Amongst the tango of illuminations
Well, in 2017, our timing could have been better, as we were greeted by hurricane Ophelia on arrival.
However, we were not going to be defeated; the show must go on.
And so, it did….minus a few light bulbs and billboards.
Every year since 1879 (bar a few of the wartime years), the Blackpool promenade is awash with twinkling lights for 66 nights, from early September to early November. Although since Covid restrictions were lifted in 2021, this has now been extended out until 1st January.
![The Pin image for our post - 'Towering Traditions of Blackpool'](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Towering-Traditions-of-Blackpool-Pin6.jpg)
!['The Trawler' tram, one of the special trams for Blackpool Illuminations](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Illuminated-tram-at-night-discover-blackpool-historic-blackpool-iconic-blackpool-visit-blackpool-what-to-see-in-blackpool-V5.jpg)
Where is Blackpool
How to get to Blackpool
- By Train
It's less than 10-minute walk from Blackpool North railway station to the North Pier/Blackpool Tower. The station is served by Northern Trains and Avanti West Coast
- By Car
The M55 motorway, that connects to the M6, takes you to within 5 miles/8Km of the North Pier/Blackpool Tower
Discovering Blackpool
With the wind in our hairBlackpool is located on the Northwest coast of the UK and has an amazing ‘Golden Mile’ shoreline with the Irish Sea.
On sunnier days, the seashore would have been full of excited children building sandcastles, but as the bracing winds took hold, we were struggling to stand up, let alone a sandcastle support itself.
![Blackpool's seafront from Wlton Parade, with the North Pier and Blackpool tower in the distance.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/the-listed-north-pier-and-tower-discover-blackpool-historic-blackpool-iconic-blackpool-things-to-do-in-blackpool-visit-blackpool-V5.jpg)
![The Art Deco-styled illuminated entrance to the Pleasure Beach featuring a tower with a neon casino sign.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/the-casino-discover-blackpool-historic-blackpool-iconic-blackpool-must-see-blackpool-things-to-do-in-blackpool-visit-blackpool-V5.jpg)
![One of the lamp decorations for Blackpool's illuminations of a showgirl all in blue](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/close-up-of-the-lights-discover-blackpool-historic-blackpool-iconic-blackpool-must-see-blackpool-things-to-do-in-blackpool-visit-blackpool-V5.jpg)
![One of Blackpool's Illumination features setup as a classic theatre stage with a bit of an erotic twist names 'Theatre D'Amour'](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/theatre-damour-discover-blackpool-historic-blackpool-iconic-blackpool-must-see-blackpool-things-to-do-in-blackpool-visit-blackpool-V5.jpg)
A touch of Blackpool's history
Old-style![A Blackpool Illumination decoration featuring a selection of lollies protruding from a Blackpool rock centre.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/blackpool-rocks-discover-blackpool-historic-blackpool-iconic-blackpool-must-see-blackpool-things-to-do-in-blackpool-visit-blackpool-V5.jpg)
![One of the original displays from Blackpool's Illuminations.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/little-miss-muffet-discover-blackpool-historic-blackpool-iconic-blackpool-must-see-blackpool-things-to-do-in-blackpool-visit-blackpool-V5.jpg)
![An early Blackpool Illumination decoration of Swan Lake.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/swan-lake-discover-blackpool-historic-blackpool-iconic-blackpool-must-see-blackpool-things-to-do-in-blackpool-visit-blackpool-V5.jpg)
![The Mad Hatter's Tea Party as part of Blackpool's illuminations.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/alice-in-wonderland-discover-blackpool-historic-blackpool-iconic-blackpool-must-see-blackpool-things-to-do-in-blackpool-visit-blackpool-V5.jpg)
Lights on in 2023
Exploring Blackpool
Head south![The Frigate Tram with the illuminated Blackpool Tower in the background.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/tram-and-the-tower-discover-blackpool-historic-blackpool-iconic-blackpool-must-see-blackpool-things-to-do-in-blackpool-visit-blackpool-V5.jpg)
![The decorated 'Trawler' tram, passing us along the Blackpool promenade during the Blackpool Illuminations.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/the-trawler-tram-discover-blackpool-historic-blackpool-iconic-blackpool-must-see-blackpool-things-to-do-in-blackpool-visit-blackpool-V5.jpg)
Don't forget
The Blackpool Illuminations experience
Take a ride![One of Blackpool's special trams for the Illuminations, decorated as a steam locomotive.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/the-illuminated-train-discover-blackpool-historic-blackpool-iconic-blackpool-must-see-blackpool-things-to-do-in-blackpool-visit-blackpool-V5.jpg)
We have a new little book on our shelves that we delve into when we're heading to the coast.
