The biggest night in Blackpool’s event calendar – the Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On event - will take place on Friday 29 August 2025.
Fresh from his UK-wide arena tour, pop superstar Olly Murs will take to the stage on Blackpool’s Tower Festival Headland to deliver an hour-long set, completely free, before he flicks the switch to trigger six miles of Illuminations.
Olly will be joined by English rock band Toploader, X Factor winner Louisa Johnson, plus a special ‘Blackpool Introduces’ showcase spotlighting some of the best local talent.
We will also be introducing a live screening zone on the promenade, allowing those who miss out on tickets to soak up the atmosphere and be a part of what promises to be an exciting evening of entertainment.
Event timings:
16:00 - Doors
16.25 - Upbeat Rock Academy – ‘Blackpool Introduces’
18.10 - Toploader
18.55 - Louisa Johnson
19:55 - Olly Murs
21:00 - Switch-On moment
21:05- Encore
21.10 - Show Closes
Please note: all event timings are approximate and subject to change.
Winners email have now been issued, please check junk/spam folders.
For all winners, we advise re-reading the terms and conditions here.
There are some restrictions on what you can bring into the arena. Please check out our FAQs.
Ensure you have received your e-mail from ticket provider, Skiddle, so that you can either download your e-tickets to your app, print them off or have them ready to show on your phone. Signal might be unreliable on the Headland, so we suggest downloading them ahead of time.
General admission can head to Gate A & B. Accessible tickets should head to Gate C.
I don't have tickets - what happens now?
We had over 150,000 ticket requests for this year's Switch-On event. If you were unsuccessful in the ballot, you can still catch all the action. A large event screen will be positioned near Central Pier showing a live feed from inside the arena. Plus, there's nothing more magical than standing on the promenade watching the six-mile display come alive when Olly Murs pulls the switch; there are firework bursts from the top of the Tower, too!
Where can I stay?
If you are travelling to Blackpool for the event, why not make a weekend of it? There’s far too much to see and do in just one day, and what better way to experience it all by staying overnight and packing in even more fun!
We recommend staying over to wake up and do it all over again. There is a wide-range of accredited accommodation options available on the VisitBlackpool website for you to choose from.
Only have a day? Extend your time here. Get here early and beat the traffic, grab a bite to eat, head to one of our many attractions, or just enjoy a stroll in the fresh air. After the event finishes, take in the Illuminations, head to one of the many arcade amusements or soak in the coastal atmosphere. There’s plenty to explore rather than waiting for the traffic to clear.
Making the most of your visit
From award-winning attractions, incredible eateries and unmissable shows, there’s something for everyone to do in Blackpool.
Getting Here
We always recommend planning your journey ahead of time and parking up early; don’t leave it until last minute! A list of council-owned car parks, mapped by location, can be found here.
If you are travelling by train to Blackpool North, the Tower Festival Headland is a 10-minute walk from the station. Simply head straight down Talbot Road to the Promenade and turn left towards The Blackpool Tower.