For the very latest events update click on: www.visitblackpool.com/events What’s On 2010

April

2- 5 Easter Hockey Festival Stanley Park and Various Competitive tournament for men’s, women’s and mixed teams

2 80’s Mania The Grand Theatre The feelgood fantasy concert returns by popular demand!

2 – 5 The Blackpool Cup Various International Youth Soccer Tournament

3 The Solid Silver 60s Show The Grand Theatre The UK’s original and premier 60s show is back celebrating its 25th Anniversary Special

3 & $ Ken Webster hypnotist Horseshoe, Pleasure Beach

4 Roy ‘Chubby’ Brown Opera House, Winter Gardens 4 Colin Fry North Pier

4 An evening with Joe Longthorne Paradise Room, Pleasure Beach 5 An Audience with the Chuckle Brothers Opera House, Winter Gardens

5-10 Dreamboats and Petticoats The Grand Theatre The ultimate British rock ‘n’ roll musical jives back into town

6 - 9 Ice Skating Festival Pleasure Beach Arena

7 Mighty Wurlitzer Organ Concert Opera House, Winter Gardens

10 Hot Ice Master Class Arena, Pleasure Beach

10, 13 & 16 Beyond Belief starring master illusionist Richard De Vere Horseshoe, Pleasure

11 Blackpool Marathon Promenade

11 Show me with Chris and Pui Opera House, Winter Gardens

11 Northern Amateur Radio Society Annual convention and exhibition

10-11 Waterloo Bowling Mixed Pairs Waterloo Bowling Green Crown Green Bowling Competitions Waterloo Road

3 Pleasure Beach Pleasure Beach Amazing Rides and Attractions, Save £5 off wristbands when pre- booked online

5 -11 Blackpool Dance Festival For Juniors International competition in Latin American, Ballroom and Sequence Winter Gardens Dancing

11 Matcham Monkey’s Birthday Bash The Grand Theatre Fabulous free family fun day

14 - 17 Mack and Mabel The Grand Theatre Marvellous musical love story from Blackpool Operatic Players

16-30 Spring Waterloo Bowling Green Waterloo Bowling Green Bowling Competition Waterloo Road

Saturdays 17 Ken Webster hypnotist Horseshoe, Pleasure Beach – 6 Nov

18 Boy George in Concert The Grand Theatre Culture Club’s flamboyant front man goes solo

19-20 Stop Messing About The Grand Theatre Wonderfully witty Kenneth Williams tribute extravaganza

22 John Walker in Concert with The Dakotas The Grand Theatre The famous Walker brother returns with all his classic hits and more

23 St Georges Day TBC

24 Peppa Pig’s Party The Grand Theatre Meet the irresistible Peppa and her giggling, snorting family in this fab family show

25 Ride Safe Back Safe “ Rendezvous” Central Beach Car Park, Motor Bike Enthusiasts gathering Seadsiders Way

27 – 1 May Wife Begins at Forty – 25th Anniversary Production The Grand Theatre Delightful domestic comedy starring Vicki Michelle, Mark Curry, Anita Graham, Trevor Bannister, Brian Godfrey and Damian Hunt

30 Evening of Dance Ballroom

May 1 Biffy Clyro Empress Ballroom, Winter Gardens

1 Spring Mixed Pairs Handicap Final Waterloo Bowling Green Waterloo Road

1 Roy ‘Chubby’ Brown Opera House, Winter Gardens

1 Gold Soul Night Blackpool Tower Ballroom The North’s best loved Soul DJs

2 Ken Webster hypnotist Horseshoe, Pleasure Beach

2 Jane McDonald Opera House, Winter Gardens

3 Derren Brown Opera House, Winter Gardens

3-8 Laughter in the Rain – The Musical The Grand Theatre The inspirational story of Neil Sedaka featuring all his classic hits

