View source for Blackpool

{{short description|Coastal town in Lancashire, England}}
{{other uses}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}}
{{Infobox UK place
| official_name = Blackpool
| type = Town
| coordinates = {{Coord|53|48|51|N|3|03|01|W|display=inline,title}}
| os_grid_reference = 
| post_town = BLACKPOOL
| postcode_area = FY
| postcode_district = FY1-FY5
| dial_code = 01253
| unitary_england = [[Borough of Blackpool|Blackpool]]
| lieutenancy_england = [[Lancashire]]
| region = North West England
| country = England
| hide_services = Yes
| population = 141,000
| population_ref = ([[2021 United Kingdom census|2021 census]])
| area_total_km2 = 34.47
| static_image = {{multiple images|perrow=2 2 1 2|align=center|total_width=275px|border=infobox
| image1 = Blackpool tower and illuminations.jpg
| caption1 = [[The Illuminations]]
| image2 = Blackpool Town Hall (geograph 7192968).jpg|caption2=[[Blackpool Town Hall|Town Hall]]
| image3 = Blackpool Tower behind the Albert and the Lion (geograph 6215321).jpg
|caption3=[[Blackpool Tower|Tower]]
|image4=False frontages to rollercoaster, Pleasure Beach, Blackpool - geograph.org.uk - 4664907.jpg |caption4= [[Blackpool Pleasure Beach|Pleasure Beach]]
|image5 = Stanley Park, Blackpool - 20180816134910.jpg|caption5= [[Stanley Park, Blackpool|Stanley Park]]
|image6 = Blackpool , Blackpool Scenery - geograph.org.uk - 4205977.jpg|caption6= [[St John's Church, Blackpool|St John's Church]]
|image7 = Blackpool - Winter Gardens - 20221128113001.jpeg|caption7=
[[Blackpool Winter Gardens|Winter Gardens]]
}}
| website = {{URL|https://blackpool.gov.uk}}
| constituency_westminster = [[Blackpool North and Fleetwood]]
| constituency_westminster1 = [[Blackpool South (UK Parliament constituency)|Blackpool South]]
| pushpin_map = United Kingdom The Fylde#United Kingdom Blackpool
| pushpin_map_caption = Location on [[the Fylde]], Lancashire##Town centre within [[Borough of Blackpool]]
| population_demonym = Blackpudlian
}}

'''Blackpool''' is a [[seaside town]] in [[Lancashire]], England. It is located on the [[Irish Sea]] coast of [[the Fylde]] peninsula, approximately {{convert|27|mi|km|0}} north of [[Liverpool]] and {{convert|14|mi|km|0}} west of [[Preston, Lancashire|Preston]]. It is the main settlement in the [[Borough of Blackpool|borough of the same name]].

Blackpool was originally a hamlet; it began to grow in the mid-eighteenth century, when sea bathing for health purposes became fashionable. Blackpool's beach was suitable for this activity and, by 1781, several hotels had been built. The opening of a railway station in 1846 allowed more visitors to reach the resort, which continued to grow for the remainder of the nineteenth century. In 1876, the town became a borough. Blackpool's development was closely tied to the Lancashire [[cotton mill|cotton-mill]] practice of annual factory maintenance shutdowns, known as [[Wakes Week]]s, when many workers chose to visit the seaside. The town saw large growth during the late Victorian and Edwardian periods. By 1951, its population had reached 147,000.

In the late 20th century, changing holiday preferences and increased overseas travel impacted Blackpool's standing as a leading resort. Despite economic challenges, the town's urban fabric and economy remain centred around tourism. Today, the seafront continues to draw millions of visitors annually; it features landmarks such as [[Blackpool Tower]], [[Blackpool Illuminations|Illuminations]], [[Blackpool Pleasure Beach|Pleasure Beach]] and the [[Winter Gardens, Blackpool|Winter Gardens]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lambert |first=Tim |date=14 March 2021 |title=A History of Blackpool |url=https://localhistories.org/a-history-of-blackpool/ |access-date=12 November 2023 |website=Local Histories}}</ref> The town is home to football club [[Blackpool F.C.]]. The population of Blackpool at the [[2021 United Kingdom census|2021 census]] was 141,000, a decrease of 1,100 since the [[2011 United Kingdom census|2011 census]].<ref name="HowLife">{{Cite web |date=19 January 2023 |title=How life has changed in Blackpool: Census 2021 |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/censusareachanges/E06000009/ |access-date=14 November 2023}}</ref>

==History==
===Early history===
[[File:Blackpool.1784.jpg|thumb|View of Blackpool, 1784|200x200px]]   
In 1970, a 13,500-year-old [[Alces alces|elk]] skeleton was found with a [[Projectile point|barbed bone point]] embedded in one leg. Now displayed in the [[Harris Museum]], this find provided the first evidence of [[human]]s living on [[the Fylde]].<ref name="amounderness">{{Cite web |title=Who were the Setantii? |url=http://www.amounderness.com/site/setantii.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080330043117/http://www.amounderness.com/site/setantii.htm |archive-date=30 March 2008 |access-date=26 January 2008 |publisher=amounderness.com}}</ref> Some of the earliest villages on the Fylde, which were later to become part of Blackpool town, were named in the [[Domesday Book]] in 1086.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

In [[medieval]] times, Blackpool emerged as a few farmsteads on the coast within Layton-with-Warbreck; the name came from "le pull", a stream that drained [[Marton Mere]] and Marton Moss into the sea. The stream ran through peatlands that discoloured the water, so the name for the area became "Black Poole". In the 15th century, the area was just called ''Pul'' and a 1532 map calls the area "the pole howsys alias the north howsys".<ref name="grand">{{cite web |author=<!-- not stated --> |date=10 April 2019 |title=Blackpool by Name - Why is Blackpool Called Blackpool? |url=https://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/why-is-it-called-blackpool |website=blackpoolgrand.co.uk |location= |publisher=The Grand Theatre Blackpool |access-date=6 November 2025}}</ref>

In 1602, entries in the [[Bispham Parish Church]] baptismal register include both ''Poole'' and for the first time ''Blackpoole''. The first house of any substance, Foxhall, was built by the Tyldesley family of [[Myerscough, Lancashire|Myerscough]] Lodge and existed in the latter part of the 17th century. By the end of that century, it was occupied by squire and diarist [[Tyldesley Diary|Thomas Tyldesley]], grandson of the [[Cavalier|Royalist]] [[Sir Thomas Tyldesley]]. An [[act of Parliament]] in 1767 enclosed a [[common land|common]], mostly sand hills on the coast, that stretched from Spen Dyke southwards (see [[Main Dyke]]).{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

====Sea bathing and the growth of seaside resorts====
In the 18th century, [[sea bathing]] gained popularity for health benefits, drawing visitors to Blackpool as a [[tourist resort]]. By 1788, there were about 50 houses on the sea bank. Of these around six accommodated wealthy visitors while a number of other private dwellings lodged the "inferior class whose sole motive for visiting this airy region was health."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hutton |first=William |title=A Description of Blackpool in Lancashire Frequented for Sea Bathing |publisher=Peneverdant Publishing |year=1996 |isbn=0952491508 |edition=Fifth |pages=5}}</ref> In 1781, The town's amenities, including hotels, archery stall, and bowling greens, slowly expanded. By 1801, the population reached 473. Henry Banks, instrumental in Blackpool's growth, purchased Lane Ends estate in 1819, building the first holiday cottages in 1837.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The seaside resort: a British cultural export, an article by John K. Walton |url=https://archives.history.ac.uk/history-in-focus/Sea/articles/walton.html#:~:text=Seaside%20resorts%20began%20to%20appear,and%20parts%20of%20Scandinavia;%20and |access-date=29 August 2024 |website=archives.history.ac.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=History of Blackpool |url=https://blackpoolcivictrust.org.uk/history.html |access-date=29 August 2024 |website=blackpoolcivictrust.org.uk}}</ref>

===19th century===
{{More citations needed section|date=December 2023}}
[[File:On the sands at Blackpool 1895.jpg|thumb|right|Blackpool sands in 1895]]

By the early 19th century, small purpose-built facilities began catering to a [[middle-class]] market, although substantial numbers of working people from manufacturing towns were "being drawn to Blackpool's charms."<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=2014 |title=Blackpool's Seaside Heritage |url=https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/publications/blackpools-seaside-heritage/blackpools-seaside-heritage/ |work=English Heritage}}</ref> In 1846, a pivotal event marked the early growth of the town: the completion of a railway branch line to Blackpool from Poulton. This spurred development as visitors flocked in by rail, boosting the town's economy. Blackpool prospered with the construction of accommodations and attractions, fostering rapid growth in the 1850s and 1860s. A Board of Health was established in 1851, gas lighting in 1852, and piped water in 1864. The town's population exceeded 2,500 by 1851.

North Pier opened in 1863, designed by [[Eugenius Birch]] for Blackpool's "better classes", and always retained its unique qualities of being a quieter, more reflective place compared with Blackpool's other two piers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gregson |first=Juliette |date=2023-05-21 |title=Memories of 160 years of North Pier |url=https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/38213-memories-of-160-years-of-north-pier/ |access-date=22 September 2023 |website=Blackpool Social Club}}</ref> The following half century included the construction of two further piers – South Pier (now [[Central Pier, Blackpool|Central Pier]]) in 1868 and [[South Pier, Blackpool|Victoria (now South Pier)]] in 1893 – the [[Winter Gardens, Blackpool|Winter Gardens]] (1878), [[Blackpool Tower]] (1894) and the earliest surviving rides at [[Blackpool Pleasure Beach]] (founded in 1896).

Blackpool's Royal Palace Gardens at Raikes Hall was a world-famous destination for variety and [[music hall]] stars from the mid-18th century. It boasted a Grand Opera House, Indian Room for theatrical and variety performances, a Niagara café with [[cyclorama]], a skating rink and fern house, an elaborate [[Conservatory (greenhouse)|conservatory]], monkey house, [[aviary]] and outside dancing platform for several thousand people. The gardens also had carriage drives and walkways with Grecian and Roman statues for promenaders to enjoy. There was also a [[boating lake]] and a racing track with [[grandstand]] for several thousand. More than 40,000 visitors passed through its gates during the opening week in 1872.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Slattery-Christy |first=David |title=Royal Palace Gardens: Blackpool's Lost Victorian Pleasure Gardens |publisher=CreateSpace |year=2016 |isbn=978-1530154913}}</ref>

[[Working-class]] tourists dominated the heart of the resort, which was the go-to destination for workers from the industrial north and their families. Entire towns would close down their industries during [[Wakes Week]]s between June and September, with a different town on holiday each week. Communities would travel to Blackpool together, first by [[charabanc]] and later by train.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 July 2013 |title=Wakes Weeks highlight of year |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/bygones/10554380.wakes-weeks-highlight-year/ |access-date=22 September 2023 |website=Lancashire Telegraph}}</ref> Blackpool still catered to a "significant middle-class market during the spring and autumn", favouring the residential area of North Shore.<ref name=":0" />

[[File:The promenade, Blackpool, Lancashire, England, ca. 1898.jpg|thumb|[[Photochrom]] of Blackpool Promenade {{Circa|1898}}]]

Blackpool's growth since the 1870s was shaped by its pioneering use of electrical power. Electric lighting came to the town in 1879, as it became the world's first municipality with electric street lighting along [[Blackpool Promenade]], setting the stage for the [[Blackpool Illuminations]]. 100,000 people congregated to see the promenade illuminated on the evening of 19 September 1879.

Work started in Blackpool on the UK's first electric public tramway on 24 February 1884 and the [[Blackpool Tramway]] opened officially on 29 September 1885.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 May 2021 |title=History of our Tramway – Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours |url=https://blackpoolheritage.com/tours/history-of-our-tramway/,%20https://blackpoolheritage.com/tours/history-of-our-tramway/ |access-date=22 September 2023}}</ref> It established one of the world's earliest electric tramways, initially operated by the [[Blackpool Electric Tramway Company]]. By 1899, the tramway had expanded and the conduit system was replaced by overhead wires. {{As of|2025}}, the system still remains in service. In 1897, Blackpool became one of the first towns to mark important civic events with illuminated tram-cars when five Corporation trams were decorated with coloured lights to mark the Diamond Jubilee of [[Queen Victoria]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Toulmin |first=Vanessa |author-link=Vanessa Toulmin|title=Lighting Festivity |url=https://www.showtownblackpool.co.uk/news/lighting-festivity |access-date=22 September 2023 |website=Showtown Blackpool}}</ref>

[[File:Eric and Mabel Moorhouse.jpg|thumb|Holiday makers from Yorkshire, c. 1930]]

By the 1890s, Blackpool had a population of 35,000 and could host 250,000 holidaymakers. Notable structures, like the Grand Theatre (1894) and Blackpool Tower, emerged. The Grand Theatre was among Britain's first all-electric theatres. The Victorian and Edwardian period saw a significant construction of hotels and other accommodation, including the [[Grand Metropole Hotel]] (1873 but incorporating an earlier hotel that had opened in 1785), the [[Imperial Hotel, Blackpool|Imperial Hotel]] (1867) and the [[Norbreck Castle Hotel]] (1912).<ref name="t255">{{cite book |last=Rigby |first=Janet |title=Celebrating Blackpool |publisher=Amberley Publishing Limited |date=15 February 2023 |isbn=978-1-3981-0415-0 | page=}}</ref> These hotels remain extant.<ref name="t255"/>

In 1897, [[Blackpool Corporation]] prohibited "[[phrenologists]], '[[Quackery|quack]]' doctors, [[Palmistry|palmists]], mock auctions and cheap jacks" from hawking on Blackpool sands. The outliers moved onto Central Promenade, where they erected stalls in front gardens. The stretch became known as the [[Golden Mile (Blackpool)|Golden Mile]] and [[sideshow]]s became one of its key features until the 1960s.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last1=Turner |first1=Brian |title=The Blackpool Story |last2=Palmer |first2=Steve |year=1976 |isbn=0950011320 |edition=1st}}</ref>

===1900 to 1960s===
In 1911, the town's [[Blackpool Central railway station|Central station]] was the busiest in the world; in July 1936, 650 trains came and went in a single day.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Haslam |first=Chris |date=22 September 2023 |title=Blackpool's unlikely bounce back — and why you'll want to go this summer |url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/the-surprising-seaside-star-in-the-best-value-holiday-stakes-w2wmzxz3p |access-date=22 September 2023 |work=[[The Times]] |language=en |issn=0140-0460}}</ref> In May 1912, [[Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll|Princess Louise]] officially opened a new section of North Promenade – Princess Parade; lights were erected to mark the occasion.<ref name=":2" /> The [[First World War]] called a temporary halt to the display in 1914 but, by 1925, the lights were back with giant animated tableaux being added and extending the Blackpool Illuminations to almost six miles from Squires Gate to Red Bank Road.<ref name="y993">{{cite book |last=Sharpley |first=Richard |title=Tourism Development and the Environment | publisher=Earthscan |publication-place=London |date=2009 |isbn=978-1-84407-732-8 |page=189}}</ref>

[[File:Blackpool Golden Mile postcard 1972.jpg|thumb|The Golden Mile in 1972]]

The inter-war period saw Blackpool develop and mature as a holiday destination.<ref name="g060">{{cite book |last=Alaluf |first=Yaara Benger |title=The Emotional Economy of Holidaymaking |publisher=Oxford University Press |date=4 March 2021 |isbn=978-0-19-263577-8}}</ref> By 1920, Blackpool had around eight million visitors per year, still drawn largely from the mill towns of East [[Lancashire]] and the [[West Riding of Yorkshire]].{{citation needed|date=December 2023}} Blackpool's population boom was complete by 1951, by which time some 147,000 people were living in the town; this compared with 47,000 in 1901 and 14,000 in 1881.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A History of Blackpool |url=http://www.localhistories.org/blackpool.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623015207/http://www.localhistories.org/blackpool.html |archive-date=23 June 2012 |access-date=17 August 2012 |publisher=Localhistories.org}}</ref> In the 1920s and 1930s, Blackpool was Britain's most popular resort, which [[JB Priestley]] referred to as "the great, roaring, spangled beast."<ref name=":0" /> It provided visitors with entertainment and accommodation on an industrial scale. At its height, it hosted more than 10 million visitors a year and its entertainment venues could seat more than 60,000 people.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}} In 1939, the illuminations were again suspended for the [[Second World War]], not resuming until 1948.<ref name="y993"/>

Blackpool remained a popular resort through much of the 20th century and, in contrast to most resorts, increased in size during the Second World War; it remained open while others closed and with many civil servants and military personnel sent to live and work there.<ref name=":0" /> The town continued to attract more visitors in the decade after the war, reaching a peak of 17 million per year.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

===1960s to present===
By the 1960s, the UK tourism industry was undergoing radical changes. The increasing popularity of [[package holiday]]s took many of Blackpool's traditional visitors abroad. The construction of the [[M55 motorway]] in 1975 made Blackpool more feasible as a day trip rather than an overnight stay. The modern economy, however, remains relatively undiversified and firmly rooted in the tourism sector.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

Many seaside resorts fell from grace during the latter half of the 20th century as mobility, wealth, visitor aspirations and competition were in a state of flux, but Blackpool managed to retain its popular/working-class appeal as the "Las Vegas of the North".<ref>{{Cite thesis |last=Jarratt |first=David |date=July 2013 |title=A socio-cultural analysis of the traditional seaside resort and its contemporary meaning to tourists with specific reference to Morecambe, U.K. |url=https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/19576163.pdf |publisher=University of Central Lancashire}}</ref>

Despite economic restructuring, increased competition and other challenges, Blackpool continues as a seaside visitor destination.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Seaside Resort, David Jarratt and Jenny Steele, 2019 |url=https://www.jennysteele.co.uk/writing/the-seaside-resort-david-jarratt-and-jenny-steele-2019 |access-date=22 September 2023 |website=jennysteele.co.uk}}</ref> Tourism in the town supports 25,000 full-time equivalent jobs – one in five of the workforce. In 2023, the town was named the nation's best-value holiday destination. In 2021 18.8&nbsp;million visitors contributed £1.5&nbsp;billion to the local economy, making Blackpool the nation's biggest seaside resort.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 2019 |title=Supplying skills for the local visitor economy |url=https://www.local.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/12.19%20Work%20Local%20-%20skills%20in%20the%20tourism%20sector_V04.pdf |website=Local.gov}}</ref> In 2022, the resort attracted a further 1.5 million visitors – a total figure of 20.33 million - contributing £1.7bn to the local economy and supporting more than 22,000 jobs.<ref>Visit Lancashire, STEAM report, 2022</ref>

== Geography ==
=== Physical ===
[[File:Blackpool , Blackpool Scenery - geograph.org.uk - 4205965.jpg|thumb|The view from Blackpool Tower]]

Blackpool rests in the middle of the western edge of [[The Fylde]], which is a [[coastal plain]] atop a [[peninsula]]. The seafront consists of a seven-mile sandy beach,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Guide |first=The Beach |title=Blackpool Beach (Central) – Lancashire UK Beach Guide |url=https://www.thebeachguide.co.uk/north-west-england/lancashire/central-blackpool.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224052757/https://www.thebeachguide.co.uk/north-west-england/lancashire/central-blackpool.htm |archive-date=24 February 2018 |access-date=23 February 2018 |website=UK Beach Guide}}</ref> with a flat coastline in the south of the district, which rises once past the North Pier to become the North Cliffs, with the highest point nearby at the [[Bispham Rock Gardens]] at around {{convert|34|m|ft}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Warbreck Reservoir |url=http://www.hill-bagging.co.uk/mountaindetails.php?rf=5484 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224052758/http://www.hill-bagging.co.uk/mountaindetails.php?rf=5484 |archive-date=24 February 2018 |access-date=23 February 2018 |website=Hill-bagging.co.uk |quote=Blackpool current county/UA top}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Blackpool North Shore GC |url=http://www.bnsgc.com/page.aspx?pid=10925 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224173155/http://www.bnsgc.com/page.aspx?pid=10925 |archive-date=24 February 2018 |access-date=23 February 2018 |website=Bnsgc.com |quote=construct a new course and clubhouse centred on the highest point in Blackpool on Knowle Hill}}</ref> The majority of the town district is built up, with very little semi-rural space such as at Marton Mere. Due to the low-lying terrain, Blackpool experiences occasional flooding,<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 October 2017 |title=Flooded Fylde: The aftermath of wild weather |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/lifestyle/nostalgia/flooded-fylde-the-aftermath-of-wild-weather-1-8827508 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224052802/https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/lifestyle/nostalgia/flooded-fylde-the-aftermath-of-wild-weather-1-8827508 |archive-date=24 February 2018 |access-date=23 February 2018 |website=Blackpoolgazette.co.uk}}</ref> with a large-scale project completed in 2017 to rebuild the seawall and promenade to mitigate this.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Coastal defence |url=https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/Your-Council/Creating-a-better-Blackpool/Regeneration/Coastal-and-water-improvements/Coastal-defence.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223232244/https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/Your-Council/Creating-a-better-Blackpool/Regeneration/Coastal-and-water-improvements/Coastal-defence.aspx |archive-date=23 February 2018 |access-date=23 February 2018 |website=Blackpool.gov.uk}}</ref>

===Climate===
Blackpool has a [[maritime climate|temperate maritime climate]] according to the [[Köppen climate classification]] system. Typically, it experiences cool summers, frequent overcast skies and small annual temperature range fluctuations.

