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Visit Blackpool this Autumn

The return to school in September typically signals the end of summer for many people and families, and the darker nights drawing in, temperatures starting to fall, and fewer sunnier days will likely lead many to think that it’s not the best time to visit Lancashire’s famous seaside town.

 

But it is this time of year when Blackpool comes alive! Autumn and winter in Blackpool are brilliant, with the world-famous Illuminations, and many wonderful shows, events, and attractions. You might even get a chance to enjoy the September sun on Blackpool’s golden sandy beaches!

 

We have a look at some fantastic reasons to come and visit Blackpool in September and October this year.

 

Blackpool Illuminations

 

Without a doubt, one of the biggest reasons to visit Blackpool during the darker months has to be the Illuminations, the greatest free light show in the world. Whether you come to see the lights every year or plan to make your first visit, we have everything you need to know about Blackpool illuminations here on our blog.

 

Stupendous Shows!

 

Blackpool is the place to be for music lovers this autumn, no matter your tastes. Dance and sing the night away at these amazing shows.

 

Viva Blackpool has a wide range of shows during October, including Country Legends - A Night At The Grand Ole Opry for all you line dancing fans, JJ Gibson and Kofi Taylor from the US bringing a Soul & Motown Extravaganza, The Jersey Beats with the songs of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons in Oh What A Nite!, the hit 70s West End musical Boogie Nights for all the disco divas, and Viva Voulez Vous - a celebration of all things Abba!

 

The Winter Gardens also has a packed calendar of shows in October. The month kicks off with Whitney – Queen Of The Night, direct from the West End, celebrating the life and music of one of the greatest singers of her time, Whitney Houston.

 

Britain’s Got Talent star, Mel Day, will be appearing in The Story of Soul, where you can get on board the Love Train and go on a journey through Sweet Soul Music! Or perhaps you will want to catch the multi-award-winning musical Dreamgirls!

 

With classic tracks from both Boyzone and Westlife, Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden make up Boyzlife and will be coming to the Winter Gardens as part of their Old School headline tour. Pop fans won’t want to miss Will Young, while those of a different era will be decked out in double denim for Whole Lotta Shakin’, the definitive Shakin’ Stevens story.

 

Amazing Attractions

 

If you’ve only ever been to Blackpool during the summer holidays, you’ll know there are so many incredible places to visit, but there are so many that are open through autumn too!

 

Ever wanted to ride The Big One at night? There are Late Night Riding events at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, so adrenaline junkies can get their thrills at night, and see Blackpool Illuminations from a whole new perspective.

 

It might start getting a little chilly to paddle in the sea by October, but you can still have splashes of indoor fun at Sandcastle Waterpark, fun for the entire family, with fast, thrilling watersides and lazy rivers, all in a tropical environment.

 

Blackpool’s iconic tower will have plenty to keep the family entertained during the October half term. From exploring the panoramic view at the top of the tower to the new family attraction of The Fifth Floor - including an 8K VR cinema, a circus-themed arcade, and a family bar, the majestic Tower Ballroom, and down into the depths of the Blackpool Tower Dungeon!

 

Blackpool Tower Circus never fails to be a crowd pleaser, delivering a rich heritage that has made it one of Blackpool’s longest-running shows. Expect incredible, death-defying stunts and aerobatics, as well as laughs with clowns Mooky and Mr Boo.

 

Madame Tussauds is always a popular attraction, with its Marvel Superheroes exhibits, famous faces and favourite actors and celebrities, and an interactive Strictly Come Dancing display!

 

Halloween in Blackpool

 

Spooky season is drawing close, and we all love Halloween in Blackpool. There are so many events and celebrations of all things that go bump in the night, from family-friendly frights to grisly ghoulishness for the grown-ups.

 

SEA LIFE Blackpool becomes SEA LIFE Ascarium in October, with a trail to follow to discover some of the spookiest creatures that dwell in the ocean. Kids will love helping the friendly Sea Witch find all five ingredients she needs for a magic potion, hidden in the depths of the tanks, all to reveal a special reward!

 

Ascent Trampoline Park will be hosting Halloween-themed parties throughout the month, with fancy dress, spooky music, and Halloween decorations all around as the kids jump and bounce around the venue.

 

Older kids will definitely want to visit the Circus of Horrors at the Pleasure Beach, a fantastic rock show mixed with daredevil circus acts and an amazing light show. There is a special Adams Family-friendly matinee show at 4 pm every day, as well as an evening show for grown-ups.

 

The home of Halloween in Blackpool simply has to be the Blackpool Tower Dungeons, where tour guides and actors will lead you through an immersive show that tells the story of 100 years of grisly Lancashire history.

 

As well as the Late Night Rides, there will be special Halloween Late Nights at the Pleasure Beach, with live music, hair-raising rides, and even Lougarock, the 8.5ft Werewolf, who will be roaming the grounds on 10 October. Book tickets here!

 

There’s ghoulish goings-on at Blackpool Zoo too, as the spectacular Spookiest returns from 16 to 30 October. Visitors are challenged to solve the mystery of the missing pilot, as the darkest areas of the zoo are transformed, calling back to when the zoo was on the site of the former Stanley Park Aerodrome.

 

The event tells the tale of an aircraft that disappeared on its maiden voyage, and by uncovering clues to the mystery, you can reveal the fate of the missing pilot. For the little ones, there’s a magical pumpkin hunt, with a prize at the end of the trail!

 

If you’re having a child-free Halloween, then there are plenty of super scary shows and events to explore, from ghost hunting with The Victorian Ghost Hunter, who will guide you through the streets of Blackpool to reveal some of the most haunted locations in town, to the theatrical thrills of Pasaje del Terror, a terrifyingly realistic experience that will leave you breathless and trembling!

 

Of course, this is only a small selection of the amazing attractions to be found in Blackpool this autumn, as there are so many incredible shows, events, live music and so much more!

 

Don’t forget to visit Coral Island this autumn, Blackpool’s largest free-admission attraction with all the traditional seaside arcade games, our famous Kids Eat Free offer as well as our spooky Ghost Train for some real Halloween thrills!