You’ll find most of the great big displays of tableaux at Blackpool Illuminations at Bispham, which is at North Shore. They’re the huge, great big ones which you can walk right up to and enjoy in the cold dark air of autumn. Oh and if you wondered, tableau is one of them, tableaux is plural!
There are others though. Have you spotted those too?
Venus gets a Glamorous Makeover!
Have you spotted the Venus Reborn tableau at South Beach? It was originally created by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, the Illuminations’ creative curator, back in 2008. The water feature Illumination installation featured Greek gods, fountains and LED lighting.
New sound and light show
In 2021 the display was reinvigorated and reimagined by the Changing Rooms star, and is now Venus Remixed. It’s now a drag-themed attraction with three giant digital screens.
Drawing its inspiration from local drag artists, it incorporates a brand new sound and light show. Featuring a dazzling tribute performance of the song, Venus, originally by 80s pop legends Bananarama.
Star of the digital show is DJ Zoe from the Funny Girls burlesque bar who performs alongside Miss Amber, Scarlett and Marie La Rae. There’s even a tongue-in-cheek cameo performance from Laurence himself. Filmed at the world-famous Tower Ballroom, the performance has a dazzling array of colourful costumes, glittering sequins, show-stopping feather head-dresses and lashings of lip gloss!
Laurence said: “Venus Remixed is truly a celebration of all things glamorous. I loved the original concept, but this newly-worked version featuring one of the catchiest songs of the 70s has the ultimate feel-good factor. I defy anyone to go and stand in front of the tableau and not join in what is a spectacular song and dance routine.”
The Venus Remixed digital show plays every 10 minutes during the Illuminations.
The Tableaux at Blackpool North Shore
These huge illuminations displays are located between the archway at Red Bank Road at Bispham and the Cabin Lift near the boating pool.
- Directions: Use postcode FY2 9HP for the tram stop at Red Bank Road
- Facilities: There’s nearby on-street parking in the vicinity. There are public toilets near to the tram stop at Red Bank Road.
Walking along the display in the dark is one of life’s simple pleasures, and a lovely memory to make to make. Get yourself wrapped up, then head outside to join the family friendly atmosphere on the seafront.
The tableaux are installed along the grassy banking at the upper level of seafront at Bispham, parallel to the tramway. A footpath is marked out along the length of the display so that you can walk along the front of them.
Some of the displays, like the Teddies, include selfie spots so that you can get up close and personal for your photos. Other tableaux are so big that you’ll need to stand well back to get them in your photo!
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Oh What a Night!
It’s an amazing atmosphere when you visit this section of the Blackpool Illuminations. Once the Illuminations are switched on each night it gets really busy.
The highway is bumper to bumper with cars enjoying the view and it’s full of families enjoying a free, fun night out together.
There are fish and chip shops and fast food takeaways at the Red Bank Road end of the tableaux at Bispham. It’s ideal for the start of your journey. Be prepared for a wait though – it’s delightful, freshly cooked food and there’s usually a queue!
You can also get your own lights on the night and join in with the spirit of the event. You’ll find various sellers with a mixed bag of things that light-up in the night – light sabres, deely-boppers – you name it. Please support the official Blackpool Illuminations retailers where possible.
If you’ve enjoyed your evening, please also make a donation at the official donation point. The Blackpool Illumination relies on donations and contributions to be able to continue.
…and Tableaux by Daylight
Even though the tableaux are intended to be enjoyed at night, they’re still worth visiting in the daytime. And they look quite different too!
We took a walk to film the route for you, on a glorious sunny morning in early September 2020.
As they’re on the West coast, it’s the morning sunshine which lights up the face of the tableaux. So if you want to see them by daylight, mornings are the best time to do it. Later in the day the sun moves around to the west and the front of the tableaux are in the shade.
The Different Tableaux at Blackpool North Shore
There are various different tableaux themes which you’ll see on display at Blackpool North Shore. Here are just some of them –
Two New Tableaux for 2023
Internationally-renowned artists Dr Chila Kumari Singh Burman MBE, and Bruce Alfred each designed spectacular new installations for the 2023 Illuminations display. Both are made by the in-house team at the Lightworks manufacturing facility in Blackpool.
