Blackpool Illuminations 2025 Switch On!

It’s the show that everyone loves. The Blackpool Illuminations 2025 Switch On – kicking off the season in style!

Blackpool Illuminations Switch On 2025 – FRIDAY 29 August 2025

Important Information!

• Places to park in Blackpool – arrive early it will be BUSY!
• Lights Switched On at the end of the event at approx 9pm
• NEW Illuminations for this year still to be revealed!
• Daily switch on/off times available here
• Your Complete Guide to visiting the Blackpool Illuminations
• Lightpool Festival takes place at October half-term, from 17-25 October 2025
• Traditionally the Illuminations season runs from 29 August until the beginning of November (October half-term holidays)
• But Christmas by the Sea begins in mid November featuring the Blackpool Illuminations! The Lights go off at the end of the season, on 4 January 2026

Who will Switch On the Blackpool Illuminations in 2025?

Blackpool Council and VisitBlackpool organise the Blackpool Illuminations and Switch On each year. The announcements usually begin in early Spring, starting with the support acts and surrounding entertainment. As summer approaches the big names and highlights are revealed. Including the star who will flick the famous Switch On switch!

OLLY MURS LIGHTS UP BLACKPOOL!

Pop superstar switches-on this year’s Blackpool Illuminations with a free full-length concert for fans!

Blackpool’s heart really did skip a beat on Friday 29 August as pop singer Olly Murs pulled the famous switch to launch the 2025 Illuminations season.

The free Switch-On event once again cemented its reputation as one of the highlights of the UK’s entertainment calendar. Free ticket holders packed the Tower Festival Headland arena and thousands more watched from the promenade’s live screening zone near Central Pier. The 24,000-strong crowd were all successful entrants from the competitive ballot which received over 150,000 ticket requests!

Olly entertained fans of all ages with a 70-minute set, featuring many of his best-loved hits. Then he pulled the switch to trigger the world-famous light show.

As a million lights lit up the six-mile display, a burst of fireworks exploded above The Blackpool Tower. Accompanied by a light show remixed to one of Olly’s top hits, Troublemaker featuring Flo Rida.

A Real Honour!

Just before pulling the switch, Olly told the audience: “When I got the call, I looked at the list of all the people that have been here before and it’s a real honour.

“For me, from Essex, this is a real part of British culture, it’s an honour to be in Blackpool tonight, it’s such a great place. I love the seaside, I love you guys!

“To see all the thousands of people who have come down to see me, from the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone in Blackpool.”

Olly is now the 82^nd luminary to trip the lights fantastic, joining a prestigious line-up of stars. Other’s who’ve had the honour of switching on the Illuminations include Ken Dodd, Tim Burton, Robbie Williams and Shirley Ballas.

Local Talent and Big Name Stars!

The Switch-On event started with some of Blackpool’s brightest young musicians taking to the stage with a non-stop series of performances. The Upbeat Rock Academy organises rock music tuition for more than 300 students from across the Fylde Coast. They presented Blackpool Introduces, a 60-minute showcase of local talent.

That was followed by the main event – a three-hour show hosted by Blackpool’s own Hayley Kay. Opened with English rock band, Toploader, performing some of their most-popular hits including Dancing in the Moonlight. They were followed by X Factor winner, Louisa Johnson. Since being crowned winner of the 12th series of The X Factor, Louisa has sold over 2 million units. Her set included some of her biggest hits, such as So Good. Headline star Olly Murs then took to the stage to perform an extended set from his extensive catalogue of tracks.

Sponsored by Blackpool Tourism Ltd

This year’s event has been sponsored by Blackpool Council’s newly-formed wholly-owned tourism company, Blackpool Tourism Limited. Aligning closely with the company’s overarching objective to ensure more guests visit, stay over, and return to the iconic seaside destination.

Kate Shane MBE is Managing Director of Blackpool Tourism Limited. She said: “We are thrilled to be sponsoring this year’s Switch-On event, bringing Olly’s headline show to the Golden Mile for this spectacular event that celebrates the start of the 2025 Illuminations. A free event for all the family with one of the UK’s most popular performers lighting up the Promenade.

“Bringing in performers of such a high calibre enables us to build on our reputation of offering unique and memorable experiences that keep visitors coming back year after year, helping Blackpool to retain and build on its position as the UK’s number one seaside resort. The Switch-On event is just the start, and we’re looking forward to welcoming millions of guests to the world-famous Blackpool Illuminations right the way through to 4 January!”

Free Fun for all the Family

The Switch-On event precedes the start of the Illuminations season, which has been drawing in millions of visitors each year since 1879. What started as the UK’s first ever public display with eight carbon arc lamps has now grown into six miles of immersive light and art displays. Blending tradition and modern technology to create one of the UK’s most iconic and long-running visitor events.

The resort recently unveiled an array of new, fun-packed features that will grace the 2025 Illuminations display, created in collaboration with four nationally acclaimed artists.

Installations include Guardians of the North, created by Illuminations Creative Curator Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen. The display features three seven-metre dragons and a new projection mapping show by multimedia artist Ant Dickinson.

The Illuminations also showcases work by leading contemporary artists: Wild Light presents illuminated nature scenes by leading wildlife artist Robert E Fuller; LOVE, a nostalgic six-panel piece by Jason Wilsher-Mills MBE; and HUG by international street artist My Dog Sighs brings his iconic Everyman figure to life in light.

Additional highlights include Lusch Puppy, a playful canine portrait series by Llewelyn-Bowen, and Space Canopy, a large-scale light sculpture inspired by the night sky, debuting in October.

Blackpool Illuminations will now be shining every night until January 4, 2026.

Following on from Mel B!

Last year, pop icon Mel B switched on the 2024 Blackpool Illuminations! The Spice Girls singer made a nostalgic return to the resort where her career first started as a 16-year-old dancer in the Mystique show at Pleasure Beach Resort.

Blackpool Illuminations 2025 Switch On Night

Friday 29 August is the biggest night in Blackpool’s events calendar. The annual Illuminations Switch-On celebration!

Did you know? The Illuminations date back to 1912, but the tradition of a special switch on ceremony ‘only’ began in 1934.

• Find all the past Switch On stars here

DON’T FORGET – the Illuminations shine nightly until 4 January 2026.

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Book Hotel accommodation for Switch On 2025

Book your hotel accommodation for Switch on with the Visit Fylde Coast and StayBlackpool guide. Know that you’ll have a great place to stay while you enjoy this event. Find Trusted accommodation, right here on this page.

All StayBlackpool properties listed on the Visit Fylde Coast websites are annually inspected. This means that you can book with confidence, safe in the knowledge of a great stay.

Bookings from these sites are also ultra-low or zero commission. This means that more of the money from your booking helps to support the local economy.

• Browse our accommodation guide where you can also search and book

Alternatively email info@stayblackpool.com with your requirements and they will get back to you. But please mention you saw it here!