---

Without a doubt, Blackpool is the place to be in summer, with its miles of sandy beaches, amazing bars and restaurants, and scintillating nightlife. But that doesn’t mean the famous Lancashire seaside town has nothing to offer during the darker months of the year, and there’s so much to see and do during the festive season.

 

Whether you want to see a show, watch live music, see your favourite Strictly stars, enjoy live comedy shows, or have a romantic Christmas night or day out with your significant other, there are events and shows for everyone in Blackpool this December. Let’s have a look at what’s on this month.

 

Christmas By The Sea (18 November - 2 January)

 

It wouldn’t be Christmas without a visit to the Christmas Markets that pop up every year all across the UK, and you can find Blackpool’s festive village on the Blackpool Tower Festival Headland, which has been transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with fairground rides, log cabins, an outdoor skating rink, amazing light installations and magical projection shows.

 

You’ll find all the expected goodies at the Christmas Market, from unique and exclusive gifts to Bavarian sausages, and of course, mulled wine. Perhaps you fancy taking a spin around the skating rink in the shadow of the iconic tower? It’s absolutely free to use and includes free skate hire, whether you’re an expert skater or a total beginner.

 

Being by the sea, snow is a rarity in Blackpool, never mind getting a white Christmas! But this year you can enjoy simulated snowfalls on the Festival Headland, so remember to bring a woolly hat and a scarf for the full seafront alpine experience.

 

New to the festive experience this year are the fairground rides, including Candy Cane Bungee Trampolines, Santa Claus’ Tea Cups, Santa’s Sleigh, and a magical carousel. But for the biggest thrills, try the Star Flyer, Europe's tallest travelling swing ride, standing at 260ft tall!

 

Find more information about Christmas By The Sea on the Visit Blackpool website.

 

Blackpool Santa Dash (4 December)

 

If you’re visiting Blackpool on Sunday 4 December, then keep your eyes open for the funniest fun run you’ll ever see. Fun runs are a great way to keep fit and healthy, and keep warm on a brisk winter’s day, but the Santa Dash has participants all kitted out in Santa costumes for the two-mile run from The Sandcastle Waterpark up the promenade to The Manchester Pub and back again.

 

The run starts at 11 am and is organised by Trinity Hospice to help raise funds, and you can find more information on the charity’s website.

 

Showboat Showstopper (Until 17 December)

 

Christmas can often be an expensive time of the year, never mind during a cost of living crisis! So if you’re looking for free entertainment, then you can’t do much better than the Showboat Showstopper, a sensational, extraordinary, and undeniably hilarious free show in Blackpool!

 

The Showboat Showstopper runs every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday throughout the season and up to 17 December.

 

Resident host and compere Reece Oliver presents the stunning Showboat showgirls and a variety of amazing vocal talents for a show packed with outrageous comedy, theatrical performances, and the greatest hits from the ’60s through to the modern-day, with something for guests of all ages wanting a big party atmosphere to get you up and dancing.

 

Visit www.showboatblackpool.com to book tickets and make sure you don’t miss this spectacular show!

 

Aljaž and Janette - A Christmas To Remember (Winter Gardens, 11 December)

 

Strictly Come Dancing returned to Blackpool in November, after a three-year absence, and if you’d like to see some of your favourite Strictly pros, then there’s a show for you!

 

Former Strictly pro-dancers Aljaž Škorjanec and Janette Manrara, and a cast of dancers put on a Christmas show to remember, with songs and music from the Golden Age of Hollywood to Disney Christmas crackers, including Mariah Carey, Michael Bublé, and a whole assortment of pop festive classics, carols and crooners.

 

There’s something for everyone in the all-dancing yuletide jukebox!

 

Tickets can be found on the Winter Gardens website.

 

Mini Festive Tram Tours

 

Blackpool is bursting with Christmas spirit, even on the famous trams that run up and down the promenade, and Blackpool Transport is laying on a special service for the festive period, running between 5 pm and 7 pm every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in December.

 

The Heritage Tram Tours will be running a Mini Festive Tour on their special Christmas-themed Heritage Tram, taking you on a. 30-minute tour up to Bispham and back, adding a little magic to an already magical winter setting along the coast.

 

Tickets can be booked online in advance, or via the Tourist Information Centre.

 

Kings & Queens of Rock Pop & Roll (Central Pier)

 

It might not be the time of year to make the most of Blackpool’s golden sands, but the town’s famous piers are still open and entertaining visitors throughout December.

 

If it’s live music you’re looking for, then head to The Kings & Queens of Rock Pop & Roll Show Bar, found above the main arcade on the promenade at the entrance to the famous Central Pier. The Kings & Queens show has been running for over eight years and built a reputation as one of the top entertainment venues in the North West.

 

You’ll find a show bar, set out in a cabaret style with individual tables, where you can enjoy a drink while watching the show, which includes the multi-talented Rock Royalty Dancers, and incredible tribute acts to Elvis Presley, Kylie Minogue, Michael Jackson, Freddie Mercury, Robbie Williams, Meatloaf, Prince, and Ariana Grande.

 

Book now, by visiting the website.

 

Amazing Tribute Acts at Viva Blackpool

 

Visa Blackpool is an incredible night out, with a restaurant, shows, drinks, and a big party atmosphere, and is hosting a trio of amazing musical tribute shows towards the end of December.

 

On Boxing Day (26 December), enjoy a show dedicated to celebrating Europe’s original pop four-piece group, ABBA! With a fantastic light show and incredible sound, say thank you for the music with Viva Voulez Vous: A Celebration of the Music of ABBA.

 

Starring CJ, one of the world’s greatest Michael Jackson tribute acts, Michael Jackson: The Legacy, on 29 December, pays homage to the King of Pop, with an immersive theatrical production, amazing special effects, and stunning choreography.

 

Break Free: The Greatest Hits of Queen comes to Viva on 30 December, starring Dean Richardson, who has performed as the legendary Freddie Mercury all around the world. This stunning live show, set against an LED video wall backdrop, live band, and amazing light show, nostalgically recreates the 'live' Queen sounds, sights, mannerisms and moves – with amazing attention to detail.

 

Visit www.vivablackpool.com for tickets and more information.

 

Parka Monkeys Indie Christmas Big Night Out (Winter Gardens, 16 December)

 

Alright, our kid? If your heyday was dancing and singing to the Britpop hits of the 90s, then this is the night for you, as Parka Monkeys are back with their biggest Big Night Out yet.

 

Hosted by BBC 6 Music’s Chris Hawkins, the Indie Christmas Big Night Out is a huge indie disco that features two massive sets of some of the biggest and most-loved indie and Britpop classics from the likes of Oasis, Arctic Monkeys, The Smiths, The Stone Roses, The Killers, The Courteeners, The Libertines, The Strokes, Blur, Pulp, James and so much more.

 

Come and sing along with the common people, it might just get you through.

 

Visit the Winter Gardens website for more information and tickets.

 

Coral Island Casino

 

Found right in the centre of Blackpool, right on the promenade, Coral Island Casino is open throughout December, except Christmas Day. Open from 10 am right through to 4 am, we have a range of offers, including a 2-for-1 Wednesdays promotion for the slots, and keep your eyes open for our new TV advert for details of our £100 Freeplay promotion.

 

There’s live roulette, blackjack, food and drinks at our bar, and always a friendly welcome here, and no membership is required!

---