Blackpool's Lightpool Festival 2026: Everything you need to know about 10th anniversary celebration

Blackpool is set to be transformed after dark this October as the Lightpool Festival returns for its tenth year.

The award-winning light art festival will run from 21 to 31 October 2026, bringing illuminated artworks, live performances and interactive installations to venues and public spaces across the town.

The festival is free and accessible for all, with a programme designed to offer something for audiences of all ages.

What is the Lightpool Festival?

Since 2016, Blackpool Illuminations has developed Lightpool Festival as a contemporary light art public showcase for new artistic and technological collaborations.

The annual October festival provides audiences with a showcase of high-quality light art, featuring a diverse range of works using cutting-edge technologies and innovative approaches.

The programme brings together local, national and international artists, with locally developed pieces alongside world-class presentations from around the globe.

For its tenth anniversary, Lightpool will once again combine light, creativity and culture across a variety of indoor and outdoor venues.

What can visitors see?

One of the festival's highlights is the Light Art Trail, which returns for its tenth year in 2026.

The free trail features a collection of light installations and artworks positioned in spaces across Blackpool. Visitors can discover glowing sculptures, immersive installations, colourful creations and light art, with the town's iconic landmarks and public spaces providing the backdrop.

The trail will run from 21 to 31 October and is suitable for all ages.

The festival says the experience of seeing Blackpool transformed after dark means visitors never quite know what they will come across next, with artists creating a wide range of different experiences.

Live performances and events

Lightpool Festival also features a programme of live entertainment and events.

Live performance is an important part of the annual festival, with entertainment and exciting events complementing the illuminated artworks and installations.

The varied programme of events is designed to engage audiences and create memorable experiences, with activities and cultural displays giving visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in the festival.

Who creates the artwork?

Lightpool brings together talented artists from Blackpool and across the UK, as well as international artists.

The festival also works with community groups and local organisations, helping create a celebration of light and creativity that involves both local and visiting artists.

Alongside presenting established work, the programme supports experimentation and the development of new artistic projects.

Artists, designers, lighting technologists, engineers, academics and representatives from other light festivals are brought together to collaborate, experiment and share expertise and best practice.

How does the festival support local artists and communities?

Community engagement and artist development are central to Lightpool's wider programme.

The festival provides opportunities for local people to engage with the Illuminations and Lightpool through co-design, co-curated and co-commissioned projects. Local creatives are employed, while local artists can also take part in skills development projects.

Artist development is supported through programmes including LightLab, DigiLab and SHINE, alongside artists' research and development projects and residencies at Lightworks.

The aim is to create opportunities for artists to develop new work and collaborate with national and international partners.

How did Lightpool Festival develop?

Over the past 10 years, Blackpool Illuminations has developed Lightpool into a contemporary light art festival focused on artistic and technological collaboration.

Blackpool Illuminations Lightpool programme became a National Portfolio Organisation of Arts Council England for the 2023-2028 investment period. It is the only light sector organisation in the Arts Council portfolio.

The investment is intended to support greater artistic ambition and experimentation within the Illuminations and Lightpool Festival.

It enables new light art to be commissioned for both the Illuminations display and Lightpool Festival, including projects developed with national and international artists from concept through to public presentation.

What is Lightpool's wider ambition?

Lightpool's stated purpose includes developing Blackpool Illuminations and Lightworks as a creative centre where artists, light technology companies, university innovation teams and national and international partners can experiment, share expertise and create new experiences.

The festival also aims to deliver meaningful opportunities for local communities to engage creatively with the Illuminations and festival, while developing cultural tourism through work with Blackpool's cultural venues, independent organisations and communities.

Another aim is to deliver light art installations to local audiences and millions of visitors. The festival currently reaches around three million visitors, with the majority described as people who are low or non-art engagers.

The programme also seeks to support the future sustainability of Blackpool Illuminations, improve sustainable environmental practices in the creation and delivery of events, and share industry expertise.

Lightpool is also a lead partner in the Light Up the North Network.

When is Lightpool Festival 2026?

The Lightpool Festival takes place from 21 to 31 October 2026 during the October half term.

The festival is free, with its Light Art Trail, live performances and other events taking place across Blackpool.

For its tenth anniversary, the festival will once again use light and technology to transform the town after dark, bringing together local, national and international artists, community groups and local organisations.