Blackpool’s famous Lightpool festival extended for extra nights

One of Blackpool’s most distinctive festivals has been extended – bringing some extra colour and brightness to the dark nights of autumn.

With the Illuminations season in full swing, this year’s Lightpool Festival will carry on for longer, thanks to funding from the Tourism BID.

The popular event will now run over 18 nights between Wednesday October 15 and Saturday November 1, with an extraordinary collection of national and international light installations.

The festival, supported by Arts Council England, will also see the premiere of at least 12 new artworks never seen before in the UK as well as spellbinding projection shows and live performance including the return of the hugely popular Carnival Magic in the iconic Tower Ballroom.

The Lightpool Art Trail, which is free to attend, will see some of Blackpool’s most iconic buildings and outdoor spaces transformed during a festival that has grown into a national attraction in its own right.

Highlights of the art trail

Figures by Collectif Scale – world premiere: This artwork features a series of white panels surrounded by LED lights that move in sync. The lights are programmed to create constantly changing patterns, resulting in a stunning visual display. Bright yet simple, the piece uses shapes and colour to play with perspective and bring the installation to life.

Synaptic Lights by Lightspray Visual: The installation creates a flowing stream of light and colour, like a living neural network. It transforms the urban space into something otherworldly, where boundaries fade away and visitors are drawn into a constantly changing, dreamlike environment.

Sun Glitter By Ant Dickinson: Sun Glitter is a captivating projection artwork inspired by the way sunlight sparkles on the ocean’s surface—an effect known as “sun glitter.” This fleeting natural beauty is reimagined on the angular, patterned façade of Blackpool’s iconic Wedding Chapel, turning it into a shimmering, light-filled spectacle.

Ataraxie by Collectif Coin: Ataraxie means ‘peace of mind’. In this installation from Maxime Houot the artist asks us to question what this might mean in a changed and still changing post-pandemic world. A row of lasers fills the space with beams of red light that first form simple crosses, before building up complex, tesseract-like structures.

Phenix by MRZL Phenix is a metal structure 11m long, 15m wide and 5m high, animated by LED mapping. Each edge is individually animated to generate the overall shape and colour transitions. The facades around impregnate colours and dialogue with the installation.

Wish by Amy Jackson, new Lightpool commission – world premiere: The Wish is a glowing, interactive installation made up of giant dandelions, captured just as they are about to scatter. Their recycled steel stems and colourful LED parachutes light up, pulse, and fade in response to nearby laughter, music, or even a whisper.

Pulse of Light by Mitchell Fawcett, new Lightpool commission – world premiere: An interactive light sculpture that changes colour and tempo based on your proximity, reflecting the rhythm of emotion and energy.

RGB by Scott Chaney, new Lightpool commission – world premiere: Three large-scale, solar-powered sculptures in red, green and blue made from reclaimed e-waste that interact as visitors approach, sparking conversations about technology, sustainability, and human connection.

Live performances during the festival

Carnival Glow: Thursday October 16, Globe Theatre Pleasure Beach For one night only, Carnival Glow lights up The Globe with an explosive fusion of LED spectacle and global Carnival performance! From the creators of Carnival Magic, Global Grooves, expect thunderous percussion bands and robot drummers, glowing dancers and pyro displays, stilt walkers, giant illuminated puppets, and more, fusing global Carnival tradition with light technology for an experience like no other.

End the night in style – meet the incredible puppets and performers after the show and capture the magic with a selfie – they can’t wait to meet you

Illuminated drone show: October 18/19, Globe Theatre Pleasure Beach See top pilots from across the UK lighting up the skies with their incredible racing drones, for a micro drone racing showdown like no other! Promising to be thrilling for drone enthusiasts and newcomers alike, with races designed to showcase skill and speed. Covered in lights, you can watch them tackle a spectacular racing circuit, weaving between Blackpool’s famous illuminations models.

Monday 27 October, Tower Ballroom

Get ready to be spellbound as Carnival Magic takes over the Tower Ballroom once again, showcasing a vibrant display of illuminated carnival characters and music.

Neon Nights: Kids UV Party: October 29, Showtown Step into a world of colour, music and entertainment as we shine a light on wartime Blackpool! Even during blackout, dancefloors still came alive with joy, laughter and dancing. Find the light in the dark at our kid’s neon party – decorate your own T-shirt with glow pens, enjoy games, and dance under shining lights.

What they say

Phil Holmes, Lightpool Festival Artistic Director said: “We are thrilled to announce the return of Lightpool Festival this October half-term, with the 2025 edition promising an extraordinary 18 nights of inspiration and creativity. Lightpool has consistently served as a canvas for some of the world’s most talented artists, allowing everyone to experience the power of great light art.

“With over 24 stunning artworks featured in our art trail – including 12 breath-taking new light installations – and 4 captivating performance events, this year is destined to be our most spectacular celebration yet.

“This achievement is only possible thanks to the incredible partnerships we’ve nurtured with Arts Council England, Blackpool Council, Tourism BID and our local arts organisations and businesses, all dedicated to enriching the community and creating lasting benefits for everyone involved.”

Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “I’m extremely proud to see the ongoing growth of Lightpool Festival and thrilled that it has rightfully earned a place in Arts Council England’s National Portfolio.

“This recognition gives us a fantastic opportunity to collaborate with artists and partners from around the world, and to bring some of the best contemporary light art to both our residents and visitors. It is a much-loved part of our events calendar, which transforms our town’s landmarks and public spaces. Lightpool is beautiful and inspiring and I know this year is going to be very special indeed.”

Kate Shane MBE, Chair of Tourism BID said: “We’re proud to support the extension of Lightpool Festival over October Half-Term through Tourism BID funding. This investment not only enhances the visitor experience during one of our busiest periods, but also showcases Blackpool as a vibrant, year-round destination for arts, culture, and entertainment.”

Lightpool Festival forms part of an extended Illuminations season that started on Friday August 29 and runs until January 4, 2026.