The minimum temperature recorded was {{convert|-15.1|C|F}},<ref>{{Cite web |title=1981 Minimum |url=http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/monitordetail.php?seasonid=18&year=1981&indexid=TNn&stationid=2117 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120526093133/http://eca.knmi.nl/utils/monitordetail.php?seasonid=18&year=1981&indexid=TNn&stationid=2117 |archive-date=26 May 2012 |access-date=23 September 2011 |publisher=[[KNMI (institute)|KNMI]]}}</ref> recorded during December 1981, however {{convert|-18.3|C|F}} was recorded in January 1881.<ref>[[Blizzard of January 1881#Temperatures]]</ref>

The absolute maximum temperature recorded in Blackpool was {{convert|37.2|C|F}} during a [[2022 United Kingdom heat wave]]. During an average summer, the warmest temperature reached {{convert|28.5|C|F}} between 1991 and 2020.<ref name=Infoclimat/>

Precipitation averages slightly less than {{convert|900|mm|0|abbr=on}}, with over 1&nbsp;mm of precipitation occurring on 147 days of the year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blackpoolsquires Gate (Lancashire) UK climate averages |url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-climate-averages/gctcfvseb |access-date=16 March 2022 |publisher=Met Office}}</ref>

{{Weather box
| location = Blackpool ([[Blackpool Airport|BLK]]),{{efn|Weather station is located {{convert|2.8|mi|1|abbr=out}} from the Blackpool town centre.}} elevation: {{convert|10|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1960–present
| collapsed = 
| metric first = y
| single line = y
| Jan record high C = 14.3
| Feb record high C = 18.4
| Mar record high C = 19.4
| Apr record high C = 24.4
| May record high C = 28.6
| Jun record high C = 31.3
| Jul record high C = 37.2
| Aug record high C = 32.2
| Sep record high C = 30.0
| Oct record high C = 26.2
| Nov record high C = 16.8
| Dec record high C = 15.0
| Jan avg record high C = 10.8
| Feb avg record high C = 11.1
| Mar avg record high C = 14.8
| Apr avg record high C = 19.0
| May avg record high C = 23.4
| Jun avg record high C = 25.5
| Jul avg record high C = 26.3
| Aug avg record high C = 25.2
| Sep avg record high C = 22.9
| Oct avg record high C = 18.7
| Nov avg record high C = 14.1
| Dec avg record high C = 11.7
| year avg record high C = 28.5
| Jan high C = 7.3
| Feb high C = 7.8
| Mar high C = 9.7
| Apr high C = 12.6
| May high C = 15.7
| Jun high C = 18.1
| Jul high C = 19.8
| Aug high C = 19.5
| Sep high C = 17.6
| Oct high C = 14.1
| Nov high C = 10.4
| Dec high C = 7.9
| year high C = 
| Jan mean C = 4.8
| Feb mean C = 5.0
| Mar mean C = 6.6
| Apr mean C = 8.9
| May mean C = 11.8
| Jun mean C = 14.5
| Jul mean C = 16.4
| Aug mean C = 16.3
| Sep mean C = 14.1
| Oct mean C = 11.1
| Nov mean C = 7.7
| Dec mean C = 5.2
| year mean C = 
| Jan low C = 2.3
| Feb low C = 2.2
| Mar low C = 3.4
| Apr low C = 5.1
| May low C = 7.9
| Jun low C = 10.9
| Jul low C = 12.9
| Aug low C = 13.0
| Sep low C = 10.6
| Oct low C = 8.0
| Nov low C = 5.0
| Dec low C = 2.5
| year low C = 
| Jan avg record low C = -3.8
| Feb avg record low C = -3.1
| Mar avg record low C = -2.4
| Apr avg record low C = -0.4
| May avg record low C = 2.6
| Jun avg record low C = 6.7
| Jul avg record low C = 9.2
| Aug avg record low C = 7.9
| Sep avg record low C = 4.3
| Oct avg record low C = 1.5
| Nov avg record low C = -1.9
| Dec avg record low C = -4.5
| year avg record low C = -5.9
| Jan record low C = -11.5
| Feb record low C = -13.2
| Mar record low C = -9.7
| Apr record low C = -6.1
| May record low C = -1.9
| Jun record low C = -1.0
| Jul record low C = 3.3
| Aug record low C = 1.9
| Sep record low C = -0.7
| Oct record low C = -4.3
| Nov record low C = -7.0
| Dec record low C = -15.1
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 77.8
| Feb precipitation mm = 64.0
| Mar precipitation mm = 54.4
| Apr precipitation mm = 48.7
| May precipitation mm = 54.0
| Jun precipitation mm = 63.1
| Jul precipitation mm = 66.0
| Aug precipitation mm = 79.9
| Sep precipitation mm = 83.5
| Oct precipitation mm = 101.4
| Nov precipitation mm = 94.7
| Dec precipitation mm = 99.1
| year precipitation mm = 
| unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
| Jan precipitation days = 14.4
| Feb precipitation days = 11.4
| Mar precipitation days = 11.2
| Apr precipitation days = 9.9
| May precipitation days = 9.9
| Jun precipitation days = 10.1
| Jul precipitation days = 10.9
| Aug precipitation days = 12.2
| Sep precipitation days = 11.6
| Oct precipitation days = 14.4
| Nov precipitation days = 15.7
| Dec precipitation days = 15.6
| year precipitation days = 
| Jan sun = 55.0
| Feb sun = 80.4
| Mar sun = 119.3
| Apr sun = 175.5
| May sun = 217.9
| Jun sun = 210.1
| Jul sun = 201.1
| Aug sun = 182.6
| Sep sun = 141.8
| Oct sun = 98.0
| Nov sun = 60.7
| Dec sun = 49.3
| year sun = 
| source 1 = [[Met Office]]<ref name="Met Averages">{{Cite web |title=Blackpoolsquires Gate 1991–2020 averages |url=https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/climate/gctcfvseb |access-date=18 December 2021 |publisher=Met Office}}</ref>
| source 2 = [[Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute|KNMI]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Indices Data – Blackpool Squires Gate (Station 11102) |url=https://eca.knmi.nl//download/millennium/millennium.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180709010608/https://eca.knmi.nl//download/millennium/millennium.php |archive-date=9 July 2018 |access-date=9 May 2019 |publisher=[[KNMI (institute)|KNMI]]}}</ref> Infoclimat<ref name="Infoclimat">{{Cite web |title=Climatologie de l'année à Blackpool Airport |url=https://www.infoclimat.fr/climatologie/annee/1991/blackpool-airport/valeurs/03318.html |access-date=30 September 2023 |publisher=Infoclimat |language=fr}}</ref>
}}
{{notelist
}}

=== Green belt ===
{{further|North West Green Belt}}
Blackpool is within a [[Green belt (United Kingdom)|green belt]] region that extends into the wider surrounding counties. It is in place to reduce [[urban sprawl]], prevent the towns in the [[Blackpool urban area]] and other nearby conurbations in Lancashire from further convergence, protect the identity of outlying communities, encourage [[brownfield]] reuse, and preserve nearby countryside. This is achieved by restricting development deemed as inappropriate within the designated areas, and imposing stricter conditions on the permitted building.<ref name="belt">{{Cite web |title=Blackpool Local Plan 2001/2016 |url=https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/Residents/Planning-environment-and-community/Documents/Adopted-Local-Plan.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727031045/https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/Residents/Planning-environment-and-community/Documents/Adopted-Local-Plan.pdf |archive-date=27 July 2020 |access-date=23 February 2018 |website=Blackpool.gov.uk}}</ref>

As the town's urban area is highly built up, only {{convert|70|ha|km2+sqmi}} (2017)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Green belt statistics – GOV.UK |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/green-belt-statistics |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703133634/https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/green-belt-statistics |archive-date=3 July 2018 |access-date=23 February 2018 |website=Gov.uk}}</ref> of green belt exists within the borough, covering the cemetery, its grounds and nearby academy/college playing fields by Carleton, as well as the football grounds near the airport by St Annes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blackpool Nature Conservation Statement |url=https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/Residents/Planning-environment-and-community/Documents/EB023-Blackpool-Nature-and-Conservation-Statement.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223232247/https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/Residents/Planning-environment-and-community/Documents/EB023-Blackpool-Nature-and-Conservation-Statement.pdf |archive-date=23 February 2018 |access-date=23 February 2018 |website=Blackpool.gov.uk}}</ref> Further afield, portions are dispersed around the wider Blackpool urban area into the surrounding Lancashire districts of Fylde and Wyre, helping to keep the settlements of Lytham St Annes, Poulton-le-Fylde, Warton/Freckleton and Kirkham separated.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Council |first=Lancashire County |title=Green belt land |url=http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/lancashire-insight/environment/green-belt-land |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223171723/http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/lancashire-insight/environment/green-belt-land |archive-date=23 February 2018 |access-date=23 February 2018 |website=Lancashire.gov.uk}}</ref>

==Demographics==
Blackpool's population was approximately 141,000 in 2021 according to census figures – a fall of 0.7 per cent from the [[2021–2022 United Kingdom censuses|2011 census]].<ref name="HowLife" /> It is one of five North West local authority areas to have recorded a fall in this period, during which the figure for England as a whole rose by 6.6 per cent. Blackpool is the third most densely populated local authority in the North West, with 4,046 people per square kilometre, compared with 4,773 in Manchester and 4,347 in Liverpool.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |title=Population |url=https://www.blackpooljsna.org.uk/Blackpool-Profile/Population.aspx |access-date=16 November 2023 |website=Blackpooljsna.org}}</ref>

In 2021, 41 per cent of Blackpool residents reported having 'No religion', up from 24.5 per cent in 2011. Across England the percentage increased from 24.8 per cent to 36.7 per cent. However, because the census question about religion was voluntary and has varying response rates, the ONS warns that 'caution is needed when comparing figures between different areas or between censuses'.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

According to the 2021 census, 49.5 per cent of residents aged 16 years and over were employed (excluding full-time students), with 3.8 per cent unemployed (a drop from 5.4 per cent in 2011). The proportion of retired residents was 23.8 per cent. Just over a tenth of people aged 16 and over worked 15 hours or less a week.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

Blackpool's population is forecast to rise slightly to 141,500 by 2044, with the 45-64-year-old group showing the greatest decrease. The number of residents over 65 years old is projected to rise to almost 36,000, making up 26 per cent of the total population.<ref name="auto" />

A [[Mosaic (geodemography)|Mosaic classification]] based on 2021 census data showed that Blackpool has particularly high proportions of households in the groups labelled as 'Transient Renters' (single people renting low-cost homes for the short term) and 'Modest Traditions' (mature homeowners of value homes enjoying stable lifestyles) compared to the UK as a whole.<ref name="auto" />

==Governance and politics==
{{main|Blackpool Council}}
[[File:Blackpool Town Hall - DSC07226.JPG|thumb|[[Blackpool Town Hall]] (1895–1900) by Messrs [[Edward Potts (architect)|Potts, Son & Henning]]]]
There is just one tier of local government covering Blackpool, being the [[Unitary authorities of England|unitary authority]] of [[Blackpool Council]], which is based at [[Blackpool Town Hall]] on Talbot Square.

Parts of the [[Blackpool Urban Area]] extend beyond the borough boundaries of Blackpool into the neighbouring boroughs of [[Borough of Wyre|Wyre]] (which includes [[Fleetwood]], [[Cleveleys]], [[Thornton, Lancashire|Thornton]] and [[Poulton-le-Fylde]]) and [[Borough of Fylde|Fylde]] (which covers [[Lytham St Annes]]).

===Administrative history===
Blackpool was historically part of the [[Township (England)|township]] of [[Layton, Blackpool|Layton with Warbreck]], which was part of the [[ancient parish]] of [[Bispham, Blackpool|Bispham]]. The township was constituted a [[Local Board of Health|Local Board of Health District]] in 1851, governed by a local board.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=21259|page=2869|date=4 November 1851}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Blackpool Improvement Act 1853 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/Vict/16-17/29/contents/enacted |access-date=22 October 2023 |website=legislation.gov.uk |publisher=The National Archives}}</ref> In 1868 the Layton with Warbreck district was renamed the Blackpool district.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Cunningham Glen |first=W. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EjFLAAAAcAAJ |title=The Law relating to Public Health and Local Government |date=1869 |publisher=Butterworths |location=London |page=746 |access-date=22 October 2023}}</ref>

In 1876 the district was elevated to become a [[municipal borough]], governed by a body formally called the "mayor, aldermen and burgesses of the borough of Blackpool", but generally known as the corporation or town council.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Farrer |first1=William |url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol7/pp247-251#anchorn43 |title=A History of the County of Lancaster |last2=Brownbill |first2=J. |date=1912 |publisher=Victoria County History |location=London |pages=247–251 |access-date=22 October 2023}}</ref> The borough was enlarged several times, notably in 1879, when it took in parts of the neighbouring parishes of [[Marton, Blackpool|Marton]] and [[Bispham with Norbreck]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blackpool Improvement Act 1879 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/Vict/42-43/199/contents/enacted |access-date=23 October 2023 |website=legislation.gov.uk |publisher=The National Archives}}</ref> in 1918, when it absorbed the rest of Bispham with Norbreck, and in 1934, when it absorbed the rest of Marton.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blackpool Civil Parish |url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10342132#tab02 |access-date=23 October 2023 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth}}</ref>

In 1904 Blackpool was made a [[county borough]], taking over county-level functions from [[Lancashire County Council]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 2010 |title=Lancashire Record Office: What's in it for Blackpool? |url=https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/media/52107/Whats-in-it-for-Blackpool-Nov-2010.pdf |access-date=23 October 2023 |website=Lancashire County Council}}</ref> This was reverted in 1974 when Blackpool became a lower-tier [[non-metropolitan district]] with the county council once more providing services in the town.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Definition) Order 1972|year=1972|number=2039|access-date=23 October 2023}}</ref> Blackpool regained its independence from the county council in 1998 when it was made a unitary authority.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Lancashire (Boroughs of Blackburn and Blackpool) (Structural Change) Order 1996|year=1996|number=1868|access-date=23 October 2023}}</ref>

Blackpool remains part of the [[ceremonial county]] of Lancashire for the purposes of [[Lieutenancy area|lieutenancy]].<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Lieutenancies Act 1997|year=1997|chapter=23|access-date=23 October 2023}}</ref>

===Parliamentary constituencies===
Blackpool is covered by two [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Westminster constituencies]]: 
* [[Blackpool North and Fleetwood]] 
* [[Blackpool South (UK Parliament constituency)|Blackpool South]]
Until 1945, the area was represented by just one constituency, named [[Blackpool (UK Parliament constituency)|Blackpool]]. This was replaced by the new Blackpool North and Blackpool South constituencies. Blackpool North became Blackpool North and Cleveleys for the 2010 general election, when Conservative [[Paul Maynard]] became MP. Another Conservative, [[Scott Benton (politician)|Scott Benton]], won Blackpool South from longstanding Labour MP [[Gordon Marsden]] in 2019. Benton resigned on 25 March 2024, however, after the [[Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards]] investigated a fake lobbying role he was offered by undercover reporters from ''[[The Times]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-04-05 |title=Scott Benton suspended as Tory MP after lobbying sting |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-65193097 |access-date=2023-10-02 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

The constituencies were reorganised for the 2024 general election, following recommendations from the [[Boundary commissions (United Kingdom)|Boundary Commission]] for England that aim to make the number of voters in the country's seats more equal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2023 Review {{!}} Boundary Commission for England |url=https://boundarycommissionforengland.independent.gov.uk/2023-review/ |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=boundarycommissionforengland.independent.gov.uk}}</ref>  Blackpool South was expanded to take in new wards near the north of the constituency. The Blackpool North and Cleveleys constituency incorporated Fleetwood and five wards from the Blackpool Council area, and was renamed Blackpool North and Fleetwood – as a similar seat was known between 1997 and 2010. In 2022 Maynard told the ''[[Blackpool Gazette]]'': "I am sure that residents of Fleetwood will be glad to be reunited with the rest of the Fylde coast, as they are geographically."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Faulkner |first=Paul |date=8 Nov 2022 |title=Boundary review: this is what the latest constituency proposals mean for Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/politics/boundary-review-this-is-what-the-latest-constituency-proposals-mean-for-blackpool-wyre-and-fylde-3910958 |website=Blackpool Gazette}}</ref>

==Economy==
As a local authority area, Blackpool's gross domestic product (GDP) was approximately £3.2 billion in 2020 – 0.2 per cent of the English economy. GDP fell by 2.2 per cent between 2019 and 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blackpool Economy {{!}} Labour Market & Industries |url=https://www.varbes.com/economy/blackpool-economy |access-date=2023-11-10 |website=Varbes |language=en-gb}}</ref>

Seventy-five per cent of people of working age in Blackpool were economically active in 2021, with 51,600 in full-time employment and 7,900 self-employed. The average for the North West is 72.9 per cent and for England is 74.8 per cent.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Employment |url=https://www.blackpooljsna.org.uk/People-and-Places/Wider-determinants-of-health/Employment.aspx |access-date=16 November 2023 |website=Blackpooljsna.org}}</ref>

Twenty-five per cent of jobs were in human health and social work – compared with 13.6 per cent nationally. Reflecting Blackpool's strong tourism industry, 10.9 per cent were in accommodation and food services. With aerospace company [[BAE]] situated in the wider area and the [[Civil Service (United Kingdom)|Civil Service]] one of its major employers, the proportion of people working in public administration, defence and compulsory social security is also higher than the national average – 12.5 per cent compared with 4.6 per cent.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Business Register and Employment Survey - Office for National Statistics |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/surveys/informationforbusinesses/businesssurveys/businessregisterandemploymentsurvey |access-date=2023-11-10 |website=Ons.gov.uk}}</ref>

In a survey of the UK's 63 largest cities and towns – using primary urban areas, a measure of the built-up area rather than local authority boundaries – the think tank [[Centre for Cities]] said Blackpool's gross value added (GVA) was £5.2 billion in 2020, with GVA per hour of £32.7. That placed it at 53rd and 40th place in the survey respectively. It was also in the lower half of the rankings for business start-ups, closures and overall stock, as well as the proportion of new economy firms.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blackpool |url=https://www.centreforcities.org/city/blackpool/ |access-date=2023-11-10 |website=Centre for Cities |language=en-US}}</ref>

Blackpool is the third lowest local authority area in the UK for gross median weekly pay. Its growth rates were forecast to be among the lowest localities in the UK Competitiveness Index 2023 - along with [[Blaenau Gwent]] (Wales), [[Burnley]] (North West), [[Torbay]] (South West), and [[Merthyr Tydfil]] (Wales).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cforic.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/UKCI-2023.pdf|title=UK Competitiveness Index 2023}}</ref>

Blackpool is also the main centre of the wider Fylde Coast sub-regional economy, containing other coastal towns, including [[Lytham St Annes|Lytham]], market towns, an agricultural hinterland and some industry.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Local Economy Baseline for Blackpool |url=https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/Residents/Planning-environment-and-community/Documents/EB016-Blackpool-Local-Economy-Baseline-Study-2011.pdf |access-date=16 November 2023 |website=Blackpool.gov.uk}}</ref> Polymers company [[Victrex]], in Thornton and formerly part of [[Imperial Chemical Industries|ICI]], is one of the major private sector companies headquartered in the area. Sports car manufacturer [[TVR]] was based in Blackpool until 2006, and national jewellery chain [[Beaverbrooks]], founded in 1919, relocated its head office to St Annes in 1946.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

Economic development officials highlight Blackpool's role in industry sectors including aerospace and advanced engineering, advanced materials technologies, regional energy, and food manufacturing. As well as BAE, leading aerospace companies in the area include [[Magellan Aerospace]] and Force Technology. In advanced materials, AGC and Victrex are significant companies. In energy, nuclear fuel manufacturer [[Westinghouse Electric Company|Westinghouse]], the [[National Nuclear Laboratory]] and offshore energy companies [[Ørsted (company)|Orsted]], NVH and Helispeed all have operations in the area. Blackpool's travel to work area has 2.5 times the Great Britain-average concentration of food manufacturing workers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Key Sectors |url=https://businessinblackpool.com/key-sectors/ |access-date=2023-11-10 |website=Blackpool |language=en-GB}}</ref>

=== Conferences and exhibitions ===
During the second half of the 20th century and up to 2007, Blackpool was one of the country's leading locations for political conferences, with the three main parties as well as bodies such as the TUC holding events at the [[Winter Gardens, Blackpool|Winter Gardens]].

With the Winter Gardens in need of refurbishment at the time and parties preferring inland city locations to coastal resorts, Blackpool held no major political conferences between 2008 and 2021. The Conservatives returned for their spring event in 2022 in the newly rebuilt Winter Gardens Conference and Exhibition Centre.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Hodgson |first1=Sarah |last2=Beardsworth |first2=Luke |last3=O'Neill |first3=Kara |last4=Barre |first4=Claire |date=2022-03-19 |title=Boris in Blackpool as Conservative Party Spring Conference day two gets underway |url=https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/conservative-party-spring-conference-lands-23427249 |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=LancsLive |language=en}}</ref>

==Regeneration==
Like most UK coastal resorts, Blackpool declined from the 1960s onwards with the rise of overseas holidays.   This coincided with a lack of investment in the town and its facilities for both residents and tourists.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Glancey |first=Jonathan |date=10 June 2015 |title=Britain's seaside ruins |url=https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20150609-britains-seaside-ruins |website=bbc.com}}</ref>

Fulfilment of a 1965 masterplan to remodel the town centre was "limited and piecemeal", according to Historic England.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barnes |first=Samantha |date=August 2009 |title=Historic Townscape Characterisation Assessment |url=https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/Residents/Planning-environment-and-community/Documents/TOWN-CENTRE-Historic-Townscape-Characterisation-Assessment-August-2009.pdf |website=blackpool.gov.uk}}</ref> Ambitious plans to redevelop the centre "stuttered to a halt in the early 1970s". Large numbers of homes were deemed unfit for human habitation and by 1993, almost 30 per cent of households did not have central heating, compared with the national average of 8.5 per cent. A new masterplan in 2003 was a response to this decline and the growing threat from coastal erosion. It was described by English Heritage as a "bold attempt to ensure the future of the town".

Blackpool had looked at regeneration possibilities that would include an Atlantic City– or Las Vegas–style resort casino that Leisure Parcs, then owner of Blackpool Tower and the Winter Gardens, unveiled £1&nbsp;billion plans for in 2002.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Thame |first=David |date=May 2002 |title=Viva Blackpool |work=North West Business Insider}}</ref> By 2007, Blackpool and Greenwich in London were considered frontrunners among the seven bidders for Britain's first and only [[supercasino]] licence;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harrison |first=Ben |date=15 February 2007 |title=Casinos and Regeneration: The story so far |url=https://www.ippr.org/files/images/media/files/publication/2011/05/Casinos_and_Regeneration_briefing_note_1564.pdf |website=ippr.org}}</ref> however, nearby Manchester won the bidding process. The Casino Advisory Panel ruled that the "regeneration benefits of the supercasino for Blackpool are unproven and more limited geographically than other proposals". The government later abandoned the supercasino licence altogether following a legislative defeat in the [[House of Lords]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mulholland |first=Hélène |date=28 March 2007 |title=Casino plans in disarray after shock Lords defeat |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2007/mar/28/immigrationpolicy.gambling |website=guardian.com}}</ref>
[[File:Blackpool Promenade - geograph.org.uk - 4713799.jpg|thumb|Blackpool's revamped promenade]]

In response to Blackpool losing the supercasino bid and lobbying from the town's disappointed leaders, ministers increased its regeneration spending,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Marc |date=26 February 2008 |title=UK government kills off supercasino plan |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/britain-supercasino-idINL2610039620080226 |website=reuters.com}}</ref> coordinated by an [[Urban Regeneration Company]] ReBlackpool, set up in 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 February 2005 |title=Urban regeneration companies formally launched |url=https://www.planningresource.co.uk/article/460796/urban-regeneration-companies-formally-launched |website=planningresource.co.uk}}</ref> Before being wound up in 2010, ReBlackpool led on Central Seafront, a £73&nbsp;million coastal protection scheme that brought new promenades and seawalls for the town, funded by Government, the North West Development Agency and the European Regional Development Fund.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 July 2008 |title=Blackpool opens first promenades along £73m coastal defence |url=https://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/blackpool-opens-first-promenades-along-73m-coastal-defence/ |website=placenorthwest.co.uk}}</ref> ReBlackpool also prepared the Talbot Gateway scheme, appointing Muse Developments to develop 160,000 sq m of office and business space, as well as retail and hotel units, on a 10ha plot near [[Blackpool North railway station|Blackpool North Station]]. Blackpool Council agreed to relocate its offices to the development and there were plans for a new public transport interchange.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hoyle |first=Rhiannon |date=17 March 2009 |title=Morgan Sindall signs £220m Blackpool redevelopment |url=https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/news/morgan-sindall-signs-220m-blackpool-redevelopment-17-03-2009/ |website=constructionnews.co.uk}}</ref>

In 2010, Blackpool Council bought landmarks [[Blackpool Tower]], the [[Winter Gardens, Blackpool|Winter Gardens]] and the Golden Mile Centre from leisure entrepreneur [[Trevor Hemmings]], aiming to refurbish them in a "last-ditch effort to arrest Blackpool's economic decline".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Council buys Blackpool Tower to stem slide {{!}} Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/767a2b14-3bef-11df-9412-00144feabdc0 |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=Ft.com}}</ref> Public ownership enabled significant further investment in the facilities.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parkinson |first=Shelagh |date=1 April 2020 |title=Ten years since 'bold' buyout of Blackpool Tower and Winter Gardens |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/politics/ten-years-since-bold-buyout-of-blackpool-tower-and-winter-gardens-2525212 |website=blackpoolgazette.co.uk}}</ref> The restoration of the Tower's stained glass windows was carried out by local specialist Aaron Whiteside, who was given a Blackpool Council conservation award for the work.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blackpool Civic Trust Awards 2014 |url=https://blackpoolcivictrust.org.uk/Civic-Trust-Award-2014.html |access-date=16 November 2023 |website=Blackpoolcivictrust.org.uk}}</ref>

Refurbishment of the Winter Gardens conference centre was completed in time to host the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] spring conference in 2022, with further work announced in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Herbert |first=Lucinda |date=12 February 2022 |title=Work has finished on Blackpool's £30m Winter Gardens conference centre |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/business/work-has-finished-on-blackpools-ps30m-winter-gardens-conference-centre-3565319 |website=blackpoolgazette.co.uk}}</ref>

Blackpool Council was one of four local authorities in the Blackpool Fylde and Wyre Economic Development Company – the others being [[Lancashire County Council]], [[Lancashire County Council|Fylde Borough Council]] and [[Wyre Borough Council]]. It oversaw the development of the [[Blackpool Airport]] Development Zone, which came into existence in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blackpool's Enterprise Zone goes live |url=https://www.lancashirebusinessview.co.uk/latest-news-and-features/blackpool-s-enterprise-zone-goes-live |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=Lancashire Business View |language=en}}</ref> It offers tax breaks and simplified planning to employers.

