Things to do in Blackpool during the winter

Despite earning its fame as a summer holiday destination for Brits looking for a traditional seaside break, Blackpool has plenty to offer visitors at all points throughout the year, even in the chilly winter. So, while donning a bathing suit and heading into the Irish Sea may not be on the cards in November or December, you can still enjoy high quality entertainment in Blackpool's vast concert venues and when strolling or driving through the famous Blackpool Illuminations.



Blackpool is primarily known as a city of entertainment, and its numerous theatres of various sizes attract many of the biggest names in show business, from international bands to Britain's funniest comedians. Locations such as the Grand Theatre and Opera House Theatre entertain thousands of people throughout the year, and the city also has smaller venues that cater for niche interests too.



One of the more unusual ways to see an alternative side to Blackpool is by taking a ghost tour of reputedly haunted sights, departing from convenient locations such as Blackpool Town Hall before delving into lesser known areas. These eerie tours that combine true history with a little sinister speculation operate throughout the year, but are at their most effective in the winter, when there is literally a chill in the air.

If you're visiting Blackpool before early November, there's still time to enjoy the thrilling rides and colourful shows of Blackpool Pleasure Beach too, before the park shuts its gates until the spring. As well as being home to one of Europe's biggest rollercoasters, the Pepsi Max Big One, the Pleasure Beach also has something for all ages, from charming wooden big dippers and ghost trains to high-adrenaline modern rides.



The Pleasure Beach is not the only tourist attraction in Blackpool, of course, and you can enjoy a great family day out whatever the weather when visiting locations such as Louis Tussaud's Waxworks. Blackpool also attracts its fair share of festivals throughout the year, with this winter being host to events such as Mooky's Eastern Promise, promising a full day's worth of activities housed in Blackpool Tower.



Autumn and winter also offers something very special for visitors to Blackpool, in the form of the Blackpool Illuminations that light up more than 10 kilometres down the seafront, from the Pleasure Beach and beyond. You won't miss iconic Blackpool Tower, while other dazzling displays combine numerous international influences to transform Blackpool into a winter wonderland, from the switch-on in early September through to early November. You might even have impressive lighting displays right on your doorstep when you stay in Blackpool hotels along the seafront.