Blackpool Illuminations LightPool Festival 2021

Light Odyssey

Thursday 18th October | Empress Ballroom

On Thursday 18 October, Light Odyssey, will bring the iconic Empress Ballroom in the Winter Gardens to life with 2D and 3D light animation, pushing the boundaries of light, space and sound. Partnering with QED Productions, 24 top-of-the-range projectors will transform the ballroom’s interior into a giant canvas with international teams of animators responding to the architecture’s unparalleled grandeur.

The 90-minute performance will include around 90 musicians, with live performances of Copland, Britten and Saint-Saëns, and classical favourites such as Barber’s Adagio for Strings, conducted by acclaimed Norwegian conductor Eivind Aadland.

Carnival of the Lights

Thursday 25th October | Blackpool Promenade

Last year’s hugely-successful illuminated tram parade returns as part of a dazzling Carnival Of The Lights on the night of October 25.

To celebrate Blackpool’s unique tramway history, the Carnival of the Lights is an illuminated tram parade in tribute to the rich heritage of our illuminated trams travelling in convoy along the seafront on 25 October. It presents a unique opportunity to witness Blackpool’s historic collection of illuminated tramcars featuring a battleship, trawler and Great Western train, travelling in convoy along the seafront joined by a procession of illuminated vehicles and costumed characters.

The procession leaves Blackpool Pleasure Beach at 17:45, arriving at Central Pier at approximately 18:00 to be joined by the entertainment procession. Proceeding to Blackpool Tower, make sure you bring your camera!

Spark! street theatre show is a magical live music, movement and lighting spectacular in which mysterious characters composed of light and sound transform the landscape around them and captivate their audience. Combining high impact drumming, dynamic choreography, playful characters and colourful lighting design.

LeftCoast Presents RUSH

Friday October 26 | Blackpool Promenade and Town Centre

Set against an icon of Blackpool’s skyline RUSH is an extraordinary outdoor dance spectacular telling the stories that matter to Blackpool and Wyre residents in a huge release of energy and creativity.

A community cast of 100 residents will perform with a world-class professional dance company alongside the professional dancers and production team in RUSH. This production is a one-off experience of dance, light, projections and film, exploring both local and global issues to an urban soundtrack.

RUSH develops into a celebration, after you’ve experienced RUSH in Blackpool you will leave with a sense of exhilaration knowing that the power to change things lies within our communities - Blackpool always keeping the lights on.

Set on the site of the former police station on Bonny Street, see this Blackpool landmark in a whole new light. The police tower will be transformed and dancers will take over the space in an explosion of movement and music.

Presented as part of the Lightpool Festival, RUSH has been created by Southpaw Dance Company, commissioned by LeftCoast and co-produced with Event International.