Blackpool announces bumper festive season as Christmas By The Sea returns with free ice rink and 100ft snow slide

A festive village with a free ice skating rink, artificial snowfall and dazzling light installations will return to Blackpool once more this Christmas. Promising to be “bigger and better than ever”, Christmas By The Sea village returns later this month with an “exciting range of festive family attractions”.

Last year the village, which is staged on the headland opposite The Blackpool Tower, delivered record visitor numbers on the seafront during the winter months. It features a free-to-use skating rink, festive light installations and projection shows, themed log cabins with food, drink and gifts, artificial snowfalls, Christmas trees and festive tram rides.

The village will host a range of attractions for kids, including a 100ft-long snow slide, and the return of the Star Flyer, which at 196ft tall, is one of Europe’s tallest swing rides. But this year there will be new additions to Christmas By The Sea, including a German Swing Grill, Snow Dome Waltzers, a Helter Skelter slide and Ice Breaker thrill ride.

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It’s been confirmed that the village will open on Friday, November 15. There will be extended opening hours for the free skating rink which will open every day until January 5, 2025.

Visitors to Christmas By The Sea can also enjoy Blackpool’s iconic Illuminations, which have been extended to run until January 5. The staging of the village is in association with Blackpool Council, Blackpool Transport and Triangle Attractions.

Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council, said: “Christmas By The Sea is one of the most popular events in our calendar, attracting visitors from far and wide who come to enjoy a unique Christmas experience. Many of the attractions including the rink, projection shows, snowfalls and light installations will again be free to access, giving families the chance to enjoy a truly magical and memorable Christmas.”

Jane Cole, Managing Director of Blackpool Transport, which is sponsoring the rink and providing a festive tram, added: “We are delighted to support an event that brings a heavy sprinkling of winter magic to Blackpool. This year, we will be unveiling a very special Christmas themed tram that will add yet another dimension to the whole experience.”

Meanwhile Blackpool Pleasure Beach has also announced a series of exciting events in the run up to Christmas. Although the rides close on November 30 for maintenance there’s still plenty to do at the resort including a Christmas Grotto and festive lunches at the iconic White Tower restaurant.

This year Charlotte Dawson will star in the pantomime Aladdin, and she’ll be joined by Blackpool’s own Sarah Ward and Ashley Luke Lloyd, and West End star Ian Oswald – who is set to be seen alongside Ariana Grande in the new Wicked film. Aladdin will run from November 23 all the way through to Christmas Eve.

From November 16 to December 24, Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s own grotto will be open to visitors, where little ones can get the chance to meet Santa himself. Throughout December the resort will offer public skating sessions, as well as one-to-one lessons so you can master the art of ice skating.

The White Tower restaurant will be hosting Festive lunches throughout weekends in December, served by renowned chef Anthony Malone. Or for the ultimate indulgent experience, enjoy a glamorous three course dinner show at the Christmas Hollywood Party Nights, which run from November 29 until December 21. Hosted in the Pleasure Beach’s Paradise room in the Casio building, it features a cast of talented dancers, singers and entertainers.

For more information, head to the VisitBlackpool website here and the Blackpool Pleasure Beach website here.

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