Guide

A week-long programme of events celebrates the town’s rich tapestry of entertainment this July. The Blackpool Comedy Festival, a partnership between The Winter Gardens and several resort organisations including Showtown and the Comedy Station, returns for 2024. Running from the 8th-14th July, the festival promises fun, comedy, culture and extensive entertainment with a packed programme featuring some of the funniest faces on the circuit. The festival is a celebration of the rich cultural history of Blackpool’s legacy of entertaining the masses – from the golden age of variety through to providing a platform for today’s best stand-ups. There is something…

A Grammy Award-nominated and UK Music Video Awards-winning director is hosting a Director’s Talk on Saturday, marking the start of two brand new festivals for Blackpool.  David Wilson, who’s produced music videos for the likes of Tame Impala, Arctic Monkeys, David Guetta and Paloma Faith, hosts his talk entitled What Can I Do When I Can’t Do That!? at Aunty Social at 7pm on Saturday – the official launch event for both Blackpool Film Festival and Queer Amusements.  A queer director, Wilson specialised in work that is often radical, subversive, and goes against the grain. His career spans over 15…

Queen Street’s fortunes look set to change. Once the epitome of a classy shopping street, in recent years it’s been populated with bars and clubs whose customers are more inclined to buy a round of shots than a nice bottle of plonk. But along with their neighbours at country music bar Cowboy & Co, new wine bar 31 Queen Street is determined to have a hand in changing the tone of the area. Cozy and stylish, the bar is run by Manchester-born Rosh Coram with support from her partner Sarah who, as an food hygiene enforcement officer for the council,…

Punks are set to descend on the town centre this week as Rebellion Festival returns for 2023. There’s a huge line up at the main festival but venues around the town are also opening their doors for a great programme of fringe events. Blackpool’s favourite basement venue is not one to be upstaged when it comes to live music. Bootleg is hosting tonnes of bands to warm up the crowds before the festival and to cater to those who don't want to let the party die after. If you’re at the main festival and looking for an afterparty, look no…