New streamlined ticketing service for Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On 14 May 2019 by Visit Blackpool A new, streamlined ticketing service is being introduced for Blackpool’s biggest night of the year – the Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On concert. VisitBlackpool has announced that the traditional free wristbands will be replaced with a secure e-ticketing system and also revealed that there will once again be a limited number of guaranteed Golden Circle tickets available for the star-studded event on the Tower Festival Headland on Friday 30 August. As in previous years, people are invited to go into a ballot to win up to four of the 20,000 free tickets available for the concert, with half of the tickets reserved for local residents. This year’s concert will include headline performances by Brit Award-winners Busted, multi-talented singer-songwriter Nina Nesbitt, and Sigma, the British drum and bass DJ and record production duo, who have twice topped the UK singles charts. Britain’s top dance group, Diversity, and Club MTV DJs R3wire & Varski will also join the line-up, along with a celebrity Switch-On star yet to be revealed. The introduction of the e-ticketing system in association with ticketing company, Skiddle, will allow for instant, guaranteed ticket issuing, where people can either print their ticket or download it to the Skiddle app on their phone, preventing third-party selling sites from profiteering from the free balloted element of the event. Last year, VisitBlackpool introduced a special Golden Circle offer with a limited number of people enjoying a close-up view of the show in a guaranteed access, exclusive section at the front of the arena. The Golden Circle will return to the Switch-On party for 2019, for just £10.00 per person! Tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis and are available to purchase from 10am on Friday 17 May via: www.skiddle.com/e/13540381. Councillor Gillian Campbell, Deputy Leader of Blackpool Council said: “We are delighted to be collaborating with Skiddle once again for this iconic event to bring a much more streamlined and secure ticketing system to the biggest night in our tourism calendar. “The demand for Switch-On tickets gets greater every year and on the back of that unprecedented demand, we have created an additional enclosure without compromising the number of free tickets allocated to visitors and residents. This will enable people to guarantee a brilliant Switch-On experience at low cost.” Ben Sebborn, Technical Director at Skiddle said: "We are delighted to offer VisitBlackpool and Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On customers the opportunity to instantly download, print out or display tickets for this iconic event on their phones. As well as being easy and efficient, e-tickets are safe and secure and will reduce queueing time on the night, which is great news for everyone. “Whilst Skiddle are a national ticketing outlet, we will always have a soft spot for local events. Many of our staff grew up watching the Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On, so it's fantastic news that our paper-free ticketing option will benefit the local community and positively contribute to this fantastic show." For visitors interested in a Switch-On VIP experience, details will be released soon on how to enjoy the event with a little more glitz and glamour. Updates can be found at: www.visitblackpool.com/switchon There’s still time to apply for free Switch-On tickets before 29th July, go to www.visitblackpool.com/switchon to register NOW. To view footage from the 2018 Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On to see what’s in store, click here.