Lightpool

DRONE SHOW TIMINGS AT STANLEY PARK

The award-winning Stanley Park turns 100 on Friday 2 October and everyone is invited to join the celebrations at a special centenary event on Saturday 3 October.

The event will end with a spectacular drone show starting at 8pm by Celestial, the finalists of Britain’s Got Talent 2025.

A packed programme of free activities, live entertainment, family fun and special centenary moments will take place across the park throughout the day, including:

🌳 The switch-on of new lighting at the Italian Gardens fountain, Cocker Clock and around the park
🌳 Makers Market, fairground rides, walks and talks
🌳 Free sporting activities with Active Blackpool
🌳 Live entertainment throughout the day
🌳 And more!

More details will be released early next week.

📷 Britain's Got Talent Celestial

📢 Who's with us? Deadline to apply for volunteering at Lightpool is approaching!

Volunteering is a great chance to:
✨ Meet new people and make new friends
✨ Try something new and gain valuable experience
✨ Get behind the scenes of a major light art festival
✨ Help create brilliant experiences for audiences

Volunteers must be 18+ and will need to attend a pre-festival briefing on Sunday 4 October. You’ll also receive £5 per shift towards food and refreshments.

Ready to get involved? Complete the volunteer application form https://lightpool.org.uk/news/applications-to-volunteer-at-lightpool-festival-2026-are-now-open by Monday 28 September 2026.

📢 Want to be part of Lightpool 2026? We’re looking for volunteers!

Our award-winning Festival returns this October half-term and this year is extra special as we celebrate our 10th anniversary!

From 21–31 October 2026, Blackpool will come alive with dazzling light installations, live performances and spectacular 3D projections, all part of a free art trail across the town.

We’re looking for friendly and passionate volunteers to join our team and help make this year’s festival one to remember.

Volunteering is a great chance to:
✨ Meet new people and make new friends
✨ Try something new and gain valuable experience
✨ Get behind the scenes of a major light art festival
✨ Help create brilliant experiences for audiences

Volunteers must be 18+ and will need to attend a pre-festival briefing on Sunday 4 October. You’ll also receive £5 per shift towards food and refreshments.

Ready to get involved? Complete the volunteer application form (link in the comments) by Monday 28 September 2026.



Creative Blackpool Aunty Social LeftCoast I Love Blackpool Light Up the North

‼️ Deadline to apply: 28 September 2026, 10am

Find out more https://lightpool.org.uk/news/applications-for-lightlab-2026-now-open

📷 SEE THE LIGHT. CAPTURE THE MAGIC.

Do you have an eye for light?

We’re inviting photographers of all ages to enter Illuminated Worlds, our photography competition celebrating 10 years of Lightpool Festival.

From Blackpool’s famous Illuminations to streetlights, fairy lights, reflections, shadows and unexpected bursts of brightness, we want to see your view of light. You can submit…

📱 A photo from your phone or camera
🎨 Edited or straight from the camera
🌈 Abstract or location-based
📍 Images must be taken in Blackpool
🚫 No AI-generated images

10 images will be selected for an exhibition at Showtown Blackpool where visitors can vote for their favourite. The top six entries will win…

🎟️ Two tickets to the Olivier Award-winning play PUNCH at the Blackpool Grand Theatre
🎟️ A voucher for two to any musical in 2026/27 at The Winter Gardens Blackpool
🎟️ A family ticket for Showtown Blackpool (including the Ken Dodd Exhibition)
🎟️ Family tickets for Sandcastle Waterpark Blackpool, The Blackpool Tower attractions and Madame Tussauds Blackpool

🗓️ Entries close Monday 12 October, 9am.

👉 Find out more and enter via the link in our comments.

Want to see your photography featured as part of the Lightpool Art Trail for the festival's 10th anniversary next month?

Lightpool is launching the Illuminated Worlds photography competition and we want you to capture the brilliance of light all around Blackpool. From the Blackpool Illuminations and streetlights to the glow of festoon lights, show us your perspective.

What you can submit:

📸 A photo straight from your phone or camera
📸 An artistically edited image
📸 An abstract representation of light
📸 A photo showcasing a Blackpool location

No special equipment is needed, and you don't have to be a professional. Entries must be your own unique creation.

Ten images will be chosen for the exhibition and creators will get a complimentary framed print. Exhibition visitors will vote on their favourite with top prizes including:

🎫 Two tickets to the Olivier Award-winning play PUNCH at the Grand Theatre
🎫 A voucher for two to any musical in 2026/27 at The Winter Gardens
🎫 A family ticket for 5 to Showtown (including the Ken Dodd Exhibition)
🎫 Family tickets for Sandcastle, Tower attractions and Madame Tussauds

How to enter:
Submit your image at https://bit.ly/lightpoolcompetition by 9am on Monday 12 October.

(Full terms and conditions regarding image usage and rights apply upon submission and can be found on the website).

🎉 TICKETS COMING SOON - CARNIVAL MAGIC

As part of our 10th anniversary celebrations, the spectacular Carnival Magic returns to the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom for an unforgettable night of music, light, and carnival celebration!

Created by the world-renowned Global Grooves, expect giant hand-crafted puppets, powerful drumming, vibrant dancers, and exciting surprises including IOLA 2.0, the giant robot bringing futuristic moves to the dance floor!

Event Details

📅 Date: Monday 26 October 2026

⏰ Time: 7.30pm

📍 Location: Blackpool Tower Ballroom

🎟️ Tickets are £3.50 each. Ticket schedule as follows…..

Phase 1: Monday 28 September at 9am

Phase 2: Thursday 1 October at 6pm

(Note: Maximum 4 tickets per booking)

👉 Make sure to note these release dates. Grab all the details via the link in our bio.