October Half-Term Family Fun In Blackpool

Visitors to the UK’s most popular seaside resort are promised an amazing experience this October half-term.

Whether people want to trip the lights fantastic through Blackpool’s six miles of Illuminations, experience the thrills and spills of big rides, jaw-dropping circus acts or spooktactular events, there is something to suit every person whatever their age, interests or budget.

And as it is Blackpool’s busiest week of the year visitors can look forward to a fantastic time.

Natalie Wyatt, Managing Director of Marketing Blackpool, said: “October half-term is the busiest week of the year in Blackpool and we look forward to welcoming thousands of visitors into the resort next week.

“Of course we’ve got the huge attraction that is the world-famous Blackpool Illuminations shining for an extra week this year until November 10 but we’ve also got  events and activities happening all over the resort too.

“As ever in Blackpool there are plenty of activities taking place over the holiday to suit everybody and when you couple into that the fact that it’s Halloween and Illuminations season, it is sure to be a fabulous week.”

Children’s favourite Sooty will be meeting visitors to the VisitBlackpool Tourist Information Centre on Tuesday October 29 ahead of his show at Showzam! 2014 – Blackpool’s annual festival celebrating Circus, Magic and New Variety.

For youngsters there is also the opportunity to meet CBeebies’ favourite team of undersea adventure heroes the Octonauts who will be at SEA LIFE Blackpool.

In The Blackpool Tower Dungeon visitors are guaranteed a horribly gruesome time but if you’re after a friendlier face then pop down to The Tower Circus where you can travel Around the World with Mookie and Booo, or even rub shoulders with “Abba”, who are currently visiting Madame Tussauds Blackpool.

Meanwhile if it’s Halloween party fun you are after events are being held at a number of attractions including The Blackpool Tower Ballroom, the Winter Gardens and Viva where children eat free at the Spooktacular Carvery.

And at Blackpool Pleasure Beach the attraction turns blood red on October 31 with the return of Vampire Pleasure Beach, while the Circus of Horrors will be terrifying show-goers at The Globe. There will be more Halloween fun at Carnesky’s Ghost Train too – enter this horribly scary attraction at your  peril and be entertained by a cast of gruesome characters!

Discover Blackpool’s haunted history with a series of ghost walks between Saturday Oct 26 and November 2.

And if it’s entertainment on the stage you desire Blackpool never disappoints. You’ll be crying with laughter with comedian Ken Dodd at the Grand Theatre, reminisce with Sixties Gold at the Opera House or watch the Stars in Concert tribute acts on Central Pier. For further tribute nights spend an evening at The Sands Venue and watch the highly acclaimed Legends or enjoy Abba hits at Viva with their Dancing Queen tribute show. If it’s panto that you seek catch Dick Whittington at North Pier.

Blackpool Zoo is holding Pumpkin carving sessions every day and enrichment workshops where you can make cardboard animals containing meat for the tigers and then watch the big cats “attack” them. On Halloween a member of staff is having her head shaved to raise money for the charity 21^st Century Tiger.

For culture head to the Grundy Art Gallery where artist Zoe Beloff celebrates psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud’s fascination with seaside resorts, and Blackpool in particular, with her Dreamland exhibition.

And what better way to enjoy Blackpool at its best than with the NEW Blackpool Resort Pass. Enjoy NINE amazing attractions and save more than £55 with each pass.

Ms Wyatt added: “The great thing about half-term fun in Blackpool is there is something for everyone and to suit everyone’s budget. We have seven miles of golden sands to walk and play on, the amazing piece of public art that is the Comedy Carpet on The Tower Festival Headland, three historic piers to enjoy, and the splendor of Stanley Park coupled with our outstanding attractions.”

For more information on all events in Blackpool go to www.visitblackpool.com