What's on at the Winter Gardens Blackpool this August

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. Meanwhile, spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search for her true family.

1st – 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.

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.

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.

Joined by Arthur Kay & The Originals, who bring pure, authentic UK ska straight from the roots of the scene. Led by Arthur Kitchener and formed in 1979, their cult hit “Ska Wars” cemented their place in ska history. Expect sharp rhythms, classic vibes, humour and serious dancefloor energy.

Bringing us bang up to date are Death Of Guitar Pop, a razor-sharp modern ska duo smashing together 2-Tone attitude and indie punch. With chart-topping albums, festival-level energy and a reputation for explosive live shows, they’re proof that ska is very much alive and kicking.

6th – 9th August 

Rebellion Festival

Rebellion Festivals 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!

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.

12th – 16th August 

Urban Dance Organisation 

The UDO (Urban Dance Organisation) hosts major street dance and hip-hop competitions annually at Winter Gardens. The marquee event is the annual UDO World Street Dance Championships.

These multi-day events bring thousands of dancers of all ages and abilities from around the globe to compete in solos, duos, crews, and super crews. It is one of the most prestigious competitive street dance events of the year, culminating in the crowning of UDO World Champions. Tickets now available online.

18th – 22nd August

Mean Girls 

Get in loser, we’re going on tour!

Winner of Best New Musical (WhatsOnStage Awards) and direct from the West End, MEAN GIRLS is the hilarious smash-hit musical comedy from an award-winning creative team including writer Tina Fey (30 Rock, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Saturday Night Live) and starring TV personality, actor & Steps star Faye Tozer, alongside Emily Lane as Cady (Frozen, Starter for Ten) and Vivian Panka as Regina (Dear Evan Hansen, Heathers).

Meet The Plastics – Regina, Gretchen and Karen. They rule North Shore High and will burn anyone who gets in their way. Home-schooled Cady Heron may think she knows a thing or two about survival of the fittest thanks to her zoologist parents, but high school is a whole new level of savage. When Cady devises a plan to end Regina’s reign, she learns the hard way that you can’t cross a queen bee without getting stung.

Expect iconic characters, razor-sharp wit, and killer songs. Grab your friends, this is going to be fetch!

21st August

The Fratellis

Scruff of the Neck is bringing The Fratellis with special guests The Twang and The Lilacs to Blackpool for a momentous night of music!

A brashly melodic indie rock outfit from Glasgow, the Fratellis seemed to emerge fully formed from the Babyshambles – inspired boho-chic scene that also spawned The Rakes and The Paddingtons.

Their debut full-length Costello Music (2006) mixed the tried-and-true sounds of glam rock, stripped-down acousticisms, and Class of 1977 punk, featuring a pair of Top Ten hits in the U.K., “Chelsea Dagger” and “Whistle for the Choir.”

28th August 

Celebrating Celine 

Celebrating Celine is the ultimate live concert experience honouring the legendary music of Celine Dion. This spectacular touring production has captivated audiences across the UK, bringing to life the passion, power, and unforgettable songs that have defined Celine’s extraordinary career.

Starring the phenomenal powerhouse vocals of Lisa Harter starring as ‘Celine’, and an incredible live band, this is a show not to be missed. So don’t ‘Think Twice’, book your tickets today and don’t miss out on the ‘Power of Love’.

Featuring a world-class live band — under the musical direction of the exceptionally talented Stephen ‘Stretch’ Price— breathtaking sound and lighting production, and stunning screen visuals.

28th August 

The Enemy 

Young gunslingers from the British Midlands who bring together the potent swagger of Oasis with the nervy passion of the Jam, the Enemy became one of the U.K.’s most talked about new bands of 2007 on the basis of a pair of independent singles and some firebrand live shows.

29th – 30th August

Jane McDonald 

National treasure and singing sensation Jane McDonald is officially Living The Dream as she announces a brand-new UK tour and album for 2026.

The star of stage and screen will embark on a 19-date tour across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Living The Dream will see Jane headline the UK’s favourite arenas and theatres and to ensure fans don’t miss out, Jane is playing multi-dates in Blackpool and the world-famous London Palladium.

In support of the tour, Jane will release her new album Living The Dream next Spring. Recorded in Nashville at the famous Blackbird Studios, Living The Dream is Jane’s 11th studio album and presents her nod to Country unveiling her passion for the music boasting nine original songs and four stunning reworkings of Country classics, showcasing her dynamic and diverse musicality.

29th August 

Love the 90s Fest

Winter Gardens Blackpool transforms into a 90s paradise for a full day of non-stop anthems from 14:00-22:30.

Expect huge performances from DJ Sammy, DJ SASH!, N-Trance (DJ & MC Set), Phats & Small, Ultrabeat, Sweet Female Attitude and Heartless Crew, bringing back the soundtrack of a generation.

With huge production, roaming entertainers, street food and 90s-inspired cocktails, this is more than a festival-it’s a full experience.

30th August 

GirlyPop Live 

The Ultimate Pop Party For Young Girls!

We’ve got your August bank holiday sorted! After sold-out debuts around the UK, for the first time GirlyPop Live is hitting the Winter Gardens Empress Ballroom on Sunday 30th August, 12pm – 4:30pm, bringing you the brightest, boldest, and most fabulous pop party of the year!

Expect show-stopping tribute performances from pop legends you know and love, including Sabrina Carpenter, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Olivia Dean and Beyonce! The fun continues all around the venue with confetti showers, bubble magic, glitter makeovers and pop star glam zones!

This event is for ages 5+ the perfect day out for mums & daughters to enjoy, get dressed up and join us for a fabulous day! Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult in order for entry to the event.