Blackpool Council, once again owner of the airport since it acquired it from Balfour Beatty in 2017, is seeking outline planning consent to build five new hangars and a commercial unit. The masterplan for the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone then envisages a new digital and technology quarter called Silicon Sands.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New era for Blackpool Airport as council takes control |url=https://www.lancashirebusinessview.co.uk/latest-news-and-features/new-era-for-blackpool-airport-as-council-takes-control |access-date=2023-09-26 |website=Lancashire Business View |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Earnshaw |first=Tom |date=2023-09-25 |title=Blackpool Airport plots its first new development in 15 years |url=https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/blackpool-airport-plots-first-new-27783082 |access-date=2023-09-26 |website=LancsLive |language=en}}</ref>

In 2018, Blackpool Council announced plans for the 7-acre Blackpool Central development, on the site of [[Blackpool Central railway station|Blackpool Central Station]], which was closed in 1964. The council agreed to provide the land for the scheme – which had earlier been earmarked for the supercasino – but it was to be private-sector funded, led by developer Nikal.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-12-07 |title=Blackpool Golden Mile to become 'world class', council claims |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lancashire-46476635 |access-date=2023-09-18 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> It aims to provide a new public square, hotels, restaurants, a food market and car park.<ref name="Rabbit">{{Cite web |last=Rabbit |first=Jane |date=2023-08-10 |title=Developing Blackpool Central • Live Blackpool |url=https://www.liveblackpool.info/about/blackpool-central/developing-blackpool-central/ |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=Blackpool |language=en-GB}}</ref>

===Talbot Gateway===
[[File:Talbot Gateway Construction Work - geograph.org.uk - 3464134.jpg|thumb|Talbot Gateway construction work]]
The first phase of Talbot Gateway was completed in 2014 with the opening of the Number One Bickerstaffe Square council office, a supermarket and a refurbished multi-storey car park, and public spaces.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 August 2023 |title=Talbot Gateway is a major mixed-use regeneration scheme, transforming the heart of Blackpool town centre |url=https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/Your-Council/Creating-a-better-Blackpool/Talbot-Gateway.aspx |website=blackpool.gov.uk}}</ref>

Phase two, including a new Holiday Inn and a tram terminal for the extended tramway between North Pier and North Station, began construction in 2021 and opened in May 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parkinson |first=Shelagh |date=2023-06-13 |title=Blackpool's £34m Holiday Inn plagued by yet more delays |url=https://www.lancs.live/whats-on/whats-on-news/blackpools-34m-holiday-inn-plagued-27106034 |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=LancsLive |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Blackpool's multi-million pound hotel developments progress |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3ggnrqyex0o |access-date=2024-12-23 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> But new ground floor retail units were released in July 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New retail units available at Talbot Gateway scheme |url=https://www.lancashirebusinessview.co.uk/latest-news-and-features/new-retail-units-available-at-talbot-gateway-scheme |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=Lancashire Business View |language=en}}</ref>

Construction started in February 2023 on new government offices as part of phase three of Talbot Gateway, and 3,000 [[Department for Work and Pensions]] staff are due to be relocated to the town after an expected completion date of March 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rabbit |first=Jane |date=2023-07-21 |title=£100m DWP Office Block – Phase 3 of Talbot Gateway • Blackpool |url=https://www.liveblackpool.info/about/town-centre/100m-office-block-phase-3-of-talbot-gateway/ |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=Blackpool |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In January 2023, Blackpool and Wyre councils were awarded £40&nbsp;million from the government's Levelling-Up Fund for a new education campus as part of phase four of Talbot Gateway. The campus will provide a new carbon-neutral base for [[Blackpool and The Fylde College]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Adam |first=Nicola |date=19 January 2023 |title=Levelling Up Fund: Blackpool succeeds in £40m bid for new university, but hotel and transport plans rejected |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/education/levelling-up-fund-blackpool-succeeds-in-ps40m-bid-for-new-university-but-hotel-and-transport-plans-rejected-3992567 |website=blackpoolgazette.co.uk}}</ref> This will involve "relocating" the existing Park Road campus which is considered to present challenges including dated infrastructure.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rabbit |first=Jane |date=2023-07-28 |title=New Blackpool 'Multiversity' Phase 4 of Talbot Gateway • Live Blackpool |url=https://www.liveblackpool.info/about/town-centre/blackpool-multiversity/ |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=Blackpool |language=en-GB}}</ref> The future of the 1937 building on Palatine Road – designed by civic architect JC Robinson for Blackpool Technical College and School of Art – is unknown.

===Blackpool Central===
Plans for Blackpool Central's multi-storey car park and Heritage Quarter were approved in October 2021, and construction of the car park began in 2022.<ref name="Rabbit" /> But the £300&nbsp;million development was stalled because of a lack of funding to move the Magistrates and County Courts from the site. In November 2022, Levelling-Up Secretary [[Michael Gove]] said his department would award £40&nbsp;million of funding to enable that relocation and "revitalise this great town by delivering much-needed homes, more jobs and new opportunities for local people".<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 November 2022 |title=£300m Blackpool Central regeneration project announced by DLUHC |url=https://www.pbctoday.co.uk/news/planning-construction-news/300m-blackpool-central-regeneration-project-announced-dluhc/118282/ |website=pbctoday.co.uk}}</ref>

===Heritage Action Zone===
The Blackpool Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) aims to bring new uses to the town centre by restoring buildings and promoting creative activities. Blackpool is one of more than 60 locations in the UK to have Heritage Action Zones, and its initial funding of £532,575 was secured in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parkinson |first=Shelagh |date=2021-04-25 |title=Work to transform and renovate Blackpool Winter Gardens begins |url=https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/work-transform-renovate-blackpool-winter-20457231 |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=LancsLive |language=en}}</ref>

Restoration of buildings is taking place on Topping Street, Edward Street and Deansgate, while the largest part of the scheme is the Church Street frontage of the Winter Gardens. The Art Deco building of 28 Topping Street has become a community creative hub run by Aunty Social, a voluntary arts organisation focussing on socially engaged work in gentle spaces and directed by Catherine Mugonyi<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-18 |title=Water liberally: A care guide for self-cultivating culture |url=https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/40524-water-liberally/ |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=Blackpool Social Club |language=en-US}}</ref> and a building on Edward Street is to be converted into live/work for local artists and creatives.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parkinson |first=Shelagh |date=2022-12-02 |title=Blackpool high street transformation helped by £1m cash boost |url=https://www.lancs.live/whats-on/whats-on-news/blackpool-high-street-transformation-helped-25647787 |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=LancsLive |language=en}}</ref>

Abingdon Street Market was partially reopened to the public in May 2023 after a three-year closure due to urgent maintenance works.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-10 |title=Abingdon Market reopening announced |url=https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/38070-abingdon-market-reopening-announced/ |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=Blackpool Social Club |language=en-US}}</ref> The Edward Street side of the market was redesigned as a food hall and space for live entertainment and community events. The retail side of the market – located via the Abingdon Street entrance – was due to open in Winter 2023. The market was purchased by the council with £3.6&nbsp;million of government funding through the Getting Building Fund. Renovations were funded with further government money – £315,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and £90,000 from the HAZ. The market is operated by Little Blackpool Leisure which comprises local directors.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-13 |title=Operator for resort's town centre market unveiled following renovation {{!}} TheBusinessDesk.com |url=https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/2111542-operator-for-resorts-town-centre-market-unveiled-following-renovation |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=North West |language=en}}</ref>

The HAZ cultural programme has included artist-led workshops and activities, and pop up creative markets.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-25 |title=Blackpool Creative Market to host first Print Fair |url=https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/40013-blackpool-creative-market-to-host-first-print-fair/ |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=Blackpool Social Club |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Tourism==
=== Main tourist attractions ===
{| class ="wikitable"
!Attraction!!Opened!!Picture
|-
![[North Pier]]
|1863
|rowspan=2 | [[File:North Pier.jpg|220x220px]]
|-
| colspan=2|Blackpool's first pier designed by the leading pier engineer [[Eugenius Birch]]. Its pierhead was enlarged to house the Indian Pavilion of 1800 and the pier was doubled in width in 1897. Today it houses The [[Joe Longthorne]] Theatre, five bars, amusements and rides including a Venetian carousel. 
|-
![[Central Pier, Blackpool|Central Pier]]
|1868
|rowspan=2 | [[File:Central Pier in Blackpool - geograph.org.uk - 6215324.jpg|220px]]
|-
| colspan=2 | Designed by John Isaac Mawson for a more popular market than the North Pier, it was used for outdoor dancing originally, followed by roller skating and fairground rides in the mid-20th century. Today it has shops, bars, amusements, games and rides including a big wheel.
|-
![[South Pier, Blackpool|South Pier]]
|1893
|rowspan=2 | [[File:South Pier, Blackpool - geograph.org.uk - 6066175.jpg|220px]]
|-
| colspan=2 | Designed by T P Worthington and known as the Victoria Pier until 1930, it had an elaborate oriental-influenced pavilion by J D Harker,<ref name=":0" /> shops, a bandstand and photograph stalls, and catered to more upmarket visitors. Today it has bars and food outlets, amusements and rides including a 38m [[bungee jump]].
|-
![[Winter Gardens, Blackpool|Winter Gardens]]
| 1878
| rowspan=2 | [[File:Blackpool Winter Gardens (56488808).jpeg|220px]]
|-
| colspan=2 |Originally boasting an exotic, glass-roofed Floral Hall for promenading, indoor and outdoor skating rinks, and the Pavilion Hall for special events. The following half century included the addition of the Empress Ballroom (1896), Olympia (1930), several themed rooms including the Spanish Hall (1931), and the Opera House (1939).<ref name=":0" /> In 2022 the new Conference & Exhibition Centre was opened.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Daley |first=Louisa |date=2022-06-21 |title=Blackpool Winter Gardens: combining the old and new |url=https://www.conference-news.co.uk/news/blackpool-winter-gardens-combining-old-and-new/ |access-date=2023-09-23 |website=Conference News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
|-
![[Blackpool Tower]]
| 1894
| rowspan=2 | [[File:Blackpool tower from central pier ferris wheel.jpg|220px]]
|-
| colspan=2 |Inspired by the [[Eiffel Tower]] Blackpool Tower was the tallest manmade structure in the [[British Empire]] when built – {{convert|518|ft|m|abbr=off}}. Dr. Cocker's Aquarium, Aviary and Menagerie had existed on the site from 1873 and was incorporated into the structure – replaced by the Tower Dungeons in 2011.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2010-11-19 |title=Blackpool Tower Aquarium to be replaced by dungeon |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lancashire-11788534 |access-date=2023-09-22 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> The [[Tower Circus]] is one of four circus arenas worldwide that features a water finale, with a ring floor which lowers to reveal 42,000 gallons of water. The Tower Pavilion opened in 1894 and was replaced by the Tower Ballroom in 1898. Today the Tower attractions are the Tower Eye, Ballroom, Circus, Dungeon, Fifth Floor entertainment suite and Dino Mini Golf.
|-
![[Grand Theatre, Blackpool|Grand Theatre]]
| 1894
|rowspan=2 | [[File:Grand Theatre, Blackpool - geograph.org.uk - 6089781.jpg|220px]]
|-
| colspan=2 |Dubbed '[[Frank Matcham|Matcham]]'s masterpiece' the theatre has a flamboyant free [[Baroque]] exterior and lavish interiors.<ref name=":0" /> The theatre opened with a production of [[Hamlet]] with [[Wilson Barrett]] in the starring role. The theatre closed in 1972 and reopened in 1981. Today it hosts a mix of popular and high culture shows including a programme of ballet each January.  
|-
![[Blackpool Pleasure Beach|Pleasure Beach]]
| 1896
| rowspan=2 | [[File:Pepsi BM.JPG|220px]]
|-
| colspan=2 |Founded in 1896 by W G Bean in an area populated by [[Romani people|Romani Gypsies]], the Pleasure Beach [[amusement park]] is still owned by Bean's descendants. Sir Hiram Maxim's Captive Flying Machine, a large rotated swing ride, was erected in 1904 and still survives today.<ref name=":0" /> When it opened in 1994, [[The Big One (roller coaster)|The Big One]] was the tallest roller coaster in the world. In 2011 the park opened Nickelodeon Land.
|-
![[Madame Tussauds Blackpool|Madame Tussauds]]
| 1900
|-
| colspan=3 |[[Louis Tussaud]], the great-grandson of [[Marie Tussaud]], moved to Blackpool in 1900 and opened waxworks in Blackpool in the basement of the Hippodrome Theatre, Church Street. In 1929 the Louis Tussaud's Waxworks opened on Central Promenade. It was closed in 2010 and re-opened as Madame Tussauds, operated by [[Merlin Entertainments]], in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 November 2017 |title=Waxing lyrical about old resort attraction |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/waxing-lyrical-about-old-resort-attraction-1068176 |website=Blackpool Gazette}}</ref>
|-
![[Blackpool Illuminations|Illuminations]]
| 1912
| rowspan=2 | [[File:Blackpool tower and illuminations.jpg|220px]]
|-
| colspan=2 |Launched to celebrate the opening of Princess Parade on North Promenade, today the Illuminations stretch {{convert|6.2|mi|km}} between Starr Gate and [[Bispham, Blackpool|Bispham]] and use over one million bulbs. The illuminations usually ran for 66 nights during autumn but have been extended into the winter months since the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-02-02 |title=Blackpool Illuminations extended again after visitor boom |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lancashire-64498781 |access-date=2023-09-23 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> The lights are [[List of people who have switched on the Blackpool Illuminations|switched on annually by a celebrity]], over the years including [[Jayne Mansfield]], [[Gracie Fields]], [[David Tennant]], [[Tim Burton]] and [[Kermit the Frog]]. Lightworks is the illuminations depot where manufacture and maintenance of all of the Blackpool Illuminations takes place. It is not open to the public but operates occasional heritage tours. 
|-
![[Ripley's Believe It or Not!]]
| 1973
|
|-
| colspan=3 |An American franchise, the 'odditorium' is based on the extensive collection of [[Robert Ripley]] (1890–1949). Ripley's was originally on the [[Golden Mile (Blackpool)|Golden Mile]] but moved close to the [[Blackpool Pleasure Beach|Pleasure Beach]] in 1991. Blackpool's collection includes animal oddities such as the two-headed calf and the world's smallest production car.
|-
![[Blackpool Zoo]]
| 1976
|
|-
| colspan=3 |The zoo opened in 1972 on a site of the former [[Stanley Park Aerodrome]] and housed two Asian elephants, three white rhinos, two giraffes, sea lions, [[gorilla]]s, [[chimpanzee]]s, [[orangutan]]s, lions and two giant tortoises including Darwin, who died aged 105 in the year of the zoo's 50th anniversary, 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-14 |title=Blackpool Zoo's 'irreplaceable' giant tortoise dies aged 105 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lancashire-61098627 |access-date=2023-09-22 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> Today it houses over 1,000 animals and includes a wolf enclosure. In 2023 it opened a new big cat enclosure and a new £100k facility for its Magellanic penguin colony.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Heeds |first=Chantelle |date=2023-01-25 |title=Blackpool Zoo's penguin enclosure to get £100k makeover with bird flu protection |url=https://www.lancs.live/whats-on/whats-on-news/blackpool-zoos-penguin-enclosure-100k-26068637 |access-date=2023-09-22 |website=LancsLive |language=en}}</ref> In summer 2023 it welcomed its first critically endangered [[Bornean orangutan]] baby for more than two decades after first-time mother Jingga gave birth.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Media |first=P. A. |date=2023-07-22 |title=Blackpool zoo hopes 'very special' baby orangutan could usher new generation |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/22/blackpool-zoo-hopes-very-special-baby-orangutan-could-usher-new-generation |access-date=2023-09-22 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
|-
![[Sandcastle Waterpark (Blackpool)|Sandcastle Waterpark]] 
| 1986
|
|-
| colspan=3 | The Sandcastle was built on the site of the former South Shore Open Air Baths, which opened in 1923 and were modelled on the [[Colosseum]] in Rome.<ref>{{Citation |title=2. The Colosseum: Ambiguities of Empire |date=1989 |work=America's Rome: Volume I—Classical Rome |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.37862/aaeportal.00010.007 |access-date=2023-09-22 |publisher=Yale University Press |doi=10.37862/aaeportal.00010.007 |isbn=9789998004733|url-access=subscription }}</ref> In 1986 it had two water slides and a [[wave pool]] as well as decorative flamingos, palm trees, terraces and a constant temperature of 84 degrees. It also had a nightclub.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lark |first=Claire |date=6 May 2022 |title=Blackpool Sandcastle Waterpark – 20 rarely seen photos reveal how different it looked inside when it first opened in the 80s |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/retro/blackpool-sandcastle-waterpark-20-rarely-seen-photos-reveal-how-different-it-looked-inside-when-it-first-opened-in-the-80s-3683668 |website=Blackpool Gazette}}</ref> Many original features remain but today it claims to be the UK's biggest indoor waterpark with 18 slides.
|-
![[Sea Life]]
| 1990
|
|-
| colspan=3 | Located on Central Promenade and opened by [[First Leisure Corporation|First Leisure]] as the Sea Life Centre, the aquarium featured a transparent viewing "tunnel of fear" through a 500-million gallon tank holding ten species of predators.<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 March 1990 |title=Resort's tunnel of fear |work=Manchester Evening News |pages=9}}</ref> Now operated by [[Merlin Entertainments]], today it holds 2,500 aquatic creatures across 50 displays.
|-
![[Peter Rabbit]]: Explore and Play
| 2022
|
|-
| colspan=3 | Operated by [[Merlin Entertainments]], located on Central Promenade and based on [[Beatrix Potter]]'s storybook character, the interactive multi-sensory family attraction features challenges in themed zones including Jeremy Fisher's Sensory Pond, Mr McGregor's Garden, The Burrow and Mr. Bouncer's Invention Workshop.
|-
![[Gruffalo]] & Friends Clubhouse
| 2023
|
|-
| colspan=3 | Adapted from children's stories by [[Julia Donaldson]] and [[Axel Scheffler]], this attraction features play zones inspired by ''The Gruffalo'', ''The Gruffalo's Child'', ''Zog'', ''The Snail and the Whale'', ''Room on the Broom'' and ''The Highway Rat''. 
|-
!Showtown
| 2024
|
|-
| colspan=3 | Blackpool's museum of entertainment opened in 2024. Exhibits will highlight Blackpool's entertainment heritage and include circus, shows, magic, Illuminations and dance. The museum will be on the first floor of the new Sands Venue Resort Hotel and Spa on Central Promenade. Items expected in the museum's collection are the famous bowler hat worn by [[Stan Laurel]], a prop used by the comedic magician [[Tommy Cooper]], and various mementos from the Tower Circus.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hardaker |first=Alistair |date=2023-03-27 |title=First look inside Blackpool's Showtown Museum |url=https://advisor.museumsandheritage.com/news/first-look-inside-blackpools-showtown-museum/ |access-date=2023-09-22 |website=Museums + Heritage Advisor |language=en-US}}</ref>
|}

