Blackpool Events and Festivals

(Blackpool, Lancashire, England, UK)

The ultimate tourist resort, there truly is something for everyone in Blackpool, with events, festivals, ballroom dancing and concerts every single week of the year. Blackpool's summer season is a particularly busy time and a number of sporting events take place at this time, including the Blackpool Marathon and Half Marathon, and also the Triathlon.

Of course, the highlight of the town's festivities comes at the very beginning of September, when the world-famous Blackpool illuminations are switched on. Stretching for more than 10 km / 6 miles, the lights have their origins at the end of the 19th century and have got bigger and more elaborate ever since. The ultimate way to view the lights is to take a tram ride along the route.

National Public Holidays

• 1st January - New Year's Day
• Good Friday / Easter Monday - late March or early April
• First and last Monday in May
• Last Monday in August
• 25th December - Christmas Day
• 26th December - Boxing Day

Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

January

• January Sales - throughout January, many shops join in the traditional January sales, to make way for the next season's stock

February

• Great North-West Half Marathon - mid-February, well-supported race between the North Pier and nearby Little Bispham

March

• Blackpool International Hair and Beauty Festival - mid-March, major championships and trade fair, taking place at the Winter Gardens every year

April

• Junior Dance Festival - mid-April, important dancing competition held at the prestigious Tower Ballroom

May

• Blackpool 10 km Promenade Fun Run - mid-May, a popular event supporting a number of local charities and attracting a broad spectrum of runners, many of which dress up in colourful costumes. The Fun Run passes many landmarks along the way and takes in much of the promenade
• Festival of Puppetry and Visual Theatre - mid-May, with workshops, theatrical events and exhibitions
• Dance Festival - late May - the British Latin-American and Ballroom Dancing Championships, hosted at the Winter Gardens and always attracting large crowds

June

• Blackpool Marathon and Half Marathon - early June, starting at 09:00 at the Blackpool Tower and passing the seafront, Golden Mile and many other prominent sights
• Totally Transport - mid-June, a classic car event, with many lovingly restored cars, motorbikes and other vehicles from much of the last century

July

• Town Criers' Championships - mid-July, competition in the town centre, where the loudest voice wins

August

• Miss Blackpool Grand Final - mid-August, finale of the resort's popular beauty contest, with many stunning models
• Blackpool Triathlon - mid-August, popular sporting event held along the promenade
• Lions Blackpool Carnival - mid-August, major summer event, with more than 1,000 people taking part in this parade, which includes dancing, traditional carnival floats and bands

September

• Blackpool Illuminations / Festival of Light - September to early November, the town's spectacular lights are switched on by a celebrity, with laser displays and huge crowds

October

• Pier to Pier Race - mid-October, many local athletes take part in this well-supported race, which lasts approximately 15 km / 9 miles
• Junior Sequence Dance Festival - mid-October, held at the Winter Gardens
• Freestyle Dance Festival - - mid-October, held at the Winter Gardens

November

• British National Dance Championships - mid-November, held at the Winter Gardens
• Cheerleading Championships - mid-November, held at the Winter Gardens

December

• Christmas Panto - December to January, popular seasonal pantomime featuring a number of celebrities, taking place at the Blackpool Tower
• New Year's Eve - December 31st, parties and celebrations held all over the town, including a major event at the Tower