Blackpool Illuminations will be on for two months longer than usual this year

Blackpool illuminations are set to be extended for an additional two months this year to help boost the seaside resort’s tourism.

VistBlackpool has revealed that the Illuminations will run for an extra two months this year from September 4th to January 3rd 2021.

They have also announced they will be hosting their first-ever virtual Switch-On concert in association with MTV Music UK.

This means the switch-on will be free-to-access for all in the online streamed event taking place on Friday September 4th.  

Originally the Switch-on was scheduled for the same date, but with an audience of 20,000 people at the Tower Festival Headline. 

Due to social distancing, this event cannot go ahead in its usual format. So instead, for the first time in 70 years, the resort will be holding an accessible virtual Switch-On event that can be seen all over the world.

There will be an hour-long concert with a mixture of pre-recorded and at-home performances as well as live performances filmed at a closed event in the Blackpool Tower Ballroom.

The event will be hosted by Diversity’s Ashley and Jordan Banjo, and will feature a star-studded line-up of talent, leading up to the all-important Switch-On moment.

Cllr Gillian Campbell, Cabinet Member for Tourism & Culture for Blackpool Council, said: “The annual Switch-On event is the biggest night in Blackpool’s events calendar. Sadly, it is simply not possible to stage an event of that scale given the current restrictions around social distancing and mass gatherings.

“However, it would be unthinkable not to launch our Blackpool Illuminations season with an extraordinary event. Staging the first-ever virtual Switch-On concert to a mass audience watching from home does exactly that. 

“We are very much aware of how much our tourism businesses are suffering as a result of the pandemic and we hope that by extending the Blackpool Illuminations season by two months, it will give them an opportunity to bring in some additional trade.

“We are planning for a safe, socially distanced Illuminations experience and will be keeping all Government health guidance under review as we move towards the autumn season.”

Details of the Switch-On concert’s line-up will be revealed over the course of the next few weeks, along with how you can view the streamed event. 

Plus VistBlackpool will also be releasing a preview of new features on the 2020 illuminations display.