What's On
Blackpool Illuminations will be two months longer than usual this year
Something else to look forward to this year
Blackpool Illuminations will be extended for the second consecutive year in 2021, by two months.
The famous light display will begin on Friday September 3rd and will run all the way through to Monday January 3rd 2022.
VisitBlackpool announced the good news, saying that the two-month extension is intended to give the resort’s hard-hit tourism industry an added boost, with Covid-19 still expected to cause further disruption for the next few months.
On top of this, the winter extension of the illuminations will coincide with a significantly enhanced, resort-wide Christmas offering.
Mark-S-Jobling / Wikimedia
Cllr Gillian Campbell, Cabinet Member for Tourism & Culture for Blackpool Council, said: “Although last year’s extension was disrupted by tier restrictions and a second lockdown, all of the evidence showed that there was a huge appetite for the public to visit the Illuminations in a safe and enjoyable way.
“We know from all of the positive feedback that we received that, amid so much gloom, the Illuminations provided a much-needed tonic to so many people.
“We are making this decision early so that our businesses can start to plan for the extended season. At the same time, we are planning a comprehensive package of themed shows, events and attractions to give visitors plenty of reasons to come to Blackpool over the festive season.”
More details about the Christmas offer will be announced over the coming weeks, with Friends Festive Live already confirmed to be coming to the Winter Gardens for two weeks in November.
Strictly judge Shirley Ballas will also star in the Cinderella panto at the Opera House in December.
Plans for the annual Illuminations Switch-On ceremony on Friday September 3rd will also be unveiled in the next few months – last year, the event was presented as a virtual show in association with MTV, with seven Corona Heroes from the UK pulling the switch.
You can find more information on Blackpool Illuminations, including 2021 Switch-On times, here.