Packed full of historical facts, and broken down into the different counties of England. It tells tales of the history of the shoreline that surrounds our country.
Available in Kindle & Hardback editions, it's an excellent addition to anyone's collection who loves the English seaside.
Blackpool's little treasures
It’s not just the illuminations![Looking up at the red ironwork of Blackpool Tower to the observation tower against a deep blue, cloudless, sky.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/the-mighty-blackpool-tower-discover-blackpool-historic-blackpool-iconic-blackpool-must-see-blackpool-things-to-do-in-blackpool-visit-blackpool-V5.jpg)
![Looking up at the Blackpool Tower with its red brick base, and red wrought iron framework.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/the-blackpool-tower-discover-blackpool-historic-blackpool-iconic-blackpool-must-see-blackpool-things-to-do-in-blackpool-visit-blackpool-V5.jpg)
![The Blackpool tower with a historic tram at its base.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/retro-tower-and-tram-discover-blackpool-historic-blackpool-iconic-blackpool-must-see-blackpool-things-to-do-in-blackpool-visit-blackpool-V5.jpg)
I really cannot stress enough that you can’t visit Blackpool without walking into the incredible Tower Ballroom. It is breathtaking; the décor and the sprung dancefloor are quite astonishing.
It was a must for me to visit, as I love watching BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing (or “Dancing with the Stars” if you are from the States), it’s like you’ve stepped into another era.
![A view of the magnificently ornate Tower Ballroom in Blackpool.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/inside-the-tower-ballroom-discover-blackpool-historic-blackpool-iconic-blackpool-must-see-blackpool-things-to-do-in-blackpool-visit-blackpool-V5.jpg)
![The Wurlitzer, and organist, on the stage of Blackpool Tower's Ballroom.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/the-wurlitzer-inside-the-tower-ballroom-discover-blackpool-historic-blackpool-iconic-blackpool-must-see-blackpool-things-to-do-in-blackpool-visit-blackpool-V5.jpg)
![Couples dancing on the dancefloor of the Blackpool Tower's Ballroom.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/the-dancefloor-of-the-tower-ballroom-discover-blackpool-historic-blackpool-iconic-blackpool-must-see-blackpool-things-to-do-in-blackpool-visit-blackpool-V5.jpg)
Blackpool Tower Ticket Tip
The quirky side of Blackpool
Comedy Carpet![The edge of the 'Comedy Carpet' art installation; consisting of the names of comedians, and memorable comedy phrases, laid out in front of Blackpool Tower on Blackpool Promenade](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/the-comedy-carpet-discover-blackpool-historic-blackpool-iconic-blackpool-must-see-blackpool-things-to-do-in-blackpool-visit-blackpool-V5.jpg)
!['What's so funny about Biggus Dickus?' on the 'Comedy Carpet' art installation. That memorable quote from the life of Brian](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/biggus-dickus-discover-blackpool-historic-blackpool-iconic-blackpool-must-see-blackpool-things-to-do-in-blackpool-visit-blackpool-V5.jpg)
![The 'Don't Mention the War' section of the Comedy Carpet on Blackpool Seafront](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/dont-mention-the-war-discover-blackpool-historic-blackpool-iconic-blackpool-must-see-blackpool-things-to-do-in-blackpool-visit-blackpool-V5.jpg)
Tempted to discover more of the Great British Isles?
