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By now, the new school year is well underway, and while Blackpool's summer season has come to an end, there's still plenty to see and do in this lively seaside town as Christmas approaches!

 

Though the Blackpool Illuminations were switched on at the end of August, marking the beginning of the autumn months, they also kicked off a season packed with fun and excitement for the entire family. With the half-term holidays just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to explore everything Blackpool has to offer for the remainder of the year.

 

Blackpool Illuminations

 

After being switched on by Spice Girl Mel B with a massive free concert at the Festival headland at the end of August, Blackpool Illuminations will again be running until the 2025 New Year, giving everyone plenty of opportunity to see the greatest free light show on Earth.

 

As the darker evenings draw in, the six miles of magical lights get turned on earlier and earlier, so to check the times for the display, click here.

 

There are also some brand new displays for 2024, including:

 

Disco Donkey Cavalcade by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen

 

Get ready to hee-haw with delight! Introducing the Disco Donkey Cavalcade, a whimsical new installation crafted by the brilliant Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen.

 

Featuring twelve donkeys - five fabulous females and seven magnificent males - each proudly sporting their names in vibrant paint, this installation is a feast for the eyes. These jolly donkeys are decked out in funky 70s-inspired swimwear and prance around a towering 16-foot high platform. At the top, a revolving mirror ball adds a playful touch, reminiscent of a giant scoop of ice cream.

 

Light Around the World by Leigh Francis

 

Prepare to be dazzled by a new tableau created by Leigh Francis, the creative mind behind TV’s Keith Lemon. This is the second piece in the “Light Around The World” series, located at the northern end of the display. Drawing inspiration from Leigh’s imaginative childhood, this tableau brings his love for space and dinosaurs to vivid life.

 

Marvel at a 12-foot-tall dinosaur, a sleek spaceship, an intrepid astronaut, and an airborne BMX bike, all while Leigh himself soars through the skies toward The Blackpool Tower! The trellis, standing an impressive 18 feet tall and 34 feet wide, features eight captivating light elements.

 

Aliens Reimagined by Lightworks x Blackpool Sixth

 

Get ready for a nostalgic journey with a modern twist! A new overhead roadway section pays homage to the beloved Aliens feature from previous Illuminations displays. Designed by students from Blackpool Sixth Form, this extraterrestrial exhibit showcases ten unique illustrations of alien life.

 

Chandelier Causeway by Lightworks

 

Prepare to be enchanted by a shimmering spectacle! Reimagined for 2024, the Chandelier Causeway features a dazzling array of LED giant chandeliers and strobe lighting, offering a glamorous nod to the opulent chandeliers of The Blackpool Tower Ballroom. The two large chandeliers sparkle with 4,000 LED pixels each, while the smaller ones dazzle with 2,000 LED pixels each.

 

Buzz Wire by Lightworks

 

Ready to test your skills? Take on the Buzz Wire challenge! This larger-than-life arcade game, stretching five meters long, invites you to put your nerve and precision to the test against the iconic backdrop of Blackpool’s skyline.

 

Spitfire Island by Lightworks

 

In a special tribute marking the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, the three replica Spitfires on Gynn Roundabout will feature special markings for the 2024 display.

 

Lightpool Festival 2024

 

Blackpool is gearing up to host another dazzling celebration of light this October half-term with the return of its highly anticipated Lightpool Festival.

 

Running from Friday 18 October to Saturday 26 October, the festival coincides with the iconic Blackpool Illuminations, adding a new dimension to the spectacle with light installations from the UK, France, Finland, and Spain. Supported by Arts Council England, this year’s event will feature over 15 new artworks premiering in the UK, alongside captivating projection shows and live performances, including the much-loved Carnival Magic, which returns to the historic Tower Ballroom.

 

Some of the highlights include:

 

Neuron: Spanish artist Juan Fuentes invites visitors to explore the wonders of brain connectivity with this interactive light installation. Inspired by the structure of neurons, it merges light, motion, and human perception in an innovative artistic experience.

 

A Kind of Magic: Finnish artist Severi Haapala presents a modern twist on the 19th-century Pepper’s Ghost illusion, often used in theatre and cinema. This optical illusion will leave visitors mesmerised as they witness both the trick and its reveal simultaneously.

 

Warren Street: Using light painting techniques, this vibrant animation brings playful rabbits to life, hopping through unexpected spaces and creating a whimsical interaction with the audience.

 

Supernova: Blackpool’s St John’s Square will be illuminated by Studio Vertigo’s Supernova, an explosive light sculpture inspired by the cosmic phenomenon. Just like a real supernova, it shines brightly, commanding attention.

