Thousands to watch Blackpool Illuminations launch
Thousands of people will gather later to watch the Blackpool Illuminations being turned on.
BBC Radio 2 presenter and Phoenix Nights star Paddy McGuinness will flick the switch to mark the official start of this year's spectacular light show.
The free event at the Tower Festival Headland will be hosted by BBC Radio Lancashire's Graham Liver and Sharon Hartley.
The illuminations will run for six miles (10km) along the promenade and can be seen until Sunday 3 January.
A public ballot for 20,000 free tickets for the event was held [Visit Blackpool]
What time does it start?
Gates open at 16:30 BST with performances starting from 17:20, including a set by British pop favourites Five.
Graham Liver and Sharon Hartley will also showcase some of the region's up-and-coming talent through BBC Introducing.
The Illuminations will be officially switched on by McGuinness at 21:15 BST.
The lights will then run nightly, with daily switch-on and off times varying as the nights start to draw in.
A public ballot for 20,000 tickets for the event was held last month, but people without tickets are still encouraged to visit.
How do I get there?
The Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On Arena is located on the Tower Festival Headland, directly opposite The Blackpool Tower.
If you are travelling by car, organisers suggest aiming for the Central Car Park Multi-Storey.
Here's a full list of council car parks .
The arena is also 10-minute walk from Blackpool North station.
Saturdays are usually the busiest time to visit during the Blackpool Illuminations season.
A display by performer Toyah Willcox will tell a story of courage, resilience and self-discovery [Visit Blackpool]
What's new this year?
New attractions for 2026 include brightly lit neon sandcastles, a "creatures of the deep" display, a sky forest featuring LED cherry blossom trees and an immersive deep space display.
There will also be a display by Toyah Willcox, telling a story of courage, resilience and self-discovery.
Also expect photo opportunities with attractions including an oversized seaside postcard and the chance to get a selfie with a giant teddy bear inside an illuminated car.
Space exploration is the focus of one of the new displays [Visit Blackpool]
What safety measures are in place?
Safety barriers will be in place along the Promenade and at the Tower Festival Headland in line with a national approach to enhancing public safety and security at large-scale events.
The barriers were installed ahead of the Air Show weekend and will remain in place until mid-October, following the World Fireworks Championship Blackpool.
Gates to the arena will be closed during the switch-on concert.
The importance for Blackpool
Blackpool's Illuminations brought in a £300m boost to the town's economy in 2025.
Two in every five visitors in late summer and autumn 2025 came specifically to see the displays, a Blackpool Council report issued earlier this year said.
Council leader Lynn Williams said the footfall from the Blackpool Illuminations "brings real economic impact", supports local attractions, businesses and venues, and creates jobs across the town.
She said: "Investing in the Illuminations isn't a nice-to-have, it's a no-brainer investment in Blackpool's identity, talent, heritage, and future."
The history of Blackpool Illuminations
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