The world-famous Blackpool Illuminations have been one of the UK’s most endearing and enduring visitor attractions for more than a century. Thanks to new investment and innovation year after year, the seafront show remains as compelling as ever.
Once again, the season will be extended over the festive period, shining nightly from 1 September - 1 January, 2024.
New features for 2023
.png.aspx)
Spitfire Island
Location: Gynn Roundabout
Look what’s landing at Gynn Roundabout for this year’s Illuminations display! History meets innovation with the new Spitfire Island installation, a collaboration between the Blackpool Illuminations team and designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen.
Using 3D printing technology for the first time ever, the installation features replicas of three Spitfires - Progress I, II and III - all funded by Blackpool residents during World War Two. Thanks to the Hangar 42 Spitfire Visitor Centre at Blackpool Airport, the project was able to incorporate historical data to make the installation as accurate as possible.
The installation is sponsored by internationally-renowned model kit company, Airfix. Aviation enthusiasts are in for a treat as Airfix is producing a limited edition, scale model of a Spitfire with a bespoke Blackpool livery on its fuselage. Only 4,000 of these kits will be available for purchase during the Illuminations season at VisitBlackpool's Tourist Information Centre (TIC). Don't miss your chance to own a piece of aviation history and show your appreciation for Blackpool at the same time!
NEW: Golden Mile Remixed
Location: Chapel Street to Talbot Square
Prepare to be dazzled by the extraordinary Golden Mile Remixed! Last year, the brand new section was a record-breaking first for the Illuminations as this area marked one of the largest roadway sections ever built and the first step change in the display. For this season, it has been seamlessly linked with the iconic Blackpool Tower as these two captivating entities harmonise in a mesmerising symphony of light.
During the King's Coronation, the world bore witness to the grand debut of the Golden Mile Remixed as the flamboyant overhead light installations and Blackpool Tower burst to life, broadcasting to millions of people around the world.
Designed by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, these Art Deco-inspired pieces pay homage to the glamorous and flirtatious 1930s. The 21 installations are divided into three distinct styles - arches, wings, and fans measuring almost 14-metres long.
With full control in the hands of the talented in-house Illuminations team, watch in awe as the programmable roadway section and the iconic Blackpool Tower choreograph together in one stunning spectacle of synchronisation.
NEW: Blackpool Sign
Location: Tower Festival Headland
Located on the Tower Festival Headland, show your love for Blackpool and let the whole world know you’re enjoying the brilliant Illuminations spectacle.
Thanks to the ingenious Illuminations team, you can now capture your experience in front of the dazzling Hollywood-inspired Blackpool sign.
Radiating a soft warm light through traditional Cabochon lamps, the installation spans almost nine metres in length and begs to be featured on your social media feed. Don't forget to tag us and let your love for Blackpool shine bright!
Twitter: @VisitBlackpool | Facebook: @loveblackpool | Instagram: @VisitBlackpool
Don’t forget, you can purchase the official I Love BPL merchandise, such as T-shirts, hoodies and branded mugs from the Tourist Information Centre at Festival House.
NEW: Iconic Blackpool
Location: New South Promenade (outside Hampton By Hilton)
Get ready to embark on a fascinating journey as you drive down memory lane through the new section of Illuminations, Iconic Blackpool. Featuring a selection of posters dating back to the 1920s, this section is a stunning ode to Blackpool's rich heritage.
From timeless Illuminations displays to the iconic landmarks that have graced the promenade for generations, the tourism posters have been carefully selected to transport you back to a bygone era. Prepare to be swept away by the nostalgic charm as these vibrant throwbacks offer a delightful glimpse into how Blackpool advertised itself to the world down the years.
NEW: Spiro Light Tunnel
Location: Tower Festival Headland
Take a walk on the light side! Spiro is an immersive walk-through sculptural tunnel of light spanning 26 metres in length.
Due to popular demand, the illuminated tunnel, created with individually mapped LEDs that allow complex patterns to beautifully dance around the audience, will return to the Promenade for the full Illuminations season with brand new lighting. Are you selfie-ready? This sonic experience is a perfect Instagram and TikTok opportunity – you can’t miss it!
This year's Illuminations' sponsors
Thanks to the generous support of our new and returning commercial sponsors and public donations, the world-famous Blackpool Illuminations continue to attract and entertain millions of visitors each year. Here is a list of new and returning sponsors for last year's display.
New sponsors
Airfix
We are delighted to welcome Airfix to Blackpool Illuminations as a sponsor of Spitfire Island at Gynn Roundabout. The world-renowned brand has been inspiring generations of model-making enthusiasts and families since 1939. With an extensive range of meticulously detailed plastic scale model kits, Airfix offers a gateway to the world of aviation, military history, and beyond.
A total of 4,000 of the limited edition Airfix Spitfire kits will go on sale at VisitBlackpool’s Tourist Information Centre (TIC) during the Illuminations season.
Returning sponsors for this year's display:
We are always proud to welcome back companies and organisations that have supported us financially and operationally over several years.
Affinity
Affinity’s fourth year with Blackpool Illuminations helps bring awareness to their Fleetwood-based outlet retail park, home to over 40 top fashion, footwear, homeware and beauty brands.
Barclaycard
In 2019, the public were encouraged to make cashless donations to support one of the UK’s most-loved free attractions. In collaboration with Barclaycard, fast contactless systems were introduced at kiosk collections points at the north and south gateways to the display.
Barclaycard’s support in agreeing a greatly reduced merchant charge enables us to receive the maximum amount of donations to help maintain the fantastic light show. Find out more about how you can donate to help the Lights shine for many years to come.
City Fibre
Back for their third year after sponsoring the Illuminations in 2021, City Fibre, the UK's largest alternative provider of wholesale fibre network infrastructure, has its very own bespoke road section near Sandcastle Waterpark.
Coral Island
Ahoy me hearties! 2020 marked a particularly special year for one of the largest tableaux in the display. Thanks to sponsorship from Coral Island, the Pirate Tableau, a firm family favourite in the Blackpool Illuminations, has undergone a major refurbishment – or should we say had its timbers shivered? The main structural pieces have been rebuilt and the moving parts refurbished, giving them an extra spring of life.
For the fourth year running, Coral Island is a returning sponsor of the much-loved tableau. Find more about the history of this longstanding tableau.
Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon returns for another year with their family-friendly road section, featuring Spongebob and his pals next to Blackpool Pleasure Beach.
Partingtons Holiday Parks
We were pleased to welcome Partingtons Holiday Parks as a sponsor in the 2021 display. They are now returning for a third year with their blinging display of lights that wow spectators on foot or in the car.
Sooty and Friends
To honour the town’s long-term association with Sooty, the Illuminations team created some additional features of Sooty, Sweep, Soo and Richard. These will appear across the roadway along the promenade in the form of 3D neon characters.
*A selected number of features in this year's Blackpool Illuminations are supported by the Towns Fund. The Towns Fund is part of the Government’s plan for Levelling Up the UK economy.
Towns across England are working with the Government to address their growth constraints, deliver economic benefits and improve the lives of people within their communities. The overarching aims of the Towns Fund are to drive sustainable economic regeneration and productivity across the UK.