=== Fringe attractions ===
{| class="wikitable"
!Attraction
!Opened in
!Picture
|-
![[Golden Mile (Blackpool)|Golden Mile]]
|1897
| rowspan=2 | [[File:Blackpool Golden Mile 2023.jpg|220px]]
|-
| colspan=2 | The name given to the stretch of Promenade between the North and South [[pier]]s. The promenade is actually {{convert|1.6|mi|km|abbr=off}} in length. It developed from traders who were prohibited from hawking on the sands and was home to sideshows until the 1960s.<ref name=":3" /> Today it features many of the main attractions, including the Tower, as well as amusements and souvenir shops. 
|-
![[Blackpool Pleasure Beach|Pleasure Beach]] Arena 
| 1937
|
|-
| colspan=3 | The oldest purpose-built ice theatre in the world,<ref>{{Cite web |date=1937-10-01 |title=Oldest ice theatre |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/76185-oldest-ice-theatre |access-date=2023-09-23 |website=Guinness World Records |language=en-gb}}</ref> it opened in 1937 as the Ice Drome. The rink was home to [[Blackpool Seagulls]] ice hockey team. The [[Hot Ice Show]] is performed here annually and the Arena is open to public skating.  
|-
!The Casino
| 1940
| rowspan=2 | [[File:Casino Building at Night.jpg|220px]]
|-
| colspan=2 | Built in 1913 in an oriental style reminiscent of continental casinos, the venue was never actually a casino but contained a restaurant, bar, shops, billiard tables and theatre.<ref name=":0" /> Today it features the Paradise Room and Horseshoe theatres, which host regular magic shows and hypnotists as well as other variety shows. It also contains the White Tower restaurant. The 850-seat Globe Theatre, originally a custom-built circus,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Admin |title=Sinatra: The Main Event – The Globe Theatre, Blackpool {{!}} Musical Theatre Review |url=https://musicaltheatrereview.com/sinatra-the-main-event-globe-theatre-blackpool/ |access-date=2023-09-23 |language=en-GB}}</ref> was a later addition built next to the Casino. 
|-
!Brooks Collectables
| 1947
|
|-
| colspan=3 | A family run collectables shop for three generations with free entry to their first floor museum on South Promenade. The museum features vintage toy collections and Blackpool memorabilia.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Suffield |first=Alice |date=2023-03-17 |title=Blackpool shop with hidden museum stuffed with treasures for just £1 |url=https://www.lancs.live/whats-on/73-year-old-blackpool-shop-26498082 |access-date=2023-09-23 |website=LancsLive |language=en}}</ref> 
|-
!Princess Parade Crazy Golf Course
| 1957
| 
|-
| colspan=3 | Located in the seafront sunken garden near Blackpool North Pier, the course became derelict before reopening in 2021. The two-year restoration was funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and carried out by volunteers from the Fulfilling Lives programme, which supports people struggling with homelessness, substance abuse and mental health issues. There are two storyboards at either end of the course that document the history of the site going back to the 1700s.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hunt |first=Richard |date=1 June 2021 |title=Blackpool crazy golf course restored by disadvantaged volunteers |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/people/blackpool-crazy-golf-course-restored-by-disadvantaged-volunteers-3257777 |website=Blackpool Gazette}}</ref>
|-
![[Stanley Park, Blackpool|Model Village]]
|1972
|
|-
| colspan=3 | Designed as a traditional Lancashire village, miniature buildings depict scenes of rural life across 2.5 acres of gardens attached to [[Stanley Park, Blackpool|Stanley Park]].
|-
!Coral Island
| 1978
|
|-
| colspan=3 | The largest of the town's many amusement arcades, built on the site of the former [[Blackpool Central railway station]] and covering two acres of land.
|-
![[Funny Girls (burlesque bar)|Funny Girls]]
| 1994
|
|-
| colspan=3 | A cabaret drag bar founded by [[Basil Newby]], the venue initially opened on Queen Street and now occupies the Art Deco former Odeon cinema on Dixon Road. Choreographer Betty Legs Diamond and compere DJ Zoe are the original Funny Girls. In 2022 Ava King Cynosure became the first [[AFAB (Assigned female at birth)|AFAB]] drag queen to become a resident performer.<ref>{{Cite news |last=O'Neill |first=Laura |date=25 May 2023 |title=Reclaim Blackpool BBC North West Tonight report |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTzYKV_sKQM |work=North West Tonight}}</ref> 
|-
!Pasaje Del Terror
| 1998
|
|-
| colspan=3 | An interactive walk-through horror attraction featuring scare actors in the basement of the Pleasure Beach Casino building. 
|-
!Spitfire Visitor Centre
| 2009
|
|-
| colspan=3 | Based in Hangar 42 at Blackpool Airport, which was constructed in 1939 for the RAF, the collection here included five Spitfire replicas and a Hawker Hurricane MKI. Visitors can sit in the cockpit or operate a flight simulator. 
|-
!Comedy Carpet
| 2011
| 
|-
| colspan=3 | Constructed on the headland opposite Blackpool Tower, the 'carpet' is made of granite and concrete, and features catchphrases and jokes from hundreds of comedians, including [[Ken Dodd|Kenn Dodd]], [[Frankie Howerd]], [[Tommy Cooper]] and [[Morecambe and Wise]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Carter |first=Helen |date=2011-10-11 |title=Blackpool's comedy carpet is unveiled |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/the-northerner/2011/oct/11/blackpool-comedy-carpet |access-date=2023-09-27 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> 
|-
!Viva Blackpool
| 2012
| 
|-
| colspan=3 | Built on the site of the Alhambra Theatre and later [[Lewis's]] department store and Mecca Bingo, the cabaret showbar hosts a variety of year-round acts and shows. 
|-
!Tramtown
| 2015
| rowspan=2 | [[File:Blackpool tram 147 , North Pier.jpg|220px]]
|-
| colspan=2 | Until 2011, the current heritage trams operated the main Blackpool tram service. After the multi-million pound upgrade put them out of service, plans were made to retain a core selection of trams from the original system and return them to passenger carrying duties.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-05-23 |title=About Us – Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours |url=https://blackpoolheritage.com/about-us/,%20https://blackpoolheritage.com/about-us/ |access-date=2023-09-27 |language=en-GB}}</ref> The Heritage Tram Centre offers tours of tram sheds and engineering workshops as well as heritage tram journeys including an illuminated tour, a fish and chips tour and ghost tours. In 2023 it announced its vision for Tramtown – a tram heritage centre to be developed at the current depot.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lancs.live/whats-on/arts-culture-news/plans-blackpools-16m-tramtown-museum-26636391|title=Plans for Blackpool's £1.6m Tramtown Museum lodged as team holds its breath|first=Shelagh|last=Parkinson|date=8 April 2023|website=Lancs Live}}</ref>
|-
!House of Secrets
| 2021
| 
|-
| colspan=3 | The first dedicated family magic bar in Blackpool,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gavell |first=Tim |date=21 May 2022 |title=This is how a magician conjured up his own entertainment bar business in Blackpool |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/business/consumer/this-is-how-a-magician-conjured-up-his-own-entertainment-bar-business-in-blackpool-3703395 |work=Blackpool Gazette}}</ref> located in the historic Winter Gardens complex and owned by local magician Russ Brown. Brown formerly held residencies at Blackpool Tower and Blackpool Pleasure Beach, and compered and directed [[Blackpool Magic Convention]] – the world's largest – which takes place at the Winter Gardens each February.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2009-09-11 |title=Russell shatters the illusionist |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/local/lancashire/hi/people_and_places/arts_and_culture/newsid_8247000/8247796.stm |access-date=2023-09-27 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
|-
!Hole in Wand
| 2022
|-
| colspan=3 | A wizard-themed golf course located in the former Woolworths building on Blackpool Promenade. The attraction is owned by the Potions Cauldron, which also operates a drink emporium and similar mini golf attraction in York.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Denise |date=2022-04-12 |title=Blackpool's Harry Potter inspired crazy golf finally gets opening date |url=https://www.lancs.live/whats-on/whats-on-news/blackpools-new-harry-potter-inspired-23666043 |access-date=2023-09-27 |website=LancsLive |language=en}}</ref>
|-
!Arcade Club
| 2022 
|
|-
| colspan=3 | A retro arcade on Bloomfield Road with over 200 games, including [[Pac-Man|''Pac Man'']], ''[[Space Invaders]]'', ''[[Out Run]]'', ''[[Time Crisis]]'' and [[pinball]], plus modern games, such as ''House of the Dead 5'', ''[[Luigi's Mansion]]'', and sports such as [[air hockey]] and [[basketball]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Calderbank |first=Matthew |date=10 June 2022 |title=Arcade Club Blackpool: Full list of games, location, and prices |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/business/consumer/arcade-club-blackpool-full-list-of-games-location-and-prices-this-is-everything-you-need-to-know-3727429# |website=Blackpool Gazette}}</ref>
|}

=== Nature tourism ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Attraction
!Opened in
!Picture
|-
!Beaches
|N/a
| rowspan=2 | [[File:Blackpool, The Beach - geograph.org.uk - 1991287.jpg|220px]]
|-
| colspan=2 | Blackpool boasts "seven miles of golden sands" which in 2016 were named the second best shoreline in the world and the best in the UK.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 October 2016 |title=Blackpool has second best shoreline in the world |url=https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2016-10-27/blackpool-has-second-best-shoreline-in-the-world |work=ITV}}</ref> The same year Blackpool South beach was awarded [[Blue Flag beach|Blue Flag]] status.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-05-19 |title=Blue Flag beach awards: Blackpool among England's 68 top resorts |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-36325368 |access-date=2023-09-27 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> EU environmental protection laws are credited with the improvement of the beaches, which in the 1990s were covered in raw sewage and other waste.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-10-13 |title=The EU's effect on Blackpool's beaches – before and after pictures |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/oct/13/the-eus-effect-on-blackpools-beaches-before-and-after-pictures |access-date=2023-09-27 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Just six of 29 waters surveyed around the Blackpool region in 1988 met the EU's bathing water guidelines but, by 2014, all of the resort's beaches passed the EU test, after some £1bn was spent on clean water improvements.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Neslen |first=Arthur |date=2016-05-25 |title=95% of British beaches clean enough to swim, EU tests show |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/25/95-of-british-beaches-clean-enough-to-swim-eu-tests-show |access-date=2023-09-27 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> In 2023 eight beaches on the [[Fylde Coast]] were awarded Seaside Awards by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, including Blackpool South, Blackpool Central and Bispham. However, the [[Environment Agency]] classified the bathing water quality in Blackpool South as 'sufficient' in 2022, rather than 'good', as in the previous three years,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bathing water profile |url=https://environment.data.gov.uk/bwq/profiles/profile.html?site=ukd4200-42100 |access-date=2023-09-27 |website=environment.data.gov.uk}}</ref> and 'poor' in Blackpool North rather than 'sufficient' or 'good', as in previous years.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bathing water profile |url=https://environment.data.gov.uk/bwq/profiles/profile.html?site=ukd4200-42500 |access-date=2023-09-27 |website=environment.data.gov.uk}}</ref> On 12 June 2023 [[United Utilities]] discharged raw sewage into the sea from its water treatment plant in Fleetwood leading to 'no swim' warnings, which were lifted by the end of June.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hughes |first=Ian |date=2023-06-29 |title=Blackpool sea is now (mostly) safe to swim in again |url=https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/blackpool-no-swim-warnings-lifted-27227249 |access-date=2023-09-27 |website=LancsLive |language=en}}</ref> 
|-
![[Stanley Park, Blackpool|Stanley Park]]
| 1926
| rowspan=2 | [[File: Stanley Park, Blackpool - 20180816135125.jpg |220px]]
|-
| colspan=2 | A 260-acre park featuring a boating lake, [[Art Deco]] café, [[amphitheatre]] and bandstand, sports and recreational facilities, golf course and [[Blackpool Cricket Club|cricket club]]. To accommodate a growing population, in 1921 the Corporation of Blackpool commissioned [[Thomas Hayton Mawson|T H Mawson]] to plan a comprehensive park and recreational centre. Stanley Park was opened on 2 October 1926 by [[Edward George Villiers Stanley]] – 17th Earl of Derby.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Opening of Stanley Park |url=https://www.showtownblackpool.co.uk/things-to-discover/the-opening-of-stanley-park |access-date=2023-09-27 |website=Showtown |language=en-GB}}</ref> The park is listed as Grade II* on the Historic England Register of Parks and Gardens and, along with surrounding streets, was designated a [[Conservation area (United Kingdom)|conservation area]] in January 1984. In 2005 a £5.5m [[Heritage Lottery Fund]]-aided programme of repair, conservation and enhancement was undertaken to help restore the park to its former glory.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 2017 |title=STANLEY PARK CONSERVATION AREA APPRAISAL AND MANAGEMENT PLAN |url=https://democracy.blackpool.gov.uk/documents/s31710/Stanley%20Park%20CA%20Management%20Plan%20Final2.pdf |website=democracy.blackpool.gov.uk}}</ref> In 2022 a new masterplan was developed for the park, which will celebrate its centenary in 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stanley Park Master Plan Overview |url=https://democracy.blackpool.gov.uk/documents/s69479/Appendix%206c%20-%20Stanley%20Park%20Master%20Plan%20Overview.pdf |website=democracy.blackpool.gov.uk}}</ref> In May 2022 a new skate park was opened after local skaters secured £200,000 of funding.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Charlesworth |first=Antonia |date=18 March 2021 |title=Stanley Park Skatepark Project gets off the ground |url=https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/32257-stanley-park-skatepark-project/ |website=Blackpool Social Club}}</ref> In 2023 facilities including the athletics track, tennis courts, football pitches and toilets were refurbished.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-08-23 |title=Blackpool running track ready for £320k revamp |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lancashire-62648010 |access-date=2023-09-27 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Parkinson |first=Shelagh |date=2023-03-16 |title=Stanley Park to get new 3G football pitches built this spring |url=https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/blackpools-stanley-park-new-3g-26477118 |access-date=2023-09-27 |website=LancsLive |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Parkinson |first=Shelagh |date=2023-07-04 |title=Parks get mass tennis refurb ahead of Wimbledon with court hire just £5 |url=https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/blackpool-parks-mass-tennis-refurb-27246263 |access-date=2023-09-27 |website=LancsLive |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Parkinson |first=Shelagh |date=2023-01-21 |title=Stanley Park to get £150k investment as toilets spruced up |url=https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/blackpools-stanley-park-150k-investment-26029973 |access-date=2023-09-27 |website=LancsLive |language=en}}</ref> The park is maintained with support from the Friends of Stanley Park, who dedicate time to gardening, wildlife conservation, organising and hosting events including weekly live music at the bandstand throughout the summer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Charlesworth |first=Antonia |date=2023-04-13 |title=Park volunteers ask for friendship |url=https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/37117-park-volunteers-ask-for-friendship/ |access-date=2023-09-27 |website=Blackpool Social Club |language=en-US}}</ref> The park has been voted the UK's favourite by the Fields in Trust three times – in 2017, 2019 and 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blackpool's Stanley Park is a National Treasure |url=http://www.fieldsintrust.org/news/blackpools-stanley-park-is-a-national-treasure |access-date=2023-09-27 |website=Fields in Trust}}</ref>
|}

==Education==
{{Main|List of schools in Blackpool}}

As well as 29 state primary schools and eight state secondary schools, there are also a range of activities for children and young people in the town. Some of these are delivered by Blackpool Young People Services (a part of Blackpool Council).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Duncan Hodgson |title=rubothered.co.uk |url=http://www.rubothered.co.uk |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112041307/http://www.rubothered.co.uk/ |archive-date=12 January 2012 |access-date=9 September 2012 |publisher=rubothered.co.uk}}</ref>

==Transport==
===Air===
[[Blackpool Airport]] lies just over the borough boundary into [[Fylde (borough)|Fylde]], although a proposal to reorganise Blackpool's borders would see the airport incorporated into the Borough of Blackpool.{{when|date=August 2025}} Formerly known as ''Blackpool Squires Gate Airport'', it is one of the oldest in the UK, having hosted public flying meetings in 1909 and 1910.

Airlines that served Blackpool before its temporary closure in late 2014 included [[Jet2.com]] and [[Aer Arran]]. It was reopened to small aircraft, after failing to find a buyer in December 2014, but scheduled flights ceased in 2017.<ref>{{cite web |date=19 November 2014 |title=Airport could see return of commercial flights |url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/business/local-business/airport-could-see-return-of-commercial-flights-1-6961324 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223142017/http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/business/local-business/airport-could-see-return-of-commercial-flights-1-6961324 |archive-date=23 December 2014 |access-date=12 March 2015 |website=Blackpool Gazette}}</ref>

Access to the town by air is now via [[Liverpool John Lennon Airport]] or [[Manchester Airport]], both approximately {{convert|40|mi}} away.

===Buses and coaches===
[[File:Blackpool Transport bus 221 (T884 RBR), 17 April 2009.jpg|thumb|right|A Blackpool Transport bus en route to Fleetwood]]

Services are operated predominantly by the following companies:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bustimes.org/localities/blackpool-town-centre |title=Blackpool town centre bus and tram services |website=Bustimes.org |access-date=4 November 2025}}</ref>
* [[Blackpool Transport]] operates the main bus services in and around the borough
* [[Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire]] operates regional bus services, including routes to Preston, Lancaster and Garstang
* [[National Express Coaches|National Express]] operates long-distance coach services to [[Birmingham]] and [[Victoria coach station|London]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bustimes.org/stops/2590BTA01287 |title=Blackpool, by National Express Coach Facility: coach and bus services |website=Bustimes.org |access-date=4 November 2025}}</ref>

===Railway===
{{Location map+|United Kingdom Blackpool
 |caption=[[File:Red pog.svg|10px]] '''Railway station'''<br />[[File:Pink pog.svg|8px]] ''Site of former railway station''
 |float=right
 |width=220
 |places = 
   {{Location map~|United Kingdom Blackpool|lat=53.8218|long=-3.0493|label_size=85|position=left |label='''{{nowrap|{{stnlnk|Blackpool North}}}}'''|marksize=10}}
   {{Location map~|United Kingdom Blackpool|lat=53.7879|long=-3.0540|label_size=85|position=right|label=[[Blackpool Pleasure Beach railway station|'''Blackpool {{nowrap|Pleasure Beach}}''']]|marksize=10}}
   {{Location map~|United Kingdom Blackpool|lat=53.7983|long=-3.0488|label_size=85|position=left |label='''{{nowrap|{{stnlnk|Blackpool South}}}}'''|marksize=10}}
   {{Location map~|United Kingdom Blackpool|lat=53.8350|long=-3.0306|label_size=85|position=right|label='''{{stnlnk|Layton|England}}'''|marksize=10}}
   {{Location map~|United Kingdom Blackpool|lat=53.7773|long=-3.0503|label_size=85|position=left |label='''{{nowrap|{{stnlnk|Squires Gate}}}}'''|marksize=10}}
   {{Location map~|United Kingdom Blackpool|lat=53.8141|long=-3.0542|label_size=85|position=right|label=''{{nowrap|{{stnlnk|Blackpool Central}}}}''|mark=Pink pog.svg}}
   {{Location map~|United Kingdom Blackpool|lat=53.7957|long=-3.0493|label_size=85|position=right|label=''{{nowrap|{{stnlnk|South Shore}}}}''|mark=Pink pog.svg}}
}}
[[File:Blackpool North railway station interior.jpg|thumb|Interior of Blackpool North station]]

The borough is served by four railway stations:
* {{rws|Blackpool North}} is the principal terminus. [[Northern Trains]] provides services to {{rws|Liverpool Lime Street}}, {{rws|Wigan North Western}}, {{rws|Preston}}, {{rws|Manchester Airport}}, {{stn|Manchester Piccadilly}}, {{rws|Leeds}} and {{rws|York}}.<ref name="NT">{{cite web |url=https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/travel/timetables |title=Train Timetables |website=Northernrailway.co.uk |date=18 May 2025 |access-date=4 November 2025}}</ref> [[Avanti West Coast]] operates two daily services to {{rws|London Euston}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our latest timetables and ticket info |work=Avanti West Coast |date=18 May 2025 |access-date=4 November 2025 |url= https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/travel-information/plan-your-journey/timetables}}</ref>
* [[Layton railway station (England)|Layton]] lies one stop beyond North station, with Northern Trains services to Manchester  Airport, via Preston.<ref name="NT"/>
* {{rws|Blackpool South}} is also a terminus station. Northern Trains operates a service to Preston, via {{rws|Lytham}}.<ref name="NT"/>
* {{rws|Blackpool Pleasure Beach}} lies one stop beyond South station, with Northern Trains services to Preston.<ref name="NT"/>

{{rws|Squires Gate}} lies just outside of the borough boundary, but serves Blackpool Airport on the line from South station.

Blackpool once had two railway terminals with a total of over 30 platforms, mainly used by excursion traffic in the summer. {{rws|Blackpool Central}}, close to Blackpool Tower, was closed in 1964, while North station was largely demolished and rebuilt as a smaller facility. The route of the former line into Central station is now used as a link road, [[Yeadon Way]], from the M55 motorway to the town centre.

===Road===
The [[M55 motorway]] links the town to the [[M6 motorway|M6]] at Preston. Other major roads in the town are the:
* [[A583]] to [[Kirkham, Lancashire|Kirkham]] and Preston
* [[A584]] and B5261, which both lead to Lytham St Annes
* [[A585]] and [[A587]] to [[Fleetwood]]
* [[A586]] to [[Poulton-le-Fylde]], [[Garstang]] and [[Lancaster, Lancashire|Lancaster]].

===Trams===
{{Main|Blackpool Tramway}}
[[File:Trams Blackpool-Fleetwood.svg|thumb|left|A map of the tram network]]
[[File:Flexity 2 (Blackpool) tram at Tower tram stop.jpg|thumb|A Flexity 2 tram at Tower station, April 2012]]
[[File:712 at Bispham.jpg|thumb|An unmodified double-decker English Electric Balloon tram on the Promenade at Bispham]]

The [[Blackpool Tramway]] runs from [[Starr Gate]] to [[Fleetwood]]. It is the only surviving first-generation tramway in the United Kingdom;<ref name="TT001">{{Cite web |title=Blackpool trams |url=http://www.thetrams.co.uk/blackpool/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110701182435/http://www.thetrams.co.uk/blackpool/ |archive-date=1 July 2011 |access-date=3 November 2007 |publisher=thetrams.co.uk}}</ref> it dates back to 1885 and is one of the oldest electric tramways in the world. It is operated by [[Blackpool Transport]], owned by Blackpool Council. The tramway runs for {{convert|11|mi|km}} and carries 6.5 million passengers each year.<ref name="FWN764391">{{Cite news |date=26 March 2004 |title=Anger over tram network |url=http://www.fleetwoodtoday.co.uk/fleetwood/ANGER-OVER-TRAM-NETWORK.764391.jp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080401130235/http://www.fleetwoodtoday.co.uk/fleetwood/ANGER-OVER-TRAM-NETWORK.764391.jp |archive-date=1 April 2008 |access-date=3 November 2007 |publisher=[[Fleetwood Weekly News]]}}</ref>

In April 2012, the tramway reopened after the major reconstruction. Day-to-day services are run by the 16 [[Bombardier Flexity 2 (Blackpool)|Flexity 2]] trams. Several double-deck [[English Electric Balloon]] trams from the older fleet work alongside the new trams to provide additional capacity in the summer months. Several non-modified older trams also operate a heritage service from Pleasure Beach to Little Bispham on weekends and holidays, with a slight upcharge.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Heritage Trams |url=http://www.blackpooltransport.com/Heritage.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120817232546/http://www.blackpooltransport.com/Heritage.aspx |archive-date=17 August 2012 |access-date=9 September 2012 |publisher=Blackpool Transport}}</ref>

An extension of the new service to North station opened in June 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 September 2021 |title=Blackpool Tramway Extension, Phase 2 Talbot Gateway |url=https://www.liveblackpool.info/about/town-centre/blackpool-tramway-extension/ |website=Live Blackpool}}</ref>
{{clear left}}

== Culture ==
=== Art ===
The [[Grundy Art Gallery]] on Queen Street opened in 1911 and adjoins [[Blackpool Central Library]].

