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With summer fading, and thoughts turning towards the colder months of the year, planning trips to the seaside might not be at the front of most people’s minds. But while Blackpool is best known as a seaside resort, there’s still plenty to do between now and New Year!

 

The winter months might be the best time to indulge in the fascinating culture to be found in the Lancashire seaside town, and you can easily find a variety of brilliant attractions, historic landmarks, heritage artefacts and more alongside the rides and amusements that bring the crowds throughout the summer months.

 

Let’s have a look at some of the best reasons to visit Blackpool in winter.

 

1. Blackpool Tower

 

Inspired by the Eiffel Tower (and far more romantic in our humble opinion), Blackpool Tower was once the tallest structure in the UK. The impressive tower provides views of the town, down to Liverpool, across the Irish Sea to the west, the Pennines in the east, and north up to Cumbria, and on a clear day, even further!

 

The 518-foot-tall tower can be seen from just about anywhere in the town, so you’ll never have any trouble finding it! The Blackpool Tower Eye, the observation platform, sits 380 feet up, so not technically the tallest point, but still affords incredible views. You’ll also be glad to know there’s a lift to take you all the way up!

 

https://www.theblackpooltower.com/

 

2. Blackpool Illuminations

 

The awe-inspiring Blackpool Illuminations, the greatest free light show in the world, is the annual famous festival held in the town from September all the way through to the end of the year. Strings of lights, tableaus, laser shows and more stretch 6.2 miles along the Fylde Coast, with more than a million bulbs lighting the way.

 

The main display is between Starr Gate and Bispham along the Promenade, with lights festooned along both sides of the road, whether you’re walking, viewing from your car, or taking one of the special heritage trams, and Blackpool Tower will also be lit up on all sides too.

 

3. The Winter Gardens

 

Even the name suggests that this huge entertainment complex is the place to be in the colder months! The Winter Gardens, a sprawling and beautiful Art Deco building, offers a ballroom, theatres, conference centre, food, drink, and more.

 

Unless you’re visiting Blackpool on business, you’d likely be visiting the Winter Garden’s theatres, whether that’s for a pantomime, theatrical production, or a gig. There are two theatres here, the first being the Opera House Theatre, a huge 3,000-seater, dating back to the late 19th century, with the second being the more intimate 600-seater Pavilion Theatre.

 

https://www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk/

 

4. Blackpool Pleasure Beach

 

If you’re from the North West of the UK, you’ll likely have visited the Pleasure Beach as a child, whether with your parents on a trip to the town or on an end-of-term school trip, so visiting again is bound to be a nostalgia-laden adventure.

 

This theme park contains a wide variety of rides and rollercoasters, suitable for people of all ages, whether you want a sedate spin on the carousel or a white-knuckle ride on the latest bone-shaking rollercoasters.

 

It’s typically a summer attraction, but it does open during the winter Illuminations season, with special events laid on for Halloween and late-night riding events. There’s also Nickelodeon Land for younger children if you’re making a family day out with your little ones.

 

https://www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com/

 

5. The Golden Mile

 

This iconic stretch of the Promenade between the North and South Piers is home to all the amusements and attractions you could even ask for on a family day out, including, of course, Coral Island, the largest free-admission attraction in Blackpool.

 

You’ll find all the gift shops, famous attractions such as Madame Tussauds, amusements arcades, games, mini golf, shops, and bars and restaurants, including your favourite chains and brands if you’re looking for a bite to eat and a drink, whether that’s a cheeky Nando’s, fish and chips to eat as you stroll or more gourmet options for a romantic dinner for two.

 

6. Heritage Trams

 

Blackpool Transport owns a fleet of fully restored historic Heritage Trams, that regularly ride along the Blackpool Tramway, offering rides and tours for visitors to the town. The town’s tramway is one the oldest in the world, dating back to 1885, and a unique way to see the town, past all the iconic landmarks, and a fantastic way to see the Illuminations too!

 

https://www.blackpooltransport.com/heritage-tram-tours

 

7. Blackpool Tower Dungeon

 

It doesn’t need to be the spooky season to enjoy an exploration of the dark history of Lancashire, as you can visit the Blackpool Tower Dungeon all year round for an unforgettable experience. This immersive theatrical tour guides visitors through several dark periods in the history of the county and Blackpool, with scary stories reenacted up close by the tour guides and actors.

 

You’ll be guided through 11 different sections, each with something different to offer, each spooky and scary in its own right, such as scenes with a plague doctor, a torturer, the Pendle witches, and more, before a scary drop ride and a saloon to calm your nerves at the end!

 

https://www.thedungeons.com/blackpool/

 

8. The Piers

 

There are three fantastic piers along the Golden Mile, that allow visitors to explore the best of the Blackpool Coast without having to brace the elements of the Irish Sea in the winter seasons. The North, Central, and South Piers each have their own unique Victorian charm, with a range of different attractions and facilities on each.

 

It’s a 1.6-mile stroll from the North to the South Pier, and a good opportunity to explore the Golden Mile.

 

9. Central Pier Big Wheel

 

The Blackpool Big Wheel is an iconic huge Ferris wheel that reopened in 2021 on the Central Pier, offering incredible views of the town, high above the beach. The wheel is at its most impressive when seen at night when it is all lit up with brilliant lights.

 

At 108 feet at its highest point, you can peer out over the town and the illuminations, or far out over the Irish Sea.

 

10. The Venetian Carousel

 

The Venetian Carousel is the North Pier’s most iconic attraction, an impressive carousel with horses and carriages that has long been popular with visitors of all ages. This Italian-made, double-deck galloper carousel has intricately designed horses to ride and was first opened in 1991. However, the style of the carousel invokes nostalgia for decades way further back in time!

 

And more…

 

That’s not all there is in Blackpool, as you can find a wide range of live music, gigs, plays, art and culture and more. Visit the Grundy Art Gallery for exhibitions and art throughout the ages, explore the Lightpool festival that runs alongside the Illuminations, or visit the many famous bars and clubs for which the town is famous.

 

And, of course, do come and visit Coral Island Casino, the friendliest casino in town, for a genuine casino experience, with live Roulette and Blackjack tables and all the latest slots!

 

Whatever your reason for visiting Blackpool this winter, you can be sure there’s something to keep you entertained!

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