7 & 9 Florence and the Machine Empress Ballroom, Winter Gardens

8 Scouting for Girls Empress Ballroom, Winter Gardens

9 Hairy Bikers Big Night Out The Grand Theatre Simon King and Dave Myers bring an exciting evening of cooking, chatting and laughs

9 Beaverbrook’s Blackpool Promenade 10k Fun Run Promenade Well supported annual fun run in aid of local charities

11 – 15 Lieutenant COLUMBO – Prescription Murder The Grand theatre Dirk Benedict is the iconic shambling sleuth who solves the case and saves the day

14 Tom Doughty Lawrence House Studio With his unique approach to guitar and his vocal interpretations of The Grand Theatre traditional and his original tunes

15 The Charlatans Empress Ballroom, Winter Gardens

15 Mellow Yellow Festival North Pier

15-16 Blackpool Pride Promenade and various Celebrating diversity in the community with entertainment, shows and Promenade Parade

16 Some Enchanted Evening – The Sound of Rodger and The Grand Theatre Hammerstein Superb soloists and some of the most passionate music ever written

17 -22 Hi-de-Hi The Grand Theatre Hilarious holiday camp antics with an all-star cast

21 Pendulum Empress Ballroom , Winter Gardens 22 Blackpool Blitz – Brownies take over the seaside Blackpool Tower / Guide Association Centenary Celebrations Sandcastle Centre

22 - 23 RAFA Conference Winter Gardens

23 RAFA Conference – Flypast by Lancaster, Spitfire, Hurricane Vicinity of North Pier 9.40am

23 Blackpool Vehicle Preservation Group Farmer Parrs Classic vehicle show Fleetwood

25 – 29 Disney’s Beauty and the Beast The Grand Theatre Multi-award winning musical from Blackpool and Fylde Light Opera Company

Tuesdays Beyond Belief starring master Illusionist, Richard De Vere Horseshoe, Pleasure Beach 26 – 27 Oct 27 – 4 June British Open Blackpool Dance Festival Empress Ballroom The world’s foremost festival of dance Winter Gardens

27- 3 June Dance Festival Exhibition Imperial Hotel Exhibition by suppliers of dance shoes, dresses, suits etc.

27-28 Spring Waterloo Ladies Pairs Waterloo Bowling Green Bowling Competition

Thursdays 28 Beyond Belief starring master illusionist Richard De Vere Horseshoe, Pleasure Beach – 29 Oct 30 Waterloo Bowling Spring Waterloo Final Day Waterloo Bowling Green Crown Green Bowling Competitions Waterloo Road

30 Ken Webster hypnotist Horseshoe, Pleasure Beach

31 Pendulum Empress Ballroom

June

1 – 3 Strictly Tap Dance Fever The Grand Theatre A whistle stop tour of the greatest tap dance moments in showbiz history

3 Colin Fry North Pier

5 One Night in Vegas The Grand Theatre Beautiful dancing girls, spectacular costumes, biog band swing and powerful musical numbers

5 Billy Ocean Opera House, Winter Gardens 5- 6 George Formby Society Convention Imperial Hotel Quarterly gathering of members of the George Formby Society

6 An Audience with Sally Morgan The Grand Theatre Britain’s favourite celebrity star psychic is back!

7 – 12 Nightfright The Grand Theatre Taut and exciting, yet often darkly hilarious, all-star thriller

11-13, 18 & 19 Waterloo Bowling Ladies Waterloo Qualifiers Waterloo Bowling Green & 2, 3 July Crown Green Bowling Competitions Waterloo Road

12-13 World Freestyle Dance Championships Blackpool Tower Ballroom Competitive dancing championships

13 Great Manchester to Blackpool Car Run St Johns, Town Centre Annual classic vehicle day out

19 Music For Heroes Opera House, Winter Gardens 19 - 27 Blackpool Armed Forces Week Throughout the Town Celebrating Britain’s Armed Forces Past, Present and Future

19 - 27 Bike Week Various Locations Nationwide Cycling promotional

20 Night of the Stars Opera House Charity performance In aid of the Water Rats

21-26 Dad’s Army Marches On The Grand Theatre The wartime comedy classic is back with Leslie Grantham as Pte Walker

