Visitors to Blackpool will enjoy a dazzling celebration of light again this autumn with the return of the spectacular LightPool At Blackpool Illuminations show.



The £2m LightPool programme returns for a second successive year at the start of September with brand new 3D projection shows on to the Blackpool Tower buildings and a week-long festival of light taking place throughout the town centre during October half-term.

A new ‘LightPool village’ on the Comedy Carpet will also be operating throughout the Blackpool Illuminations season, selling bespoke merchandise and photo souvenirs.

LightPool, which proved a hugely popular addition to last year’s Illuminations display, is aimed at re-inventing the Illuminations display and providing clear links to the town centre. It has been funded thanks to a £2m grant from the Coastal Communities Fund along with contributions from Blackpool Council and LeftCoast.

Starting at the end of August, this year’s projection shows on to the base of the Blackpool Tower have expanded with three new spectacular displays designed specifically for LightPool.

Czech company, and world leaders in projection mapping, The Macula, will follow on their success dazzling audiences across Europe with their ‘Down the Rabbit Hole’ show – a specialist film production designed just for Blackpool.

The projection show will bring The Blackpool Tower to life as it portrays an astronaut exploring new worlds.

The space themed spectacle will continue with another interactive projection which, working with the European Space Agency, takes visitors on a once in a lifetime virtual journey.

A final projection, called Enchanted Blackpool, has been designed by Illuminations curator Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen and his daughter Cecile to show off the architecture of the famous Blackpool Tower building and bring it to life with a series of characters.

All three of the films, along with the two popular shows from last year’s LightPool events, will be available to watch for free from the Comedy Carpet several times every night, with extra performances at weekends and over the October half term.

A special festival of light will also spark in to life between 28 October and 2 November, transforming the town centre with a series of spectacular light installations inspired by the history and people of the resort.

Live shows related to art and fire will take place each night of the festival, with talent coming from the UK and abroad to perform.

Cllr Gillian Campbell, Deputy Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “Last year’s LightPool events were a big hit, with people coming from across the country to watch the stunning projection shows and the spectacular performances in the town centre.

“This year’s programme promises to be bigger and brighter than before and should be a wonderful addition to the Illuminations.

“We are working with experts from all over the world to make LightPool a visual feast for families, as well as making sure that it is all free to enjoy.”

LightPool ambassadors have been hired again for this year, offering helpful advice about the shows, illuminations and resort to tourists while souvenirs including official brochures and memorabilia will be available from the LightPool village on the Comedy Carpet.

The chance to have your picture projected on to the Blackpool Tower will also return between each of the main displays, with all of the profits from sales reinvested back into the Illuminations to continue to improve the lights in the future.

Blackpool Illuminations will light up from Friday 2 September to Sunday 6 November, with the World Fireworks Championships firing off from North Pier every Friday for four weeks from 9 September.

For more details on this year’s LightPool, go to www.visitblackpool.com/lightpool. For more information on Blackpool Illuminations, visit www.visitblackpool.com/illuminations