Blackpool Art Society was formed in 1884 by George Dearden as Blackpool Sketching Club. The first exhibition was at the YMCA Rooms in Church Street.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=About |url=http://www.blackpoolartsociety.co.uk/about.html |access-date=2023-11-12 |website=Blackpoolartsociety.co.uk}}</ref> In 1886 the club hosted an exhibition of 226 exhibits in the Victoria Street schoolrooms. The Grundy brothers were prominent members, and in 1913 the society was granted the use of the new Grundy Art Gallery for its annual exhibition, where it still exhibits today.<ref name=":4" />{{better source needed|reason=primary source|date=November 2023}} Grundy art gallery includes the work ''Blackpool Stands Between Us and Revolution'', which was displayed temporarily outside on the roof of the gallery in 2022 before moving inside. It is an illuminated text-based artwork by [[Tom Ireland]] that is based on a quote by a local businessman to architect Thomas H Mawson in the 1920s to explain the town's importance to working-class people.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blackpool Stands Between Us and Revolution - Tom Ireland |url=https://www.newexhibitions.com/e/59729 |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=Newexhibitions.com}}</ref>

Blackpool School of Arts, part of [[Blackpool and The Fylde College]], opened in 1937 on Park Road in a building designed by civic architect JC Robinson. The building houses a gallery space which hosts a range of exhibitions. Alumni visual artists include [[Jeffrey Hammond]], [[Adrian Wilson (artist)|Adrian Wilson]], [[Sarah Myerscough]] and [[Craig McDean]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gavell |first=Tim |title=Blackpool art college goes back to its roots with exhibition to launch name change |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/arts-and-culture/art/blackpool-art-college-goes-back-to-its-roots-with-exhibition-to-launch-name-change-1370639 |website=Blackpool Gazette |date=21 January 2020 }}</ref> Plans for a new town centre 'multiversity' are set to replace the current Park Road campus in 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Whelan |first=Dan |date=2023-10-09 |title=Crunch time for Blackpool's Multiversity land assembly |url=https://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/crunch-time-for-blackpools-multiversity-land-assembly/ |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=Place North West |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Established in 2011 and named after its former use for the production of [[Blackpool rock]], the Old Rock Factory consists of studios housing printmakers and other artists in Blackpool. Residents include printmaker and painter Suzanne Pinder<ref>{{Cite web |last=Club |first=Blackpool Social |date=2023-08-25 |title=Blackpool Creative Market to host first Print Fair |url=https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/40013-blackpool-creative-market-to-host-first-print-fair/ |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=Blackpool Social Club |language=en-US}}</ref> and its founder, screen printer Robin Ross who brought the building back into use.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cason |first=Linzi |date=2013-04-02 |title=The Old Rock Factory |url=https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/3374-the-old-rock-factory/ |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=Blackpool Social Club |language=en-US}}</ref> Ross, a former radio DJ,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Herbert |first=Lucinda |title=Radio DJ turned global artist: Last chance to see art by Blackpool screen printer Robin Ross at Tea Amantes |date=22 September 2022 |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/arts-and-culture/art/radio-dj-turned-global-artist-last-chance-to-see-art-by-blackpool-screen-printer-robin-ross-at-tea-amantes-3852778}}</ref> also founded the Sand, Sea and Spray [[street art]] festival. Running between 2011 and 2016, the festival featured live street art by international artist produced on walls and billboards in various locations throughout central Blackpool.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-07-12 |title=The Sand, Sea & Spray urban art festival in Blackpool – in pictures |url=http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2015/jul/12/the-sand-sea-spray-urban-art-festival-in-blackpool |access-date=2023-10-14 |work=the Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

Opened in 2014, Abingdon Studios is a contemporary visual art project space and artist studios curated and directed by Garth Gratrix, who champions [[working-class]] and [[queer]] artists.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Working class art is 'undervalued' said Abingdon Studios owner |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/whats-on/artistic-dozen-arrive-in-resort-1149521 |website=Blackpool Gazette |date=24 February 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Charlesworth |first=Antonia |date=2023-05-03 |title=Garth Gratrix: Wink and wonder |url=https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/37929-garth-gratrix-wink-and-wonder/ |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=Blackpool Social Club |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2021 he and artist Harry Clayton-Wright produced ''We're Still Here'', the first permanent collection of [[LGBT]]QIA+ heritage in Blackpool, supported by the [[National Lottery (United Kingdom)|National Lottery]] Heritage Fund.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mackinlay |first=Catherine |date=2021-10-10 |title=New project to document LGBTQIA+ heritage in Blackpool for the first time |url=https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/new-project-document-lgbtqia-heritage-21787217 |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=Lancs Live |language=en}}</ref>

Founded and directed by local artists, HIVEArts is a gallery space and [[grassroots]] arts collective that hosts regular exhibitions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Simper |first=David |date=2023-07-29 |title=HIVEArts Collective Blackpool reopens its gallery space |url=https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/39772-gallery-re-opening-hivearts/ |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=Blackpool Social Club |language=en-US}}</ref> Exhibitions have included ''The Art Of Forgery'' by Peter Sinclair (2022),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Herbert |first=Lucinda |title=Blackpool 'art forger' displays fake Caravaggio paintings in new exhibition |date=13 June 2022 |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/arts-and-culture/art/blackpool-art-forger-displays-fake-caravaggio-paintings-in-new-exhibition-at-hivearts-gallery-3729392}}</ref> the Gallery Space open exhibition (2022) and ''The Air That A Breathe'', a group exhibition raising money for the Aspergillosis Trust (2023).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Simper |first=David |date=2023-09-29 |title=Essential arty viewing – The Air That I Breathe – HIVEArts Blackpool |url=https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/41273-exhibition-review-the-air-that-i-breathe/ |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=Blackpool Social Club |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2022 the gallery hosted an art auction of 250 original paintings, photos and sculptures donated by local artists raising £8,000+to help victims of the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Herbert |first=Lucinda |title=Blackpool artists raised over £8,000 for Ukraine at HIVEArts first ever art auction |date=19 April 2022 |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/arts-and-culture/art/in-pictures-blackpool-artists-raised-over-ps8000-for-ukraine-at-hivearts-first-ever-art-auction-3659574}}</ref>

Tea Amantes is a tearoom and gallery established in 2021 which hosts monthly art exhibitions by local emerging artists.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Denise |date=2022-08-06 |title=From foraging tea in Poland to Blackpool's seaside – a brew years in the making |url=https://www.lancs.live/whats-on/food-drink-news/foraging-tea-poland-blackpools-seaside-24671217 |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=Lancs Live |language=en}}</ref> Exhibitions have included ''The Main Resort'', featuring Blackpool street photography,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Simper |first=David |date=2023-08-05 |title=Photographer, Stan Crook, presents his seasonal vision of Blackpool |url=https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/39816-exhibition-review-blackpool-the-main-resort-stan-crook/ |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=Blackpool Social Club |language=en-US}}</ref> and ''Golden Energies'' by Katarzyna Nowak.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Simper |first=David |date=2023-02-11 |title=Katarzyna Nowak's fine exhibition at Tea Amantes, Blackpool |url=https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/36720-exhibition-katarzyna-nowak-at-tea-amantes/ |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=Blackpool Social Club |language=en-US}}</ref>

==== Left Coast ====
Left Coast is an arts organisation that was established in 2013, as part of the UK Creative People and Places Programme to produce socially-engaged creative and cultural activities in Blackpool and Wyre.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |title=Left Coast Real Estates: An independent evaluation based on findings by UCLAN and Ruth Melville Associates |url=https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/media/insights/documents/Real-Estates-LeftCoast-Report-Year-2-Final.pdf |website=tnlcommunityfund.org.uk}}</ref> Left Coast projects have included a National Community Lottery funded ''Real Estates'' programme in which artists were given residencies on local [[housing association]] estates to test whether they could become embedded in the community rather than being seen as visitors. An independent evaluation by the [[University of Central Lancashire]] stated that the project "made a real difference to local communities through the use of arts as a catalyst for the development of a sense of confidence and self-worth, developing or rediscovering skills, and increasing social connections."<ref name=":02" />

In response to a November 2017 ''[[Financial Times]]'' article ''Left Behind: Can anyone save the towns the economy forgot?,''<ref>{{Cite news |date=2017-11-16 |title=Left behind: can anyone save the towns the UK economy forgot? |url=https://www.ft.com/blackpool |access-date=2023-10-14 |language=en-GB}}</ref> Left Coast commissioned a series of artists to provide "a nuanced and thoughtful counter position". Photographer [[Craig Easton (photographer)|Craig Easton]] photographed the Williams family who he had first met in 1992 for a commission by French newspaper [[Libération]] to document the British 'underclass'. His images of the Williams's, titled ''Thatcher's Children,'' "came to symbolise the deprivation that was a legacy of the Conservative government of the day"''.'' Revisiting them for Left Coast, Easton created a project entitled ''Is Anybody Listening?.''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Charlesworth |first=Antonia |date=2023-04-26 |title=Craig Easton: A lens on poverty |url=https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/37412-exhibition-craig-easton-is-anybody-listening/ |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=Blackpool Social Club |language=en-US}}</ref>

Left Coast helped raise finance for the Art [[Bed and breakfast|B&B]] project which opened in 2019. Among the 18 different themed rooms were The ''Now You See it, Now You Don't'' suite created by artist and writer professor [[Tim Etchells]], and the ''Willy Little'' suite by artist Mel Brimfield, which celebrated the career of a fictional entertainer and his performances at The Ocean Hotel – the original name of Art B&B.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Daisy |date=2021-03-14 |title=One of the country's coolest hotels has opened on Blackpool seafront |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/art-bb-blackpool-hotel-tourism-20121716 |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=Manchester Evening News |language=en}}</ref> The B&B closed in October 2022 claiming there were not enough future bookings to sustain the business.<ref name=":12">{{Cite news |date=2022-10-21 |title=Blackpool's Arty Bed and Breakfast hotel to close |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lancashire-63338969 |access-date=2023-10-14 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In 2022, Left Coast opened ''Wash Your Words: Langdale Library & Laundry Room'' on [[Public housing in the United Kingdom|social housing]] estate Mereside. It provides somewhere for people to wash clothes, read, learn and create art. In January 2023 it was nominated for the [[RIBA Journal]] MacEwen Award, celebrating architecture for the common good. Judges praised its "joyful design [that] raises expectations of the quality of architecture people should demand of social housing estates".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kucharek |first=Jan-Carlos |date=2023-01-12 |title=MacEwen 2023 shortlist: Wash Your Words, Blackpool |url=https://www.ribaj.com/buildings/macewen-2023-shortlist-wash-your-words-blackpool-lee-ivett-ecaterina-stefanescu-laundry-library |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=Ribaj.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Blackpool library and laundry room Wash Your Words shortlisted for RIBA Journal MacEwen Award for socially engaged architecture |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/education/blackpool-library-and-laundry-room-wash-your-words-shortlisted-for-riba-journal-macewen-award-for-socially-engaged-architecture-3992245 |website=Blackpool Gazette |date=18 January 2023 }}</ref>

==== Aunty Social ====
Established in 2011, Aunty Social is a voluntary-run community arts organisation in Topping Street.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parkinson |first=Shelagh |title=Blackpool to get new town centre community arts hub |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/politics/blackpool-to-get-new-town-centre-community-arts-hub-3838325 |website=Blackpool Gazette |date=9 September 2022 }}</ref> In 2013 it registered as a [[Community interest company]] (CIC) and opened Charabanc, a shop selling products made by local artists and designers.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The value of giving a little time Understanding the potential of micro-volunteering |url=https://www.bl.uk/britishlibrary/~/media/bl/global/social-welfare/pdfs/non-secure/v/a/l/value-of-giving-a-little-time-understanding-the-potential-of-microvolunteering.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231021104441/https://www.bl.uk/britishlibrary/~/media/bl/global/social-welfare/pdfs/non-secure/v/a/l/value-of-giving-a-little-time-understanding-the-potential-of-microvolunteering.pdf |archive-date=21 October 2023 |access-date=14 November 2023 |website=British Library |page=69}}</ref> Aunty Social runs the online arts and culture magazine Blackpool Social Club, the [[Winter Gardens, Blackpool|Winter Gardens]] Film Festival and [[BFI]] Film Club. Facilities include a community darkroom and library. A Queer Craft Club and [[Heritage Crafts|Heritage Craft]] workshops are hosted.

Local textiles group Knittaz With Attitude is an Aunty Social project which has carried out several [[yarn bombing]] projects in public spaces. In 2022 the group responded to reports of [[sexual harassment]] recorded by Reclaim Blackpool which maps incidents that take place in public places. Over 20 participants created [[craftivist]] works highlighting the precarious safety of women and using methods including [[cross stitch]], [[crochet]], [[appliqué]] and [[embroidery]] under the banner ''We're Sew Done''. The pieces were placed in locations plotted on the map before being exhibited in [[Blackpool Central Library]]. The exhibition featured in local singer [[Rae Morris]]'s video for her single No Woman Is An Island.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Charlesworth |first=Antonia |date=2022-01-31 |title=Sew over it |url=https://www.bigissuenorth.com/features/2022/01/sew-over-it/ |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=Big Issue North |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==== Public art ====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Name of artwork
!Dates
!Picture
|-
! Medici Lions
| {{ubl|Created in:|1790 (originals)|2013 (replicas)}}
| rowspan=2 | [[File:New lion statue, Stanley Park (geograph 3717403).jpg|220px]]
|-
|colspan=2|A pair of lions modelled on the [[Medici lions]] in Rome stand in [[Stanley Park, Blackpool|Stanley Park]]. The original lead lions were made in 1790 and sold in 1922 to John Magee who gifted them to Blackpool Corporation. They were removed in 2013 and loaned to [[Stowe House]], where they originally stood. Replicas were installed in the park in 2013.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web |title=Inventory of Public Art Works Owned by Blackpool Council (March 2022) |url=https://democracy.blackpool.gov.uk/documents/s69508/Appendix%208b%20Public%20Art%20Inventory%20-%20Works%20Owned%20by%20BC.pdf |website=democracy.blackpool.gov.uk}}</ref> Stanley Park also features a number of nature-inspired sculptures in its Italian Gardens, and ''We Love You To The Moon'', a stone carving memorial to Jane Tweedle from Blackpool who was killed in the [[Manchester Arena bombing]] in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |title=We Love You to the Moon {{!}} Art UK |url=https://artuk.org/discover/artworks/we-love-you-to-the-moon-301859 |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=artuk.org |language=en}}</ref> A statue of [[Charlie Cairoli]] was installed in the Rose Garden in 2008 but was later moved to [[Blackpool Tower]] and replaced with a plaque.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The inimitable Charlie: Charlie Cairoli and the Tower Circus |url=https://www.showtownblackpool.co.uk/things-to-discover/the-inimitable-charlie-charlie-cairoli-and-the-tower-circus |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=Showtown |language=en-GB}}</ref>
|-
!Ballet Dancers
| Installed in the 1990s
|
|-
|colspan=3|Designed by artists Phil Bew and Diane Gorvin, two bronze ballet dancers standing on stainless steel plinths at either end of Clifton Street in the town centre.<ref name=":22" />
|-
!Great Promenade Show
| Commissioned from 2001 to 2005
|rowspan=2 | [[File:The Mirror Ball illuminated (2) - geograph.org.uk - 3735450.jpg|220px|''They Shoot Horses, Don't They'']]<br />{{small|''They Shoot Horses, Don't They''}}
|-
|colspan=2| A collection of 10 artworks commissioned over a period of four years from 2001 to 2005 forming an 'outdoor' contemporary art gallery along 2&nbsp;km of New South Promenade from Squires Gate to [[South Pier, Blackpool|South Pier]].<ref name=":22" /> Some of the artworks have since been removed, including the [[Blackpool High Tide Organ|''High Tide Organ'']] by Liam Curtin and John Gooding, which made music from the swell of the tide.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Holmes |first=Wes |title=Tide Organ on Blackpool seafront to be pulled down due to safety concerns |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/people/tide-organ-on-blackpool-seafront-to-be-pulled-down-due-to-safety-concerns-3481261 |website=Blackpool Gazette |date=3 December 2021 }}</ref> Alluding to the town's ballroom culture, ''They Shoot Horses, Don't They'' is a giant mirror ball by artist Michael Trainor. At six metres in diameter and weighing six tonnes it was the world's largest dance hall mirror ball at the time, covered in 47,000 mirrors that gently rotate and catch the light.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-13 |title=Largest Mirror Ball in world heading back to this Lancashire town |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/19577351.largest-mirror-ball-world-heading-back-lancashire-town-following-major-refurbishment-work/ |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=Lancashire Telegraph |language=en}}</ref>
|-
!Choir Loft
| Installed in 2008||
|-
|colspan=3| Located next to the Cenotaph war memorial, artist Ruth Barker's work consists of letters carved into granite blocks and treated with gold leaf reading 'Sing softly. Be still. Cease'. The memorial is dedicated 'to those who struggle for freedom in all conflicts, and those who remember them'.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Non Combatants Peace Memorial (The Choir Loft), Blackpool |url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/59160 |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=Imperial War Museums |language=en}}</ref>
|-
!The Wave
| Installed in 2009
| rowspan=2 | [[File:The Wave, Cedar Square, Blackpool, Detail - geograph.org.uk - 1952204.jpg|220px]]
|-
|colspan=2|Installed in St John's Square and by Lucy Glendinning the 10.5m high x 2.5m wide mirror polished stainless steel <ref>{{cite web |title=The Wave Blackpool – Mirror Stainless Steel Sculpture |url=https://www.m-tec.uk.com/the-wave-blackpool |website=m-tec |access-date=26 November 2025}}</ref> wave structure has internal lighting that shines through a laser cut pattern with transparent blue resin insets. It features a figure in clear blue and resin blue pebble sculptures at the base which act as seats.<ref name=":22" />
|-
!Soldier Sculpture (and Salisbury Woodlands)
| Installed in 2009
|
|-
|colspan=3| Designed by [[Thompson Dagnall]] in Salisbury Woodlands, the figure of a soldier with metal helmet and rifle is carved from Lancashire Mill stone and sits atop a WWII [[Pillbox (military)|pillbox]]. The woodlands also house a number of wooden carved sculptures including an archway entrance carvings of a bat, wood pecker and leaves.<ref name=":22" />
|-
!Sand Sea & Spray
|||
|-
|colspan=3| A number of large scale graffiti artworks feature throughout the town in locations including Talbot Road, Cookson Street and Palatine Road.<ref name=":22" /> They were created by a number of international artists as part of Sand, Sea & Spray street art festival which ran between 2011 and 2016.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-07-12 |title=The Sand, Sea & Spray urban art festival in Blackpool – in pictures |url=http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2015/jul/12/the-sand-sea-spray-urban-art-festival-in-blackpool |access-date=2023-11-07 |work=the Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
|-
!The 999 statue
| Installed in 2013 
|
|-
|colspan=3|A 2.5m monument by Matt Titherington installed at Jubilee Gardens to honour police officers and a member of the public who died trying to rescue a man who had gone into the sea to save his dog in 1983.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2013-06-27 |title=Blackpool statue honours drowned officers and 999 services |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lancashire-23070443 |access-date=2023-11-07 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
|-
!Lightpool
| Started in 2016
|
|-
|colspan=3|Lightpool is an annual light festival held over October half term that sees artistic light installations throughout the town centre and various fringe events. It was awarded the Arts Council's National Portfolio Organisation status for 2023–2026, securing funding worth nearly £700,000.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Denise |date=2022-11-04 |title=Blackpool Illuminations to get even more illuminated with £700k boost |url=https://www.lancs.live/whats-on/family-kids-news/blackpool-illuminations-lightpool-festival-secures-25437566 |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=Lancs Live |language=en}}</ref>
|-
!Fancie Benches
| {{ubl|Installed in:|2020 (1st bench)|2022 (2nd)}}||
|-
|colspan=3| Artist Tina Dempsey installed her first ''Fancie Bench'' in Blackpool's King's Square and a second bench was installed in Edward Street. Fabricated by Lightworks – Blackpool Illuminations Depot – out of fibreglass, the colourful abstract designs were part of the Quality Corridors Scheme to improve the appearance of key streets in the town.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Holmes |first=Wes |date=1 March 2022 |title=Art competition winner unveils unique multicoloured bench in Blackpool town centre |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/people/art-competition-winner-unveils-unique-multicoloured-bench-in-blackpool-town-centre-3591531 |website=Blackpool Gazette}}</ref>
|-
!Tram Benches
| Installed in: 2020
|
|-
|colspan=3|Part of the Quality Corridors Scheme, artist Andy Hazell installed two stainless steel benches in the shape of trams in Talbot Square. They depict heritage trams – a Blackpool OMO, built in the mid-1930s, and the Brush, built originally in 1937.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parkinson |first=Shelagh |date=2020-11-09 |title=Blackpool's special new benches for those waiting for a tram |url=https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/blackpools-special-new-benches-those-19244315 |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=Lancs Live |language=en}}</ref>
|-
!The Call of the Sea
|Installed in 2021
|-
|colspan=3| A life-sized bronze painted sculpture by artist Laurence Payot in Talbot Square. It was designed in consultations with fashion students from Blackpool and The Fylde College, pupils from Blackpool Gateway Academy and the council's beach patrol team, and was modelled after a local girl. It cost £35,000, funded by the Quality Corridors Scheme.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Holmes |first=Wes |title='Call of the Sea' mermaid statue unveiled in Talbot Square |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/people/call-of-the-sea-mermaid-statue-unveiled-in-talbot-square-3269156 |website=Blackpool Gazette |date=10 June 2021 }}</ref>
|-
!Storytrails: Queercoaster
|Created in 2022
|
|-
|colspan=3|By Joseph Doubtfire, as part of the government-funded [[Unboxed: Creativity in the UK|Unboxed]] festival. An augmented reality walking tour, it allowed participants to experience and learn about queer history in Blackpool through fragments of archive footage of news reports and stories collected from locals.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Club |first=Blackpool Social |date=2023-04-04 |title=Artist Q&A: Queercoaster's Joseph Doubtfire |url=https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/37015-artist-qa-queercoasters-joseph-doubtfire/ |access-date=2023-11-07 |website=Blackpool Social Club |language=en-US}}</ref>
|}

=== Performing arts ===
==== Theatre ====
[[File:The Grand Theatre Blackpool (12646106613).jpg|thumb|The Grand Theatre]]
At its peak in the 1930s Blackpool's numerous theatres and cinemas could seat more than 60,000 people.<ref name=":0" />

The Theatre Royal on Clifton Street first opened as the Assembly Rooms and Arcade in 1868. It later became the Tivoli Electric Theatre and eventually Yates's Wine Lodge before it was destroyed by fire in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Theatre Royal {{!}} Theatres Trust |url=https://database.theatrestrust.org.uk/resources/theatres/show/2114-theatre-royal |access-date=2023-11-11 |website=database.theatrestrust.org.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=England |first=Historic |date=2020-05-14 |title=8 Things to Know About Blackpool |url=https://heritagecalling.com/2020/05/14/eight-things-to-know-about-blackpool/ |access-date=2023-11-11 |website=The Historic England Blog |language=en-GB}}</ref>

In 1874 the Indian Pavilion was built on [[North Pier]] to host regular concert performances. After being damaged by fire in 1921 and destroyed by another in 1938<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gregson |first=Juliette |date=2023-05-21 |title=Memories of 160 years of North Pier |url=https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/38213-memories-of-160-years-of-north-pier/ |access-date=2023-11-11 |website=Blackpool Social Club |language=en-US}}</ref> it was replaced by the [[Art Deco]] Pavilion Theatre (now the Joe Longthorne Theatre) in 1939. One of few remaining pier theatres in the country, it hosts variety acts during the summer season. The theatre is Grade II [[Listed building|listed]] but has been on the Theatres At Risk Register since 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Joe Longthorne Theatre (former North Pier Pavilion) |url=https://www.theatrestrust.org.uk/how-we-help/theatres-at-risk/215-joe-longthorne-theatre-former-north-pier-pavilion |access-date=2023-11-11 |website=Theatres Trust |language=en}}</ref>

The Borough Theatre (later Queens Theatre) opened in September 1877 on Bank Hey Street. A blue Plaque marks the location of the building which was demolished in 1972/73.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blue Plaques in Blackpool A to C |url=https://blackpoolcivictrust.org.uk/blueplaqueAC.html |access-date=2023-11-11 |website=blackpoolcivictrust.org.uk}}</ref>

Her Majesty's Opera House, part of the [[Winter Gardens, Blackpool|Winter Gardens]] complex'','' was built in 1889 and designed by architect [[Frank Matcham]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Frank Matcham - Architect {{!}} Architects of Greater Manchester |url=https://manchestervictorianarchitects.org.uk/architects/frank-matcham |access-date=2023-11-11 |website=manchestervictorianarchitects.org.uk}}</ref> The 2,500 capacity was soon deemed insufficient and was redesigned by architects Mangnall and Littlewood in 1910. In October 1938 the old Opera House was demolished and the third and current [[Opera House Theatre, Blackpool|Opera House]], with a classic [[Art Deco]] design, replaced it. Seating 3,000, it was the largest theatre in the country when it opened.<ref name=":0" /> The first [[Royal Variety Performance]] to be held outside London was staged there in 1955.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Charity |first=Royal Variety |title=Performances :: 1955, Blackpool Opera House {{!}} Royal Variety Charity |url=https://www.royalvarietycharity.org/royal-variety-performance/archive/detail/1955-blackpool-opera-house |access-date=2023-11-11 |website=Royalvarietycharity.org |language=en}}</ref> The Opera House is one of only three remaining historic theatres in Blackpool still in operation, regularly staging touring [[musicals]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Charlesworth |first=Antonia |date=2023-09-13 |title=Theatre Review: Heathers the Musical |url=https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/40477-review-heathers-the-musical/ |access-date=2023-11-11 |website=Blackpool Social Club |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Club |first=Blackpool Social |date=2023-11-10 |title=Hayley Tamaddon: My teachers said I'd never make it |url=https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/42560-hayley-tamaddon-my-teachers-said-id-never-make-it/ |access-date=2023-11-11 |website=Blackpool Social Club |language=en-US}}</ref>

