Blackpool is set to host its first-ever Illumination Switch-On Watch Party on Friday 4 September, giving hundreds more people the chance to be part of the biggest night in the resort’s calendar. While 20,000 tickets have been allocated through a ballot for the main Switch-On arena on the Tower Festival Headland, those who missed out on tickets can now experience the full concert and Switch-On moment live on the big screen in the world-famous Blackpool Tower Ballroom. For

There were creepy celebrations in Blackpool town centre as The Blackpool Tower Dungeon marked its 15th birthday, with crowds gathering to witness a suitably sinister opening ceremony led by some of the attraction's most notorious residents. Fan favourites the Black Jester, Judge, Plague Doctor and Torturer, officially opened the day's festivities and brought a taste of Lancashire's darkest history to the town centre. Since opening its doors in 2011, The Blackpool Tower Du

Madame Tussauds Blackpool is turning up the heat this summer with the arrival of international music icon Drake, giving guests the chance to come face-to-face with one of the world’s biggest artists. The chart-topping rapper, singer and songwriter has joined the attraction’s celebrity line-up for a limited residency, offering fans the perfect opportunity to snap selfies and strike a pose alongside the global superstar. Styled in one of Drake’s signature fashion-forward lo

From freshly baked scones to thousands of gallons of tea, The Blackpool Tower Ballroom is preparing to celebrate Afternoon Tea Week after revealing it serves more than 45,000 afternoon teas every year. The iconic venue, which welcomes guests from across the world, will mark the annual celebration with a special menu showcasing a different internationally inspired dessert each day. The iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom serves an impressive 45,000 afternoon teas every year, e

BBC Radio 2’s Paddy McGuinness is set to light up Blackpool’s biggest night of the year on Friday 4 September. Beloved television and radio presenter, comedian and author Paddy McGuinness will perform the honour of switching on the world-famous Blackpool Illuminations at this year’s Switch-On event on Friday 4 September 2026. Paddy McGuinness, one of the UK’s most recognisable television and radio personalities, is no stranger to Blackpool. He has previously performed at

It’s just one month to go until the skies above Blackpool are filled with spectacular aerial displays from some of the world’s finest military and civilian aircraft. The Blackpool Air Show takes place on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 August, and the full flying programme has now been revealed. Crowds will be treated to a display by a MiG-17. The iconic Cold War fighter jet, based in Poland, will make its English display debut over Blackpool with a routine that is sure to entert

Guide dog puppies swapped the training field for the red-carpet last week as they visited Madame Tussauds Blackpool to experience the sights, sounds and excitement of one of the UK's most iconic attractions. Puppies Hector, Henley, Damson, Skippy, Topper, Monty and Irving, who are aged 16 weeks to 13 months old, visited the attraction on Friday 10 July alongside their volunteer Puppy Raisers as part of their early socialisation training. The special visit gave the young pups

Blackpool is bidding to be UK City of Culture 2029.This will transform the nation’s favourite playground into a bold, brilliant celebration of creativity, joy and shared wonder: from large-scale events to vibrant neighbourhood talent, uniting communities and visitors in an experience that is bigger, bolder and open to all. The UK City of Culture is a title given every four years to a UK city or local area. Blackpool is into the second round, in the running against eight other

British pop favourites Five are set to make sure Everybody Gets Up for the biggest night in the resort’s calendar, as they take centre stage at this year’s Illuminations Switch‑On. The free outdoor event on the Tower Festival Headland, in the shadow of The Blackpool Tower, takes place on Friday 4 September 2026 and marks the start of the iconic Illuminations season. This year’s event sees Blackpool Tourism Limited collaborate with the BBC, with the evening hosted by BBC R

Blackpool’s Armed Forces Week is back with a programme of events and entertainment to honour the nation’s military personnel of the past, present and future. Armed Forces Week is Blackpool’s opportunity to say thank you to our heroes. Since 2006, we have been celebrating the event annually, and it now forms an integral part of VisitBlackpool’s events calendar. From 22–28 June, Blackpool will come together to welcome serving military personnel, veterans and cadets, with a

