Super switch-on weekend proves a hit as Tim Burton switches on Blackpool Illuminations!

Blackpool’s Illuminations season is under way after a star-studded weekend of entertainment featuring legendary Hollywood director, Tim Burton, and a host of musical and comedy talent.

Burton, a self-confessed fan of Britain’s best-loved seaside resort, filmed his latest project “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children,” in the town earlier this year and, to say thank you, VisitBlackpool bosses gave him their highest honour – the chance to flick the famous switch!

He said: “When they asked me about flicking the switch I felt like Dr Frankenstein flicking on the electricity so it’s pretty cool.

“I love Blackpool, I’d love to do another film here. It’s an amazing place.”

The Friday night switch-on concert, at the Blackpool Tower Festival Headland Arena, featured some of the biggest names in British music, including The Vamps, Lawson and Professor Green.

They were followed up with two fantastic events on Saturday – the live filming of CBBC’s Saturday Shout Out show live and an evening concert featuring a host of vintage pop acts.

Then on Sunday night, ticket holders were treated to a side-splitting comedy extravaganza hosted by Al Murray – The Pub Landlord. 

Around 30,000 people attended the events across the weekend.

The concert marks the start of the 2015 Illuminations season, with the world famous lights now shining bright every night until 8 November, which this year features the start of Blackpool’s new £2.4m Lightpool project funded by the Coastal Communities Fund, Blackpool Council and LeftCoast.

Coastal Communities Minister, Mark Francois, said: ““I am delighted we have been able to support Blackpool Illumination’s through a £2m grant from the Coastal Communities Fund.

“This investment will help boost the local economy and the Northern Powerhouse. We are committed to drive investment in the north and help our seaside communities thrive.”

And Cllr Gillian Campbell, Deputy Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “The 2015 Blackpool Illuminations season is now under way and we’re absolutely delighted.

“Tim Burton is one of the biggest names in the entertainment world so to have him turn on the display was simply incredible and we’re extremely pleased he agreed to flick the switch.

“For 2015 we’ve got an incredible Illuminations display that takes in more of the town than ever before and our new Las Vegas-style light projection show will start soon on the front of The Blackpool Tower.

“So I would urge people to come and Visit Blackpool, see all the lights and all the sights and have a fantastic time.”