See what time the tableaux come on with our guide to daily switch on times

Take a look at the Tableaux at Blackpool Illuminations

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.

Venus tableau at Blackpool Illuminations
Venus Reborn tableau at Blackpool Illuminations

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.

The new Venus Remixed tableau
The new Venus Remixed tableau

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.

Take a look at the Tableaux at Blackpool North Shore
Take a look at the Tableaux at Blackpool North Shore

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!

Teddy Bears at Bispham, part of Blackpool Illuminations
Teddy Bears at Bispham, part of Blackpool Illuminations

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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.

Noddy Tableau in the Blackpool Illuminations
Noddy Tableau in the Blackpool Illuminations

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.

Join in the event with your own Illuminations accessories
Join in the event with your own Illuminations accessories

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.

Noddy and Big Ears by daylight in the Blackpool Illuminations
Noddy and Big Ears by daylight in the Blackpool Illuminations

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.

Blackpool 'Light of My Life' Tableaux
Blackpool ‘Light of My Life’ Tableaux

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.

New tableaux for 2023 'Light Around the World'
New tableaux for 2023 ‘Light Around the World’

Four Seasons

It’s the header photo at the top of this page, and possibly our favourite here at Visit Fylde Coast.

The faces of the Four Seasons Illuminations Tableaux
The faces of the Four Seasons Illuminations Tableaux

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!

Four Seasons Tableaux at Blackpool North Shore

Alice in Wonderland Tableau

This photo (below) is the original Alice Tableaux. Sadly, storms during the winter of 2010 badly damaged this iconic piece.

The Old Alice in Wonderland - one of the tableaux at Blackpool North Shore
The Old Alice in Wonderland – one of the tableaux at Blackpool North Shore

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.

Richard Cadell and Sooty at the launch of the tableau
Richard Cadell and Sooty at the launch of the tableau

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Sooty Tableaux at Blackpool Illuminations

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.

The newly refurbished Pirate Ship in 2020
The newly refurbished Pirate Ship in 2020
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Pirate Tableau as it used to look… spot the difference!

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!

Tableau sponsored by the Elgin Hotel
Tableau sponsored by the Elgin Hotel
Illuminations Tableaux at Blackpool North Shore
Illuminations Tableaux at Blackpool North Shore
Haunted House Illuminations Tableaux at Blackpool North Shore
Haunted House Tableaux

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.

White Ribbon Illumination - one of the tableaux at Blackpool North Shore
White Ribbon Illumination – one of the tableaux 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.

Installation of the poles which support the tableaux illuminations at North Shore
Installation of the poles at North Shore

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.

Adding the features to the tableau display
Adding the features to the tableau display
Building a tableau at the seafront near the Blackpool tramway
Building a tableau at the seafront near the Blackpool tramway

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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