2nd September - 6th November 2016

Blackpool Illuminations 2016 Switch On Show

Barbara Windsor 2016 Switch On Night

The 2016 Switch On celebrity has been announced. It is Dame Barbara Windsor!!!! The Carry On and Eastenders star, 79, said: Some people say we want this, we want that and I say oh, I´d love to switch on the Lights in Blackpool. I just feel a great love for it and I´m so, so thrilled to be doing it, I cannot tell you, I´m just over the moon.

The details of the 2016 Switch On performers are: Ashley Banjo will be directing some of the switch on show after his amazing work on the 10th anniversary of Britains Got Talent. Diversity will perform a bespoke set and after their amazing performance last year The Vamps will be back on Blackpool Tower Headlands stage.

Here is the running order.. but please remember, this is subject to change.

Gates open on Tower Headland from 4pm

  • Blackpool Introducing
  • Club MTV R3wire & Varski (Club MTV DJs) & Fatman Scoop
  • The Vamps
  • Club MTV DJs
  • Fleur East
  • Club MTV DJs & Imani
  • Diversity
  • Dame Barbara Windsor and Illuminations Switch On
  • DJ Fresh until 10pm

Ashley Banjo

Who better to direct Friday´s extravaganza than Ashley Banjo? He´s the talented choreographer of Britain´s Got Talent´s winning dance troupe Diversity. Ashley will be curating the lead-up to the big switch-on, which includes some very special guests.

Diversity

Ashley´s show will include an exclusive performance from Diversity, who will be premiering their act before they head off on a nationwide arena tour early in 2017.

If you did not win tickets to the Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On you can buy tickets to SLIMEFEST which takes place at Blackpool Winter Gardens on Saturday 3rd September and package this with a Switch-On wristband.

Don't miss out on 20% off discount code for tickets to Nickelodeon's SLIMEFEST, in Blackpool on the 3rd of September 2016. Code: SLIME3

Fleur East

Fleur became an overnight sensation after performing Mark Ronsons infectious Uptown Funk on The X Factor. After finishing runner-up on the show, she went on to release her first solo album, which included the huge hit single Sax.

She took America by storm earlier this year and most recently released a show-stopping fashion collection with top British womens brand Lipsy.

Fatman Scoop

Isaac Freeman III, better known by his stage name Fatman Scoop, is famous for performing on former UK number-one Be Faithful with the Crooklyn Clan, and for being an American hype man, hip hop promoter and radio personality famed for his raw voice.

Scoop has also featured on two hit songs: Mariah Carey´s It´s Like That, and Missy Elliott´s Grammy award-winning Lose Control. A presenter on the popular New York radio station WQHT, he creates a regular podcast entitled Man and Wife TV, with his wife Shanda Freeman.

The Vamps

The Vamps are back under the world-famous Blackpool lights! After they rocked the switch-on last year, they are here once more to do exactly the same again and really get the party started!

DJ Fresh

Chart topping DJ Fresh is to perform at this year rose to fame with her incredible voice when she featured on Sigala´s chart smash ´Say You Do´ earlier this year. At just 16 she is a true pop star in the making and has already been compared to the likes of Rhianna and Ariana Grande.

DJ Fresh shot to fame in recent years working with the likes of Sian Evans, Rita Ora and Sigala. With over 2.5 million record sales, two number one singles and a further two top six singles to his name.

Imani Williams

She rose to fame with her incredible voice when she featured on Sigalacs chart smash Say You Do earlier this year. At just 16 she is a true pop star in the making and has already been compared to the likes of Rhianna and Ariana Grande.

She´s gone on to work with top writers and producers from all around the world and her debut solo single Dont need no money is set to be released later this month

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To get the Switch On started a Blackpool Introduces showcase will kick start the night. It will feature the best of talent from local venues including Verity Kinnon, James Edgar and Axi Wild. The line-up will also include Blackpools own Stacey McClean, formerly of spin-off band S Club 8 and special sets by Club MTV.

On Saturday and Sunday evening there will be a free outdoor Nickelodeon festival on the headland.

More details comming soon....

If you did not win tickets to the Blackpool Illuminations Switch-On you can buy tickets to SLIMEFEST which takes place at Blackpool Winter Gardens on Saturday 3rd September and package this with a Switch-On wristband.

Don't miss out on 20% off discount code for tickets to Nickelodeon's SLIMEFEST, in Blackpool on the 3rd of September 2016. Code: SLIME3

Please note that all donations received via either the street collections, donations from local businesses and from collecting containers in hotels is not used to pay for the concert or any losses incurred. It is used to create new features for the illuminations. So please please be generous in your donations to make the illuminations the best they can be. The Illuminations team are a very dedicated bunch of people who do their best to stretch their budget as far as humanly possible to bring you the greatest FREE show on earth for 66 nights a year.