The cold winter months in Blackpool would not be the same without the warmth that glows from the colourful neon illuminations. It is one of one of the greatest light shows on earth returns and it once again returns for 2023.
The illuminations will light up each night for four months, sparked by a huge live event on the seafront and amazing fireworks display. The free switch-on event is expected to attract thousands to the seaside resort.
The live show, which also includes a parade will be held outside for the first time since 2019. The past few years has seen a live concert tale place inside Blackpool Tower Ballroom and broadest on MTV on on big screens outside.
READ MORE: Blackpool Illuminations daily switch on times for September, October, November and December
We've put together a handy guide below for anyone planning to attend the switch-on. Attending the illuminations is free of charge throughout the season.
When are the illuminations switched on?
For a fourth consecutive year, the lights will glow for an extended period for the 2023 season.
They will be switched on on Friday, September 1 and stay lit until Monday, January 1, 2024. Pop singer Sophie Ellis Bextor will have the honour of flicking the switch to set the lights aglow for another year, at around 9.15pm
The songstress says she is "so excited" to be heading back to Blackpool to switch on the "iconic" lights.
What to expect at the switch-on event
Family entertainment is the focus for this year's switch on extravaganza which will culminate in a stunning fireworks display. It will all be centred around Blackpool Tower and Tower festival Headland, with the event returning outdoors for the first time in four years.
Murder on the Dancefloor singer Sophie will perform a number of her hit track on the night, with the event starting at around 7pm.
There's also the Nickelodeon Grand Parade from 7.30pm, which will see a procession of favourite TV characters along the Golden Mile.
The parade will include appearances by SpongeBob SquarePants, PAW Patrol, Baby Shark, Transformers, and Monsters High will be joined by around 100 dancers, musicians and street performers.
They will make their way from Central Pier to the Tower Festival Headland for a free family party.
ON the night, Blackpool Tower will also light up with especially-commissioned Nickelodeon-themed sound and light show that will be synchronised with LED wristbands to be given out to visitors.
Will there be new installations?
Yes. Mixed in with some old favourites, there will be three huge installations to marvel at for the 2023 season. They are Lollies in Love With Life by internationally-renowned artist Dr Chila Kumari Singh Burman MBE and Light Around the World by Native American specialist Bruce Alfred.
While long-time Illuminations curator Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has designed Spitfire Island, using 3D printing technology.
Chila's gigantic technicolour neon showpiece was inspired by her Punjabi family heritage and also her parents' ice cream business. And Bruce's tableaux is part of a series and has also been been built using advanced 3D printing technology and features hand-drawn images of eagles and Orca whales.
Blackpool Illuminations
The Spiro Light Tunnel will return for 2023 and Iconic Blackpool will see a selection of vintage film-style posters dating back to the 1920s, depicting the event's heritage and changing style through the decades.
Visitors can also look out for Golden Mile Remixed and Hollywood-style Blackpool, which is giant lightbox letters spelling out the Fylde seaside town.
You can find out more about the new installations, here
When is the Lightpool Festival?
The free festival will run over October half term from October 20-28
The event takes places across Blackpool and features a number of installations making their debut in the UK, including artwork created in Australia, France, the Netherlands and Spain.
Highlights will include a larger-than-life jellyfish along the Golden Mile, fireflies, a giant ball of wool made up of neon yarn and a stunning cube made up of 448 glass jars each containing a miniature tableau. While an an 'alien invasion' is coming to Blackpool Tower
You can find the full lowdown on what the Lightpool Festival is set to offer this year, here
What time are the lights switched on and off each day?
If you are planning a trip to soak in the illuminations this year then make sure you check out the times the lights will be switched on and off on the night of your visit.
They vary slightly depending on peak times, with the lights glowing until later at night at weekends.
Please note: They will be switched on later during midweek and earlier on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The exact timing of the switch-on for the launch on Friday, September 1 could vary due to the live nature of the event.
Where to park for the switch-on
Like with most huge, free events along the prom, the switch-on is expected to be extremely busy.
Car parks closest to the Tower festival headland, Promenade, in the town centre, Golden Mile and near to Blackpool Tower will fill up first with vehicles advised to park further out of town and walk to the switch-on area.
The seaside town's council-operated car parks all used the PayByPhone system. Customers can pay using the app, their debit card over the phone or online.
