Switch-On 2023: Everything you need to know

The Illuminations Switch-On party is the biggest, brightest night in Blackpool’s calendar, and this year's celebration on September 1 promises to deliver an experience Blackpool has never seen before.

It's back outdoors and free for everyone to attend!

Look forward to a spectacular parade, free family entertainment on the Tower Festival Headland, the exciting Switch-On moment, an illuminating Tower light show and fireworks over the seafront.

Nickelodeon Parade

The Nickelodeon Grand Parade is a spectacular procession along the Golden Mile, showcasing the beloved characters from the world's most popular children's TV channel.

The celebrations will kick off with a vibrant and lively float parade, featuring larger-than-life versions of your favourite characters such as SpongeBob SquarePants and friends, PAW Patrol, Baby Shark, Transformers, and Monsters High. They will be joined by around 100 dancers, musicians and street performers as they make their way from Central Pier to the Tower Festival Headland for a free family party.

Among the performers in the grand parade will be Lancashire’s own 2nd Rossendale Scout Group Band, a hugely talented group of young musicians who have performed all over the UK, including an appearance at Windsor Castle in front of the Queen.

Switch-On Moment

One of the UK’s best-loved music stars is to switch on the 2023 Blackpool Illuminations. Fresh from her appearance on Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage and on the back of the release of her brand new studio album, singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor will perform on the Tower Festival Headland on Friday 1 September before pulling the switch to trigger four months of Illuminations.

Sophie said: “I’m so excited to be coming back to Blackpool to perform a few of my favourite tracks and to switch on the iconic Blackpool Illuminations! I can’t wait to see you all there!”

Free entertainment, light show and fireworks

That’s not all! Once the switch is pulled by Sophie Ellis-Bextor, the celebration will continue with a free family party with live music and family entertainment, leading up to a grand finale with the iconic celebrity Switch-On moment. Get ready for even more celebrations to follow when The Blackpool Tower bursts into life with a specially-commissioned sound and light show that will be synchronised with LED wristbands to be given out to spectators, topped off with a fireworks finale over the seafront.

The whole event will be free to access with no tickets required.

The Switch-On ceremony marks the start of the annual Illuminations display, which will shine nightly from September 1, 2023, to January 1, 2024.

What time is the event?

The build-up will commence from 7pm, with the float parade scheduled to start around 7.30pm. The main celebrations on the Tower Festival Headland will take place between approximately 8pm and 9.30pm.