New Illuminations launched for 2026

Blackpool has unveiled a dazzling array of new, family-friendly features set to illuminate the resort’s famous 2026 Illuminations display, created in collaboration with three acclaimed female artists.

British singer-songwriter Toyah Willcox joined the launch to reveal a unique tableau and accompanying song, created exclusively for the Illuminations and inspired by her cherished childhood memories of visiting Blackpool.

Toyah Willcox said: “I am thrilled to be part of this year’s illuminations. As a child I visited Blackpool at Easter time and I was always enthralled by the Promenade and the sea. This memory is so strong, I wanted to create a display of light and story-telling that takes everyone back to their childhood selves, while enjoying the sea, the sky, the stars and the coast. My story is about a child and her guitar meeting new friends who make her stronger while flying over the sea.”

During a special preview event at Blackpool Council’s Lightworks facility, where the world-famous Illuminations are designed and manufactured, the Illuminations team unveiled a host of exciting new additions, including:

Wishing Star by Toyah Wilcox 

Step into the inspiring world of Wishing Star, a heartwarming story of courage, resilience and self-discovery from acclaimed performer Toyah Willcox.

Light of Life by PJ Crook MBE 

Light of Life brings together a series of paintings that explore timeless human experiences, connecting stories from the past with issues that remain relevant today.

Drawing on themes from history, mythology, religion and everyday life, PJ Crook's work reflects on subjects including migration, conflict, climate change, family and human ambition.

Lollies in Love with Light by Chila Kumari Burman MBE

Bursting with colour and creativity, this display brings together three fantastic collections from celebrated artist Chila Kumari Burman MBE. The 26-metre-wide animated tableau, Lollies in Love with Light, is a stunning kaleidoscopic celebration of Blackpool, featuring around 760 metres of LED neon lighting and a technicolour ice cream van at its centre. Chila Welcomes You was a major art commission for IWM North, offering a personal perspective on the heritage of conflict and the stories of Indian migration to Britain following the Second World War. Specially commissioned for the exterior of Grundy Art Gallery and manufactured by Lightworks, Blackpool Light of My Life is the artist's love letter to the town she visited regularly as a child. The installation features works from the exhibition, including Mermaid and Tree of Life.

Artemis

Location: Tableaux

Prepare to be inspired by breathtaking footage of deep space, the Moon and our home planet Earth. Celebrating humanity's return to lunar exploration, this immersive display showcases incredible high-definition imagery captured by NASA's Artemis mission aboard the Orion spacecraft. The iconic spacemen figures have been carefully repainted and transformed to represent the Artemis crew, bringing this exciting new era of space exploration to life.

Credit: Courtesy of NASA.

Beachside Boulevard                                                                                                            
Hang on to summer nostalgia with this new road section for the ‘26 season, featuring brightly lit neon sandcastles and a festoon canopy of white and yellow strobe lights. 

Creatures of the Deep

Reimagined for 2026, this giant installation comprises six large-scale structures based on sea gods from Greek mythology: Poseidon, Aphrodite, and Amphitrite. Aphrodite, the tallest of the three towers, is an impressive 7 metres wide, and 11 metres high!

Combined with state-of-the-art technology to create an immersive and interactive projection show themed on undiscovered creatures lurking in the depths of the deep sea, the installation

Sky Forest

Welcome to Sky Forest, a delightful light installation where nature and technology come together in harmony. With charming LED cherry blossom trees adorned with thousands of vibrant LEDs, you'll step into a magical woodland that resembles a starry night or a twinkling forest path.

Flower Shower

Inspired by the simple shape of an umbrella, Flower Shower transforms an everyday object into a striking illuminated artwork. Clusters of glowing umbrellas ascend elegant steel structures, creating the impression of flowers in bloom or a shower of light drifting skyward.

Teddy Bear photo op

Get ready to strike a pose with one of the most lovable attractions around. Take a seat beside our giant teddy bear inside our Illuminated car and capture a fun-filled photo to remember your visit.

Perfect for families, children and teddy bear fans of all ages, this larger-than-life installation offers a fantastic backdrop for selfies, group photos and holiday snapshots.

Seaside Giggles 

Step back in time to the golden age of British coastal humour with our oversized entertaining postcard photo opp. Pop your head through our hand-painted cutout, strike your best holiday pose and become the star of your very own vintage seaside greeting. It’s a guaranteed laugh and the perfect keepsake!

New Tower Projection

Doddz Presents: The Ballroom

Step into a world where imagination takes centre stage at The Blackpool Tower.

In this brand-new projection by British artist Doddz, strange and wonderful characters arrive from another world to transform one of Blackpool's most iconic landmarks.

Chila Kumari Singh MBE said: “I love working with fantastic team at Lightworks. The idea of using neon stirs my memories of Blackpool Illuminations which I always visited from the age of five with family from India. Neons are a celebration of my Hindu Punjabi culture - bright, colourful and kaleidoscopic.”

Cllr Lynn Williams MBE, Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “Since 1879, the Illuminations have been part of Blackpool’s story. They have brought generations of families together and created memories that last a lifetime. Every year the display evolves, bringing fresh idea and new artistic collaborations while remaining true to the tradition that has made the Illuminations so special for nearly 150 years.

“For me, that is the reason I was so certain about Blackpool bidding to become UK City of Culture in 2029. When I realised that city of culture was 2029 and was of course the 150th anniversary of the Illuminations, I knew we had the best story to tell.

“The Illuminations are one of Britain’s great cultural landmarks bringing together art, design, engineering, entertainment and innovation in a way that is uniquely Blackpool.”

The annual display, which attracts millions of visitors to the resort during the autumn and winter months, will be launched at a special balloted music concert to be staged on the Tower Festival Headland on the evening of Friday 4 September.

This year’s event sees Blackpool Tourism Limited collaborate with the BBC, with the evening hosted by BBC Radio Lancashire presenters Graham Liver and Sharon Hartley. As part of the collaboration, BBC Radio Lancashire will also showcase some of the region’s most exciting up-and-coming talent through BBC Introducing.

The star-studded evening will begin with a spectacular free concert on the Tower Festival Headland, featuring performances from singer-songwriter Lucy Spraggan, rock quintet The Feeling and headlined by iconic British pop group Five.

A total of 20,000 free tickets will be available through a public ballot, which closes at 11pm on Sunday 9 August. Tickets will be fairly split between Blackpool Council residents and visitors.

Visit www.visitblackpool.com/switchon to apply. Successful applicants will be required to pay a £5 admin fee per booking.

Visitors wishing to guarantee their place can purchase a Golden Circle ticket for £12 plus a £5 admin fee per booking.

For more information visit www.visitblackpool.com/switchon.

The Blackpool Illuminations will shine nightly from Friday 4 September to Sunday 3 January 2027. For more information head to: www.visitblackpool.com