Ice queens to help light up Christmas

This year for the first time the resort is holding a day-long festive celebration to mark the start of the yule-tide season.

There will be international food stalls, craft-sellers, artisan ciders, mulled wine and prosecco at the Christmas Festive Fun Day in St John’s Square on Saturday November 19 from 10.30am until 5pm.

Miss Blackpool Beth Dust and Santa Claus will help switch the lights on between 4.30pm and 5pm.

Eileen Ormand, manager of the Blackpool BID (business improvement district) which has organised the event, said it was hoped to attract more people by having a full day programme.

She said: “We have always had a two-hour show but we’ve found people prefer fun days and we hope to reach more people by doing it this way.

“It’s good for business because people will also have a look around the town centre and maybe have lunch or coffee.

“The attractions on the day are free and family-friendly, while we’ve tried to bring something different in for the food and craft fair.

“There will be hot food including Caribbean, Indian and Greek as well as honey and chocolate treats to take home.

“The Christmas Festive Fun Day is a full day of entertainment and fun and with something for everyone.

“Don’t miss this exciting family day out to really get you in the Christmas spirit.”

Donations will also be collected for Trinity Hospice and BBC Children In Need.

There will be a stage with live music, competitions and entertainers on throughout the day.

But entertainment will not just be on the stage with a bucking reindeer, elf face-panting and elfie selfies, a snow globe, stilt-walking ice kings and queens, fire eating ice pixies, and roller skating Christmas puddings.

Ms Ormand added: “Our fun days during the year have been really popular with 10,000 going to the Chilli Fest, and we think the Christmas Festival will have a similar impact and liven up the town centre for the whole day.”