Visit a winter wonderland by the seaside with one of the best light displays in the world
Christmas By The Sea in Blackpool includes a free-to-use ice skating rink (Image: Visit Blackpool)
Blackpool may be known for its Illuminations, but over the festive season this iconic seaside town puts on another event which draws crowds from far and wide. Each year the town hosts Christmas By The Sea, which sees the Tower Festival Headland transformed into a winter wonderland.
It features mesmerising light installations, funfair rides and a free-to-use ice skating rink. Visitors to the Christmas village can also enjoy guaranteed snow, thanks to artificial snowfalls ‘bursting out of special cannons’, adding to the magical atmosphere.
The village is packed full of fun rides and attractions, including a 100ft-long snow slide, and an aerial swing ride, called the Star Flyer. The German Swing Grill, Snow Dome Waltzers, a Helter-Skelter slide and Ice Breaker thrill ride have all returned for 2025.
New for this year is the Christmas-themed Fun House. Set over three floors, it includes spinning barrels and discs, shuffle boards and special lighting effects.
The Christmas village includes market stalls selling food, drink and gifts (Image: Visit Blackpool)
Christmas By The Sea features a festive market serving up delicious food and drink. This year there will be even more wooden cabins adorned with lights offering Christmas market favourites such as German Bratwurst, Yorkshire pudding wraps and mini Dutch pancakes.
As well as food and drink, there are a handful of stalls selling gifts. Including a cheese stall and one selling hand-crafted baubles, lights and ornaments. Visitors can shelter from the cold in the cosy bar area, where they can sip on mulled wine, ales and ‘winter warmers’.
The highlight of the Christmas village is the synthetic ice rink which spans 20m in length and is completely free to use, with free skate hire too. No advance booking is required – skaters can simply turn up and take to the ice – although there’s a limit of up to 60 skaters at any one time.
There’s even artifical snowfall (Image: Visit Blackpool)
All of this is set against the backdrop of the Illuminations which light up the seafront for more than five miles. This year there are several new installations, including Guardians of the North, created by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and features two seven-metre tall dragons wrapped round turrets which come alive with light and smoke. Once again the Illuminations have been extended until January 4.
Christmas By The Sea is open every day until January 4, except for Christmas Day. Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, added: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Christmas By The Sea back to Blackpool this year.
“It has become such a special part of our annual events calendar and a place where families and friends can come together to experience the festive magic and make lasting memories. With something for everyone, it truly captures the spirit of Christmas.”
Christmas By The Sea is completely free to visit and throughout the season, people will be able to park for four hours at many Blackpool Council car parks for just £2. This year the offer includes both Talbot and Central Multi-Storey Car Parks.
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