Blackpool’s Tower Festival Headland is set to sparkle once again as it hosts the fifth Christmas by the Sea festival, transforming the seafront into a festive winter wonderland. Families and visitors can enjoy a host of seasonal attractions, with the event opening on Friday 21 November and running daily, except Christmas Day, until 4 January from 12:00 to 21:00 GMT.
The festival takes place on the Promenade by the Comedy Carpet, opposite Blackpool Tower, making it easy for visitors to enjoy the resort’s iconic sights alongside the festive fun. Among the highlights this year is a free skating rink, which includes complimentary skate hire, allowing guests to glide across the ice in true holiday style.
Rides and attractions include a 100ft-long snow slide, the aerial swing Star Flyer, Snow Dome Waltzers, the Helter-Skelter slide, and the Ice Breaker thrill ride. A new three-floor Christmas-themed fun house features spinning barrels, discs, and shuffle boards. Visitors will also find themed log cabins serving festive food and drinks, as well as artificial snowfalls and light installations that enhance the winter atmosphere.
For those arriving by car, Blackpool Council car parks, including Talbot and Central Multi-Storey, charge £2 for up to four hours. The festival is also accessible by public transport, with Blackpool North railway station just a ten-minute walk away and tram connections available. Blackpool South station is roughly 30 minutes on foot.
Entry to the festival village is free, though tickets are required for rides. This makes Christmas by the Sea an affordable day out for families looking to enjoy seasonal fun, entertainment, and festive treats.
Visitors will also be able to enjoy the extended Blackpool Illuminations, which run along the seafront until 4 January. The festival and the illuminations together provide a magical winter experience, with bright lights and attractions bringing a festive atmosphere to the heart of the resort.
