Get ready for Christmas in Blackpool Town Centre

It’s that time of year again, so here’s a handy Christmas round-up for Blackpool Town Centre.

Christmas Lights

The resort’s Christmas lights switch-on will take place on Saturday 2 December with Radio Wave presenting a roadshow in partnership with Blackpool Business Improvement District, Blackpool Council and Houndshill Shopping Centre. The event will take place at the heart of the town centre’s shopping area, at the junction of Bank Hey Street and Victoria Street.

Jennifer Ellison will take a break from Peter Pan rehearsals to turn on the lights, helped by Santa himself.

Approximate times:

3.10pm – Georgia Taylor
3.30pm – Lee Brady
3.55pm – Jamie
4.20pm – Viva Christmas Show
4.30pm – Jennifer and Santa switch on the lights

Christmas Shopping

Houndshill Shopping Centre

Father Christmas arrives at Houndshill on Saturday 2 December, where you can meet him in his grotto! Santa will be there from 10.30am and 4.30pm on Saturdays and Sundays throughout December. That’s 2 and 3, 9 and 10, 16 and 17 plus 23 and 24!

For just £1 you can meet Santa and get a treat while you wait.All proceeds go to the Houndshill charity partner for Christmas, Aspired Futures.

Charabanc
1 Olympia Buildings, Coronation St, Blackpool, FY1 4NY.
Christmas Shopping Party: 6-8pm, Thursday 30 November
Open 12-4 Saturdays and Sundays from 2 December to Christmas (see Facebook page for additional opening hours).

Looking for a unique gift or just want to join in with the Christmas party? Head to Charabanc for an evening of handmade and locally produced delights on Thursday 30th November 2017 from 6pm to 8pm. Not only is this a great chance to peruse our products, many of which are perfect for Christmas gifts, but also to warm up with a glass of mulled cider and a tasty treat.

Charabanc will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 12pm – 4pm from 2 December. They have a fantastic selection of gift ideas including homewares, jewellery and prints from many local artists and makers. There’s also a new range of vintage and vintage-style clothing – just in time for your Christmas party night!

It’s a Gallery
34 Talbot Road, Blackpool.
Open Thurdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 10am-4pm from 30 November to 24 December.

New pop-up exhibition in an empty town centre retail space hosted by creative organisation Arrested ReDevelopment. Take the chance to look at pieces by local independent artists; you can buy their work too!

Some of the artists exhibiting include David Hargreaves, Rachel Joy, Al Richard, Julie Robinson-Southward, Kate Yates, Dawn Mander, Mathew Jones, Richard Hardwick, John Marc Allen, Richard Jon, Jill Reidy, Seca One, Robin Ross, Richard Hone, Marianne Van Loo, Colin Shorrock, Juliette Gregson, Oi Doris, Sam Simpson, Lewis Havill.

Christmas Art Emporium
Blott Artist-Studio, 53 King St, Blackpool, FY13EJ
10:30am – 4:30pm, 4-16 December 2017

Christmas is on it’s way, and Blott Gallery has some fantastic creativity on display and for sale for two weeks in December. Much of it has been created here in the North, by well known/established local artists and creative artisans.

An amazing array of art & crafts, there will be an opportunity to buy some unique products and meet many of the artists. National artists are also represented, such as London based Stewy & award winning Sarah Maple.

Town Centre Parking Offers

Park for a pound in Council Car Parks
Blackpool Council and the Town Centre BID have joined forces to offer shoppers a discounted parking offer in the run-up to Christmas.  £1 Christmas parking will be available at:

• West Street,
• East Topping Street,
• Central car park; and
• Talbot multi-storey car park

See a map of Car Parks

Dates and times:

• 3pm onwards: Saturday 2 December (Christmas lights switch-on event and Small Business Saturday)
• 5pm onwards: Thursday 7, 14, 21 December (Blackpool town centre late shopping)
• All day: Sundays 3, 10, 17 December

Free Parking!
Free parking at the following Blackpool Council town centre car parks on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 December.

• West Street,
• East Topping Street,
• Central car park
• Talbot multi-storey

Late Night Shopping with FREE Parking at Houndshill
Late night shoppers can enjoy FREE late night parking at Houndshill Shopping Centre this Christmas on Thursdays: 7, 14, 21 December. The shopping centre will also be open until 8pm on Friday 22 December.

Car park opening hours are 8am to 11.30pm every day.

Traffic News

As you are probably well aware, there are plenty of roadworks in Blackpool Town Centre at the moment. Please be aware of these key dates:

Temporary road closures: Talbot Road/Dickson Road:

• 6 November – 22 December – Talbot Road closed at the junction of Abingdon Street
• 13 November – 22 December – Talbot Square and Talbot Square/The Promenade junction closed
• 13 November – 22 December – Talbot Road closed at the junction of Dickson Road
• 13 November – 16 February – Dickson Road closed to southbound traffic from Talbot Road to Lansdowne Place
• 8 January – 16 February – Talbot Road closed at the junction of Corporation Street

For more information including details of traffic diversions, please visit the Council website.

There will be pedestrian access throughout the closures.
Please remember that town centre businesses will be open as usual, please support them!

Do you know of any festive events taking place in Blackpool this Christmas?
Let us know in the comments below.