Blackpool Council Car Parks
The council has a range of car parks dotted around the town, including near the promenade and also park and ride options. They are generally a cheaper and safer option that other multi-storey or unofficial locations.
Here is a map of council car parks. The most popular and busiest car parks are a stone's throw from the main attractions, promenade and shops, so be prepared for them to be in demand at peak times. They include:
- Bonny Street
- Central Car Park
- Chapel Street
- Lonsdale Road
- Bloomfield Road
- Bolton Street
- South Beach
You can also chance your luck at finding an on-street parking space, but they often have time-limits and a no-return policy. Be aware, traffic wardens regularly patrol the busiest areas.
Free parking
Close to the South Pier and the Sandcastle, there's a number of roads which offer free parking. Please be aware these spaces fill up quickly in busy periods.
- Station Road.
- Withnell Road.
- Coniston Road.
- Ullswater Road.
- Osborne Road.
- Balmoral Road.
- Dean Street.
- Thirlmere Road.
Unrestricted in town centre
- Pleasant Street
- Raikes Parade
Lord Street
Pleasant Street
Illuminations 2023 schedule
| 1/09/2023 | Friday | 9.15 pm | 1.00am (Sat) |
| 2/09/2023 | Saturday | 8.00 pm | 12.00 am |
| 3/09/2023 | Sunday | 8.00 pm | 12.00 am |
| 4/09/2023 | Monday | 8.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 5/09/2023 | Tuesday | 8.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 6/09/2023 | Wednesday | 8.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 7/09/2023 | Thursday | 8.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 8/09/2023 | Friday | 8.00 pm | 12.00 am |
| 9/09/2023 | Saturday | 8.00 pm | 12.00 am |
| 10/09/2023 | Sunday | 8.00 pm | 12.00 am |
| 11/09/2023 | Monday | 8.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 12/09/2023 | Tuesday | 8.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 13/09/2023 | Wednesday | 8.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 14/09/2023 | Thursday | 8.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 15/09/2023 | Friday | 7.45 pm | 12.00 am |
| 16/09/2023 | Saturday | 7.45 pm | 12.00 am |
| 17/09/2023 | Sunday | 7.45 pm | 12.00 am |
| 18/09/2023 | Monday | 7.45 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 19/09/2023 | Tuesday | 7.45 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 20/09/2023 | Wednesday | 7.45 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 21/09/2023 | Thursday | 7.45 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 22/09/2023 | Friday | 7.30 pm | 12.00 am |
| 23/09/2023 | Saturday | 7.30 pm | 12.00 am |
| 24/09/2023 | Sunday | 7.30 pm | 12.00 am |
| 25/09/2023 | Monday | 7.30 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 26/09/2023 | Tuesday | 7.30 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 27/09/2023 | Wednesday | 7.30 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 28/09/2023 | Thursday | 7.30 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 29/09/2023 | Friday | 7.15 pm | 12.00 am |
| 30/09/2023 | Saturday | 7.15 pm | 12.00 am |
| 01/10/2023 | Sunday | 7.15 pm | 12.00 am |
| 02/10/2023 | Monday | 7.15 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 03/10/2023 | Tuesday | 7.15 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 04/10/2023 | Wednesday | 7.15 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 05/10/2023 | Thursday | 7.15 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 06/10/2023 | Friday | 7.00 pm | 12.00 am |
| 07/10/2023 | Saturday | 7.00 pm | 12.00 am |
| 08/10/2023 | Sunday | 7.00 pm | 12.00 am |
| 09/10/2023 | Monday | 7.00 pm | 12.00 am |
| 10/10/2023 | Tuesday | 7.00 pm | 12.00 am |
| 11/10/2023 | Wednesday | 7.00 pm | 12.00 am |
| 12/10/2023 | Thursday | 7.00 pm | 12.00 am |
| 13/10/2023 | Friday | 6.15 pm | 12.00 am |
| 14/10/2023 | Saturday | 6.15 pm | 12.00 am |
| 15/10/2023 | Sunday | 6.15 pm | 12.00 am |
| 16/10/2023 | Monday | 6.15 pm | 12.00 am |
| 17/10/2023 | Tuesday | 6.15 pm | 12.00 am |
| 18/10/2023 | Wednesday | 6.15 pm | 12.00 am |
| 19/10/2023 | Thursday | 6.15 pm | 12.00 am |
| 20/10/2023 | Friday | 6.00 pm | 12.00 am |
| 21/10/2023 | Saturday | 6.00 pm | 12.00 am |
| 22/10/2023 | Sunday* | 6.00 pm | 12.00 am |
| 23/10/2023 | Monday | 6.00 pm | 12.00 am |
| 24/10/2023 | Tuesday | 6.00 pm | 12.00 am |
| 25/10/2023 | Wednesday | 6.00 pm | 12.00 am |
| 26/10/2023 | Thursday | 6.00 pm | 12.00 am |
| 27/10/2023 | Friday | 6.00 pm | 12.00 am |