Merseyside-born Burman is a celebrated artist around the world. Her numerous high-profile works include installations for the Tate Gallery and Covent Garden in London. Plus special commissions for film companies, including Netflix. Two years ago she produced an installation called “Blackpool, Light Of My Life”. With it displayed on the front of Blackpool’s Grundy Art Gallery, Chila vowed to return to design something of scale in the world-famous Illuminations.
“Lollies In Love With Light” is a stunning, kaleidoscopic celebration of Blackpool. The 26 metre-wide animated tableau incorporates around 760 metres of LED neon lighting, with a technicolour ice cream van at its centre. Chila was inspired by her parents who ran an ice cream business.
Celebrating Culture
Canadian-born Bruce Alfred specialises in Native American art and has created an evocative design featuring hand-drawn images of eagles and Orca whales. It’s the first display designed by a North American artist. And one of the first to use 3D printing technology.
“Light Around The World” incorporates more than 13,000 programmable LED lamps. It’s intended to be the first of a new series for the illuminations, celebrating international cultures.
Four Seasons
It’s the header photo at the top of this page, and possibly our favourite here at Visit Fylde Coast.
The four faces of Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter don’t look that big when they’re out in the display. But they are when you stand at the side of them! They were on display at Lightworks at the first season launch we went to, many years ago. The size of them made quite an impression on us!
Alice in Wonderland Tableau
This photo (below) is the original Alice Tableaux. Sadly, storms during the winter of 2010 badly damaged this iconic piece.
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and the in-house design team co-designed the new-look Alice’s Garden tableau. It originally came back to the display in 2014 with thanks to sponsorship from Houndshill Shopping Centre.
It draws on the story of Alice in Wonderland and, in particular, the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. You can see how it’s all brighter and more modern than the old version – fit for today’s Illuminations display. It’s a massive 100ft display. During the Houndshill sponsorship period it featured a magical water garden and an 8ft bridge.
Take a look at these photos of it, lit up at night and in daylight – (click/swipe from left/right)
Sooty
Did you know that Sooty was first discovered right here in Blackpool?
So it’s only proper that Sooty and Friends feature in the Blackpool Illuminations! They’ve got their own display in the tableaux. Here’s Richard Cadell at the launch of their illumination, to mark the 70th anniversary.
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Pirate Ship
2020 is a special year for one of the largest tableaux in the display. Thanks to sponsorship from Coral Island, the Pirate Tableau saw a major refurbishment.
It’s a firm family favourite in the Blackpool Illuminations! The main structural pieces have been re-built. Now refurbished, the moving parts have got an extra spring of life. As part of the collaboration, look out for Coral Island’s recognisable skull and crossbones. Plus an illuminated Buccaneer Bar and Captain Jack’s Bar and Grill.
There are many more other tableaux, with various designs and made using various different technologies. Some are fibreglass moulds, like the ones above, others are chasing lights. Some include light projections. Go take a look!
New White Ribbon Tableau Switched On
A new White Ribbon tableau became a feature in the 2018 Blackpool Illuminations. It’s the symbol of a national campaign to end violence against women and girls. It’s 2.4m high and 3.9m wide and you can find it near St Stephens Avenue, at Blackpool North Shore.
In the photo (L-R): Cllr Graham Cain, Cabinet Secretary for Resilient Communities, Chris Green, OBE, Founder of White Ribbon UK, Anthea Sully, Chief Executive of White Ribbon UK, Chrissie Chesters, Integrated Commissioning Manager (Domestic Abuse/Interpersonal Violence), Blackpool Council.
The White Ribbon campaign aims to educate and raise awareness of violence against women and engage more men to be part of the solution. Supporters of the campaign pledge never to commit, condone, or remain silent about men’s violence against women in all its forms. Blackpool is clear that all violence and abuse is not acceptable for any victim regardless of gender, age, race, religion, class and sexual orientation.
Installing the Tableaux
In summer each year the huge poles which support them are first put into place. It’s a lengthy process which takes some weeks to complete.
The big panels, lamps, projectors and controls are all assembled in time for Switch On night.
The tableaux come down by rotation during winter to protect them from the worst of the rough weather. The Illuminations team clean, repair and maintain them in the workshop.
Where do the Tableaux go when they’re taken down?
They go back to the Lightworks depot where all of the Blackpool Illuminations are made and stored out of season.
The big tableaux go to the Lightworks depot to be electrically and structurally checked, cleaned and repaired if necessary. The harsh seafront weather really takes its toll. Although they’re all designed and built to withstand the seafront, the rain, wind and salty air takes its toll.
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