Blackpool Illumination

The world famous Blackpool Illumination need no introduction. It's the tourism season in Blackpool, starting from end of August to early November, total of sixty six days attracting approximately 3m tourists every year in the light show. This is ideal time as most of the English sea side resorts season come to an end.

No wonder it's commonly known as the greatest free light show on Earth. They are 6miles (10km) long and use over one million bulbs. The display stretches along the Promenade from Starr Gate at the south end of the town to Bispham in the north. There are extraordinary 3-D projection shows on the front of the Blackpool tower building every night during illumination season. Apart from eating, drinking and shopping, there are abundance of award winning attractions. There is something for everyone, not too far to get amazing experience.  There are lot more to enjoy. Sandcastle water park, Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Thrill-seekers can enjoy the thrills and spills of the white knuckle rides at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, or world famous Blackpool tower ,one of the most loved and recognizable landmarks in the world and home to the famous Tower Ballroom, The Tower Circus, The Blackpool Tower Dungeons, The Blackpool Tower Circus and The Blackpool Tower Eye. Those looking for an animal – mad adventure, visit Blackpool zoo, or swim with sharks at Sea Life Blackpool. You can meet stars at Madame Tussauds or chill out in 84-degree sub-tropical paradise at Sandcastle waterpark.

There are lots more attractions to make your stay in Blackpool even more enjoyable, from indoor illuminations at Illuminasia, to trampoline parks, the Star Trek Exhibition, Blackpool Model village and more.

Most visitors drive through the illumination by car, coach or bus. There are also open top trams which runs along the tram way as well as horse-drawn landau. At Bisham there is a special walkway for the tableaux which also includes mixed media in the various large tableaux displays. The illuminations cost £1.9M each year to stage.

Don't wonder about the wastage of electricity in this great show. It takes twenty two weeks for all the lights to be erected in time for the Switch on each year and nine weeks to dismantle them after the display has finished. Most of the display is now operated on low voltage (12V and 24V) and in 2003 the illuminations cut electricity consumption by 11% using new technology. Then in 2004 wind turbines at the Solarium on New South Promenade contributed to powering the illuminations for the first time. The Illuminations now use green electricity from renewable resources, comprising wind power, small scale hydropower and Biogas.