Create a perfect holiday itinerary in Blackpool! Our guide features all the best festive events and activities. Begin your festive celebration with "Christmas by the Sea," a whimsical winter wonderland on the seafront. Experience the delightful charm of The Santa Tram, which offers a unique ride with Santa Claus along Blackpool’s enchanting coastline. And the Blackpool Tower Christmas Parties is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring holiday-themed festivities in a stunning historic venue. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Blackpool
- Christmas by the Sea
- Blackpool Tower Christmas Parties
- The Santa Tram
- Christmas Shows at Winter Gardens
- Blackpool Christmas Markets
- Christmas Grotto at The Blackpool Tower
- Santa Dash
- Grand Theatre Panto
Blackpool Holiday Markets and Shopping
Blackpool Christmas Markets
What to Expect:
Seaside-themed holiday market
Description:
Blackpool's Christmas Markets infuse coastal charm into traditional holiday shopping. Stalls line the promenade, offering a unique selection of gifts that blend seaside motifs with yuletide cheer. Visitors can sample locally-made rock candy with festive flavors, a sweet nod to Blackpool's confectionery heritage. The market showcases the work of local artisans, featuring handcrafted decorations inspired by the town's maritime history. As you browse, the brisk sea air carries the aroma of roasting chestnuts, creating an invigorating shopping experience that captures the essence of a British coastal Christmas.
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Blackpool Holiday Giving Opportunities
Santa Dash
What to Expect:
Charity run along the famous promenade
Description:
Blackpool's Santa Dash turns the Golden Mile into a sea of red suits and white beards. Participants sprint along the historic promenade, passing landmarks like the North Pier, opened in 1863. The event combines physical activity with charitable giving, as runners raise funds for local causes. Spectators line the route, creating a corridor of cheers that energizes the Santas. You can join the dash and experience the unique sensation of running in full Santa attire with the brisk sea air in your face, making this a truly invigorating way to celebrate the season.
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Blackpool Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Blackpool Tower Christmas Parties
What to Expect:
Parties in an iconic landmark
Description:
The Blackpool Tower, a symbol of the town since 1894, hosts exhilarating Christmas parties that elevate holiday celebrations to new heights. Revelers dance beneath the tower's intricate Victorian architecture, surrounded by twinkling lights that accentuate its historic beauty. The parties feature live bands playing a mix of holiday classics and modern hits, creating an atmosphere that's both nostalgic and contemporary. You can ascend to the tower's viewing platform for a breathtaking panorama of Blackpool's illuminated coastline, offering a unique perspective on the town's holiday transformation.
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Blackpool Tower Christmas Parties
Christmas Shows at Winter Gardens
What to Expect:
Diverse holiday performances in a historic venue
Description:
The Winter Gardens, a Victorian entertainment complex, bursts with holiday cheer during its Christmas shows. This architectural gem, opened in 1878, provides a stunning backdrop for a variety of performances. From ice skating spectaculars to comedy pantomimes, the shows cater to diverse tastes. Visitors can marvel at the Opera House's ornate ceiling while enjoying a classic Christmas ballet. The Winter Gardens' rich history of entertaining generations of Blackpool residents and visitors adds depth to the holiday performances, creating an atmosphere steeped in both tradition and excitement.
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Christmas Shows at Winter Gardens
Grand Theatre Panto
What to Expect:
Traditional British pantomime in a historic theater
Description:
The Grand Theatre, a Frank Matcham masterpiece from 1894, hosts a riotous pantomime that epitomizes British holiday entertainment. This beloved tradition combines fairy tales, slapstick comedy, and audience participation in a show that delights all ages. The theater's ornate Victorian architecture provides a stunning setting for the performance, with its gilded plasterwork and plush red seats. Visitors can immerse themselves in the call-and-response traditions of panto, shouting "He's behind you!" as part of this uniquely British cultural experience. The Grand's pantomime preserves a theatrical tradition while injecting fresh humor and local references.
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Blackpool Other Holiday Activities
Christmas by the Sea
What to Expect:
Seaside winter attractions
Description:
Blackpool's coastline transforms into a winter spectacle during Christmas by the Sea. Visitors can glide across the UK's largest outdoor ice rink while gazing at the illuminated Blackpool Tower. The event pays homage to Blackpool's rich history as a seaside resort, blending traditional holiday cheer with coastal charm. Warm up with a steaming cup of mulled wine as you explore the promenade's festive stalls. You'll find an array of unique seaside-themed ornaments, perfect for adorning your tree with memories of this coastal celebration.
