World Famous Blackpool Winter Gardens Blackpool Opens Its Doors To The public for an exclusive access all areas event

The world-famous Winter Gardens will again throw open its doors for an exclusive access all areas event, allowing the public a rare chance to explore every nook and cranny of the grade 2* listed building and witness firsthand the extensive renovations taking place, on Sunday 18^th September 2022, 11am – 3pm.

The open day will also be the first opportunity for the public to freely explore the brand-new £30m Conference and Exhibition Centre opened earlier this year.

Blackpool's Winter Gardens first opened to the public on 11 July 1878, with a lavish ceremony attended by the Lord Mayor of London and Mayors and Mayoresses from 68 towns throughout the country. Through its collection of theatres, ballrooms, exhibition halls and public spaces the venue has welcomed many millions since, including stars of stage, screen, and world politics.

The public will get the chance to visit backstage of the Opera House and a chance to tread the boards, so many famous faces have previously walked on, visit the backstage dressing rooms, and get up-close to the historic Wurlitzer theatre organ. The grandeur of the Empress Ballroom will be free to explore whilst the often-overlooked Spanish Suites will offer a unique insight into Blackpool’s largest entertainment venue. The open day will give the public the chance to explore and learn of the extensive history the building beholds after more than a century.

Held annually until 2020 as the pandemic struck forcing the temporary closure Winter Gardens Blackpool, the annual open days became a frim favorite allowing members of the public unprecedented access to the entire venue. The Open Day allows visitors to explore freely between 11am and 3pm with experienced team members on hand to find out more about the unique spaces hidden within the venue.

The Open Day will also be the first opportunity for the public to freely explore the new £30m conference and exhibition Centre opened earlier this year. The Conference and Exhibition Centre is one of the largest venues of its kind in the north of England. Split over two floors, the state-of-the-art venue in isolation welcomes up to 2,000 delegates and upwards of 7,000 when combined with the rest of the Winter Gardens complex.

Michael Williams, Managing Director of the Winter Gardens said: “The Winter Gardens is an amazing venue and we are delighted to be opening our doors again following the success of our previous open days which have welcomed and delighted thousands.

The 2022 event will give the public a rare chance to exclusively explore the venue and see the brand new Conference and Exhibition Centre first hand as well as learn about the venues history and discover rooms generally closed to the public whilst also seeing the significant restoration works that have taken place in the Empress Ballroom and Opera House during  the lockdown periods.

Hosting a range of events from business lunches, exhibitions and conferences, the Winter Gardens is home to some of the UK’s most iconic and spectacular spaces, including the world-renowned Empress Ballroom home to some of the most famous gigs of all time, and stage to speeches from every prime minster since Sir Winston Churchill. Not forgetting the ‘Wonder Stage’, the UK’s largest and venue to everyone that’s anyone in showbiz including 1D, Frank Sinatra and Peter Kay. With a further 20 plus unique and breathtaking spaces to explore, the open day is a rare and unique opportunity to experience them all, including the ones people don’t know exist.

Tickets for the access all areas open day are on-sale now, priced at £5.00, the full fee will go towards the continued restoration of the venue.

For more information about the open day and to book in advance, visit Winter Gardens Open Day | Winter Gardens Blackpool