The Empire Theatre and Opera House on Church Street opened in 1895 and by 1900 it had been converted into a circus venue and renamed Hippodrome. In 1929 it became the ABC cinema but continued to host stage shows, including in the 1960s TV variety show Blackpool Night Out in which the Beatles appeared on 19 July 1964. The theatre became [[The Syndicate (nightclub)|The Syndicate]] superclub in 2002 until it was demolished in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blackpool Hippodrome (1895 - 2014) {{!}} Discover Our Archives |url=https://archives.shef.ac.uk/agents/corporate_entities/295#:~:text=Blackpool%20Hippodrome%20was%20a%20variety,circus%20venue%20and%20renamed%20Hippodrome |access-date=2023-11-11 |website=archives.shef.ac.uk}}</ref>

The Prince of Wales Theatre was built in 1879 next to the site of [[Blackpool Tower]]. It was replaced in 1900 with the grand [[Alhambra, Blackpool|Alhambra]] complex but, unable to compete with the neighbouring Tower hit financial difficulties in 1902. Architect [[Frank Matcham]] remodelled the building and it became the Palace Theatre in 1904. It was demolished in 1961.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alhambra |url=https://database.theatrestrust.org.uk/resources/theatres/show/2562-alhambra-blackpool |website=Theatre Trust}}</ref>
[[File:The Old Electric Building in Blackpool.jpg|thumb|The Old Electric on Springfield Road]]
[[Grand Theatre, Blackpool|The Grand Theatre]] was built in 1894 and dubbed Frank Matcham's masterpiece.<ref name=":0" /> It hosts a mix of local, mainstream and high brow performances as well as an annual pantomime.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Club |first=Blackpool Social |date=2023-09-08 |title=Theatre Preview: A Grand season of fabulous live dance |url=https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/40396-theatre-preview-a-grand-season-of-fabulous-live-dance/ |access-date=2023-11-11 |website=Blackpool Social Club |language=en-US}}</ref> In the 1990s the theatre was annexed to provided a Studio Theatre.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our History |url=https://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/box-office-and-venue/our-venue/our-history |access-date=2023-11-11 |website=Blackpool Grand Theatre |language=en-GB}}</ref> Supported by the Friends of the Grand Theatre, it is a registered charity and in 2022 received [[Arts Council England]] National Portfolio Organisation status – a three-year investment of more than £1.5m.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Funding for Lightpool Festival |url=https://www.visitblackpool.com/latest-news/funding-for-lightpool-festival/ |website=Visit Blackpool}}</ref> In September 2023 Blackpool Council committed £500,000 to carry out urgent repairs to the theatre.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-09-18 |title=Planners give go-ahead for £500k Blackpool Grand Theatre repairs |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-lancashire-66843202 |access-date=2023-11-11 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref> The Grand has had a youth theatre company since 1996<ref>{{Cite web |last=Club |first=Blackpool Social |date=2023-08-30 |title=Blackpool Grand Theatre relaunches Young Company |url=https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/40042-blackpool-grand-theatre-relaunches-young-company/ |access-date=2023-11-11 |website=Blackpool Social Club |language=en-US}}</ref> and has partnered with the Royal Shakespeare Company to engage school children with theatre and performance.<ref>{{Cite web |title=RSC Associate Schools Programme |url=https://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/get-involved/rsc-associate-schools-programme |access-date=2023-11-11 |website=Blackpool Grand Theatre |language=en-GB}}</ref>

The [[Regent Cinema, Blackpool|Regent Cinema]], built in Neo-Baroque style, opened in 1921. From the 1970s it was a bingo hall; after renovation in the 2010s it re-opened as a cinema and venue for live performances.<ref>[https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/6549 "Regent Cinema"] ''Cinema Treasures''. Retrieved 6 January 2025.</ref>

The Old Electric is Blackpool's newest theatre, opening in 2021 on Springfield Road in the former Princess Electric Cinema. Founded by creative director Melanie Whitehead, it became the home of The Electric Sunshine Project CIC, a community theatre company she established in 2016, as well as a community arts space. The renovation of the building, which had been a string of nightclubs prior, was [[National Lottery (United Kingdom)|National Lottery]] funded and carried out during lockdown.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Newest theatre in town and it's 'electric' |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/newest-theatre-in-town-and-its-electric-creatives-open-the-doors-blackpools-old-electric-theatre-and-first-production-wonderland-3317328 |website=Blackpool Gazette |date=21 July 2021 }}</ref>

==== Dance ====
[[File:Empress Ballroom Winter Gardens Blackpool.jpg|thumb|Blackpool Empress Ballroom, built in 1896]]
Dance has been central to Blackpool culture for 150 years. One of the first places visitors could dance was on the open air on the piers and its popularity led to ballrooms opening across the town. [[Blackpool Tower|The Tower Ballroom]] came first in 1894, quickly followed by the [[Empress Ballroom]] and the Alhambra.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Novelty dances in Blackpool |url=https://www.showtownblackpool.co.uk/novelty-dances-in-blackpool |access-date=2023-11-12 |website=Showtown |language=en-GB}}</ref>

The original Tower Ballroom was a smaller pavilion but the facility posed a threat to the [[Winter Gardens, Blackpool|Winter Gardens]] whose management responded in 1896 by improving its facilities. The Empress Ballroom – much grander and larger than its rival – was built on the site of a roller rink and designed by Mangnall and Littlewood with a capacity of 3,000.<ref name=":0" /> Towards the end of the [[First World War]], in 1918, the Empress Ballroom was taken over by the [[Admiralty (United Kingdom)|Admiralty]] as a space to assemble Gas Envelopes for their R33 Airship. Renovations in 1934 included a new sprung dance floor with 10,000 strips of oak, mahogany, walnut, and greenwood, on top of 1,320 four inch springs, covering 12,500-foot.

The first [[Blackpool Dance Festival]] was held in the Empress Ballroom during Easter week in 1920. The idea is credited to either Harry Wood, the musical director of the Winter Gardens, or Nelson Sharples, a music publisher in Blackpool.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.blackpooldancefestival.com/history |access-date=2023-11-12 |website=Blackpool Dance Fest |language=en}}</ref> The festival was devoted to three competitions to find three new [[sequence dance]]s in three tempos – [[waltz]], [[Two-step (dance move)|two step]] and [[foxtrot]]. There was one competition per day and, on the fourth, one dance was chosen as the winner. In 1931 the dance festival hosted the inaugural British Professional and Amateur Ballroom Championships and in 1953 the competitions included the North of England Amateur and Professional Championships, a Ballroom Formation Dancing Competition, the British Amateur and Professional Ballroom Championships, plus a Professional Exhibition Dancing Competition. In 1961, a British Amateur Latin American Tournament was held, followed by a Professional event in 1962. These two events were upgraded to Championship status in 1964. 1968 saw the introduction of the Professional Invitation Team Match and in 1975 the first British Closed Dance Festival was held – now the British National Championships. In modern times around 50 countries are represented across eight annual festivals in the Empress Ballroom and Blackpool Dance Festival is considered ‘the world's first and foremost festival of dancing’.<ref name=":6" />
[[File:Blackpool Tower Ballroom 2 - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Blackpool Tower Ballroom, designed by Frank Matcham, opened in 1899]]
The present Tower Ballroom was designed by [[Frank Matcham]] and opened in 1899 to rival the Empress Ballroom, matching its capacity of 3,000. Its sprung dance floor measures 120 feet by 102 feet and consists of 30,602 separate blocks of mahogany, oak and walnut. The inscription above the Ballroom stage, 'Bid me discourse, I will enchant thine ear', is from [[Shakespeare]]'s Venus and Adonis [[sonnet]]. Among the Ballroom's one-time strict rules were 'gentlemen may not dance unless with a lady' and 'disorderly conduct means immediate expulsion'. Originally, dancing was not permitted on Sundays when an evening of sacred music was performed instead. In December 1956, the ballroom was badly damaged by fire and the dance floor was destroyed. It took two years and £500,000 to restore.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History of The Blackpool Tower Ballroom |url=https://www.theblackpooltower.com/history/the-ballroom/ |access-date=2023-11-12 |website=The Blackpool Tower |language=en-GB}}</ref> The [[BBC]] series [[Come Dancing]] – aired between 1950 and 1998 – was broadcast from the Tower Ballroom and featured professional dancers competing against each other. Its reinvention as [[Strictly Come Dancing]] launched in 2004 and includes an annual Blackpool week, when the show is broadcast from the Tower Ballroom.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Interactive map: What Blackpool Tower Ballroom, Colin Firth, Arley Hall, Media City and the Beatles have in common |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/people/interactive-map-what-blackpool-tower-ballroom-colin-firth-arley-hall-media-city-and-the-beatles-have-in-common-and-why-they-are-key-to-bbc-history-as-it-marks-centenary-3876997 |website=Blackpool Gazette |date=12 October 2022 }}</ref> The Tower Ballroom remains a popular venue for dancing and its celebrated Wurlitzer organ still rises from below the stage.<ref name=":0" /> In 2022 it featuring on the BBC's interactive map of 100 Places for 100 Years of the BBC.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-31 |title=100 Places for 100 Years of the BBC |url=https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/243e6f47644b43119aaab3362643d62d |access-date=2023-11-12 |website=ArcGIS StoryMaps |language=en-gb}}</ref>

During the 20th century, ballroom bandleaders created new novelty dances including The Blackpool Walk, the dance craze of the 1938 summer season. The music was composed by [[Lawrence Wright (composer)|Lawrence Wright]], a prominent music publisher, under the pen name Horatio Nicholls, and choreographed by 1937 Blackpool Dance Festival Champions, Cyril Farmer and Adela Roscoe. Inspired by the Blackpool Walk, in 2020 local dance company House of Wingz created a new social dance, The Blackpool Way, as part of a community project called Get Dancing. Music was composed by Callum Harvey and dance steps and moves were submitted by people from across the world.<ref name=":5" />

Based on Back Reeds Road, House of Wingz was founded by married couple Samantha and Aishley Docherty Bell. Using knowledge and education in hip hop culture, the company aims to create a legacy or 'scene' for dance artists and musicians in Blackpool, who will contribute to a growing cultural landscape in the town.<ref>{{Cite web |title=In the Spotlight with House of Wingz |url=https://www.showtownblackpool.co.uk/in-the-spotlight-with-house-of-wingz |access-date=2023-11-12 |website=Showtown |language=en-GB}}</ref> House of Wingz is the Blackpool partner for [[Breakin' Convention]], a festival celebrating the best in UK hip hop talent founded by pioneer Jonzi D.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Charlesworth |first=Antonia |date=2023-05-07 |title=Jonzi D: Hip hop can empower children in poverty |url=https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/38033-jonzi-d-how-hip-hop-can-empower-children-in-poverty/ |access-date=2023-11-12 |website=Blackpool Social Club |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2022 members of House of Wingz collected seven trophies in the UDO World Street Dance Championships including two first place prizes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blackpool teens win top street dance trophies on their own doorstep |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/education/from-after-school-dance-club-to-world-champions-blackpool-teens-win-top-street-dance-trophies-on-their-own-doorstep-3808333 |website=Blackpool Gazette |date=17 August 2022 }}</ref> Although dance is at the heart of House of Wingz, it is also home to a collective of musicians, artists and performers who stage their own productions and collaborate on creative projects.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Charlesworth |first=Antonia |date=2020-10-20 |title=Taking Flight - Blackpool Grime and House of Wingz |url=https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/30370-taking-flight-blackpool-grime/ |access-date=2023-11-12 |website=Blackpool Social Club |language=en-US}}</ref> Skool of Street is House of Wingz' charitable arm, providing free access to classes for children who do not have the means to pay as well as delivering the Government's Holiday Activities and Food programme.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Holiday activities and food (HAF) {{!}} Public Health Blackpool Council |url=https://healthierblackpool.co.uk/holiday-activities-and-food-haf/ |access-date=2023-11-12 |website=Healthierblackpool.co.uk |date=24 February 2023 }}</ref>

Other dance schools in Blackpool include Phil Winstone's Theatreworks, Whittaker Dance & Drama Centre and Langley Dance Centre.

==== Amateur dramatics ====
There are a number of notable amateur and community theatre companies in Blackpool.

Junction Four Productions, formed in 1904 as Lytham Amateur Operatic Society (LAOS), is one of the original musical theatre groups on the Fylde Coast. A registered charity, it changed its name in 2018 to reflect its varied canon.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://www.junction4productions.co.uk/about |access-date=2023-11-12 |website=Junction 4 Productions |language=en-GB}}</ref> Blackpool & Fylde Light Opera Company (BFLOC) is an amateur musical comedy society that has hosted annual productions since 1950. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-04-16 |title=Blackpool & Fylde Light Opera Company {{!}} The Amateur Theatre Network |url=https://amdram.co.uk/groups/blackpool-fylde-light-opera-company/ |access-date=2023-11-12 |website=Am Dram |language=en-GB}}</ref> Blackpool Operatic Players (BOP) has been presenting musical theatre productions in Blackpool and the surrounding areas since 1953.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About {{!}} Blackpool Operatic Players |url=https://www.blackpooloperaticplayers.com/about |access-date=2023-11-12 |website=Blackpool Operatic P |language=en}}</ref>

On 14 January 2022, a blue plaque was unveiled on Michael Hall Theatre School (formerly Marton Parish Church Hall) on Preston New Road recording that, from 1930 to 2002, Marton Operatic Society performed Gilbert and Sullivan and other operas there.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blue Plaques in Blackpool M to R |url=https://blackpoolcivictrust.org.uk/blueplaqueMR.html#:~:text=Marton%20Parish%20Church%20Hall%20and,important%20historical%20site%20in%20Marton. |access-date=2023-11-12 |website=blackpoolcivictrust.org.uk}}</ref> Founded as Marton Parish Church Choral and Operatic Society in 1930 by Reverend Charles Macready and William Hogarth, their first production was Cupid and the Ogre. In 2021, following a decline exacerbated by COVID-19, members voted to wind the society up. A final concert version of The Mikado was held on 29 October.<ref>''Unveiling of Blue Plaque at the Michael Hall Theatre School formerly Marton Parish Church Hall'' by Philip Walsh (2001)</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Blue plaque unveiled to celebrate Marton Operatic Society's 72 year history at hall |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/people/blue-plaque-unveiled-to-celebrate-marton-operatic-societys-72-year-history-at-hall-3537571 |website=Blackpool Gazette |date=21 January 2022 }}</ref>

Michael Hall Theatre School is a small theatre space and school in the former Marton Parish Church Hall. Founded in 2003, it is run by Michael Hall who studied at the Royal Academy of Music and whose past pupils include [[Jodie Prenger]] and [[Aiden Grimshaw]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Michael Hall {{!}} Singing teacher {{!}} Blackpool, United Kingdom |url=https://schoolofeverything.com/teacher/michaelhall |access-date=2023-11-12 |website=schoolofeverything.com}}</ref> Hall also runs Musica Lirica Opera Company which aims to make opera accessible.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Us – Musica Lirica Opera |url=https://musicalirica.co.uk/about-us/ |access-date=2023-11-12 |language=en-US}}</ref>

Founded in 2005, TramShed is an inclusive theatre company and charity offering inclusive performing arts to all children, young people and adults many of whom have additional needs. In 2021 it was named a National Diversity Awards finalist.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What we do |url=https://www.tramshed.org.uk/what-we-do |access-date=2023-11-12 |website=TramShed Theatre Company |language=en-GB}}</ref> Cou-Cou Theatre Productions is a Community Interest Company founded in 2018 by sisters Sophie and Nikita Coulon.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Charlesworth |first=Antonia |date=2023-05-27 |title=Theatre Preview: The Wizard of Oz |url=https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/38400-preview-the-wizard-of-oz/ |access-date=2023-11-12 |website=Blackpool Social Club |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Music ===
==== Heritage ====
Blackpool has a rich musical heritage associated with its tourist industry alongside a number of popular music scenes and artists that have emerged there. The first registered venue offering musical entertainment in Blackpool was the original Uncle Tom's Cabin, situated on the cliffs at North Shore, from the early 1860s.<ref name=":03">{{Cite book |last=Appleby |first=Colin |title=Blackpool's Live Music Rollercoaster: From Uncle Tom's Cabin to the Waterloo Music Bar. From Blackpool in Film and Popular Music, ed by Ewa Mazierska |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |year=2020 |isbn=978-3-030-49934-1}}</ref>

The Wurlitzer organ at Blackpool Tower Ballroom was played by [[Reginald Dixon]] from March 1930 until March 1970, with live broadcasts of his performances being aired each week during the summer season on the BBC Light Programme.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blackpool heritage tram paying tribute to Blackpool Tower organist Reg Dixon set to be unveiled today |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/people/blackpool-heritage-tram-paying-tribute-to-blackpool-tower-organist-reg-dixon-set-to-be-unveiled-today-3336211 |website=Blackpool Gazette |date=6 August 2021 }}</ref> [[Phil Kelsall|Phil Kalsall]] has been principle organist at the venue since 1977.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Phil Kelsall MBE – The Cinema Organ Society |url=https://www.cinema-organs.org.uk/artists/phil-kelsall-mbe/ |access-date=2023-11-22 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

[[Lawrence Wright (composer)|Lawrence Wright]] was a successful music publisher and songwriter who moved to Blackpool in the 1920s and opened 20 song booths, hiring musicians to play his sheet music inside which passers-by would purchase after entering to listen and sing along.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Novelty dances in Blackpool |url=https://www.showtownblackpool.co.uk/novelty-dances-in-blackpool |access-date=2023-11-22 |website=Showtown |language=en-GB}}</ref>

Blackpool was instrumental in the music of big bands who performed jazz and swing music in its dancehalls and ballrooms from the 1930s-1950s. Frequent performers from 1946 to 1959 were [[Ted Heath (bandleader)|Ted Heath]], [[Joe Loss]] and [[Jack Parnell]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blackpool's prestigious ballrooms and the sounds of the big band era |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/retro/blackpools-prestigious-ballrooms-and-the-sounds-of-the-big-band-era-2974827 |website=Blackpool Gazette |date=18 September 2020 }}</ref>

In the [[post-war period]] Blackpool was the centre of live entertainment outside [[London]] and there was a proliferation of musical talent coming from and discovered in the town. The town hosted three or four [[variety show]]s per night during tourist seasons, each featuring popular music including [[The Shadows]], [[Tom Jones (singer)|Tom Jones]], [[Engelbert Humperdinck (singer)|Engelbert Humperdinck]] and American stars including [[Frank Sinatra]] who performed twice in the early 1950s.<ref name=":13">{{Cite book |date=2020 |editor-last=Mazierska |editor-first=Ewa |title=Blackpool in Film and Popular Music |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-49935-8 |publisher=SpringerLink |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-3-030-49935-8|isbn=978-3-030-49934-1 |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

The heyday of Blackpool's musical history to date and the golden era was the 1960s when live music was offered in the town's many pubs, clubs, theatres and concert venues to accommodate its millions of visitors.<ref name=":03" /> All the top British [[Beat music|beat groups]] played in Blackpool, forging a tradition at the [[Winter Gardens, Blackpool|Winter Gardens]] Empress Ballroom of staging of rock, alternative and indie music with visiting bands through the decades including [[Queen (band)|Queen]], [[the Stone Roses]], [[Blur (band)|Blur]] and [[New Order (band)|New Order]].<ref name=":13" />

Smaller music venues of note include The Galleon bar on Adelaide Street which opened in 1954 and was a magnet for musicians<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Galleon Bar, Blackpool prepares to sail again |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/the-galleon-bar-blackpool-prepares-to-sail-again-2909061 |website=Blackpool Gazette |date=9 July 2020 }}</ref> and Mama & Papa Jenks on Talbot Road, which attracted emerging acts of the 1970s including the [[Eurythmics]] and the [[Buzzcocks]] and evolved into a punk music venue hosting bands such as [[the Fits]] and [[the Membranes]].<ref name=":03" />

[[John Lennon]] spent a short time living in Blackpool as a child and would often visit family there and watch musical acts including [[George Formby]] and [[Dickie Valentine]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=We loved you, yeah, yeah, yeah |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/we-loved-you-yeah-yeah-yeah-1095157 |website=Blackpool Gazette |date=28 July 2017 }}</ref> [[The Beatles]] were booked to perform on [[South Pier, Blackpool|South Pier]] throughout the summer of 1962 but their fame saw them outgrow the venue before they could fulfil their residency. They did go on to play a series of dates in the ABC Theatre and later the Opera House in August 1963 and 1964.<ref name=":03" />

[[The Rolling Stones]] gig at the Empress Ballroom on 24 July 1964 resulted in a [[riot]]. The venue was left badly damaged, with fans smashing two chandeliers, tearing up seats and breaking a [[Steinway]] grand piano. Two people were hospitalised and around 50 treated for minor injuries. [[Blackpool Council]] banned the Rolling Stones from performing in the town again, lifting the ban 44 years later, although the band is yet to return.<ref name=":03" />

[[Jimi Hendrix]] supported [[Cat Stevens]] at the Odeon complex on 15 April 1967. There are claims Hendrix was refused entry to his hotel after the show due to intoxication. Pink Floyd played the Empress Ballroom a month later, on 26 May 1967. Hendrix and Pink Floyd both returned later that year to perform on the same bill at Blackpool Opera House on 25 November 1967. Pink Floyd returned to Blackpool on 21 March 1969 to play the Blackpool Technical College Arts Ball on 21 March 1969.<ref name=":03" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Very Rare Pink Floyd 1969 Winter Gardens Blackpool Arts Ball UK Poster |url=https://auction.sixtiesposters.com/Bidding.taf?_function=detail&Auction_uid1=4727812 |access-date=2023-11-22 |website=auction.sixtiesposters.com}}</ref>

The [[Factory Records]] band [[Section 25 (band)|Section 25]] formed in Blackpool in 1977. Their key recordings include the US crossover club hit "Looking From a Hilltop" and the album ''From the Hip''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Factory Records: Section 25 |url=https://www.factoryrecords.org/section-25.php |access-date=2023-11-22 |website=Factoryrecords.org}}</ref> Another Blackpool band signed to the label was Tunnelvision, who recorded just one single for the label in 1981.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Factory Records: Tunnelvision |url=https://factoryrecords.org/tunnelvision.php |access-date=2023-11-22 |website=factoryrecords.org}}</ref>

==== Musical influence ====
The large number of musical artists connected to Blackpool exceeds that of towns of comparable size;<ref name=":13" /> this includes the band [[Boston Manor (band)|Boston Manor]], [[Chris Lowe]], [[Graham Nash]], [[John Evan]], [[Victoria Hesketh]], [[John Robb (musician)|John Robb]], [[Jon Gomm]], [[Karima Francis]], [[Rae Morris]], [[Robert Smith (musician)|Robert Smith]] and [[Section 25 (band)|Section 25]]. However, their hometown hardly features in their work; with the exception of [[Grime music|grime]], there is no commonly agreed-upon ‘Blackpool sound’, as compared to the [[Mersey Sound]] or [[Madchester]].<ref name=":13" />

Blackpool has been referenced within popular music for the best part of a century.<ref name=":23">{{Cite book |last=Gillon |first=Les |chapter=Nostalgia and Simulacra: Blackpool in Song |url= https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-49935-8 |title=Blackpool in Film and Popular Music|date=2020 |doi=10.1007/978-3-030-49935-8 |isbn=978-3-030-49934-1 |editor=Ewa Mazierska}}</ref> [[Stanley Holloway]]’s 1932 comic song "The Lion and Albert" tells the story of a small child being eaten by a lion at [[Blackpool Zoo]] and [[George Formby]], one of the town's most successful regular performers in the 1930s and 1940s, penned songs including "Blackpool Prom", "Sitting on the Top of Blackpool Tower" and "With My Little Stick of Blackpool Rock".<ref name=":23" /> The George Formby Society formed at the [[Imperial Hotel, Blackpool|Imperial Hotel]] with 56 members a few months after Formby's death in 1961. Now consisting of over 800 members worldwide, many return to the same hotel quarterly for society conventions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Simper |first=David |date=2023-09-14 |title=The George Formby Society in full banjolele swing at The Imperial Hotel |url=https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/40431-turned-out-nice-inside-the-george-formby-society-convention/ |access-date=2023-11-22 |website=Blackpool Social Club |language=en-US}}</ref>

