How to spend an illuminating weekend in Blackpool

Shanna McGoldrick

Shanna McGoldrick

One of Britain's most beloved seaside resorts, Blackpool has been welcoming tourists to the wind-whipped Fylde coast for centuries, and thanks to new attractions and a sense of sentimental nostalgia, it remains a popular destination today.

The Blackpool Tower along the Promenade
The Blackpool Tower along the Promenade © Christopher Chambers - Shutterstock.com

Dramatic roller coasters, glittering piers and windswept donkey rides along the beach are just some of the wistful joys associated with Blackpool.

The ritzy seaside jewel in Lancashire's fondly-nicknamed 'riviera', the northwest town has been a magnet for all things fun and flashy ever since sea bathing became fashionable in the mid-18th century, and by the time the Victorians arrived on the scene, it had firmly established itself as a domestic tourist hotspot.

In the last few years the area has been reinvigorated by fresh investment, with new projects capitalising on the widespread nostalgia for its distinctive brand of wholesome and entertaining seaside camp. And there's no better time to visit for a weekend getaway than the autumn when the crowds have abated and the town really comes into its own.

Visiting Blackpool: book tickets to attractions Blackpool-wide for less with the Merlin Annual Pass*, which includes everything from The Blackpool Tower* and SEA LIFE Blackpool* to Madame Tussauds Blackpool* and more.

Bask in the glow of the Blackpool Illuminations

The big event in the town's calendar is the Blackpool Illuminations, which commenced on 30 August. For more than 140 years, the light festival has drawn millions of tourists to Blackpool's chilly shores every autumn, turning the rain-slicked promenade into a festive jumble of cars, trams and horse-drawn carriages all basking in the neon glow of its elaborate, animated displays.

The tradition dates back to 1879 when the town's mayor came up with the idea of experimenting with electric street lighting as a way of boosting tourism following a summer of dismally wet weather and even worse visitor numbers.

Blackpool Illuminations light up the autumn night sky each year
Blackpool Illuminations light up the autumn night sky each year © Visit Blackpool

The first-ever display comprised eight arc lamps dotted along the promenade, which was a marvel at the time; these days you'll be welcomed by almost six miles of flamboyant and eccentric designs.

The 2024 show promises to be bigger and better than ever, with highlights including 'Disco Donkey Cavalcade', an installation of 70s-inspired donkeys in swimwear composed by the designer Laurence Llewellyn Bowen.

"What says Blackpool better than donkeys! " says the TV presenter. "I have created a celebratory monument to the iconic quadrupeds who have been heroically carrying millions of happy holidaymaking bottoms for over a century and a half."

Meanwhile, the comedian Leigh Francis (aka Keith Lemon) has transformed his childhood love of space and dinosaurs into a snazzy tableau that depicts a young version of himself flying up to the Blackpool Tower on a BMX bike.

Elsewhere, you can see three of the town's replica Spitfires decorated in a tribute to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings and test out a larger-than-life interactive Buzz Wire arcade game.

Dive into Showtown

But the Illuminations are just one element of Blackpool's multifaceted heritage. For a broader overview of its history as a hotbed of merriment, escape the chilly weather and step inside Showtown, the 'museum of fun and entertainment' that opened its doors in March this year.

Explore Blackpool's legacy in entertainment at Showtown Museum
Explore Blackpool's legacy in entertainment at Showtown Museum - photo courtesy of Showtown Blackpool

The building's six interactive galleries take you on a raucous adventure through the town's legacy as an incubator for ballroom dancing, the circus, magic, the theatre and the beach, capturing its taste for the innovative and the absurd.

You can expect to be tapped on the shoulder by roving clowns, captivated by acrobats and jugglers and given the chance to learn about everything from the town's historical infrastructure to its aviation history. Located just a stone's throw from the iconic Blackpool Tower, the museum is a superb addition to a morning of sightseeing.

Get your culture fix at the Grundy Art Gallery

If you're a culture vulture then you'll also love the Grundy Art Gallery, a contemporary exhibition space that first opened in 1911 and remains a key fixture on Blackpool's creative scene today.

The works on display range from Victorian watercolours to modern paintings, with an emphasis on British artists. The Grundy's exhibitions take inspiration from Blackpool's heritage and pop culture status, and in keeping with Blackpool's affinity for all things luminary, the gallery began collecting works related to the theme of 'light' in 2015.

As a result you can now see pieces by eminent artists such as Joseph Kosuth and Tracey Emin.

Ride on a heritage tram

The best way to travel around Blackpool in style, especially when the autumn wind picks up, is by hopping onto one of the heritage trams that zip up and down the promenade.

There's a design to suit every personality, from boat-shaped open-top carriages to elegant cream and green double-decker streamliners.

Riding the Prom-front heritage tram
Riding the Prom-front heritage tram © Luke David O'Rourke - Flickr CC BY-ND 2.0

Some of the trams even form part of the Illuminations show, with zany designs such as HMS Blackpool and the Western Train festooned with lights during the annual event.

If you're interested in finding out how the tram cars are maintained behind the scenes then book a tour at Tramtown, the storage depot and engineering workshop for the town's heritage vehicle collection.

Fill up on classic fish & chips

No visit to the British seaside would be complete without tucking into a hearty portion of crispy battered cod buried under a mountain of vinegar-soaked chips, and Blackpool is no different.

From stalwarts such as Yorkshire Fisheries, an unassuming-looking shop that has been serving customers for almost 120 years, to the 250-seat Papa's Fish & Chips, where the extensive menu features everything from battered halloumi to the traditional potato 'Hull Pattie', Blackpool does a great line in fish suppers.

This feast is best enjoyed al fresco and washed down with sea views. Just make sure you don't get your dinner robbed by the most aggressive local residents; the gulls.

Climate in Blackpool

  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Maximum daytime temperature °C
Hours of sunshine (daily)
Days with some rainfall
Sea temperature °C

The above guide shows the climate in Blackpool. Find out more about weather across the country in our complete guide to the climate in England.

Ready to experience Blackpool? Discover the latest deals on tickets to attractions across Blackpool with the Merlin Annual Pass.

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Shanna McGoldrick

Shanna McGoldrick

Posted on Wednesday 4th September 2024 in: Europe Family UK

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