23 Armed Forces Week Afternoon Tea Dance Blackpool Tower Ballroom

24 Miss Blackpool 2010 Competition Heat 1 Uncle Toms Cabin, Queens Blackpool’s annual beauty search Promenade

25 Veterans and Armed Forces Week Gala Dinner Norbreck Castle Hotel

25-27 Blackpool Championship Dog Show Crown Fields, Westby Way The only Championship dog show in , with over 10,000 entries

26 National British Armed Forces and Veterans Day Various Venues Blackpool celebrates and honours those who serve and have served www.armedforcesday.co.uk

26 Armed Forces Week Big Band Dance Blackpool Tower Ballroom

27 Armed Forces Week Sunday Morning Service Blackpool Cenotaph 10.30am for 11.00 am start

27 Totally Transport New South Promenade Historic Transport and Motor Show , Celebrating 125 years of the Blackpool Tramway.

27 Little Big Club live in Concert The Grand Theatre Fantastic family show starring Barney, Bob The Builder, Angelina Ballerina, Pingu, Fifi Forget-Me-Not and Fireman Sam

26 – 9 July World Pool Championships Imperial Hotel International pool competition

28 – 3 July Murdered to Death The Grand Theatre Wonderfully funny comedy thriller starring Graham Cole and Sandra Dickinson

TBC Wyre Cycling Festival Marine Hall Waterfront Family event with a guided cycle ride along Wyre’s Waterfront taking Venue in Fleetwood and Cleveleys

30 Race for Life Stanley Park Showground , Lawson Road

July

1 Miss Blackpool Competition Heat 2 Uncle Toms Cabin, Queens Promenade

1 Colin Fry North Pier

2 Blackpool Teen Fiction Book of the Year Awards The Grand Theatre Winning books announced with readings and author’s book signing

Every Friday Star Idol Pleasure Beach – Entertainer of the Year 2010 Horseshoe, Pleasure Beach 2 – 27 Aug

4 Manchester to Blackpool Bike Ride Finish: Solaris Centre, New Annual charity cycle ride South Promenade

5 – 10 It’s Never Too Late The Grand Theatre

8 Miss Blackpool 2010 Competition Heat 3 Uncle Toms Cabin, Queens Blackpool’s annual beauty search Promenade

9 UKw Wrestlebration 2 Blackpool Tower

TBC Blackpool Cycle Fest Various Tons and tons of fun on your bike

12 – 14 Au Revior Review 2010 The Grand Theatre Memorable performances from Year 6 Blackpool primary school students

13 Pet Shop Boys Empress Ballroom , Winter Gardens

15 A Servant to Two Masters The Grand Theatre Carlo Goldini’s classic farce from Grand Youth Theatre Company

15 Miss Blackpool 2010 Competition Heat 4 Uncle Toms Cabin, Queens Blackpool’s annual beauty search Promenade

17 Ken Dodd and his Happiness Show The Grand Theatre An evening of plumptiousness from Professor Chucklebutty

19 – 24 Keeping up Appearances The Grand Theatre A hilarious evening of social climbing gone awry in this sensational stage production of BBC TV’s successful comedy

22 Miss Blackpool 2010 Competition Heat 5 Uncle Toms Cabin, Queens Blackpool’s annual beauty search Promenade

13 July - 26 Billy Pearce Laughter Show North Pier October (Tuesdays) 14 – 5 Hot Ice Arena, Pleasure Beach September Mon- Sat

18 Rolls Royce Rally West Beach Lytham St Annual gathering of around 60 Rolls-Royce and Bentley Motor Annes Cars 17 Town Criers Championship St John’s Town Centre

17 Bispham with Norbreck Children’s Gala Gala Field All Hallows Road Crowning of the Queen with precessions and fairground