Songs inspired by Blackpool in the latter part of the 20th century include [[Blur (band)|Blur]]'s "This Is a Low", [[Soft Cell]]'s "Say Hello, Wave Goodbye", [[Manic Street Preachers]]' "Elvis Impersonator, Blackpool Pier" and The Kinks' "Autumn Almanac", which has been called ‘the most British song of all time’.<ref name=":13" />

"Up The Pool" by [[Jethro Tull (band)|Jethro Tull]], who formed as a blues-based rock band in the Blackpool in the late 1960s, was released in 1971. It differs from the band's other musical output at the time with frontman [[Ian Anderson]], who lived in Blackpool, choosing to reflect national identity both lyrically and musically in a conscious rejection of the American music that influenced so many other British bands of the era. In "Blackpool Tower Suite", Manchester indie band [[World of Twist]] present a personification of the [[Blackpool Tower|Tower]] almost as a female deity presiding over the pleasure grounds of Blackpool.<ref name=":23" />

Blackpool-born singer [[Rae Morris]]’s 2022 album ''Rachel@Fairyland'' pays homage to her hometown with songs referencing Blackpool Tower, childhood memories, the town's LGBTQ+ community and its deprivation. Music videos for singles "No Woman Is An Island" and "Go Dancing" were shot in Blackpool, as was the video for her 2021 standalone single "Fish n Chips", featuring grime artist Sophie Aspin.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rachel@Fairyland delicately offers a snapshot into the life of Rae Morris |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/rae-morris-rachel-at-fairyland-album-review |access-date=2023-11-22 |website=The Line of Best Fit |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Blackpool singer songwriter Rae Morris and grime artist Sophie Aspin collaborate on resort dedicated track Fish n Chips |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/blackpool-singer-songwriter-rae-morris-and-grime-artist-sophie-aspin-collaborate-on-resort-dedicated-track-fish-n-chips-3249150 |website=Blackpool Gazette |date=25 May 2021 }}</ref>

Many songs about Blackpool reflect its position as a popular holiday destination for the working classes.<ref name=":23" /> Folk singer Howard Broadbent's 1983 song "Blackpool Belle" was rerecorded by Bolton folk trio the [[Houghton Weavers]] in 1993 and, like the song "Blackpool" by indie band [[The Delgados]], speaks of happy memories of bygone days and of the sense of comradeship. Meanwhile, "Tatty Seaside Town" by punk band [[The Membranes]], who formed in Blackpool in the 1970s, reflects the experience of young men growing up there. [[The Fall (band)|The Fall]], in their 2003 song "Idiot Joy Showland", reflect on the town's artifice while Macclesfield-based punk band the [[Macc Lads]], in their 1985 song "Blackpool", boasts of outrageous and offensive behaviour reflective of the idea of that the town is a place to shed inhibitions.<ref name=":23" />

Recurring motifs in songs about Blackpool include the idea that Blackpool is an important part of English identity,<ref name=":13" /> the distance between the glittering surface and a grimier reality of the town, and of Blackpool as a place of freedom and relative sexual freedom, as embodied by the Kiss Me Quick hat or "saucy postcard".<ref name=":23" /> While depictions of Blackpool in popular music represent a wide range of attitudes to the town, their connection to the English working-class is inevitably a persistent seam running through them.<ref name=":23" />

==== Scenes ====
Blackpool has played a significant role in music scenes including [[northern soul]], [[Punk rock|punk]], [[rave]] and [[Grime music|grime]].

[[Blackpool Mecca|Locarno Mecca]] opened on Central Drive in April 1965 attracting acts including [[Slade]] (1972), [[Bob Marley and the Wailers]] (22 November 1973) and [[Martha and the Vandellas]] (25 February 1977).<ref name=":03" /> The venue went on to become home to one of four legendary northern soul nights in the Highland Room, established in 1970 by local DJ, Tony Jebb along with Les Cokell, followed by Ian Levine and [[Colin Curtis (DJ)|Colin Curtis]].<ref name="Page">{{Cite web |last=Page |first=Robin |date=2021-07-26 |title=A Beginner's Guide to Original Northern Soul Venues |url=https://heritagecalling.com/2021/07/26/a-beginners-guide-to-original-northern-soul-venues/ |access-date=2023-11-22 |website=The Historic England Blog |language=en-GB}}</ref> At the end of the 1970s it was renamed Tiffany's and later the Rhythm Dome, home to Federation – influential in the 1990s [[House music|house]] and rave scene. It was demolished in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |title=20 scenes of Blackpool dance centre Locarno Mecca through Ballroom, Northern Soul and 1990s Rave |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/retro/20-scenes-of-blackpool-dance-centre-locarno-mecca-through-ballroom-northern-soul-and-1990s-rave-4152559 |website=Blackpool Gazette |date=22 May 2023 }}</ref> Blackpool retains a strong connection to northern soul with major weekender events still taking place in the town at both the Blackpool Tower and the Winter Gardens.<ref name="Page" /> The town also remains a frequent destination for soul weekenders, which were popular during the jazz-funk era of the mid-1980s.<ref name=":13" />

Blackpool's embracing of punk in the 1970s and the subsequent middle-class reaction to it has been likened to the anxieties of the middle classes during the influx of working-class visitors arriving via the railway system to Blackpool with in Victorian times.<ref name=":23" /> Blackpool's connection with punk is also said to reflect and gains its strength from Blackpool's poor life prospects in terms of employment, recreational drug use, health, housing and antisocial behaviour.<ref name=":32">{{Cite book |last=Smith |first=Philip |chapter=This Sore and Broken Blackpool Legacy, or the Enduring Appeal of Punk Rock in Blackpool |title=Blackpool in Film and Popular Music |editor=Ewa Mazierska}}</ref>

Blackpool was not initially at the forefront of the punk revolution, with its youth culture still preoccupied by northern soul throughout the ‘70s, and became more well known for its homegrown post-punk groups, [[The Membranes]], [[The Fits]], [[Section 25 (band)|Section 25]] and the Ceramic Hobbs.<ref name=":32" /> But punk has held on well in Blackpool which has hosted the annual [[Rebellion Festival]] since 1996, attracting international visitors and claiming to be the largest independent punk music festival in the world. Its line up regularly includes many major bands from the heyday of punk. [[Sham 69]], who played the festival in 1996, celebrated the event and its promotion of the punk values of acceptance and solidarity with their song "Blackpool", released the following year.<ref name=":23" /><ref name=":32" />

In the mid-2010s a number of mostly school-aged MCs began to showcase themselves on YouTube channels, including Blackpool Grime Media (BGMedia).<ref name=":42">{{Cite book |author-last=Rymajdo |author-first=Kamila |chapter='It's Grime Up North': The Phenomenon of Blackpool Grime |title=Blackpool in Film and Popular Music |editor=Ewa Mazierska|date=2021}}</ref> The aggressive and unapologetic branch of rap resonated with disaffected young people in Blackpool.<ref name="Charlesworth">{{Cite web |last=Charlesworth |first=Antonia |date=2020-10-20 |title=Taking Flight - Blackpool Grime and House of Wingz |url=https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/30370-taking-flight-blackpool-grime/ |access-date=2023-11-22 |website=Blackpool Social Club |language=en-US}}</ref> Artists on BGMedia, including Afghan Dan, Little T, Millie B and Sophie Aspin, became the subject of a 2016 [[Vice Media|Vice]] documentary ''Noisey Blackpool: The Controversial Rise of Blackpool Grime'', followed by 2017's ''Noisey Blackpool 2: One Year On''. And in October 2019 [[Channel 4]] aired ''It's Grime Up North'', a documentary criticised for its "sneering derision" of children as young as 12 growing up in challenging circumstances.<ref name="Charlesworth" /> Meanwhile, Blackpool grime's amateur approach was not taken seriously by music industry gatekeepers.<ref name=":42" /> Millie B's 2016 track "M to the B" is a viral song that sparked a ‘[[chav]]-make-up’ trend on [[TikTok]]. The song ‘sends’ for Aspin as the pair were pitted against each other although the pair are now friends. Aspin claims that at the time she was exploited and incentivised with drugs to perform. Hip hop collective House of Wingz has gone on to work with Sophie Aspin and Millie B, teaming them up with Grammy-nominated producer [[Nat Powers]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Club |first=Blackpool Social |date=2023-04-04 |title=Beats, grime and strife |url=https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/37004-beats-grime-and-strife/ |access-date=2023-11-22 |website=Blackpool Social Club |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Eliza">{{Cite web |last=Eliza |first=Lauryn |date=2023-04-16 |title=Daisy Atkinson: Flower power |url=https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/37128-interview-daisy-atkinson/ |access-date=2023-11-22 |website=Blackpool Social Club |language=en-US}}</ref>

Alongside the Empress Ballroom, which continues to host large touring bands, there are two independent music venues in Blackpool. Opened in 2014, Bootleg Social has established itself as a regular fixture for nationally touring bands and provides a platform for local musicians.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hopkin |first=Adam |date=2020-03-18 |title=Blackpool rocks! The inside story of the seaside town's booming DIY music scene |url=https://www.nme.com/features/blackpool-diy-music-scene-bootleg-dirty-blondes-idles-cancer-bats-wombats-2622635 |access-date=2023-11-22 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Club |first=Blackpool Social |date=2023-06-21 |title=Emma Taylor: Raising her voice |url=https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/38813-emma-taylor-raising-her-voice/ |access-date=2023-11-22 |website=Blackpool Social Club |language=en-US}}</ref> The Waterloo Music Bar is a popular independent music venue, regularly hosting local and touring bands with a focus on the [[Punk rock|punk]], [[Rock music|rock]] and [[Heavy metal music|metal]] genres, since its reinvention in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Griffiths |first=Claire |date=2020-11-25 |title=Save Our Music Venues - The Waterloo Music Bar |url=https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/30687-save-our-music-venues/ |access-date=2023-11-22 |website=Blackpool Social Club |language=en-US}}</ref> In Good Company is a grassroots music collective in Blackpool that seeks out and nurtures musicians from across the Fylde Coast and provides them with regular gigs across the town's venues.<ref name="Eliza" />

=== Film ===
The resort is featured in the 1934 film ''[[Sing as We Go]]'', starring [[Gracie Fields]], as well as other cinema and TV productions, including ''[[Forbidden (1949 film)|Forbidden]]'' (1949), ''[[Hindle Wakes (1952 film)|Hindle Wakes]]'' (1952), ''Holiday'' (1957),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Holiday |url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/education/teaching/realshorts/films/film6.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203133857/http://www.bfi.org.uk/education/teaching/realshorts/films/film6.html |archive-date=3 December 2008 |access-date=15 May 2009}}</ref> ''Coasting'' (1990),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Coasting (TV series) |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0466602/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100418050409/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0466602/ |archive-date=18 April 2010 |access-date=30 August 2010 |website=[[IMDb]]}}</ref> ''[[Funny Bones]]'' (1995) starring [[Lee Evans (comedian)|Lee Evans]] and [[Oliver Platt]] and directed by St. Annes born Peter Chelsom, and ''[[The Parole Officer]]'' (2001) starring [[Steve Coogan]].

The Japanese film ''[[Shall We Dance (1996 film)|Shall We Dance?]]'' (1996) closes with a scene at the World Ballroom Dancing Championships in Blackpool. All the hair styling for the film was completed by Blackpool-born-and-bred hairstylist Eileen Clough, who has been in the trade since the 1960s. In the Hollywood [[Shall We Dance (2004 film)|remake of the film]] (2004), directed by Peter Chelsom, Blackpool is mentioned but not shown.

Blackpool is the setting for ''[[Bhaji on the Beach]]'' (1993) directed by [[Gurinder Chadha]]. The film ''[[Like It Is (film)|Like It Is]]'' (1998) directed by Paul Oremland was also partly filmed in Blackpool. The opening scenes were filmed in the Flamingo. The 2005 television comedy/thriller series ''[[Funland (TV series)|Funland]]'' revolved around the fictionalised, seedier aspects of Blackpool.

The town also features heavily in the BBC television serial ''[[Blackpool (television)|Blackpool]]'', starring [[David Morrissey]], [[Sarah Parish]] and [[David Tennant]] and first broadcast in 2004, and the one-off follow-up ''[[Viva Blackpool]]'', broadcast in June 2006.

In 2006 Lion Television filmed ''The Great British Summer'', which featured many buildings in Blackpool. The Royal Windsor Hotel was featured, with the owner talking all about the hotel seasons and industry. [[Bernard Manning]] was also shown at the hotel doing his spot through the season hosted by Blackpool Born local Entertainer & DJ Gordon Head and other local acts. ''The Great British Summer'' was narrated by [[Alan Titchmarsh]].

Between 10 September 2012 and 19 November 2012 the resort was featured in [[Channel 4]]'s ''[[999: What's Your Emergency?]]''

The resort was featured in the three-part reality television series, ''Blackpool Lights'' on [[Channel 5 (UK)|Channel 5]] in December 2013.<ref name="five">{{Cite web |title=Blackpool Lights – The place where anything and everything can happen |url=http://www.channel5.com/shows/blackpool-lights |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140708002421/http://www.channel5.com/shows/blackpool-lights |archive-date=8 July 2014 |access-date=3 July 2014 |publisher=[[Channel 5 (UK)|Channel 5]]}}</ref><ref name="gazette6334967">{{Cite web |date=24 December 2013 |title=Resort to shine in new TV documentary, Blackpool Lights |url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/what-s-on/tv-film/resort-to-shine-in-new-tv-documentary-blackpool-lights-1-6334967 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140217182525/http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/what-s-on/tv-film/resort-to-shine-in-new-tv-documentary-blackpool-lights-1-6334967 |archive-date=17 February 2014 |access-date=3 July 2014 |website=[[Blackpool Gazette]]}}</ref>

The 2016 [[Tim Burton]] film ''[[Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (film)|Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children]]'' features Blackpool and its key tourist attraction, The Blackpool Tower.

Blackpool was once again featured in a Channel 5 documentary series from 26 October 2017, this time entitled ''Bargain Loving Brits in Blackpool''. The series ran for six episodes until 30 November 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tune in to see UK's 'favourite resort' on telly – Blackpool Gazette |url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/whats-on/tv-and-film/tune-in-to-see-uk-s-favourite-resort-on-telly-1-8822648 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110114832/http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/whats-on/tv-and-film/tune-in-to-see-uk-s-favourite-resort-on-telly-1-8822648 |archive-date=10 November 2017 |access-date=10 November 2017}}</ref>

===Media===
Newspapers that cover the Blackpool area are the ''[[Blackpool Gazette]]'', the daily newspaper covering the Fylde Coast area, known locally as ''The Gazette''. The ''[[Lancashire Evening Post]]'' is a daily evening newspaper covering the county of [[Lancashire]].

The principal local radio station is [[106.5 Central Radio|Central Radio North West]] - across [[The Fylde]], [[Leyland, Lancashire|Leyland]] and [[Chorley]] areas of Lancashire, news, talk, and music. The former local radio station [[Radio Wave]], was based on Mowbray Drive in Blackpool. This radio station closed and last aired on 20 August 2020. Blackpool also falls in the coverage area of [[BBC Radio Lancashire]], [[Hits Radio Lancashire]], [[Greatest Hits Radio Lancashire]], [[Smooth North West]] and [[Heart North West]].

Bay Trust Radio is a hospital radio station run by volunteers and broadcast throughout Blackpool Victoria Hospital, other hospitals in Lancashire and Cumbria and online. Radio Victoria, Blackpool was merged with Bay Trust Radio in October 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Trust |first=Bay |date=12 September 2023 |title=Bay Trust Radio History |url=https://www.baytrustradio.org.uk/history/ |website=baytrustradio.org.uk}}</ref>

In September 2022, Fun Coast Digital, a not for profit Community Interest Company, was awarded an Ofcom licence to operate a DAB radio transmitter from the top of Blackpool Tower, allowing radio stations to broadcast across the Fylde Coast.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Roy |date=6 September 2022 |title=Fun Coast DAB launches in record time from the top of Blackpool Tower |url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2022/09/fun-coast-dab-launches-in-record-time-from-the-top-of-blackpool-tower/ |website=RadioToday}}</ref>

Blackpool Social Club is an independent, volunteer-led online arts, culture and listings magazine which has been operating since 2012 (formerly as AltBlackpool) and has had various print editions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Astbury |first=Daniel |date=11 September 2023 |title=Blackpool Social Club Zine 001 |url=https://dastbury.com/portfolio-item/blackpool-social-club-zine-001/ |website=dastbury.com}}</ref> It is part of Aunty Social, a Community Interest Company and community arts organisation in Blackpool.<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 February 2023 |title=Blackpool's culture club: get creative with Aunty Social, a home for makers in the North West |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/business/blackpools-culture-club-get-creative-with-aunty-social-a-home-for-makers-in-the-north-west-4036490 |work=Blackpool Gazette}}</ref> Other online publications serving Blackpool include Lancs Live and The BPL Bible.

National television with local opt-outs is provided by [[ITV Granada]], the ITV franchise holder for the North West, [[BBC North West]], the regional BBC station for the North West region.

Blackpool also has a dedicated local TV news service, That's Lancashire, part of the [[That's TV]] network, broadcast from their studio in Preston.<ref>{{Cite web |title=That's Lancashire |url=http://thatslancashire.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211080501/http://thatslancashire.com/ |archive-date=11 February 2017 |access-date=10 February 2017}}</ref>

===LGBTQ+===
[[File:Blackpool gay pride tram.jpg|thumb|A heritage tram decked out in rainbows for Blackpool Pride Parade 2023]]
Blackpool had its first [[gay pride]] celebration in 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 May 2008 |title=Pop Idol helps Blackpool show its Pride |url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-7690.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907112436/http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-7690.html |archive-date=7 September 2008 |access-date=11 July 2008 |website=Pink News}}</ref> Historically, seaside resorts have been able to provide niches for [[minority group]]s.<ref name="Walton">{{Cite book |last=Walton |first=John K |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uydACzcGjQEC&pg=PA162 |title=The British Seaside: Holidays and Resorts in the Twentieth Century |publisher=[[Manchester University Press]] |year=2000 |isbn=0-7190-5170-3 |pages=161–162 |access-date=23 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320152150/https://books.google.com/books?id=uydACzcGjQEC&pg=PA162 |archive-date=20 March 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> Blackpool, like other English resorts, has had a reputation for being a safe community for gay people.<ref name="Walton" /> During [[World War II]], there was a proliferation of cafés, pubs and clubs where homosexual men could meet in Blackpool.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rebellato |first=Dan |url=https://archive.org/details/1956allthatmakin0000rebe |title=1956 and All That: The Making of Modern British Drama |publisher=[[Routledge]] |year=1999 |isbn=0-415-18938-1 |page=[https://archive.org/details/1956allthatmakin0000rebe/page/156 156] |url-access=registration}}</ref> In the 1990s, the town began to be promoted as a gay tourist destination.<ref name="Walton" /> Blackpool contains several bars, pubs and nightclubs aimed at the LGBTQ+ community. These include [[Funny Girls (burlesque bar)|Funny Girls]] (a [[American burlesque|burlesque]] [[cabaret]] showbar), Flamingo and the Flying Handbag.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 July 2008 |title=Gay Blackpool |url=http://www.realblackpool.com/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061107194149/http://www.realblackpool.com/ |archive-date=7 November 2006 |access-date=11 July 2008 |publisher=Real Blackpool}}</ref> As of the 2021 census, 3.26% of Blackpool residents aged over 16 identified as gay men or lesbians – this is the twelfth highest proportion among the 331 local authorities in England and Wales.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sexual orientation – Office for National Statistics |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/datasets/TS077/editions/2021/versions/2 |access-date=2023-04-02 |website=Ons.gov.uk}}</ref>

In 2022, We're Still Here – an oral histories project supported by Heritage Lottery Fund was established by queer-led arts organisation Abingdon Studios and artists Garth Gratrix and Harry Clayton-Wright.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mackinlay |first=Catherine |date=2021-10-10 |title=New project to document LGBTQIA+ heritage in Blackpool for the first time |url=https://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire-news/new-project-document-lgbtqia-heritage-21787217 |access-date=2023-10-15 |website=Lancs Live |language=en}}</ref> Blackpool Pride has seen an arts and heritage strand as well as an international art project that aimed to raise awareness of sites of homophobic attack or insult reclaimed as sites beauty.{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}}

In October 2023 Blackpool Council launched a public survey to gather views on its vision to build on the strength of the high concentration of gay venues in the north of the town centre to create an area celebrating the resort's LGBTQ+ heritage.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Club |first=Blackpool Social |date=2023-11-02 |title=Views on a new queer quarter for Blackpool |url=https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/42495-views-on-a-new-queer-quarter-for-blackpool/ |access-date=2023-11-12 |website=Blackpool Social Club |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Twin towns/sister cities ===
Blackpool is [[Town twinning|twinned]] with [[Bottrop]], Germany<ref name="BCTWIN01">{{Cite web |title=Town Twinning |url=https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/Services/S-Z/TownTwinning/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928025552/https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/Services/S-Z/TownTwinning/ |archive-date=28 September 2011 |access-date=2 December 2008 |publisher=Blackpool Council}}</ref> and [[Sanya]], China.<ref name="BCTWIN02">{{Cite web |title=Golden dawn as sister city status signed with Sanya |url=http://www.blackpool.gov.uk/News/2016/September/Golden-dawn-as-sister-city-status-signed-with-Sanya.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915171725/http://www.blackpool.gov.uk/News/2016/September/Golden-dawn-as-sister-city-status-signed-with-Sanya.aspx |archive-date=15 September 2016 |access-date=6 September 2016 |publisher=Blackpool Council}}</ref>

==Sport==
Blackpool has two main venues for boxing fight nights: the [[Blackpool Tower Circus|Tower Circus Arena]] and the [[Winter Gardens, Blackpool|Winter Gardens]], which both hold regular fight nights throughout the year. Events at these venues have been screened on [[Sky Sports]], [[British Eurosport]] and [[Channel M]]. Blackpool is home to many current and former professional boxers, including [[Brian Rose (boxer)|Brian Rose]], [[Jack Arnfield]], [[Jeff Thomas (boxer)|Jeff Thomas]], Mathew Ellis, [[Matty Askin]] and [[Scott Cardle]].

[[Blackpool Cricket Club]] is Blackpool's major cricketing team, playing in the [[Northern Premier Cricket League]], formerly the Northern Cricket League. It has won the league 18 times (once jointly with Preston), making it the most successful side in the competition.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 September 2023 |title=Northern Premier Cricket League Competitions |url=https://npcl.play-cricket.com/Competitions |website=npcl.play-cricket.com}}</ref> Established in 1893, the club's home is in the grounds of [[Stanley Park, Blackpool|Stanley Park]], which also hosts [[Lancashire County Cricket Club]].

