Blackpool Illuminations

Written by Donna on July 24, 2009

From a child’s prospective I always thought that the lights of London’s Oxford Street and Regent Street at Christmas were the most spectacular sight!

That was until I went to Blackpool during the illuminations…

Heading from the South Shore to the North Shore and beyond, cars amble along in slow procession at about 20 miles an hour for nearly six miles along the promenade which lines the sandy coast, as children and adults alike, gaze out of their windows at the breathtaking display of flashing lights, twinkling stars, fibre optics, lasers and the most mesmerising “moving” 3-d images and displays.

The great “Switch On Show” is always as memorable as the illuminations, and the 2008 event included performers Boyzone and the presenters from Top Gear (minus James May). Which artist or artists will switch on the Blackpool Illuminations in 2009 noone knows for sure yet, but the event will take place on the night of Friday 4th September about 9pm (check local press for details). On Sunday 6th September the World Fireworks Championship will be held on the North Pier from about 8pm but should be viewable from anywhere along the Blackpool coast. What a weekend!

The Illuminations started in 1897 as eight arc lamps on the Blackpool Promenade giving off the same amount of light as 48,000 candles. The event drew in nearly 100,000 visitors from all around the United Kingdom. Except for breaks during World War I and II, the lights continued to be switched on every autumn and are now always lit for 66 nights from the end of August or beginning of September, as Blackpool’s summer holiday makers vacate the shores.

For those without a car, jump on a tram! First introduced to Blackpool in 1885 there are both open top single storey and closed double decker trams running from Blackpool to Fleetwood and covering sections of the suburbs. Alternatively, the romantic alternative is the open horse drawn carriages!

Dr Who is coming to the Blackpool Illuminations this year with a special new section between Central Pier and New Bonny Street. Be prepared to meet the seven foot Daleks…

There is so much accommodation in Blackpool that finding a hotel or bed and breakfast shouldn’t be difficult, but if travelling to see the Illuminations during “switch on” weekend, do book in advance.