Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On 2026: tickets, line-up, timings, parking and everything you need to know
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From tickets and timings to parking, travel and the entertainment line-up, here's your complete guide to this year's Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On.
Excitement is building ahead of Blackpool’s Illuminations Switch-On, which will see Phoenix Nights and Take Me Out star Paddy McGuinness perform the official switch on.
Thousands of people are expected to flock to Blackpool’s Tower Festival Headland for the town’s big switch-on show, featuring big name performances and hosted by BBC Radio Lancashire presenters Graham Liver and Sharon Hartley.
With only a few weeks to go, here’s everything you need to know.
How can I get tickets?
While the switch-on is free, it is a ticketed event with 20,000 tickets available via public ballot which, closes at 11pm on Sunday August 9, 2026.
The allocation is restricted to four tickets per household. If you are lucky enough to win tickets, you’ll have 24 hours to claim.
How far is the switch-on from Blackpool North Station?
If you are planning to travel by train, the good news is that the Festival Headland is only a 15-minute walk away from Blackpool North Station.
You can check the timetable or purchase tickets here.
Can I get there by tram or bus?
While there has been no official update from Blackpool Transport, due to the expected crowds during the Illuminations Switch-On, trams usually operate a ‘split service’.
Last year, anyone travelling towards Starr Gate could catch the tram at Manchester Square, while North Pier was the best stop for customers heading for Fleetwood and Cleveleys.
Buses were also diverted away from the promenade from midday.
Where are the best places to stay in Blackpool?
If you are planning to make a weekend of it, there is no shortage of fantastic B&Bs, guest houses or hotels to choose from in Blackpool.
The town is home to several major hotel brands, including the Pleasure Beach Boulevard Hotel, the Premier Inn near North Pier and the Holiday Inn next to Blackpool North Railway Station.
When is this year’s Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On and what time does it start?
The event, which marks the illumination of the famous display stretching from Starr Gate to Red Bank Road, is set to take place on Friday, September 4, 2026.
Currently, there are no official timings, however, organisers will release full event timings in the coming weeks.
For those wanting to get closer to the stage, Golden Circle access is available for £12.00 (plus booking fee), which gives access to an exclusive area at the front of the stage.
Where will the switch on take place?
The official home of the Illuminations Switch-On is on the Promenade at Tower Festival Headland, opposite Blackpool Tower.
Who will be performing at this year’s event?
Joining hosts Graham Liver and Sharon Hartley, along with this year's Switch-On star Paddy McGuinness, will be performances from 90s and 00s pop favourites Five, rock quintet The Feeling and chart topping singer songwriter Lucy Spraggan.
BBC Radio Lancashire will also showcase some of the region’s most exciting up-and-coming talent through BBC Introducing.
Where can I park in Blackpool?
Blackpool has many council-owned car parks across the town. A full list of locations can be found on the Blackpool Council website.