For generations people have flocked to Blackpool for staycations and day trips. It’s perhaps the most iconic seaside resort in the country and a firm favourite with Manc families.
Now that spring is finally here and the Easter holidays are just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to start planning a trip to this iconic destination. The town is already gearing up for a bumper 2023 and it kicked it off with the reopening of Blackpool Pleasure Beach on March 18.
If you are an adrenaline junkie be sure to have a ride on the Big Dipper this year as it celebrates its 100th birthday. Of course there’s much more to Blackpool than just thrilling rides; the resort boasts a range of attractions from Blackpool Zoo to the Winter Gardens.
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Be sure to check out the amazing events Blackpool is hosting throughout the year, from the Air Show in the summer to the Illuminations in the winter. Here, we’ve rounded up some of the best things to see and do in Blackpool this year, including those which are free.
Enjoy thrills at Blackpool Pleasure Beach
After being closed over the winter, Blackpool Pleasure Beach has reopened for the 2023 season - and it promises to be a jam-packed year. Loyal fans will be delighted to hear that the popular ride Valhalla is returning after a huge £4 million refit.
The Viking-themed rollercoaster takes adrenaline-junkies on a wild journey, exposing them to gallons of water and extreme temperatures. Extra surprises have been added following its refurbishment, keeping thrill-seekers on their toes.
Younger visitors can have some fun at Nickelodeon Land, which will host familiar faces this summer, with Paw Patrol taking over in June and Spongebob arriving in August. Later in the year you can look forward to some creepy events for Halloween, including the return of Journey to Hell from October 13 - 31.
Celebrate big birthdays for Blackpool's landmarks
Two of Blackpool’s most iconic attractions are celebrating milestone birthdays this year. The Big Dipper, a wooden roller coaster which has thrilled families for generations, marks its centenary and there will be a special event planned in August. If you're feeling brave enough, why not have a go?
It’s the oldest continually operating rollercoaster in the UK, having first opened in August 1923, when it cost just one shilling to ride. Blackpool’s North Pier marks an even bigger milestone as it’s been 160 years since visitors first took a stroll along it in 1863.
Catch a show
Throughout the year visitors can catch dozens of incredible shows at venues including Winter Gardens, Grand Theatre and Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Among the shows gracing Blackpool’s stages are Six The Musical, The Bodyguard, Shrek The Musical, Annie and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.
For music fans, Blackpool will also be hosting the British Country Music Festival in September, while Sir Cliff Richard will appear at the Opera House in November, one of only three locations on his Blue Sapphire tour.
Visit one of its amazing attractions
There are lots of family-friendly attractions to visit in Blackpool, including the Tower Ballroom, Madame Tussauds, the Blackpool Tower Dungeon and SEA LIFE Blackpool. One attraction which is worth checking out in 2023 is Blackpool Zoo, with a new £1.5million facility for big cats opening this spring. It includes larger windows, giving visitors panoramic indoor and outdoor views of the lions and tigers.
Family-friendly openings
This year will see some exciting openings for Blackpool providing family-friendly entertainment. A new indoor play area, The Gruffalo & Friends Clubhouse, will bring together beloved children’s book characters The Gruffalo, Zog, The Highway Rat and more this summer. The £2.3 million project has been dubbed a “world first” and promises to bring the stories to life.
Although Blackpool can always guarantee sea and sand, sunshine isn’t always certain, so on rainy days indoor activities are the way forward. Later this year a new cinema complex is opening in the town with one of the largest IMAX screens in the country. The Backlot Cinema will compose of nine screens with luxury seats, while food and drink options will be available at the Backlot Diner.
Immerse yourself in an event
Blackpool’s events calendar is jam-packed for 2023 with several favourites set to return for another year. The programme includes Pride, Air Show Weekend, Rebellion Punk Festival, Ride The Lights, World Fireworks Championship Blackpool, Lightpool Festival, Illuminations Switch-On weekend and Christmas By The Sea.
Soak up the seaside on a budget
With a jam-packed entertainment schedule, it can be easy to forget that some of the best things Blackpool has to offer are completely free. Soak up the sun with a stroll along its vast sandy beaches, enjoy the views from the pier or have a laugh on the Comedy Carpet.
Visitors can enjoy free events across the year, including the Illuminations which are being extended by two months. For families with little ones, keep your eyes peeled for the Elmer's Big Parade art trail, which will see sculptures of the iconic patchwork elephant across the town.
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