Blackpool Illuminations 2026: All you need to know

Blackpool is set to light up once again in spectacular colour for the annual illuminations - with the switch-on set for 4 September at the Tower Festival Headland.

BBC Radio 2 presenter and comedian Paddy McGuinness will flick the switch to mark the official start of the famous light show season.

The free event will be hosted by BBC Radio Lancashire's Graham Liver and Sharon Hartley.

The illuminations run for six miles (9.65km) along the promenade and are on display until Sunday 3 January.

Gates open at 16:30 BST with performances starting from 17:20 BST, including a a set by British pop favourites Five.

Graham Liver and Sharon Hartley will host, and will also showcase some of the region's up-and-coming talent through BBC Introducing.

The illuminations will be officially switched on by McGuinness at 21:15 BST.

The lights will then run nightly, with daily switch on and off times varying as the nights start to draw in.

A public ballot for 20,000 tickets for the event closed last week, but people without tickets are still encouraged to visit.

The Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On Arena is located on the Tower Festival Headland, directly opposite The Blackpool Tower.

If you are travelling by car organisers suggest aiming for the Central Car Park Multi-Storey.

Here's a full list of council car parks.

The arena is also 10 minute walk from Blackpool North station.

The Illuminations run for six miles along the promenade, with Saturdays usually the busiest night.

New attractions for 2026 include brightly lit neon sandcastles, a "creatures of the deep" display, a sky forest featuring LED cherry blossom trees and an immersive deep space display.

There will also be a display by performer Toyah Willcox telling a story of courage, resilience and self-discovery.

Also expect photo opportunities with attractions including an oversized seaside postcard and the chance to get a selfie with a giant teddy bear inside an illuminated car.

Safety barriers will be in place along the Promenade and at the Tower Festival Headland in line with a national approach to enhancing public safety and security at large-scale events.

The barriers were installed ahead of the Air Show weekend and will remain in place until mid-October, following the World Fireworks Championship Blackpool.

Gates to the arena will be closed during the switch-on concert.

Road closures will also be in place for Run the Lights on 15 August and Ride the Lights on 1 September.

Blackpool's Illuminations brought in a £300m boost to the town's economy in 2025.

Two in every five visitors in late summer and autumn 2025 came specifically to see the displays, a Blackpool Council report issued earlier this year said.

Council leader Lynn Williams said the footfall from the illuminations "brings real economic impact", supports local attractions, businesses, and venues and creates jobs across the town.

She said: "Investing in the Illuminations isn't a nice-to-have, it's a no-brainer investment in Blackpool's identity, talent, heritage, and future."

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