| 28/10/2023 | Saturday | 6.00 pm | 12.00 am |
| 29/10/2023 | Sunday | 5.00 pm | 12.00 am |
| 30/10/2023 | Monday | 5.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 31/10/2023 | Tuesday | 5.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 01/11/2023 | Wednesday | 5.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 02/11/2023 | Thursday | 5.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 03/11/2023 | Friday | 5.00 pm | 12.00 am |
| 04/11/2023 | Saturday | 5.00 pm | 12.00 am |
| 05/11/2023 | Sunday | 5.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 06/11/2023 | Monday | 5.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 07/11/2023 | Tuesday | 5.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 08/11/2023 | Wednesday | 5.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 09/11/2023 | Thursday | 5.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 10/11/2023 | Friday | 5.00 pm | 11.00 pm |
| 11/11/2023 | Saturday | 5.00 pm | 11.00 pm |
| 12/11/2023 | Sunday | 5.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 13/11/2023 | Monday | 5.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 14/11/2023 | Tuesday | 5.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 15/11/2023 | Wednesday | 5.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 16/11/2023 | Thursday | 5.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 17/11/2023 | Friday | 5.00 pm | 11.00 pm |
| 18/11/2023 | Saturday | 5.00 pm | 11.00 pm |
| 19/11/2023 | Sunday | 5.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 20/11/2023 | Monday | 5.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 21/11/2023 | Tuesday | 5.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 22/11/2023 | Wednesday | 5.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 23/11/2023 | Thursday | 5.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 24/11/2023 | Friday | 5.00 pm | 11.00 pm |
| 25/11/2023 | Saturday | 5.00 pm | 11.00 pm |
| 26/11/2023 | Sunday | 5.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 27/11/2023 | Monday | 5.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 28/11/2023 | Tuesday | 5.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 29/11/2023 | Wednesday | 5.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 30/11/2023 | Thursday | 5.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 01/12/2023 | Friday | 5.00 pm | 11.00 pm |
| 02/12/2023 | Saturday | 5.00 pm | 11.00 pm |
| 03/12/2023 | Sunday | 5.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 04/12/2023 | Monday | 5.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 05/12/2023 | Tuesday | 5.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 06/12/2023 | Wednesday | 5.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 07/12/2023 | Thursday | 5.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 08/12/2023 | Friday | 5.00 pm | 11.00 pm |
| 09/12/2023 | Saturday | 5.00 pm | 11.00 pm |
| 10/12/2023 | Sunday | 5.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 11/12/2023 | Monday | 5.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 12/12/2023 | Tuesday | 5.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 13/12/2023 | Wednesday | 5.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 14/12/2023 | Thursday | 5.00 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 15/12/2023 | Friday | 4.30 pm | 11.00 pm |
| 16/12/2023 | Saturday | 4.30 pm | 11.00 pm |
| 17/12/2023 | Sunday | 4.30 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 18/12/2023 | Monday | 4.30 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 19/12/2023 | Tuesday | 4.30 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 20/12/2023 | Wednesday | 4.30 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 21/12/2023 | Thursday | 4.30 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 22/12/2023 | Friday | 4.30 pm | 11.00 pm |
| 23/12/2023 | Saturday | 4.30 pm | 11.00 pm |
| 24/12/2023 | Sunday | 4.30 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 25/12/2023 | Monday | 4.30 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 26/12/2023 | Tuesday | 4.30 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 27/12/2023 | Wednesday | 4.30 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 28/12/2023 | Thursday | 4.30 pm | 10.30 pm |
| 29/12/2023 | Friday | 4.30 pm | 11.00 pm |
| 30/12/2023 | Saturday | 4.30 pm | 11.00 pm |
| 31/12/2023 | Sunday | 4.30 pm | 1:00am (Mon) |
| 1/01/2024 | Monday | 4.30 pm | 10.30 pm |
