New Illuminations for 2025

What will this year bring in the shape of new illuminations for 2025?

The Blackpool Illuminations display is one of the biggest and longest-running light-based festivals in the world. It all began in 1879 with just a handful of carbon arc lamps creating “artificial sunshine”. It now extends the entire six miles of Promenade with more than a million LED lights.

Revealing New Illuminations for 2025…

Sometime in mid-summer, VisitBlackpool will announce the new displays and features for this year. The big reveal is usually made at the annual Illuminations Preview, held at Lightworks where they’re all made.

Each year, businesses and media gather to hear about dazzling new, fun-packed features for the coming season. It’s a chance to look around Blackpool Council’s Lightworks facility. It’s where the world-famous display – and the new illuminations for 2025 – are made.

This Years NEW Blackpool Illuminations

Our favourite in 2024 was this spectacular new installation by the Illuminations’ creative curator, Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen. Named Disco Donkey Cavalcade, it is a celebration of one of Blackpool’s iconic beach attractions. 12 cheeky donkeys dressed in 70s-inspired swimwear parade on a 16ft high platform. As if that’s not enough they’re under a giant ice cream – topped with a disco ball. And a cherry on top! This makes it the tallest ice cream in the world!

As a special treat, two seaside donkeys even came along to the launch event. Exceptionally well behaved, Bruno and Freddie enjoyed lots of treats and tickles!

Switch on of New Illuminations for 2025

Whatever the new features are, look out for them in place for Switch-On. It takes place this year on Friday 29 August 2025. This date marks the start of the extended Illuminations season. Including Christmas by the Sea it runs until 4 January 2026.

You can get the daily switch on times here

WATCH THIS SPACE… more to follow!