proved to be one of the most spectacular events of 2021 and attracted visitors from far and wide. Thanks to funding from both the TBID and TalkTalk, this year’s event promises to be even bigger and better.
“Many of the attractions including the rink, projection shows, snowfalls and light installations will once again be free to access, giving families the opportunity to enjoy a magical and memorable Christmas.”
For more details about the events, visit the website here.
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