Blackpool is celebrating Father’s Day in style this year with an exclusive one‑day offer giving Dads free entry to five of the resort’s most iconic attractions on Sunday 21 June. Families can treat Dad to an unforgettable day out from thrilling slides to celebrity encounters, sky‑high views and spine‑tingling scares. This special promotion applies to the following attractions: · Sandcastle Waterpark · Madame Tussauds Blackpool · The Blackpool Tow

The star of Blackpool Tower’s famous circus has today been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours. Laci Endresz, known as Mooky the Clown, has been awarded a British Empire Medal for services to circus entertainment. For more than half a century, Laci Endresz has devoted his life to bringing joy and laughter to audiences. Born into a circus family, he first stepped into the spotlight at the age of four, performing as a clown in his family’s circus. Laci’s relationshi

The UK’s biggest indoor waterpark is set to celebrate its 40th birthday in style with a full programme of events including an 80s themed party. Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool officially opened its doors on 26 June 1986 on the site of the former South Shore Open Air Baths, hailed as a 21st Century indoor seaside. Hundreds of people queued for a first look at the new attraction, which at the time featured just two slides. Since then, millions have enjoyed the subtropical 8

Dates have now been confirmed for this year’s spectacular World Fireworks Championship Blackpool, one of the resort’s most iconic autumn events. Three countries will compete across three nights: Saturday 12 September, Saturday 26 September and Saturday 10 October. Each breathtaking display - synchronised to music and launched from the beach in front of The Blackpool Tower - is completely free to attend, offering visitors and residents the chance to enjoy world‑class pyrot

Blackpool Dance Festival 2026 has seen competitor entries almost double to 9,197 as the centenary year draws dancers from more than 50 countries to the iconic Empress Ballroom. The Winter Gardens is preparing for the world’s largest and longest-running dance competition which takes place from 16th–29th May 2026 in the Empress Ballroom. In a clear demonstration of the festival’s centenary significance, official competitor entries have almost doubled year-on-year – rising from

Madame Tussauds Blackpool has celebrated Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday by inviting Year 6 pupils from Revoe Learning Academy, Blackpool to make environmentally friendly pledges in his honour. On 8 May, the legendary broadcaster and natural historian will turn 100. Fifty pupils spent the afternoon exploring the Promenade attraction, with a special focus on the David Attenborough area. There, they reflected on the legendary broadcaster’s lifelong impact on conser

Madame Tussauds Blackpool is rolling out the red carpet for its newest A‑List arrival, as beloved TV personality, radio host and actress Amanda Holden joins the star‑studded attraction from Saturday 28 March. The brand‑new figure made its debut live on Heart Breakfast, where listeners got the first glimpse before it travelled north to take its place in the attraction’s glamorous A‑List section. Last year, Amanda was left speechless in the middle of hosting Heart Breakfast

Blackpool celebrates English Tourism Week with launch of new Ultimate Ticket

Blackpool’s Sandcastle Waterpark has announced a major £500,000 refurbishment programme as it prepares to celebrate its 40th birthday in June. The refurbishment includes the complete redevelopment of the park’s changing village facilities, offering guests a brighter, more modern environment. Alongside this, the waterpark famous slides have been freshly repainted and a brand‑new audio system has been installed. Sandcastle Waterpark first opened its doors in 1986 and has

One of Blackpool’s most iconic venues is set for an exciting new chapter after plans were agreed to transfer its operation to Blackpool Council’s wholly owned tourism company. In late January, the council’s Shareholder Committee approved proposals to dissolve the company that currently manages the Winter Gardens, bringing all council‑owned leisure assets under a single operator for the first time. The Grade II listed Winter Gardens is presently run by Blackpool Entertainment