British pop favourites Five are set to make sure Everybody Get Up for the biggest night in the resort’s calendar, as they take centre stage at this year’s Illuminations Switch‑On.
The free outdoor event on the Tower Festival Headland, in the shadow of The Blackpool Tower, takes place on Friday 4 September 2026 and marks the start of the iconic Illuminations season.
Five will be joined by rock quintet The Feeling and chart‑topping singer‑songwriter Lucy Spraggan.
This year’s event sees VisitBlackpool collaborate with the BBC, with the evening hosted by BBC Radio Lancashire presenters Graham Liver and Sharon Hartley.
As part of the collaboration, BBC Radio Lancashire will also showcase some of the region’s most exciting up-and-coming talent through BBC Introducing. We can’t wait!
Pulling the switch to light up Blackpool will be BBC Radio 2’s Paddy McGuinness. He's one of the UK’s most recognisable television and radio personalities, is no stranger to Blackpool. He has previously performed at both the Winter Gardens and the Grand Theatre, filmed an episode of Top Gear in the resort and cycled through the town as part of his BBC Children in Need fundraising challenge.
Running Order:
| 16:30 |
Gates open |
| 17:10 |
BBC Introducing |
| 18:15 |
Lucy Spraggan |
| 19:05 |
The Feeling |
| 20:10 |
Five |
| 21:10 |
Switch-On with Paddy McGuinness ending with Tower fireworks |
Please note that timings might be subject to change
Site Map
For Golden Circle and General Admission ticket holders, your gate information is displayed on your ticket and on the latest email from Eventim. Please refer to the below map:
The switch-on ballot has now closed and all general admission tickets have been allocated. However, there are still a couple of ways to experience the event:
Golden Circle tickets
Our Golden Circle access is back by popular demand to secure your spot at the summer's biggest event! For just £12.00 (plus admin fee), you can guarantee your place right at the front of the stage. This exclusive area puts you up close and personal with the incredible line-up, offering the best views in the arena. Please note that tickets are strictly limited.
BUY GOLDEN CIRCLE (REGISTRATION REQUIRED)
Blackpool Tower Ballroom Watch Party
For the first time in the event's history, a dedicated Watch Party will be staged inside the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom, allowing residents and visitors to watch all the action unfold live from the arena before witnessing the moment Blackpool's famous Illuminations burst into life.
The evening will be hosted by Ged Mills and will allow guests to watch all the action live on the Ballroom’s big screen, giving you a front-row view of the incredible entertainment taking place outside on the Headland - including the moment the Blackpool Illuminations are switched-on.
This is a FREE event, but tickets are required for entry to the Ballroom.
NOW SOLD OUT
Frequently Asked Questions:
Successful applicants will be notified from Monday 10 August and will be given 24 hours to confirm their attendance and complete the £5 admin fee. Please ensure you check your junk and spam folders.
If you do not complete the transactions within 24 hours, your tickets will be released.
All successful applicants will receive an initial email notifying them that they have won tickets through the ballot process.
You can either print your ticket to bring with you or download your e-ticket to the official Eventim app and present it on your mobile phone (full instructions will be included in your confirmation email). All guests will be scanned into the arena at the entrance gates. Please ensure you have all tickets ready on arrival, as you will not be granted access to the arena without them. Every member of your party must have a valid ticket.
Yes, we want the Switch-On to be accessible to everyone. There is a designated accessible viewing platform, which is split into two sections: one for ballot ticket holders and one for Golden Circle ticket holders.
Yes, please. Everyone entering the arena must have a valid ticket.
Yes, pushchairs are permitted inside the arena. Please note that there is no designated buggy park on-site, so you will need to keep your pushchair with you at all times.
Yes! Due to popular demand, we have brought back our Golden Circle tickets, which guarantees a spot right at the front for £12 (plus admin fee). If tickets are still available, this is your only way to secure a guaranteed place inside the arena.
This year there will also be an indoor watch party at The Blackpool Tower Ballroom. This is a free event, but tickets are required. Find tickets here.
As with previous years, we also warmly welcome guests without e-tickets to the resort to soak up the incredible atmosphere and experience the Illuminations up close.
Due to strict security measures, no backpacks, large bags, holdalls, or suitcases will be admitted into the venue. No outside food or drink is permitted inside the arena, though there are plentiful catering stalls available on-site. You will be refused entry if you attempt to bring prohibited items into the venue and all bags will be searched upon arrival.
Patrons with specific medical or accessibility requirements will be accommodated on an individual basis. We strongly encourage you to contact the venue in advance to ensure a smooth and easy entry. Please note there are no locker or storage facilities on-site for prohibited items.
The Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On Arena is located on the Tower Festival Headland, directly opposite The Blackpool Tower.
By Car: If you are travelling by car, we suggest aiming for the Central Car Park Multi-Storey. A map detailing all available car parks in Blackpool can be viewed here.
By Train: If you are arriving at Blackpool North station, the arena is a convenient ten-minute walk away. Simply head towards the Promenade and you will find the arena located just to the left of North Pier.
VisitBlackpool strictly prohibits the resale of ballot tickets. We advise guests with unwanted tickets to transfer them directly to trusted friends or family.
VisitBlackpool and Eventim are not responsible for tickets beyond the official ballot process. Anyone purchasing from resellers or unofficial channels does so at their own risk, and VisitBlackpool is not liable for any costs incurred if entry is refused.
There will be live filming and photography at this event. Any pictures provided maybe used by VisitBlackpool for promotional purposes. If you do not wish to be included, please contact VisitBlackpool Web Team.
Please note that Live Facial Recognition technology will be in operation during the event. For further information, please refer to Lancashire Police.