For over 140 years Blackpool Illuminations have entertained people for generations. Now with around 6 miles of lights and displays you are sure of a great night and what is more it’s all free.
The lights can be seen either by car or on foot and even by tram, these amazing displays will bring joy to children and adults alike.
Started as an experiment with the sum of £5,000 and using electric arc lamps to light the sea front, the Illuminations have developed into a stunning display that can be seen for miles.
The Blackpool Illuminations now attract more than three million visitors to the resort each year. Starting (normally) at the end of August and running to November.
Daily Switch on Times - each week the Illuminations lighting up time gets slightly earlier, as it gets dark earlier and the nights get longer. Think about it in blocks of a week. When there’s a time change it’s from Friday night until the following Thursday.
At the end of British Summer Time when the clocks go back an hour, the Lights are turned on at 5pm.
On Friday and Saturday nights the Lights go off at midnight.
On Sunday night switch off time is 11pm.
From Monday to Thursday they are turned off at 10.30pm
Except during October half term week and Festive Weekends when they stay on until 11pm.
These times may change.
History of Blackpool Illuminations - in 1879 just 8 arc lamps bathed the Promenade in what was described as artificial sunshine
In May 1912, lights were erected on Princess Parade to mark Blackpool’s first royal visit – Princess Louise officially opened this new section of Promenade.
In1914 a temporary break had to be intruded because of ww1, but the lights were back in 1925.
Illuminations were halted again when the Second World War broke out and did not come on again until 1949.
The current displays take 65,000 man hours and 74 miles of cable, with 400,000 lamps.
Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On - this event acts as the curtain-raiser for the Blackpool’s Illuminations season, and is normally carried out by someone famous.
Trams - covered in lights also make up the show and you can ride on one of these and see the whole 6 miles of lights.