The annual Blackpool Marathon is staged on the Promenade each April. Thousands of competitors run on the closed Promenade, organised by Fylde Coast Runners.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blackpool Marathon |url=https://worldsmarathons.com/marathon/blackpool-marathon |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705151731/https://worldsmarathons.com/marathon/blackpool-marathon |archive-date=5 July 2019 |access-date=2019-07-05 |website=World's Marathons}}</ref>

===Football===
[[File:The Armfield South Stand at Bloomfield Road - geograph.org.uk - 6245667.jpg|thumb|[[Bloomfield Road]] Stadium, home of Blackpool F.C.]]
The town's professional [[association football|football]] club is [[Blackpool F.C.]], which has spent 31 seasons in the top division and won the [[1953 FA Cup Final]]. Former Blackpool players include Sir [[Stanley Matthews]], [[Jimmy Armfield]] and [[Roy Gratrix]]. There are other smaller football clubs located within the borough, including [[A.F.C. Blackpool]], [[Blackpool Wren Rovers F.C.|Blackpool Wren Rovers]] and [[Squires Gate F.C.|Squires Gate]].

=== Rugby ===
[[Blackpool Borough]] were the first professional [[rugby league]] club in the town. However, they eventually folded after leaving the town in 1987. [[Blackpool Panthers]] were formed in 2004 and played in [[RFL League 1|Co-operative Championship One]]. They ground-shared at [[Bloomfield Road]] then in 2007 at [[Woodlands Memorial Ground]], the home of [[Fylde Rugby Club]] in the neighbouring town of [[Lytham St Annes]]. The club ceased to exist after the 2010 season due to lack of finance.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 November 2010 |title=Blackpool Panthers omitted from 2011 Championship One |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/9181759.stm |url-status=live |website=[[BBC Sport]] |publisher=BBC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009172422/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/9181759.stm |archive-date=9 October 2020 |access-date=12 June 2011}}</ref>

Blackpool Stanley, Blackpool Scorpions and Blackpool Sea Eagles are amateur rugby league clubs in the town.

The resort formerly held the now discontinued [[Northern Rail Cup]] Final at [[Bloomfield Road]], a Rugby League knockout competition for all clubs outside of the [[Super League]] attracting many thousands of visitors.

Blackpool is currently home to the annual '[[Summer Bash]]' rugby league tournament held at Bloomfield Road, where an entire round of Championship matches are played in the town to showcase the sport.<ref>{{cite web |date=24 April 2024 |title=Locations of League: Blackpool |url=https://www.totalrl.com/locations-of-league-blackpool/ |access-date=2 June 2025 |publisher=TotalRugbyLeague}}</ref>

Blackpool also has a rugby union club, called Blackpool RUFC. Their home ground is Norbreck Rugby Ground.

===Golf===
There are three golf clubs in Blackpool. Blackpool North Shore Golf Club opened in 1904, moving to its present site on Knowle Hill in 1927; the new [[golf course|course]] was designed by [[Harry Colt]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blackpool North Shore Golf Club |url=https://www.nationalclubgolfer.com/ncgtop100s-course/lancashire-golf-courses-blackpool-north-shore/ |access-date=8 January 2021 |website=National Club Golfer}}</ref> In 1926, an [[Alister MacKenzie]] designed course opened within Stanley Park;<ref name="Landscape10">{{Cite book |last=Drinnan |first=Paul |title=Stanley Park Blackpool |publisher=Blackpool Civic Trust |year=2001 |isbn=9780752486161 |pages=34–35 |chapter=The Features of Stanley Park: The Golf Course}}</ref> it is home to [[Blackpool Park Golf Club]]. The newest addition is Herons' Reach Golf Resort, which was designed by [[Peter Allis]] and [[Clive Clark (golfer)|Clive Clark]] and opened in 1992.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Moore |first=Andy |date=8 December 2020 |title=Herons' Reach Golf Club in Blackpool thanks Peter Alliss for his grand design |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/other-sport/herons-reach-golf-club-blackpool-thanks-peter-alliss-his-grand-design-3060700 |access-date=8 January 2021 |work=The Gazette}}</ref> Blackpool Golf Club, which opened in 1894, was located in [[South Shore, Blackpool|South Shore]]; it closed at the beginning of [[World War II]], with the land subsequently becoming part of [[Blackpool Airport]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blackpool Golf Club, Squire's Gate, South Shore. (1894 – WW2) |url=https://www.golfsmissinglinks.co.uk/index.php/england/north-west/lancashireaiom/428-lancs-blackpool-golf-club-squire-s-gate-south-shore |access-date=30 June 2022 |website=Golfs Missing Links}}</ref>

===Professional wrestling===
The Pleasure Beach's Horseshoe Show Bar was home to [[professional wrestling]] events throughout the season, promoted by Bobby Baron. The bar shows were home to a "wrestling booth" where members of the public could challenge the wrestlers for cash prizes for each round they survived. These challenges would be taken by [[Catch wrestling|shooters]], wrestlers skilled in the brutal submission holds of [[catch wrestling]], which they could deploy to defend the prize money even against skilled [[amateur wrestler]]s. Booths such as these had been a foundation of the professional wrestling industry since the 19th century, and Baron's booth is reputed to have been the last of its kind in the world.<ref name="Regal">''Walking A Golden Mile'' William Regal, WWE Books 2005</ref>

Numerous renowned professional wrestlers worked as carnival shooters at the booth, including future [[WWE]] star [[William Regal]]; his tag team partner [[Robbie Brookside]]; Shak Khan, who runs a catch wrestling school in the area; Dave Duran (John Palin) and future women's champion [[Klondyke Kate]]. The booth ended with Baron's death in 1994, although other promoters have since held shows in the bar.<ref name="Regal" /> Additionally, the [[Tower Circus]] was a frequent venue for wrestling shows. A photograph of noted wrestling [[Heel (professional wrestling)|villain]] [[Jack Pye]] in action at the circus was, for some time in the late 2000s, displayed by the entrance to the circus. The tradition was revived by [[All Star Wrestling]] when they promoted a summer season at the venue in 2008, and a similar summer season in 2012 at the Winter Gardens. The Tower Ballroom hosted one date of the six show live tour of the ''[[World of Sport Wrestling]]'' TV show in February 2019.

WWE held a tournament at the [[Empress Ballroom]] on 14 and 15 January 2017 to crown the inaugural [[WWE United Kingdom Champion]]. In attendance were Regal and [[Triple H]], with the latter commenting to local journalists, "Blackpool has this reputation. It's easy to get to, a lot of people come here and when they come here they lose it and that's what we wanted. I almost feel like there wasn't really another choice."<ref>{{Cite web |title=WWE juggernaut rolls into Blackpool for historic show – Blackpool Gazette |url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/whats-on/wrestling/wwe-juggernaut-rolls-into-blackpool-for-historic-show-1-8335199 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802204348/http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/whats-on/wrestling/wwe-juggernaut-rolls-into-blackpool-for-historic-show-1-8335199 |archive-date=2 August 2017 |access-date=2 August 2017}}</ref> [[Tyler Bate]] won the inaugural tournament to become the first WWE United Kingdom Champion.<ref name="UKTitle01152017">{{Cite web |last=Soucek |first=Andrew |title=Soucek's WWE UK Championship Tournament Report 1/15: Ongoing coverage of night two of UK Championship tournament |url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/01/15/souceks-wwe-uk-championship-tournament-report-115-ongoing-coverage-night-two-uk-championship-tournament/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116173438/http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/01/15/souceks-wwe-uk-championship-tournament-report-115-ongoing-coverage-night-two-uk-championship-tournament/ |archive-date=16 January 2017 |access-date=15 January 2017 |website=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref>

Several renowned wrestlers have invested in Blackpool. [[Peter Thornley|Kendo Nagasaki]] owns the Trades Hotel and KAOS Nightclub,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kendo Nagasaki Man Behind the Mask official promo for autobiography. Event occurs 1:51–1:55 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDE2AA6b43U&t=111s |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122153346/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDE2AA6b43U&t=111s |archive-date=22 November 2018 |access-date=14 October 2018 |website=YouTube}}</ref> Rex Strong (born Barry Shearman, 1942–2017) owned the Hadley Hotel,<ref>{{Cite web |title=The London Gazette, 12th December 1984 |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/49956/page/16863/data.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181101091620/https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/49956/page/16863/data.pdf |archive-date=1 November 2018 |access-date=14 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Wrestling Heritage – Strength and Storm |url=https://www.wrestlingheritage.co.uk/strength-and-storm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014203953/https://www.wrestlingheritage.co.uk/strength-and-storm |archive-date=14 October 2018 |access-date=14 October 2018}}</ref> and [[Johnny Saint]] owned a block of holiday flats in the town.<ref>{{Cite web |title=World of Sport (Wrestling slot) transmitted ITV Saturday 2 January 1982 filmed Oldham 18 November 1981. Comment by commentator Kent Walton 11:20–11:45 re Faulkener running a pub and Saint running a block of holiday flats |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHbG5jW2ZmE&t=680s |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122153346/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHbG5jW2ZmE&t=680s |archive-date=22 November 2018 |access-date=14 October 2018 |website=YouTube | date=5 March 2011 }}</ref> [[Shirley Crabtree|Shirley "Big Daddy" Crabtree]] worked as a lifeguard on Central Pier. He was reunited, on a 1979 edition of ITV's ''[[This Is Your Life (British TV series)|This Is Your Life]]'', with a woman whose life he had saved in the course of his duties.<ref>{{Cite web |title=This Is Your Life – Big Daddy- Thames Television 1979 Material cited at 19:40–23:00 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASJx8GbgBtM&t=1180s |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009172429/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASJx8GbgBtM&t=1180s |archive-date=9 October 2020 |access-date=23 October 2019 |website=YouTube |date=11 March 2017 }}</ref>{{better source needed|reason=likely breach of copyright by unlicensed YouTube video |date=October 2019}}

The [[Blackpool Combat Club]], a heel faction in [[All Elite Wrestling]] led by Regal, was named in honour of Blackpool.<ref name="e384">{{cite web | last=Scrafton | first=Matt | title=Wrestling legend William Regal on his love for Blackpool and his role working with Jon Moxley and Bryan Danielson in AEW | website=Blackpool Gazette | date=2022-03-30 | url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/other-sport/wrestling-legend-william-regal-on-his-love-for-blackpool-and-his-role-working-with-jon-moxley-and-bryan-danielson-in-aew-3633141 | access-date=2025-01-09}}</ref>

=== Skateboarding ===
Ramp City is an indoor [[skatepark]] in Blackpool. It is made up of wooden ramps and consists of a large street, park and transition section.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nick |date=2014-10-29 |title=Ramp City WSA Skatepark (Blackpool) – Guide to Ramp City WSA Skatepark (Blackpool) |url=https://www.skateparks.co.uk/lancashire/ramp-city-wsa-skatepark-blackpool/ |access-date=2023-11-13 |website=The Skateparks Project |language=en-GB}}</ref> The park was home to a full pipe and kidney-shaped bowl but these were removed in 2016 to make way for a roller rink. It houses one of the UK's biggest [[vert ramp]]s (13&nbsp;ft 3in) and hosts the UK Vert Series Seaside Sessions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Griffiths |first=Claire |date=2016-10-25 |title=Ramp City Loses Artist Designed Ramps |url=https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/23869-ramp-city-loses-artist-designed-ramps/ |access-date=2023-11-13 |website=Blackpool Social Club |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-28 |title=UK Vert Series – Seaside Session – Ramp City, Blackpool |url=https://skateboardgb.org/events/2022/5/28/uk-vert-series-seaside-session-ramp-city-blackpool |access-date=2023-11-13 |website=Skateboard GB |language=en-GB}}</ref> In 2014, then number one UK female skater Lucy Adams named the park one of her favourites in England.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2014-08-15 |title=Lucy Adams' top five skateparks in England |url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2014/aug/15/lucy-adams-top-five-skateparks-in-england |access-date=2023-11-13 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Ramp City also contains a branch of independent skate shop, Big Woody's, that first opened in Blackpool in June 2002.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Griffiths |first=Claire |date=2021-03-07 |title=Blackpool Skateboard Stories: Big Woody |url=https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/31549-blackpool-skateboard-stories-big-woody/ |access-date=2023-11-13 |website=Blackpool Social Club |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2020 the park began hosting girl's only skate nights.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Charlesworth |first=Antonia |date=2021-03-07 |title=Blackpool Skateboard Stories: Girl skaters get some air |url=https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/32067-getting-some-air/ |access-date=2023-11-13 |website=Blackpool Social Club |language=en-US}}</ref>

The Skate Like A Girl (SLAG) collective is a group of female skaters from Blackpool who aim to reclaim the derogatory language they claim can be used towards women in the sport and create safe and inclusive skating environments for women. It works closely with Reclaim Blackpool, a project mapping sexual harassment in public spaces in the town.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sexual harassment: Female skaters in Blackpool call out skatepark sexism and create girls skating group |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/people/sexual-harassment-female-skaters-in-blackpool-call-out-skatepark-sexism-and-create-girls-skating-group-4074928 |website=Blackpool Gazette |date=22 March 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=O'Neill |first=Laura |title=BBC North West Tonight |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USH9qKZqcPE }}</ref>

In May 2022, an all-concrete skatepark was built on Stanley Park in Blackpool following a community fundraising effort to replace an old run down skatepark.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blackpool's new £220,000 skate park opens in Stanley Park |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/lifestyle/outdoors/blackpools-new-ps220000-skate-park-opens-in-stanley-park-3699204 |website=Blackpool Gazette |date=19 May 2022 }}</ref>

[[Live Like Ralph]] is a charity celebrating the memory of local skater Ralph Roberts who died suddenly of Sarcoidosis in 2021. It aims to provide skateboards and equipment to young skaters and build and maintain skateparks. In 2023 it collaborated with another Blackpool charity, Skool of Street, to build a safe and supportive indoor skatepark called Ralph's House at House of Wingz studio on Back Reeds Road.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Charlesworth |first=Antonia |date=2023-08-28 |title=Live Like Ralph at festival of skating and art |url=https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/40131-live-like-ralph-at-festival-of-skating-and-art/ |access-date=2023-11-13 |website=Blackpool Social Club |language=en-US}}</ref>

Disorder is a 2021 short film by the ATB Collective highlighting hidden and well-known skate spots in Blackpool.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Griffiths |first=Claire |date=2021-05-26 |title=Disorder – Blackpool Skate Film release |url=https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/32614-disorder-blackpool-skate-film-release/ |access-date=2023-11-13 |website=Blackpool Social Club |language=en-US}}</ref> Curb Culture is a skateboarding zine highlighting local skateboarding culture.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mugonyi |first=Catherine |date=2021-03-07 |title=Blackpool Skateboard Stories: Curb Culture |url=https://www.blackpoolsocial.club/31915-curb-culture/ |access-date=2023-11-13 |website=Blackpool Social Club |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Religion==
{{Main|List of churches in Blackpool}}

[[File:Sacred Heart Church, Blackpool.jpg|thumb|[[Sacred Heart Church, Blackpool|Sacred Heart Church]]]]
Blackpool has a number of Christian churches, including 18 [[Church of England|Anglican]] and 10 [[Catholic]] churches.<ref name="B4ME001">{{Cite web |title=Blackpool Churches/Faith Groups |url=http://www.blackpool4me.com/blackpool4me/community/Faith/FaithForum/Blackpool+Churches+and+Faith+Groups.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080329024228/http://www.blackpool4me.com/blackpool4me/community/Faith/FaithForum/Blackpool%2BChurches%2Band%2BFaith%2BGroups.htm |archive-date=29 March 2008 |access-date=18 January 2008 |publisher=Blackpool 4 Me}}</ref> Other Christian groups in the town include Blackpool [[Baptist]] Tabernacle, Blackpool Christian Centre, Blackpool Community Church, Kings Christian Centre, [[Metropolitan Community Church|Liberty Church]], and New Life Community Church.<ref name="B4ME001" /> The [[Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, Blackpool|Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes]] is now [[redundant church|redundant]] and is being converted into a community centre by the [[Historic Chapels Trust]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes |url=http://www.hct.org.uk/chapels/north-west/shrine-our-lady-lourdes/15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100715111950/http://www.hct.org.uk/chapels/north-west/shrine-our-lady-lourdes/15 |archive-date=15 July 2010 |access-date=13 July 2010 |publisher=[[Historic Chapels Trust]]}}</ref>

There were previously two synagogues in Blackpool for its Jewish population, now down to one. The [[Blackpool Reform Jewish Congregation]] caters to the [[Reform Judaism|Reform]] population and is located on Raikes Parade with a synagogue hall and classroom facilities, a purpose-built sanctuary hall and an assembly room. [[Blackpool United Hebrew Congregation]] was an [[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox]] synagogue located on Leamington Road with a synagogue hall and community centre. The synagogue closed in May 2012 due to a declining Orthodox population, with the final rabbi David Braunold having retired in 2011.<ref name="B4ME001" /> As of January 2022, the building which formerly housed the synagogue was awaiting new use.

There is a residential [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] Centre in North Shore called Keajra Kadampa Buddhist Centre which is a member of the [[New Kadampa Tradition]].<ref name="B4ME001" /> There are also two mosques for the [[Muslim]] population: the purpose-built [[Blackpool Central Mosque|Blackpool Central Mosque & Islamic Community Centre]] is located on Revoe Street and provides prayer facilities while the Blackpool Islamic Community Centre (BICC) offers [[Islamic studies|Islamic education]].<ref name="BCMICC">{{Cite web |title=Welcome to Community Centre |url=http://www.blackpool-mosque.co.uk/C%20Centre.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080401084530/http://www.blackpool-mosque.co.uk/C%20Centre.htm |archive-date=1 April 2008 |access-date=29 October 2008 |publisher=Blackpool Central Mosque & Islamic Community Centre}}</ref>

Blackpool also has small communities of [[Baháʼís]], [[Hinduism|Hindus]], [[Jains]], [[Mormonism|Mormons]], and [[Sikh]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blackpool Churches/Faith Groups |url=http://www.blackpool4me.com/Blackpool4Me/Community/Faith/FaithForum/Blackpool+Churches+and+Faith+Groups.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314062833/http://www.blackpool4me.com/blackpool4me/community/Faith/FaithForum/Blackpool%2BChurches%2Band%2BFaith%2BGroups.htm |archive-date=14 March 2012 |access-date=7 April 2012 |publisher=Blackpool Faith Forum}}</ref> The Blackpool Faith Forum was established in 2001 in conjunction with Blackpool Council to provide [[Interfaith dialogue|interfaith]] dialogue between the various faith groups in the town, to raise awareness of the various faiths in the town and to promote a [[multifaith]] community. It is linked to the Interfaith Network of UK.<ref name="B4ME002">{{Cite web |title=Welcome to the Faith Forum homepage |url=http://www.blackpool4me.com/blackpool4me/community/Faith/FaithForum/FaithForumHome.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080329024231/http://www.blackpool4me.com/blackpool4me/community/Faith/FaithForum/FaithForumHome.htm |archive-date=29 March 2008 |access-date=18 January 2008 |publisher=Blackpool 4 Me}}</ref><ref name="Gazette2057413">{{Cite news |date=1 December 2006 |title=Group to put its faith on the web |url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/blackpoolnews/Group-to-put-its-faith.2057413.jp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080329030124/http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/blackpoolnews/Group-to-put-its-faith.2057413.jp |archive-date=29 March 2008 |access-date=19 January 2008 |work=[[Blackpool Gazette]]}}</ref> In February 2007 a youth forum was established, Blackpool Faith Forum for Youth (BIFFY).<ref name="Gazette1909549">{{Cite news |last=Butler |first=Heather |date=19 February 2007 |title=Youngsters have faith in reducing ignorance |url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/blackpoolnews/Youngsters-have-faith-in-reducing.2057413.jp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080329030135/http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/blackpoolnews/Youngsters-have-faith-in-reducing.2057413.jp |archive-date=29 March 2008 |access-date=19 January 2008 |work=[[Blackpool Gazette]]}}</ref>

== Notable people ==
{{main|List of people from Blackpool}}

==Freedom of the Borough==
The following people and military units have received the [[Freedom of the Borough]] of Blackpool.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Details of persons bestowed with the Honorary Freeman of the Borough |url=https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/Your-Council/The-Council/The-Mayor/Honorary-freeman-of-the-borough.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803213856/https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/Your-Council/The-Council/The-Mayor/Honorary-freeman-of-the-borough.aspx |archive-date=3 August 2019 |access-date=24 November 2019}}</ref>

===Individuals===
{{div col}}
* William Henry Cocker: 19 June 1897.
* Joseph Heap: 19 November 1907.
* John Bickerstaffe: 6 February 1912.
* James Fish: 6 February 1912.
* James Ward: 16 November 1914.
* [[Robert Butcher Mather]]: 16 November 1914.
* John Grime: 3 November 1915.
* James Heyes: 3 November 1915.
* [[David Lloyd George]]: 6 August 1918.
* [[Brigadier (United Kingdom)|Brigadier General]] Thomas Edward Topping: 2 August 1922.
* Thomas Bickerstaffe: 4 August 1926.
* [[Albert Lindsay Parkinson|Sir Lindsay Parkinson]]: 4 August 1926.
* [[William Henry Broadhead]] : 4 August 1926.
* Henry Brown : 3 October 1928.
* Samuel Hill : 3 October 1928.
* John Collins : 3 October 1928.
* Thomas Fielding : 3 October 1928.
* [[Edward Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby]] : 1 August 1934.
* [[Josiah Stamp, 1st Baron Stamp]]: 23 March 1937.
* Sir Cuthbert Cartwright Grundy: 31 January 1938.
* [[Sir Winston Churchill]]: 4 September 1946.
* [[Field marshal (United Kingdom)|Field Marshal]] [[Bernard Montgomery|Lord Montgomery of Alamein]]: 21 July 1948.
* Eli Hey Howe: 3 March 1950.
* Tom Gallon Lumb: 3 March 1950.
* Thomas Fenton: 3 March 1950.
* Sir Harold R Grime : 3 March 1950.
* Rhodes William Marshall: 2 May 1973.
* Harold Grimbledeston: 2 May 1973.
* Ernest Alfred Machin: 2 May 1973.
* Joseph Shepherd Richardson: 2 May 1973.
* Leonard Broughton: 2 May 1973.
* Raymond Jacobs: 25 June 1984. 
* Walter Uriah Robinson: 25 June 1984.
* Harold Leslie Hoyle: 25 June 1984.
* Percy Patrick Hall: 25 June 1984.
* [[Stan Mortensen]]: 29 November 1989.
* [[Doris Thompson]]: 9 April 2003.
* [[Jimmy Armfield]]: 9 April 2003.
{{div col end}}

===Military units===
* R (Blackpool) Battery 288 (2nd West Lancashire) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment [[Royal Artillery]], [[Army Reserve (United Kingdom)|Territorial Army]]: 1961.
* [[HMS Penelope (F127)|HMS ''Penelope'']] [[Royal Navy|RN]]: 1990. 
* [[12th Regiment Royal Artillery]]: 2005.
* The [[Duke of Lancaster's Regiment]]: 2017.
* The [[Loyal North Lancashire Regiment]].
* [[HMS Triumph (S93)|HMS ''Triumph'']] [[Royal Navy|RN]]: 2017.

==See also==
* [[List of people from Blackpool]]
* [[Blackpool High Tide Organ]]
* [[Listed buildings in Blackpool]]

==References==
===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

=== Bibliography ===
*{{Cite book |last=Andrews |first=Robert |title=The Rough Guide to Britain |publisher=Rough Guides |year=2002 |isbn=978-1-85828-881-9}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Blackpool}}{{Wikivoyage|Blackpool}}
{{Americana Poster}}
* [http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/BlackpoolTheatresIndex.htm Blackpool Entertainment Venues History]
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