17 Ken Dodd Grand Theatre How tickled we are! Professor Chucklebutty returns

17 – 18 Northern Rail Cup and Northern Rail 9s competition Blackpool Football Club Rugby Football League Stadium

17 -25 Stan James World Matchplay Darts Empress Ballroom , Winter See the World’s best darts players battling it out Gardens

17 July - 30 Joe Longthorne North Pier Oct (Saturdays)

29 Miss Blackpool 2010 Competition Heat 6 Uncle Toms Cabin, Queens Blackpool’s annual beauty search Promenade

22 Abba Mania Opera House, Winter Gardens

23 Lancashire Hot Pots North Pier

23 Back for Good Opera House, Winter Gardens 24 Roy ‘Chubby’ Brown Opera House, Winter Gardens 25 Blackpool Obedience Dog Show – Tower Dog Training Club Stanley Park Showground, More than 300 entries from all over the UK East Park Drive

27 - 28 The Gruffalo The Grand Theatre A magical musical adaptation of the best-selling picture book

29 Abba Mania Opera House, Winter Gardens 29 Miss Blackpool 2010 Competition Heat 6 Uncle Toms Cabin, Queens Blackpool’s annual beauty search Promenade

August

Mon - Sat Hot Ice Arena, Pleasure Beach until 5 September

Tuesdays Billy Pearce Laughter Show North Pier until 26 October Saturdays Joe Longthorne North Pier until 30 October Sundays The Grumbleweeds Horseshoe, Pleasure Beach 2 – 1 Nov

5 Miss Blackpool 2010 Competition Heat 7 Uncle Toms Cabin, Queens Blackpool’s annual beauty search Promenade

5 Colin Fry North Pier

5 Big One Talent on Stage The Globe, Pleasure Beach A competition for 6-16 years old

5 Big One Talent on Ice The Arena, Pleasure Beach Ice Skating competition for 5-18 years olds

5 - 8 Rebellion 2010 Punk Festival Winter Gardens

5 – 8 Rock Around the Clock The Grand Theatre A non-stop hit parade of rock ‘n’ roll classics

Every Friday Star Idol – Entertainer of the Year 2010 Horseshoe, Pleasure Beach 6-27

7 Nocturne Series ( Blackpool Stage) Town Centre Night time closed circuit professional cycle race

8 Blackpool Air Display Beach Between Central and Red Arrows, Spitfire, Hurricane, Lancaster, and much more South Piers

8 Ladies Pairs Final Waterloo Bowling Green Ladies bowling Competition

Fri 6, 13 & Sat Waterloo Plate Waterloo Bowling Green 7, 14 Crown Green Bowling

10 – 14 Oklahoma! The Grand Theatre The barnstorming musical starring West End legend Marti Webb

12 Big One Talent on Stage The Globe, Pleasure Beach A competition for 6 -16 year olds

12 Big One Talent on Ice The Arena, Pleasure Beach Ice Skating competition for 5-18 years olds

13 Best of British Variety Opera House The Krankies, Paul Daniels, The Grumbleweeds, Syd Little, Christopher Biggins and Dana 14 Jane McDonald Opera House, Winter Gardens

15 Monster Dash Stanley Park Sports Arena Charity fun Run 19 Abba Mania Opera House, Winter Gardens

19 Big One Talent on Stage The Globe, Pleasure Beach A competition for 6-16 years old

19 Big One Talent on Ice The Arena, Pleasure Beach Ice Skating competition for 5-18 years olds

20 Best of British Variety Opera House The Krankies, Paul Daniels, The Grumbleweeds, Syd Little, Christopher Biggins and Dana

20 Miss Blackpool 2010 Competition Grand Final TBC Who will be this year’s winner?

21 Lytham Proms Lytham Green With the Manchester Camerata and Lesley Garrett

22 Junior Waterloo Bowling Competition Waterloo Hotel Juvenile bowls competition

25 & 26 Champion of Champion Weekend Waterloo Bowling Green Bowling Competition Waterloo Road

