A UK seaside town has credited its 146-year-old winter light show with bringing a staggering £300 million into its local economy. Lighting up Blackpool for 146 years, the Illuminations first became an attraction in 1879 when the council devoted £5,000 to trial electric street arc lamps along the seafront, while residents still lit homes with candles.

The awestruck public dubbed them “artificial sunshine,” and thousands flocked to see them, even though the lights sometimes went out when the tide came in, as water seeped into the cast-iron wiring. Now, almost a century-and-a-half later and lasting 18 weeks, the Lancashire town has revealed that its August 29th 2025-January 4th 2026 Illuminations injected £300m into its economy.

A Blackpool Council report also confirmed that two in every five visitors, in the last third of 2025, came specifically to see the six-mile Illuminations.

Council leader Lynn Williams said the footfall “brings real economic impact,” supporting local attractions, businesses, and venues and creating jobs.

Cllr Williams, also cabinet member for tourism, arts and culture, added: “The Illuminations are one of the brightest jewels in Blackpool’s crown.

“They are truly unique, globally recognised, and a defining part of the town’s identity and cultural heritage.

“People love them. Generations of families make the trip year after year, creating memories, passing traditions down, and making the Illuminations part of the national psyche.

“Visitors come from across the Fylde coast and beyond, drawn in by the Lights and staying to experience everything else the resort has to offer.

“That footfall brings real economic impact. It supports local attractions, businesses, and venues and creates jobs across the town.

“And the Lights are designed and built by the skilled team at Lightworks, showcasing real craftsmanship and creativity right here in Blackpool.

“Investing in the Illuminations isn’t a ‘nice-to-have’, it’s a no-brainer investment in Blackpool’s identity, talent, heritage, and future.”

Last season, thrilled holidaymakers were greeted by three 22ft-high smoke-breathing dragons by Blackpool Tower, the centre-piece of 500 shimmering displays of over one million LED lights.

Despite the street lights bringing in fascinated visitors, the closest thing to our modern-day Illuminations first appeared in 1912 to commemorate Blackpool’s very first royal visit, as Princess Louise opened a new section of promenade.

It was such a success that the council decided to display the lights again and again, but the outbreak of WWI put their annual plans on hold for 11 years.

By 1929, all three piers – North, South and Central – were also lit up. But soon WWII and austere post-war Britain meant the lights did not shine again until 1949.

Every year, the displays change, maintaining and developing new and favourite lights.

Celebrities who have pulled the famous ‘Switch-On’ lever include Sir Ken Dodd, actor David Tennant, Hollywood director Tim Burton, Grand National winner Red Rum and Kermit the Frog.

Starting in 2020, after the gloom of Covid, the Illuminations were extended by two months until January, and that’s continued ever since.

This August, singer-songwriter and actor Toyah Willcox has been chosen as the guest designer and will create her own installation.

A survey of more than 2,000 visitors and residents, commissioned by the council, found the Illuminations were the main pull for 40% of visitors last year.

A council spokesperson said seven out of 10 ended up spending at other attractions and venues across the town after seeing the lights.

“Amongst visitors, 58% spent £100 or more on food, drink and entertainment as part of their visit, including one-third who spent £200 or more on their visit,” they said.

Of the two-thirds who also stayed over, groups spent an average of £400 per visit.

A report to the council’s Tourism, Economy and Communities Scrutiny Committee said in 2024-25 the authority invested just over £1.7m in the Illuminations – generating approximately £175 spend for every £1 invested.

One in 10 (12%) visitors were found to have come from outside England, either from Scotland (8%) or from outside the UK.

Blackpool Illuminations manager Richard Williams, part of the Lancashire resort’s light show operation for 38 years, told the Express last year how the decades of displays are a uniquely British part of our nation’s history.

He added: “It’s the nostalgia and the fact everyone has either heard of, or visited, the Illuminations. It’s also the scale of what we do together with the fact that we design and manufacture them in-house.”