Blackpool Switch-On 2015 Announcement

Blackpool’s Illuminations season will be launched with a spectacular three-day festival this year.

It was revealed today that the annual Switch-On weekend will be rebranded as Blackpool iFest and will be produced in partnership with leading TV channels, including Sky Vintage music channel which will host the Saturday night event.

The festival will take place on the Tower Festival Headland on Friday 4, Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 September and will comprise three nights of high-quality entertainment.

On the Friday, the biggest night in the town’s calendar, will see chart-topping stars entertaining the crowd of thousands before the Blackpool Illuminations are switched on by the star guest.

This concert will be completely free with a proportion of tickets allocated for local residents. Last year 18,000 people enjoyed a star-studded night of entertainment featuring some of the most popular names in British music and this year promises to be just as spectacular.

On Saturday, the arena will be taken over by Sky Television’s Vintage TV channel hosting an 80s night with a raft of stars performing their chart-topping hits from the decade.

For Sunday night, the focus will turn to comedy, with the first ever comedy gig to be held on the Tower Festival Headland. 

Full details of the line-ups, ticketing details and how to register for Switch-On tickets, will be revealed over coming weeks.

Cllr Graham Cain, cabinet member for tourism and leisure, said: “I’m delighted to be able to announce our plans for Blackpool iFest.  

“Last year was the first time we held shows on three successive nights and it went really well. The feedback we received from local businesses and hoteliers was that it encouraged people to stay for the full weekend, which is what we set out to achieve.

“We are following the same concept this year, but changing the events so they appeal to a wider audience.

“This will be the first time we have partnered with TV broadcasters, which shows the pull the weekend has. The highlights of the Saturday night concert will be shown to the millions of Vintage TV viewers for months to come after the event. Everyone will be able to see what a fantastic show we can put on here in Blackpool.

“In another first for Blackpool, there will be a comedy night held on the Tower Festival Headland. This headland is host to our sensational artwork, the Comedy Carpet, there can be no better location to host an event with performances from the best of British comedy. 

“I know everyone is really keen to hear who the headline acts are, they will be announced in the coming weeks allowing hoteliers as much time as possible to promote the events to prospective guests.”

Vintage TV’s Founder and CEO, David Pick, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be one of the media partners for this exciting and extraordinary event, and we’re thoroughly enjoying the experience of working with Blackpool and everyone else involved.

“The Illuminations have been holding a special place in all our hearts from one generation to the next. As we celebrate our rather youthful five years of broadcasting, we like to think that we, too, are bringing together fans of every age who appreciate truly great music.

“The Blackpool Illuminations Festival has developed into a thriving, hugely popular event for fans all over the UK, and we look forward to making this year’s weekend even more memorable, showing its highlights throughout the year to the millions of homes tuning in to Vintage TV.”

Further information regarding ticket sales will be released in the coming weeks. To register for updates regarding the weekend visit www.visitblackpool.com/switchon

Blackpool Illuminations

• Blackpool Illuminations will shine nightly from Friday 4 September to Sunday 8 November
• Blackpool Illuminations attracts more than four million visitors in 2014 to the resort
• The Illuminations display stretches for more than five miles
• Blackpool’s first electric lighting was in 1879 when just eight Siemens arc lamps illuminated the Promenade.  The effect was described by Victorian visitors as ‘artificial sunshine’.
• The Lights are credited to the pumping of more than £275 million into the local economy