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It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas here in Blackpool, and Captain Jack and his crew are getting ready for a fabulously fun festive season at Coral Island.

 

They’re wrapping tinsel around the rigging, untangling all the fairy lights for the tree, and someone has hung mistletoe over the door to the Captain’s cabin. And no one knows what they’re gonna get each other for the crew’s Secret Santa!

 

It’s going to be an amazing Christmas at Coral Island, with Santa’s grotto and fun and games for the whole family, but there are seasonal festivities all over Blackpool, so let’s have a look at the family fun in town this Christmas.

 

Christmas By The Sea (18 November - 2 January)

 

The Blackpool Tower Festival Headland has been transformed into a winter wonderland for Christmas, with a festive village complete with fairground rides, log cabins, an outdoor skating rink, amazing light installations and magical projection shows, and simulated snowfalls!

 

The ice rink is absolutely free to use, and includes free skate hire, so whether you’re a beginner or an ice skating expert, why not take a spin around the rink in the shadow of the iconic tower?

 

Christmas markets have become a firm favourite in towns and cities all across the UK, and you can find Blackpool’s Christmas village on the Festival Headland for all the festive treats and goodies you would expect, from mulled wine and hot chocolate to Bavarian sausages and exclusive gifts.

 

It’s rare for Blackpool to get much snow, never mind a white Christmas, so this year get ready for a special treat with the simulated snowfalls. Grab your scarf and woolly hat and get an alpine experience on the seafront!

 

New to the festive experience this year are the fairground rides, including Candy Cane Bungee Trampolines, Santa Claus’ Tea Cups, Santa’s Sleigh, and a magical carousel. But for the biggest thrills, try the Star Flyer, Europe's tallest travelling swing ride, standing at 260ft tall!

 

Find more information about Christmas By The Sea on the Visit Blackpool website.

 

Blackpool Santa Dash (4 December)

 

Fun runs are a great way to keep fit and stay warm on a chilly December day, but it doesn’t get any more fun than the Santa Dash! Starting at The Sandcastle Waterpark at 11 am, participants, all dressed up in Santa costumes, run a two-mile course up the promenade to the Manchester Pub and back again. Even if you don’t take part, it’ll be fun to watch!

 

The run is organised by Trinity Hospice to help raise funds, and there is more information on the charity’s website.

 

Fantastic Family Shows

 

There’s always a packed calendar of shows in Blackpool, and it’s panto season at the moment, and we can’t think of any better family entertainment than these two shows!

 

Sleeping Beauty at The Blackpool Grand Theatre (December, dates vary)

 

Take the family to see this classic fairy tale retold with stunning sets, fantastic costumes, musical hits, and amazing special effects for a laugh-a-minute extravaganza that will keep everyone entertained.

 

When the beautiful princess pricks her finger on a cursed spindle wheel on her 18th birthday, she falls into a deep slumber, and can only be woken by true love’s kiss. Can she find true love and break the evil curse?

 

Dates, showtimes, and tickets are on the Blackpool Grand website.

 

Elf: The Christmas Spectacular (15 December - 27 December)

 

Based on the hit Christmas film starring Will Farrell, this heartwarming story tells the tale of Buddy the Elf, an orphan child who accidentally gets taken to the North Pole after he crawls into Santa’s sack.

 

When he grows up, he’s a lot bigger than all the other elves, and he embarks on a journey to New York City to discover his true parents.

 

This feel-good festive show features a fantastic flying sleigh, twenty feet high growing candy canes, a giant LED screen with Pixar-style animated backgrounds, and amazing aerial stunts. It’s sure to be good for your Elf this Christmas!

 

Showtimes and tickets can be found on the Winter Gardens website.

 

Festive Dance In Blackpool

 

Maybe your children feel they’re getting a little too old for pantomimes, or are inspired by watching Strictly Come Dancing and want to see professional dancers, either way, we’ve got you covered in Blackpool this winter!

 

Sleeping Beauty Ballet (20 November)

 

Also at The Blackpool Grand Theatre is a different retelling of the classic fairy tale. Featuring a live orchestra with over 30 musicians, an international cast of ballet dancers perform this mesmerising production of Sleeping Beauty, with music by Tchaikovsky, including the famous ‘Rose Adagio’, and a cast of fairy tale characters such as Puss-in-Boots.

 

Tickets and showtimes can be found on the Amande Concerts website.

 

Aljaž and Janette - A Christmas To Remember (11 December)

 

Former Strictly pro-dancers Aljaž Škorjanec and Janette Manrara, and a cast of dancers put on a Christmas show to remember, with songs and music from the Golden Age of Hollywood to Disney Christmas crackers, including Mariah Carey, Michael Bublé, and a whole assortment of pop festive classics, carols and crooners.

 

There’s something for everyone in the all-dancing yuletide jukebox!

 

Tickets can be found on the Winter Gardens website.

 

Christmas Hits at The Winter Gardens (26 November)

 

Winter Gardens Blackpool invites students from Lancashire Dance Schools to perform in the magnificent Empress Ballroom. This allows the children to experience performing at the Empress Ballroom in a professional setting that has been home to many of the world's biggest stars throughout the years.

 

Tickets are available on the Winter Gardens website.

 

There’s much more to see and do in Blackpool this Christmas

 

There’s so many shows, events, and live music to see in Blackpool this winter, including tributes to Michael Jackson, ABBA, Queen, and Meatloaf, Dinosaur World Live, comedy, as well as the world-famous Illuminations, there’s bound to be a show or an event that to suit all tastes!

 

Why not come and visit Coral Island too, book a ticket to visit Santa’s Grotto, take a trip on our amazing indoor rides, such as the Pirate Flyer or the spooky Ghost Train, shoot some hoops or down some clowns to win tickets, or play on the traditional seaside arcade games like our penny pushers or soft toy crane grabbers.

 

It’s also the ideal place to grab a bite to eat at our restaurants, such as The Buccaneer Family Bar or the Big Fish Trading Co. and Traditional Chippy, where kids eat for free with every paying adult.

 

No booking or vouchers required, simply look for the yellow Kids Eat Free stickers at participating restaurants, and children aged under 10 years old can receive a free kids meal with every paid adult meal. Great food, and great value too.

 

Sunday is carvery day at The Buccaneer too, and from noon you can enjoy our three-meat carvery, served with freshly prepared vegetables, in the friendly, welcoming atmosphere of Captain Jack’s library on board his pirate galleon!

 

So what are you waiting for, me hearties? Gather your crew and set sail for untold riches and festive fun for the family in Blackpool this Christmas!