A stroll along Blackpool's seafront
Three Piers![The illuminated entrance to Blackpool's South Pier after dark.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/the-south-pier-blackpool-illuminations-discover-blackpool-historic-blackpool-iconic-blackpool-must-see-blackpool-things-to-do-in-blackpool-visit-blackpool-V5.jpg)
![The view along the sea wall towards Blackpool's South pier, with Blackpool Tower in the distance.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/the-south-pier-discover-blackpool-historic-blackpool-iconic-blackpool-must-see-blackpool-things-to-do-in-blackpool-visit-blackpool-V5.jpg)
![The North Pier on Blackpool's seafront after the tide has gone out.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/the-north-pier-at-low-tide-discover-blackpool-historic-blackpool-iconic-blackpool-must-see-blackpool-things-to-do-in-blackpool-visit-blackpool-V5.jpg)
Wandering around Blackpool
Landmarks![The listed exterior of the Blackpool's historic Grand Theatre](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/the-grand-theatre-discover-blackpool-historic-blackpool-iconic-blackpool-must-see-blackpool-things-to-do-in-blackpool-visit-blackpool-V5.jpg)
![The entrance to Blackpool's Winter Gardens](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/the-winter-gardens-discover-blackpool-historic-blackpool-iconic-blackpool-must-see-blackpool-things-to-do-in-blackpool-visit-blackpool-V5.jpg)
Free in Blackpool
The Great Promenade ShowA more recent installation is “The Great Promenade Show” which is a free display of ten pieces of artwork, along Blackpool Promenade, by the Pleasure Beach.
Our favourite here was the High Tide Organ. However, as the waves were lashing over the sea wall, we didn’t hang around too long. We had recently returned from a trip to Croatia so wanted to compare Blackpool’s to Zadar.
Perhaps it was the time of year, but Zadar won it for us (sorry Blackpool).
![The decorated iron High Tide Sea Organ on Blackpools seafront](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/the-high-tide-sea-organ-discover-blackpool-historic-blackpool-iconic-blackpool-must-see-blackpool-things-to-do-in-blackpool-visit-blackpool-V5.jpg)
![A large stainless steel artwork, known as 'The Fin', on Blackpool's seafront.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/the-fin-discover-blackpool-historic-blackpool-iconic-blackpool-must-see-blackpool-things-to-do-in-blackpool-visit-blackpool-V5.jpg)
Don't forget
![Janis stanging under the Giant Glitterball on Blackpools seafront on a crisp October's day.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/the-giant-glitterball-discover-blackpool-historic-blackpool-iconic-blackpool-must-see-blackpool-things-to-do-in-blackpool-visit-blackpool-V5.jpg)
![The rusting iron art installation, known as Desire, on Blackpool's seafront](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/desire-the-great-promenade-show-discover-blackpool-historic-blackpool-iconic-blackpool-must-see-blackpool-things-to-do-in-blackpool-visit-blackpool-V5.jpg)
Our Tip
A must-try in Blackpool
Getting Around![A classic tram on Blackpool's seafront with the Blackpool Tower in the background](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/heritage-tram-and-blackpool-tower-discover-blackpool-historic-blackpool-iconic-blackpool-must-see-blackpool-things-to-do-in-blackpool-visit-blackpool-V5.jpg)
Where we stayed in Blackpool
A touch of history![The exterior of the Imperial Hotel in Blackpool](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/the-imperial-hotel-discover-blackpool-historic-blackpool-iconic-blackpool-must-see-blackpool-things-to-do-in-blackpool-visit-blackpool-V5.jpg)
The busy hotel bar is called No.10, as currently eight British politicians have stayed at the Imperial, and now all have a mirror inscribed to them.
Its location was ideal for us, about 10/15 minutes walk north of the Tower and had ample parking.
Have You?
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Oh, so many things to love about this! The lights, the pier, the amusement rides, did I mention the lights?! Wonderful, and I would love to visit this place if given the opportunity! #farawayfiles
There’s something quite unique about Blackpool, it’s definitely your old style seaside town. Wandering along the promenade and seeing the old trams and Blackpool Tower makes you smile whatever age you are.
You must visit the Tower Ballroom if you get the chance to go.