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The Santa Tram
What to Expect:
Santa's mobile grotto on a heritage tram
Description:
Blackpool's heritage trams take on a jolly new role as Santa's mobile grottos. These restored vintage vehicles, some dating back to the early 1900s, cruise along the promenade, decked out in holiday finery. Children aboard the tram can meet Santa and receive a gift, all while enjoying a scenic tour of Blackpool's famous Golden Mile. The gentle clang of the tram bell mixes with the sound of carols, creating a unique auditory experience. This event combines Blackpool's rich transportation history with holiday traditions, offering a ride through time and festivity.
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Christmas Grotto at The Blackpool Tower
What to Expect:
Santa's grotto with panoramic views
Description:
The Blackpool Tower's Christmas Grotto offers a sky-high twist on meeting Santa. Situated in the tower's upper levels, this grotto provides breathtaking views of the illuminated coastline. Children ascend in the glass-fronted elevator, watching the town shrink beneath them as they rise to meet Father Christmas. The grotto's decor incorporates elements of Blackpool's circus history, with acrobatic elves and juggling reindeer. You'll find interactive displays that teach visitors about the tower's 129-year history, seamlessly blending education with holiday excitement.
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Christmas Grotto at The Blackpool Tower
Nearby Events
Garstang Victorian Christmas Festival (Garstang)
What to Expect:
Historical reenactment of a Victorian Christmas
Description:
Garstang's Victorian Christmas Festival transports visitors to a 19th-century yuletide celebration. The town's historic center, with buildings dating back to the 1700s, provides an authentic backdrop for this immersive event. Street performers in period costumes roam the lanes, demonstrating traditional crafts and entertaining crowds with Victorian party games. Visitors can sample historic holiday treats like roasted chestnuts and mulled wine, prepared using recipes from the era. You'll witness the lighting of gas lamps, a nod to Garstang's history as one of the first towns in the world to be lit by gas in 1825.
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Garstang Victorian Christmas Festival
Poulton Christmas Festival (Poulton-le-Fylde)
What to Expect:
Community-focused celebration in a market town
Description:
Poulton-le-Fylde's Christmas Festival showcases the tight-knit community spirit of this historic market town. The event centers around the 17th-century Market Square, where local choirs perform carols beneath the town's ancient stocks. Visitors can explore the town's medieval streets, adorned with handmade decorations crafted by local school children. The festival highlights Poulton's culinary heritage, featuring tastings of Lancashire hotpot and other regional specialties. You'll find unique gifts in the town's independent shops, many housed in buildings that have stood for centuries, offering a shopping experience steeped in local history.
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Fleetwood Christmas Market (Fleetwood)
What to Expect:
Maritime-themed holiday market
Description:
Fleetwood's Christmas Market celebrates the town's rich fishing heritage with a nautical twist on holiday traditions. Stalls line the historic dock area, offering locally caught seafood alongside traditional Christmas fare. Visitors can watch demonstrations of maritime crafts like rope-making and net-mending, skills that have been vital to Fleetwood's economy for generations. The market features unique decorations made from driftwood and sea glass, reflecting the town's connection to the sea. You'll hear the mournful sound of fog horns mixing with carol singers, creating an atmospheric backdrop that captures Fleetwood's maritime soul.
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St Chad’s Christmas Fayre (Poulton-le-Fylde)
What to Expect:
Church-based fair with medieval roots
Description:
St Chad's Christmas Fayre in Poulton-le-Fylde continues a tradition that dates back to the church's medieval origins. The event takes place in and around the 14th-century church, with stalls nestled between ancient gravestones and along pathways once trodden by pilgrims. Visitors can climb the church tower for panoramic views of the Fylde coast, a rare opportunity to see the landscape from this historic vantage point. The fayre features handcrafted goods made using traditional methods, honoring the area's artisanal heritage. You'll find the air filled with the scent of incense and beeswax candles, evoking centuries of Christmas celebrations within these hallowed walls.
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Lytham Christmas Wonderland (Lytham St Annes)
What to Expect:
Elegant coastal Christmas celebration
Description:
Lytham St Annes transforms into a sophisticated yuletide destination during its Christmas Wonderland event. The town's iconic windmill, a symbol of Lytham since 1805, serves as a unique backdrop for holiday festivities. Visitors can ice skate on a rink set up on Lytham Green, with views of the Ribble Estuary providing a stunning natural setting. The event showcases Lytham's reputation as a genteel resort town, featuring high-end craft stalls and gourmet food offerings. You'll find the promenade lined with illuminated sculptures that pay homage to the area's natural beauty, blending art with holiday cheer in this refined coastal celebration.