If anyone needed more reasons as to Blackpool should be awarded the City of Culture 2029 then they need to look no further.
This August a whole variety of stars, shows and festivals are set to take to the stage of Blackpool Winter Gardens.
From the arrival of the award winning Annie featuring Claire Sweeney, Mean Girls featuring Steps’ Faye Tozer to performances from The Fatellis and Jane McDonald - the venue has it all.
Make sure you don’t miss put by checking out the stellar line up.
For more information or tickets visit the Blackpool Winter Gardens website here.
1. 1st August - Annie
The world’s favourite family musical, returns with a new UK and Ireland tour, starring Claire Sweeney as the tyrannical Miss Hannigan. Set in 1930s New York, brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Her luck soon changes when she’s chosen to spend a fairytale Christmas with famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. | National World
2. 1 st – 2nd August - World Dance Masters
The World Dance Masters (WDM) Championships returns from Thursday, July 30th to Sunday, August 2nd, 2026. The event is a massive celebration of line dancing, featuring hundreds of competitors from over 25 countries, dozens of workshops, and live music. Standard admission includes access to all workshops, social dancing, and entry to the Empress Ballroom to watch the Line Dance Championships. For a prime view of the championship in the Empress Ballroom, you can optionally reserve a VIP table, which seats up to 9 people. | National World
3. 4th August Rebellion Run-Up – Adam Ant plus Special Guests
Headlining the bill is ADAM ANT, the legendary English singer, songwriter and frontman whose career began in the late ’70s with Adam and the Ants and went on to deliver some of the biggest new wave anthems of the 1980s. With 10 UK Top Ten hits under his belt, including Kings Of the Wild Frontier, Stand and Deliver, Prince Charming and Goody Two Shoes, Ant promises a set packed with classic hits and a harder-edged take on his early material that fans won’t want to miss. | Winter Gardens Blackpool Photo: Winter Gardens Blackpool
4. 5th August - Rebellion Run-Up – Neville Staple plus Special Guests
Neville Staple from The Specials, the original Rude Boy and 2-Tone legend, performing ska classics from his 45+ years in music including hits from The Specials, Fun Boy Three, Special Beat and more. Including songs such as Ghost Town, A Message To You Rudy, Too Much Too Young, Gangsters and The Lunatics Have Taken Over the Asylum. This will be sure to get the Winter Gardens jumping. | Winter Gardens Photo: Winter Gardens
5. 6th – 9th August Rebellion Festival
Rebellion Festival's return to the Winter Gardens in August 2026 to celebrate its 30th Anniversary. The largest independent Punk & Alternative festival attracts a world-wide family who gather in Blackpool for their annual Punk Pilgrimage. With the usual mix of classic bands from the 70s and 80s and the very best of the new breed, over 350 bands appear across 8 stages during the 4-day event. Particularly proud of their Rebellion Introducing Stage which showcases the latest talent, many of which go on to become established artists in their own right, Rebellion also has a Literary Stage, Acoustic Stage, Arts & Crafts market and not forgetting PUNK ROCK BINGO! | Winter Gardens Photo: Winter Gardens
6. 6th – 9th August -Rebellion Festival – Vegan Afternoon Tea
Treat yourself to a delicious vegan twist on a classic afternoon tea at the Winter Gardens Blackpool. Enjoy a selection of freshly prepared plant-based sandwiches, followed by brioche scones with jam and cream and a tempting assortment of sweet treats, including lemon tart, Victoria sponge and chocolate orange tiffin. Available daily from 1pm and must be pre-booked. | White Hart Hotel Lincoln