26 Abba Mania Opera House, Winter Gardens

26 Big One Talent on Stage The Globe, Pleasure Beach A competition for 6-16 years old

26 Big One Talent on Ice The Arena, Pleasure Beach Ice Skating competition for 5-18 years olds

27 -29 UDO World Street Dance Championships Winter Gardens Annual competition for all ages in all disciplines of street and break dancing

27 UDO Live presents Urban night featuring Chipmunk Opera House, Winter Gardens 28 UDO Live presents featuring Jedwood and Mini Viva Opera House, Winter Gardens 29 UDO Live presents featuring Diversity and Olli Murs Opera House, Winter Gardens 30 UDO Live presents “Live in Concert “ featuring Alexandra Burke and Opera House, Winter more Gardens

29 Fleetwood Marathon Fleetwood to Blackpool Promenade

29 Blackpool Vehicle Preservation Group Stanley Park Classic vehicle show Blackpool

29 Ken Webster hypnotist Horseshoe, Pleasure Beach

28 -29 Tractor Pulling Championships Great Eccleston, nr European Invitational British Championship Rounds Blackpool

31 Ride The Lights Promenade from Starr Gate Enjoy a sneak preview of the 2010 Illuminations on your bike to Bispham In a traffic free environment

September

Mon - Sat Hot Ice Arena, Pleasure Beach until 5 September

Tuesdays Billy Pearce Laughter Show North Pier until 26 October Saturdays Joe Longthorne North Pier until 30 October 2 Colin Fry North Pier

3 Best of British Variety Opera House The Krankies, Paul Daniels, The Grumbleweeds, Syd Little, Christopher Biggins and Dana

3 Blackpool Illuminations Switch On Ceremony Arena just behind the Coral Join us as a mystery celebrity flicks the switch to mark the start of the Island 2010 display

3-5 Fylde Folk Festival Marine Hall, Fleetwood Festival of traditional and contemporary folk music, song and dance

3 – 7 Nov The Blackpool Illuminations and Festival of Light Promenade and various The greatest free light show on earth, with a new display for 2010

3 -5 TVR Car Club Back Home Weekend TBC

4 Hilton Illuminations 10k Fun Run Start: Hilton Hotel charity fun run

4 Roy ‘Chubby’ Brown Opera House, Winter Gardens

4 Honda Goldwing Weekend TBC

4 Blackpool Illumathon Promenade Illuminations Ladies Midnight Charity Walk through Blackpool’s famous lights

4 – 5 George Formby Society Convention Imperial Hotel Quarterly gathering of members of the George Formby Society

5 United Kingdom Bus Driver of the Year North Promenade Annual competition for drivers from all over the UK

5 Blackpool to Morecambe 30 Mile Bike Ride Start North Pier, Blackpool Ride to raise funds for the Rosemere Cancer Foundation

10-11-12 World Firework Championship, Champion of Champions Promenade International pyrotechnic companies compete for the prestigious title.

TBC Autumn Waterloo Bowling Finals Waterloo Bowling Green Finals week for bowling tournament

11 Tour of Britain Cycle Race Stage 1 Finish TBC The world’s best cyclists cross the finish line in Blackpool

12 Ladies Waterloo Final Waterloo Bowling Green Ladies bowling

12 Blackpool Vehicle Preservation Group Fairhaven Lake Classic vehicle show Lytham St Annes

TBC Fleetwood Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K Road Race Marine Hall Challenging road races for all Esplanade, Fleetwood

TBC Waterloo Plate Final Waterloo Bowling Green Waterloo bowling finals

19 Ford Day Middle Walk, North Shore

23-29 125th Anniversary of the Blackpool Tramway Various locations 7 days of tramway events, visiting historic tramcars , Depot Open Day, tram parade and more.

