Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On Festival Weekend 2014 is here!

The big day has finally arrived – Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On Weekend 2014 gets underway today!

The arena opens at 4pm as festivities get underway with a quality undercard, including X-Factor champion Matt Cardle, kicking off from around 4.30pm.

Around 20,000 lucky wristband holders will descend on the arena throughout the evening and are set to be treated to a stunning night of entertainment.

At 7pm, the main show begins with our hosts, Rock FM’s Hywel and Jamie, taking to the stage to introduce the star-studded line-up including Little Mix, Texas, Pixie Lott, Union J and George Ezra.

Then, at around 9.15pm, our Switch-On superstar, Britain’s most popular comedian, Peter Kay, will flick the switch to officially mark the start of the 2014 illuminations season.

With the lights sparkling, people can then head out onto the Promenade to admire the display, visit the Switch-On Food Festival, which will run throughout Friday and will be running throughout the weekend or head into town to enjoy all Blackpool has to offer.

And the big Friday night celebration is just the start with a weekend full of entertainment taking place.

Tickets are still available for the Saturday and Sunday concerts, hosted by Rock FM’s Danny Bee, are packed with exciting acts.

Saturday’s West End themed show features performances from the cast of Thriller Live, Dirty Dancing – The Classic Show on Stage, Chicago, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Jon Lee of S Club 7 fame and friends performing songs from the Jersey Boys and Leanne Jones, star of Hairspray.

Sunday’s show, meanwhile, is headlined by Rebecca Ferguson with top nineties acts including Atomic Kitten, Liberty X, 911 and Damage also taking part.

Cllr Graham Cain, Blackpool Council’s cabinet member for tourism and leisure, said: “The big day is here and I hope everyone is looking forward to it.

“We’ve got a wonderful line-up throughout the weekend and I hope people will really enjoy themselves

“There are still a limited number of tickets available for the weekend which could entitle you to a Friday night ticket, so people need to act now if they want to snap up a wristband.

“I hope the whole of Blackpool will get behind Illuminations 2014 and make it a celebration to remember.”

Tickets remain available for the Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On Festival Weekend for Saturday and Sunday only and are available from the Promenade Ticket Booth.

• Adult weekend 2 night ticket (Saturday & Sunday) £25.00 per adult and £12.50 per child (U14)
• Weekend family ticket (Saturday & Sunday) for 2 adults and 2 children (U14) £65.00
• Single nights (Saturday or Sunday only) £15.00 per adult and £ 10.00 per child (U14)
• Single night (Saturday or Sunday only) family of 2 adults and 2 children (U14) £45.00

Tickets can now only be purchased from Promenade Box Office on the Tower Festival Headland to the south of the Switch-On Arena. 

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

Follow the event on Twitter using #SwitchOn14 and on the I Love Blackpool Facebook page.

The following road closures are in place ahead of the event:

Friday 29th August 01:00 to 06:00 Promenade Closed between Springfield Road and Chapel Street

(Bus and Taxi Only between Springfield Road and Talbot Road)

(Bus and Taxi Only between Chapel Street and Adelaide Street West)

Friday 29th August 01:00 to 06:00 Talbot Road Closed between Abingdon Street and Promenade

(Bus and Taxi Only between Abingdon Street and Promenade)

Friday 29th August 13:00 to 22:00 Promenade Closed between Springfield Road and Chapel Street

(Bus and Taxi Only between Springfield Road and Talbot Road)

(Bus and Taxi Only between Chapel Street and Adelaide Street West)

Friday 29th August 13:00 to 22:00 Talbot Road Closed between Abingdon Street and Promenade

(Bus and Taxi Only between Abingdon Street and Promenade)

Saturday 30th August 02:00 to 06:00 Promenade Closed between Springfield Road and Chapel Street

(Bus and Taxi Only between Springfield Road and Talbot Road)

(Bus and Taxi Only between Chapel Street and Adelaide Street West)