Blackpool Illuminations 2025-2026

Arriving at The Blenheim Mount puts you less than a stone’s throw from the action. Our hotel sits directly on the Promenade, giving you an unhindered view of the glimmering patterns, from giant seahorses to neon-coloured words of welcome. At night, the waves catch the twinkling lights, and your room’s large windows frame a nightly show that rivals any theatre. In the mornings, it’s just a short stroll to the start of the Illuminations Gallery, where archival photographs trace the festival’s evolution since its launch in 1879. You’ll learn how local photographer John Tutty’s first lamps inspired Queen Victoria to double the coconut-oil budget, propelling what began as a modest display into today’s internationally renowned Light Festival.

This celebration isn’t just about pretty pictures—it’s a full week of opening events, family-friendly activities, and behind-the-scenes tours. The Switch-On Weekend (Friday, 29 August to Sunday, 31 August 2025) marks the official opening with fanfare: a free concert on North Pier, an illuminated parade along the Promenade, and a firework finale that lights up the Irish Sea. Visitors can attend the Illuminations Heritage Open Day on Saturday (30 August), when the light technicians unlock the workshop under the Sea Life Centre—see how technicians replace burnt-out bulbs in real time and hear anecdotes about the year’s design themes.

2025 Illuminations Switch-On Itinerary (in brief):

• Friday, 29 August: USS Storm (main stage, North Pier) performs from 6pm; grand switch-on at 8:30pm followed by fireworks over the sea.

• Saturday, 30 August: Guided “Lights at Work” tour at 11am; family lantern-making workshop at Winter Gardens (2pm–5pm); Illuminations Parade at 6pm.

• Sunday, 31 August: Live band showcase on Golden Mile (2pm–5pm); closing fireworks at 8:30pm.

As the weeks progress, nightly light shows synch to a soundscape broadcast over local FM radio. Strolling beneath the illuminated sculptures becomes almost meditative—seagulls cry overhead, families stop to take selfies in front of the Dancing Devils, and chatty couples linger near the Electric Eiffel Tower installation. If you prefer wheels over walking, the illuminated tram service (running every 20 minutes from 7pm to 10pm) offers a leisurely glide along the length of the display. A return ticket costs roughly £5, but for a truly VIP feel, book the special Illuminations Coach Tour: two hours aboard a classic double-decker, complete with narration, tea and biscuits, and prime viewing seats on the upper deck.

For those who want to capture the Festival’s beauty, The Blenheim Mount provides room packages that include a complimentary “Lights Photo Guide” and a map marking all 66 feature points—mammoth dinosaurs, shooting stars, and the underwater-themed Atlantis display. Unpack your DSLR in a cozy guestroom before heading out; when you return, you’ll find your photos displayed on our in-house digital gallery in the breakfast lounge. Of course, booking early secures the best rooms: sea-view suites fill fast, especially during August bank holiday weekends. Make your reservation here: Book Your Illuminations Getaway.

It’s not just Instagram-worthy installations that draw crowds. Pop-up food stalls line the Promenade, offering everything from sizzling bratwurst to gourmet doughnuts dusted with edible glitter. Hot chocolate vendors set up by beach huts—sip a steaming mug as you wander past the Victorian-inspired lions and massive daisy-shaped arches. Each weekend, street performers juggle LED torches, sign-spinners twirl under pyramids of light, and fire-eaters hail the beckoning darkness. Be sure to sample the famous Illuminations Fish & Chips: the Tramway chippy on Church Street serves them late into the night, packed to the gills with locals and tourists debating which display is their favourite.

If you’d like a break from all that sparkle, turn inland and visit the Illuminations Charity Fair at the Winter Gardens (Fridays–Sundays, 11:00–17:00). Inside the ornate Empress Ballroom (one of the largest ballroom spaces in Europe), local artisans sell handblown glass, vintage-inspired clothing, and LED-emblazoned jewellery. All proceeds support community arts projects in Blackpool—grab a handcrafted lantern made by local schoolchildren, then return to your Blenheim Mount suite for a quiet night in, lulled by the distant hum of the crowd.

Your mornings at The Blenheim Mount begin with a panoramic sunrise over the sea. A breakfast buffet brims with local produce, freshly baked croissants, Blackpool’s own rock candy-infused honey, poached eggs with seal’s ale hollandaise, all served in our art deco dining room, whose large windows look directly onto the Promenade. Sipping a latte, you might spot early risers jogging beneath the luminous installations, their footsteps echoing on the boardwalk. It’s a serene contrast to the busy evenings; you’ll want to capture that calm in your scrapbook.

Beyond the lights, there’s so much to explore. Visit Gynn Square Gardens (five minutes’ walk west of the hotel) for a quiet afternoon among Victorian floral displays, or take the tram north to Thornton Gate Marina, spot swans gliding among the moored yachts and watch fishermen haul crabs from the piers. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, the nearby Aunty Pauline’s Antique Sweet Shop (two-minute walk) stocks hundreds of confectionery varieties, from liquorice allsorts to fudge shaped like miniature Illuminations displays.

Before dawn on 1 January 2026, the final switch-off ceremony marks the end of the season. Locals gather on the beach for hot beverages served from beach trailers; when the countdown reaches zero at 5:00am, a hush falls. The lights blink out, and the Promenade returns to its pre-illumination state, quiet, unlit, but filled with memories captured in postcards and photo albums. If you don’t want to miss that moment, book our “Lights Finale Stay”: overnight from 31 December includes a midnight toast in our lounge, free parking, and a post-switch-off brunch special featuring smoked haddock kedgeree.

Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a first-timer, the Blackpool Illuminations combine nostalgia, artistry, and seaside charm into an unforgettable experience. And with The Blenheim Mount as your base, you’re never more than a few steps from the dazzling heart of the festival. Rooms fill fast, secure your place now: