Drone show to light up Stanley Park's landmark centenary celebrations

A spectacular drone show will illuminate the skies above Stanley Park this October as part of a special anniversary weekend celebrating the park's centenary year.

The display will be created by Celestial, the company behind the acclaimed drone show filmed at Stanley Park for Britain's Got Talent in 2025, and later seen by millions of viewers across the UK.

The Grade II-listed park, which opened in 1926, is marking its 100th anniversary with a programme of events and activities throughout 2026.

While the main anniversary celebrations are scheduled for October to coincide with the park’s official opening, a series of activities and events will take place throughout the year.

This will include family-focused activity sessions, heritage walks, a special edition of Love Parks Week, sporting events, and the ever-popular Bandstand performances.

As part of the build-up to the centenary weekend, a special centenary parkrun will take place on Saturday 27 June to mark 100 days until the anniversary celebrations, alongside additional community activities designed to engage residents and visitors throughout the summer.

Residents and visitors will also be encouraged to share their memories and photographs taken at Stanley Park over the years.

On 2 and 3 October, a special two-day celebration will mark the park’s 100th anniversary, with Friday 2 October being the official anniversary day.

Throughout the day on Saturday, visitors will be able to enjoy an artisan market, family fairground rides, activity sessions and entertainment suitable for all ages, creating a festival atmosphere across the park.

The drone show will take place on Saturday evening, bringing a memorable visual tribute to one of Blackpool’s most treasured landmarks, providing a highlight of the centenary celebration weekend.

In addition, a separate, dedicated activity for some of Blackpool’s local schoolchildren is planned as part of the programme.

Stretching across 390 acres, Stanley Park is one of the UK's most significant historic parks, combining formal gardens, woodland, a boating lake, sporting facilities and a range of heritage features including the Italian Gardens, Art Deco Café and Cocker Clock Tower

The park attracts more than two million visitors each year

Alongside the celebrations, Blackpool Council is investing £500,000 in additional maintenance and restoration work during the anniversary year, including restorations and repairs to the Trellis, Cocker Clock and Italian Gardens fountain feature, supported by £50,000 raised by the Friends of Stanley Park

Councillor Jane Hugo, Deputy Leader of Blackpool Council (Place) and Cabinet Member for Climate Change, said: “For almost 100 years, Stanley Park has been a place where memories are made.

“This centenary year is about celebrating its past, enjoying everything it offers today and investing in its future so people of all ages can continue to enjoy this remarkable, award-winning green space.

“From the summer programme of activities and special centenary parkrun through to the anniversary weekend itself, there will be plenty of opportunities for people to get involved.

“The drone show, artisan market, family fairground rides and entertainment will help make this a memorable celebration, and we look forward to welcoming residents, families and visitors to be part of this special milestone.”

Blackpool Council, working in partnership with Friends of Stanley Park, Enveco NW Limited and other partner organisations, is delivering a varied programme to celebrate the park’s heritage, its role in the community and its future development.

Further details about the programme will be announced as plans continue to develop.

For more information about Stanley Park’s centenary celebrations visit: www.blackpool.gov.uk/Centenary