 

Big Yellow Blobs and The Box That Buzzes: This immersive artwork offers a surreal, playful experience. Participants engage with the installation through touch, sight, and sound, becoming part of the whimsical world it creates.

 

The World in Your Hand: This surreal piece, inspired by Cabinets of Curiosity, showcases manipulated footage that transforms hands into fantastical creatures like squids, birds, and sharks, exploring the bizarre yet familiar connection between humans and nature.

 

Medusae: Dive into a vibrant underwater world filled with glowing jellyfish, offering an interactive and uplifting aquatic adventure through colours and light.

 

Tiffany Lamp: A reimagined classic, this Tiffany-inspired feature is part of Blackpool Illuminations’ original 1999 design by Graham Ogden, showcasing 24 magnificent roadway features.

 

Light Sphere: Studio Vertigo’s Light Sphere is a geometric masterpiece, a 4-meter-wide sphere made from 240 stainless steel triangular forms, casting a dynamic light display.

 

Tower Projections: Be enchanted by the nightly Blackpool Tower Projections, where lights, colours, and music transport visitors into a vintage wonderland. The shows begin at 6 PM each night.

 

Tower & Golden Mile Lightshow: Blackpool Tower and the Golden Mile will come alive with a stunning sound and light show, featuring a glowing heart on the Tower and 25,000 lights.

 

Glow with the Flow: Showtown, Blackpool’s new entertainment museum, right around the corner from Coral Island, offers an interactive, multi-sensory film experience perfect for families. This ticketed event will be held in the afternoon, while Showtown remains open for visitors each evening during the Lightpool Festival.

 

Blackpool’s Lightpool Festival promises an unforgettable week of awe-inspiring artistry, innovation, and light, and you can read more about Lightpool by clicking here.

 

Halloween

 

Spooky season is almost here, and there will be some awesome and terrifying Halloween activities in town for visitors of all ages, from the eerie depths of the Blackpool Tower Dungeons to spine-chilling Ghost Walks and the terrifying Journey to Hell – a hair-raising horror experience at Blackpool Pleasure Beach after dark, there's no shortage of thrills for those who dare!

 

For the little ones, a magical adventure awaits at SEA LIFE Blackpool. Visit Serafina the Sea Witch and embark on an exciting, immersive trail where you’ll help her protect her sea creature friends and safeguard the ocean. Take on the ‘spook-splash-tastic’ challenges and earn your place in Serafina’s army of Sea Defenders!

 

Christmas at Coral Island

 

As soon as Halloween wraps up, there's just one thing that everyone starts thinking about—Christmas! The countdown officially begins for the arrival of the jolly man in the red suit as he gets ready to deliver gifts to children around the world.

 

But if waiting until December 25th feels too far away, don’t worry! Santa will be making his way to Coral Island much earlier. Starting on November 22nd, you can visit him every Friday from 3 PM to 8 PM until December 20th. If weekends work better, he'll also be there every Saturday and Sunday from November 23rd through December 22nd, from 11 AM to 6 PM.

 

Each visit to Santa’s Grotto comes with a Coral Island Goody Bag for every child, filled with small gifts and sweets, 50 prize tickets, and a £5 Coral Island Play Card to use in the arcade.

 

This magical experience is available for just £9.99 per child, while children 3 and under can join in the fun for £7.99. It’s an event that's sure to fill up quickly, and although tickets may be available on the day, it's highly recommended to book in advance through Eventbrite. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/meet-santa-at-coral-island-blackpool-2024-tickets-1008336691187?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl or visit our Santa blog page Meet Santa at Coral Island 2024

 

While you're spreading Christmas cheer at Coral Island this season, there’s no shortage of fun for the whole family. From classic seaside amusements to cutting-edge video games, prize games, and Blackpool’s largest and best prize shop, the thrills never stop. Plus, with exciting rides and attractions, Coral Island remains Blackpool’s largest free-admission entertainment venue.

 

Feeling hungry? Coral Island has something to satisfy every appetite. Enjoy award-winning, freshly made fish and chips at our chippy, indulge in delicious pub favourites at The Buccaneer Family Bar & Restaurant, or explore global flavours at the Coral Harbour Kitchen & Bar.

 

And don't forget—kids eat FREE at Coral Island! Children under 10 can enjoy a complimentary kids’ meal with each paid adult meal at participating restaurants. For full terms and conditions, check out our website.

 

Winter Wonderland

 

Blackpool is buzzing with festive activities this season, including a variety of shows, gigs, dance, and drama performances. So mark your calendars for an unforgettable autumn and winter filled with family fun!