Blackpool Illuminations: The Greatest Free Light Show on Earth
2020 was the first time the Blackpool Illuminations were extended beyond their usual two month duration, which meant this free awesome spectacle carried on lighting up the Lancashire coast into early January, bringing a bit of extra Christmas cheer to the festive period.
The decision was made this year (2022) to extend the illuminations for the third consecutive year to boost the resort’s tourism season after the damaging effects of the pandemic. Personally I hope they continue to do this every year.
I had the joy of driving through the illuminations at the beginning of November 2020 just before England went back into lockdown and boy was I glad I did as it was a real tonic for the soul. Mr TJG and I decided last minute to drive up to Blackpool and take a spin through the illuminations and I have to say they were really classy.
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A Bit of Illuminations History
At over 6 miles long, the Blackpool Illuminations use over 1 million bulbs. It’s an extraordinary project that has been going for 110 years now, making it one of the UK’s longest running visitor attractions.
Of course, it didn’t start out in quite this manner. Back in 1912, 10,000 lights were festooned along the promenade to celebrate the opening of a new section of the prom by Princess Louise. These lights were such a success that the following September, the Blackpool Chamber of Commerce were persuaded to stage the illuminations. This started the Illuminations as we know it today.
Usually the illuminations shine for 66 nights, but in 2020 a decision was made to extend them for the first time ever. Initially the aim was to double the length of time they were on for, but with the national lockdown in November closing the lights down, it worked out to be just a month extra that year.
Normally the illuminations are kicked off with a ‘switch-on’ concert which takes place in front of a huge audience. Obviously due to Covid-19, the 2020 Illuminations switch-on was a virtual event recorded and streamed live. A small silver lining to this meant the event was available to not just a local audience, but an international one.
Dates for the 2022 Blackpool Illuminations
The dates for the 2022 Blackpool Illuminations are: Friday 2th September 2022 to Monday 2nd January 2023.
During the pandemic, the illuminations were turned off during the national English lockdown period, however the Blackpool Tower remained lit throughout lockdown as a symbol of hope.
What You’ll See at the Blackpool Illuminations
The Blackpool illuminations consist of every type of light display you can think of. Not just light bulbs, but lasers, neon, fibre optics, flood lights and search lights.
Traditional Tableaux
Up at the Bispham end of the illuminations, you’ll see large 3D illuminated scenes (known as tableaux). You’ll see popular characters depicted such as Noddy and Friends, Sooty and friends and a huge display of Alice in Wonderland scenes.
There is also a haunted mansion, a Greek temple and a pirate ship, the latter of which was newly restored for 2020 illuminations.
I’ve always loved the Four Seasons faces which are representations of the sun in spring, summer, autumn and winter. Then there’s the fabulous Halloween tree watched over by a moonlit witch on a broomstick.
Amongst the traditional tableaux are some scenes that are studded with bulbs, which blink in sequence to make it look like the subjects are moving.
In the following example, the motorcyclist builds up speed by spinning around the wheel to the left to gain enough momentum to send him off along the track and jump the 3 buses to reach the finish line.
Lamppost Lights and Over Road Displays
There are hundreds of lit picture signs attached to lamp posts which fully line the 6+ mile stretch of seafront. These are all linked together with strings of festoon lighting.
The picture signs run in sections and my favourites include the stained glass window effect images of flowers, animals, birds and people.
There’s a group of mermaids, Nickelodean Land and I just love the Sooty Show section as it brings back great memories of childhood TV programmes!
The fairy-tale section of the Illuminations is beautiful. Castle towers and chandeliers are lit in either glitzy white/blue or gold bulbs and the single colour effect is very classy. It was perfect timing catching up to a beautifully lit horse and carriage as we drove through this section too.
Two huge features along the Blackpool prom – the famous Blackpool tower and the Pleasure Beach ‘Big One’ ride are picked out with luminous lights so they can be seen from miles around.
Even the trams have not escaped decoration as special shaped trams are fully lit in various themes such as a Wild West train, a rocket and a sea-going trawler.
New Light Features
No matter how many times you may have seen the illuminations, there’s no getting sick of the sights. Each year, something different comes about as a result of new investment and innovation.
When I visited in 2020 the two new features I spotted were the addition of a Spitfire on Gynn roundabout (at the Bispham end of the lights) and the NHS and key-workers tribute section.
The Spitfire
This replica Spitfire plane became quite a talking point when it took up situ on a roundabout towards the northern end of the illuminations route. There is a huge link between this plane and Blackpool as the town provided one of the largest military training centres in the world during World War II. At the time, local residents raised enough money to sponsor three Spitfires known as Progress I, II and III.
The Gynn Roundabout replica is called Holly and is tastefully illuminated with sweeping search lights and a video mapped laser show synced to music which lights up the fuselage every 15 minutes in tribute to the Battle of Britain.
The NHS and Key Workers Tribute
The Blackpool Illuminations have chosen to pay tribute to the efforts of the NHS and other key workers during the Covid-19 pandemic. While driving through this section of illuminations, I was particularly moved by the images of key workers who were nominated for inclusion in the 2020 display.
The lights in this section resemble rainbows, an image which has been used right from the beginning of the pandemic to symbolise hope. I saw lots of hearts, NHS banners and I particularly loved the square rainbow arches that cross the whole road. This really was a wonderful idea to say thank you for the amazing jobs the NHS and key workers did in the face of Covid-19.
2022 will see more new and fanciful displays including a tribute to England’s women’s football team. See here for all the other new displays at the 2022 Blackpool Illuminations.
Blackpool Illuminations Visitor Information
The Blackpool Illuminations operate daily, switching on at 5pm till 16th December and at 4.30pm for the rest of the run.
The lights shine until 10.30pm during the week and till 11pm on Friday and Saturday nights. On New Year’s eve the lights will remain on until 1am.
You can take a tram through the illuminations, walk through them or of course drive through the lights yourself and there’s no limit to how many times you can do this. Just turn round at the end and drive back through. I’ll guarantee you’ll spot different features on your way back that you didn’t notice going the other way.
Donating to the Blackpool Illuminations
Blackpool Illuminations may well be the greatest free light show on earth, but they do rely on donations.
Look out for the donations stations along the route. If you are not able to donate in this way, or don’t have any cash to hand (as face it – how many of us carry cash these days?) but would like to contribute, you can do so online through this link.
Get in Touch!
Have you visited the Blackpool illuminations this year? What did you think? Is the Spitfire still up near Bispham? Drop me a line in the comments below and let me know what you thought.
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Further Reading
If you enjoy getting out and about in the North West of England, you might be interested in some of my other posts:
Walking to the Dream Sculpture at Sutton Manor Woodlands
Exploring Clock Face Country Park between Warrington and St Helens
Pennington Flash in Greater Manchester – the winter edition
Exploring Risley Moss in Cheshire, complete with sculpture trail
Walking amongst Anthony Gormley’s iron men (Another Place) at Crosby Beach, Merseyside
Walk from Southport to Ainsdale Sands, Merseyside
The Ingleton Waterfalls Trail in North Yorkshire
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