Blog Blackpool Illuminations are Shining Again for 2017 – What’s On This Year 27 September 2017 by Visit Blackpool Shining nightly until 5th November, the Blackpool Illuminations is back once again for 2017! Gracing the Promenade in a wash of dazzling light, the Blackpool Illuminations are an iconic event that has enticed millions of visitors since 1879. Once described as Blackpool’s ‘artificial sunshine’, the Illuminations have been a major part of the resort’s history and have continued to grow bigger and better with each passing year. Now, with the addition of the fantastic LightPool and ‘Festival@LightPool’, the Illuminations are a multi-sensory experience that promises to provide a spectacular evening for everybody. What’s new this year? This year, the Illuminations will offer two new arrival points for easier access, as well as new features and investment from the likes of Genting Casino and the Best Western Carlton Hotel. The Golden Mile will also become home to New Bonny St Market, which will feature a series of family-friendly images and colourful lights. It is the first time the market will have featured in the Illuminations. Plenty to See & Do at LightPool LightPool is a contemporary look at light and art working together to create some sensational masterpieces, transforming Blackpool Tower into a sea of light, sound and colour. Visitors can get out of their cars to watch the magnificent 3D projections, which will be visible every night of the Illuminations. Catch five individual projection shows – including the three headline shows Down The Rabbit Hole, Chasing Stars and Enchanted Blackpool... (Psst...we believe the best viewing spot is on the Comedy Carpet). Festival@LightPool As part of our efforts to encourage visitors to explore the Illuminations on foot, we’ve introduced Festival@LightPool. This free event will take place for three days from 25th October, during the half-term holiday, on the Tower Festival Headland. Visitors can expect a variety of live light-based performances, taking place between 5 and 7pm each evening and featuring the talents of Spark!, DUNDU, AFISHAL and Bilbobasso. Join in with one of the LumiWorkshops, where you can learn to create LumiBanners, LumiWear and LumiWheels, or watch the LightPool projections with a warming drink and a snack in the LightPool Village. On Thursday 26th October, the full collection of Blackpool’s illuminated trams will parade along the prom for the first time in history, known as the Carnival of Lights. Illuminated Tram Tours Of course, boarding the trams at any time during the Illuminations and LightPool is a great way to see the Lights, and there’s nothing quite as magical as riding through the glowing displays on a tram that’s just as bright. Trams will depart from the Pleasure Beach loop stop at dusk every evening, with passengers being able to depart from the tram at any stop on the way back. For more information about the Illuminations and how to get there, take a look at our Blackpool Illuminations and LightPool section.