Uniquely for a town the size of Blackpool, its most notable events do not only take place during the summer but also in the winter months as well. So luckily for visitors whatever time of year a trip is planned for, there is more than likely something to compliment Blackpool’s many other charms.

The Blackpool Illuminations

Continuing in the tradition of being the first town in the UK with electric street lights, Blackpool opened up its world famous Illuminations annual show in 1912. The show runs for 66 days each year starting form late August and running until early November. Usually the “switch on” is a massive public event, with the brightest and best British starts of film, television and radio making their way to Blackpool for the event, which is usually followed by musical acts.

The Illuminations themselves are nearly 10km long and use of 100,000 light bulbs. Often they are styled by leading designers, or well known public figures. No longer just simple patterns of bulbs, the modern illuminations consist of neon, fibre optics, searchlights and floodlighting. Moving scenes and pictures compliment the sheer number of displays. The most well known of Blackpool’s sights, such as the Tower and the Big One are usually lit up by strings of lights during the festival.

Check the calendar dates for the last weekend of the illuminations because these are traditionally accompanied by an end of season firework display. These take place in and around the amusement part and are totally free. They are usually a jaw dropping affair, and light up the night sky in spectacular fashion as a perfect end to the million bulbs of the Illuminations.

Comedy

Like many seaside resorts the town has a long link with the comedy greats. Because of the sheer numbers of tourists the comedians often get a long stint in the town’s various venues. Big names acts that have been known to play here (and will more than likely play here again in the future) include the likes of Peter Kay and Ken Dodd. Indeed the town has a history of popular entertainment, stretching back to the old days of the music halls. Throughout the year, but especially during the summer, Illuminations and Christmas period you should find a variety of different acts to suit those into both the mainstream and the more alternative streams of comedy.

Dancing

It’s impossible to think of Blackpool without thinking of ballroom dancing. The 8 day long Blackpool Dance Festival was the worlds’ first ever annual Ballroom dancing competition. It has taken place since 1920 and is held inside the stunning Winter Gardens. For Ballroom dancers across the world the Blackpool competition is seen as the pinnacle. Recently around 1500 couples take part in the competition every year, coming from over 54 different countries to the city in May for the dance-off. It covers both ballroom and Latin dance styles and is a competition open to both professional and amateur dancers. For the show piece professional invited events tickets are well worth booking in advance as it has proven to be extremely popular especially in recent years with a number of high profile British television programmes focussing on ballroom dancing competitions.

Ice Skating

Indoor ice skating can be experiences in two ways in Blackpool: firstly in one of the indoor skating rinks which prove popular with both adults and children; secondly by visiting one of the popular skating shows with have emerged in recent years. Maybe the professionals might inspire you to try a few more extravagant moves yourself?

Clubs and Pubs

The pubs in the city are clearly divided into two distinct zones: those for the tourists and those for the locals. Your reception upon arrival should tell you if you’ve wondered into the wrong one. The clubs are lively with stag and hen parties; there are numerous themed cheesy bars which suit this type of group, so people can expect a lively party throughout the week. Many of the pubs are dotted along the promenade and on the piers themselves. In any case Blackpool is not an overly large town and the nightlife is concentrated around the seafront so it’s not hard to wonder between places until you find something suitable to your tastes.