26 Ken Dodd and his Happiness Show The Grand Theatre

26 Blackpool Tramway Depot Open Day Tramway Depot, Rigby Celebrating 125th Anniversary of the Blackpool Tramway Road

26 Manchester Capri Club Middle Walk Annual gathering of Ford Capri owners

29 Historic Tram Parade Promenade Tramway 125th Anniversary of the Blackpool Tramway

TBC Champion of Champions Weekend Waterloo Bowling Green Crown Green Bowling Competitions Waterloo Road

October

Tuesdays Billy Pearce Laughter Show North Pier until 26 October Saturdays Joe Longthorne North Pier until 30 October 3 Armstrong & Miller Live The Grand Theatre TV comedy duo bring the World War Two chav pilots and more

7 Colin Fry North Pier

10 Ken Dodd and his Happiness Show The Grand Theatre

15- 17 Model Boat Show Norbreck Castle Hotel

9- 10 British Freestyle Championships Empress Ballroom Dance competitions in “Grand Prix” Rock and Roll , Street Dance and Winter Gardens more

16 Jane McDonald Opera House, Winter Gardens

16 -19 Blackpool Festival Empress Ballroom Classical, Modern and Latin Sequence Dancing (Juniors 16th Oct) Winter Gardens

17 Ken Dodd and his Happiness Show The Grand Theatre

23 Roy Chubby Brown Opera House, Winter Gardens

24 Ken Dodd and his Happiness Show The Grand Theatre 28 -31 Blackpool 17th Annual Rock and Roll Illuminations Weekend Savoy Hotel Residential Weekend of Rock and Rock

29 Question of Sport Live Opera House, Winter With Sue Barker, team captains Matt Dawson and Phil Tufnell, joined Gardens by stars of the sport world

31 John Barrowman Opera House, Winter Gardens

November

5-7 Prov Switchover Weekend Events TBC As the autumn Illuminations come to a close, it’s the countdown to the town centre Christmas Lights Switch On at week later

7 Ken Dodd and his Happiness Show The Grand Theatre

7 Final Night of the Blackpool Illuminations Promenade The annual spectacular draws to a close for 2010

7 Last Night on Prom TBC Blackpool’s trams take a farewell bow for the winter period

10- 11 Jason Manford Opera House, Winter Gardens

11 Vampires Rock The Grand Theatre A musical rock theatre spectacular starring Steve Steinman

12 La Boheme The Grand Theatre Puccini’s masterpiece opera of passion and despair

12 -14 Northern Soul Weekender Blackpool Tower A must for all soul fans, includes the World Northern Soul Dance Championship

13 The Marriage of Figaro The Grand Theatre Mozart’s classic opera is a heady mix of comedy and pathos

13 Michael Bolton Opera House, Winter Gardens

13-28 Winter Weekends at Pleasure Beach Resort and meet Father Pleasure Beach Christmas

13 Christmas Light Switch On St Johns, Town Centre A chosen celebrity will switch on this year’s Xmas Lights

16 – 20 Georges Marvellous Medicine - Roald Dahl The Grand Theatre Roald Dahl’s amazing story is fizztickling fun for all the family

18 - 20 British National Dance Championships Empress Ballroom Three days of competition for British competitors of all ages Winter Gardens

20 - 21 George Formby Society Convention Imperial Hotel Quarterly gathering of members of the George Formby Society

21 Tour de Francis - Stewart Francis The Grand Theatre A wonderful night of comedy

December

2 – 5 Jingle Bell Rock Savoy Hotel Weekend of Rock and Roll Music

3- Jan 2 Aladdin The Grand Theatre Magical family pantomime with all star cast to be announced

10 Jason Manford Opera House, Winter Gardens

TBC UK Disco Kids Competition Blackpool Tower Ballroom Youngsters compete for disco dancing title

20 Christmas Concert with Carols The Grand Theatre With the Poulton le Fylde Band

31 New Years Eve at the Tower Blackpool Tower

(prov) – Provisional please check with Tourist Information Centre Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of this information however Blackpool Borough Council cannot be held responsible for any changes to details that may occur. You are advised to confirm event information before travelling to Blackpool.

Last updated 19/04/2010