'A rare chance' - Final FREE tickets on offer for 100th anniversary celebration of Blackpool Dance Festival

The final remaining tickets are up for grabs for a free event that will enable residents across the Fylde coast to step inside one of the world’s most iconic dance venues as part of a special community celebration marking the 100th anniversary of the Blackpool Dance Festival.

The final few tickets remain for the Friday, May 15 event that will see the doors of the legendary Empress Ballroom open to local audiences, offering a rare opportunity to experience the spectacle, prestige and global significance of the Festival first-hand.

2000 free tickets were originally up for the grabs, and now just the final few spaces remain for the 4.30pm event.

Widely regarded as the most prestigious ballroom dance festival in the world, the Blackpool Dance Festival attracts thousands of competitors and spectators from more than 50 countries each year. For generations of dancers, performing on the famous Empress Ballroom floor represents the pinnacle of their careers.

As part of this landmark centenary celebration, audiences will be treated to a special showcase from Strictly Come Dancing stars Amy Dowden MBE and Carlos Gu, alongside performances from youth, amateur and professional dancers, highlighting the extraordinary skill and artistry of Ballroom and Latin dance.

Natalie Hayes, Festival Organiser, said: “This is a rare chance for our local community to step onto the world’s most famous dance floor and experience the magic of the Blackpool Dance Festival first-hand. In our centenary year, it’s incredibly important to us that we share this moment with the people of Blackpool and the Fylde coast.”

Attendees will also have the chance to take part in an interactive Cha Cha Cha masterclass, offering a hands-on introduction to the world of competitive dance within the historic surroundings of the Empress Ballroom.

This free community event forms part of a wider programme celebrating 100 years of the Blackpool Dance Festival — a globally significant milestone for both the town and the international dance community.

Tickets for the event will be allocated via a public ballot, open to individuals, couples and groups across the Fylde coast.

To apply, visit wintergardensblackpool.co.uk.

School and community groups are also invited to apply by emailing [email protected]

Blackpool Dance Festival

Each year, the Festival attracts over 2,000 competitors and more than 28,000 visitors from over 50 countries, cementing Blackpool’s reputation as the global home of ballroom dancing. Winning at Blackpool is widely regarded as the pinnacle of any dancer’s career.

The 2026 Festival marks the 100th anniversary of the event, celebrating a century of dance excellence, cultural significance and international acclaim.

The Blackpool Dance Festival is held at the Winter Gardens Blackpool, a Grade II* listed entertainment complex and one of the UK’s most iconic live event venues.

For more information, visit wintergardensblackpool.co.uk.