Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On 2026: Free Ballot Tickets and Line-Up for 4 September
Blackpool’s 2026 Illuminations Switch-On will take place on Friday 4 September at the Tower Festival Headland, in the shadow of The Blackpool Tower on the Promenade. The event is aimed at the general public and families, with Paddy McGuinness carrying out the switch-on ceremony and live performances from Five, The Feeling and Lucy Spraggan.
Free concert tickets are available through a ballot, although applicants must pay a £5 administration fee. The ballot closes at 23:00 on 9 August 2026. Golden Circle tickets, offering a guaranteed place in front of the stage, cost £12 plus a £5 administration fee.
The essentials
- Event: Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On 2026
- Date: Friday 4 September 2026
- Venue: Tower Festival Headland, The Blackpool Tower, Promenade, Blackpool
- Entry: Free tickets via ballot, subject to a £5 administration fee
- Golden Circle: £12 plus a £5 administration fee
- Ballot deadline: 23:00 on Sunday 9 August 2026
- Audience: General public and families
What to expect at the Tower Festival Headland
The evening will begin with a free concert before Paddy McGuinness officially switches on the Illuminations. The concert line-up includes singer-songwriter Lucy Spraggan, rock band The Feeling and British pop group Five, who will headline the event.
BBC Radio Lancashire presenters Graham Liver and Sharon Hartley will host the evening. The BBC collaboration will also include a BBC Introducing showcase featuring up-and-coming talent from the region.
The event will mark the start of the 2026 Illuminations season, with the display lighting up six miles of Blackpool’s Promenade.
How to apply for tickets
Visitors who want to attend should apply for free tickets through the ballot at www.visitblackpool.com/switchon before it closes at 23:00 on 9 August 2026. The free-ticket option still carries a £5 administration fee.
Those who want to guarantee a position in front of the stage can instead buy Golden Circle tickets for £12, plus the £5 administration fee.
Why Paddy McGuinness is switching on the lights
McGuinness has a longstanding connection with Blackpool. He has previously performed at the Winter Gardens and the Grand Theatre, filmed an episode of Top Gear in the resort and cycled through the town during a BBC Children in Need fundraising challenge.
He has also spoken about visiting Blackpool on family holidays and driving through the Illuminations while growing up. His appointment gives the switch-on a familiar face with an established connection to the resort.
The event is being organised by Blackpool Tourism Limited in collaboration with the BBC. The confirmed next step for prospective attendees is to enter the ticket ballot by the 9 August deadline, or purchase a Golden Circle ticket if they want a guaranteed place in front of the stage.
Source: Visit Lancashire Blog
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Event date, venue, ticket information and programme details are based on the Visit Lancashire source and supplied event brief.
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- Blackpool
- Updated
- 2026-07-30 10:32
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