Illuminations named best event for group trips

By Tim Aldred

01 Jul 2024

Blackpool Illuminations Award

Blackpool Illuminations has been named the best event in the UK for group trips and holidays.

The winners of the Group Leisure and Travel Awards were voted for by readers of Group Leisure & Travel, Britain’s best-read magazine for people who organise group trips and holidays.

The Blackpool event, which attracts millions of visitors to the resort during the autumn and winter months, was voted Best Event For Groups ahead of competition from other finalists including Royal Ascot, the BBC’s Gardeners’ World Live, Bournemouth Air Festival, RHS Malvern Spring Festival and the historical stage show, Kynren.

The result was announced at a ceremony at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington, London, in front of an audience of more than 300 coach and tour operators. 

A VisitBlackpool spokesperson said: “We are thrilled that tourism operators have recognised the universal appeal of what is one of the UK’s most enduring visitor attractions.

“For more than a century, the Blackpool Illuminations display has attracted groups and individuals from across the globe, and it has never lost any of the magic and sparkle that brings so much joy and pleasure to people of all ages.”

Last year’s Switch-On event, which marked a return to the outdoors after three years of being staged indoors due to pandemic restrictions, attracted a record crowd of 80,000 on to the seafront to watch Sophie Ellis-Bextor pull the famous switch.

This year’s display, which includes new tableaux from designers Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and Leigh Francis (aka Keith Lemon) will be triggered at the annual Switch-On celebration on Friday 30 August.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

Lancashire Business Board chairman takes centre stage at Festival of Business Mo Isap

Lancashire Business Board chairman takes centre stage at Festival of Business

21 Jan 2025

2

Early handover success for £1.7m youth centre expansion in Blackpool Representatives from Blackpool Council, Blackpool Boys and Girls Club, Warden Construction and Cassidy and Ashton

Early handover success for £1.7m youth centre expansion in Blackpool

21 Jan 2025

3

Staci UK launches degree apprenticeship scheme Staci apprentices

Staci UK launches degree apprenticeship scheme

21 Jan 2025

4

Roundhouse submits plans for new £15 million office for 'super' Momentum scheme in Preston Roundhouse Properties plan for Bamber Bridge

Roundhouse submits plans for new £15 million office for 'super' Momentum scheme in Preston

20 Jan 2025

5

REVEALED: Finalists for the Red Rose Awards 2025 Red Rose Awards

REVEALED: Finalists for the Red Rose Awards 2025

20 Jan 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
The Lancashire Festival of Business
FOB 315
Exhibitions
30 Jan 2025

The Lancashire Festival of Business

Impact Conferencing, Burnley, BB12 6QP

09:30 - 16:00

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 3
Blue-Modern-Land-Travel-Youtube-Thumbnail-2-1024x576.png.png
LBV Hub Awards
14 Jan 2025 - 18 Mar 2025

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 3

Community & Business Partners CIC, Blackburn, BB2 3UA

09:30 - 13:00

North West Holiday Home Show
PLG - NWHHS - Social - Jan 2024.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
18 Jan 2025 - 26 Jan 2025

North West Holiday Home Show

South Lakeland House Showground, Yealand Redmayne, LA5 9RN

09:00 - 14:58

Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work Course - In Person
LBV Hub Webinar
22 Jan 2025 - 22 Jan 2025

Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work Course - In Person

RKMS Group , Blackpool, FY42DP

09:30 - 17:00

January Freelancer Meet-Up and Coworking Day
Freelancer Meet-Up Jan general.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
23 Jan 2025 - 23 Jan 2025

January Freelancer Meet-Up and Coworking Day

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:00

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire
LBV Hub Event Image.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
30 Jan 2025 - 30 Jan 2025

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire

Strawberry Fields Digital Hub, Chorley, PR7 1PS

18:00 - 20:00

February Preston Tech Connection Meet-Up: Tech & Our Planet
PRESTON TECH CONNECTION jan.ai.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
12 Feb 2025 - 12 Feb 2025

February Preston Tech Connection Meet-Up: Tech & Our Planet

Society1 Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Police Apprenticeship event
Student Centre Autumn 2022.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Social
12 Feb 2025 - 12 Jan 2025

Police Apprenticeship event

University of Central Lancashire, Foster Social Space , Preston , PR1 2HE

16:00 - 19:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
13 Feb 2025 - 13 Feb 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Sub36 Networking - Behind the beans
Sub36 Social1200Atkinsons New
Networking
14 Feb 2025

Sub36 Networking - Behind the beans

Atkinsons Speciality Coffee, Lancaster, LA1 1 EX

09:00 - 11:30

Red Rose Awards 2025
Red Rose Awards 2025
Awards
13 Mar 2025

Red Rose Awards 2025

Winter Gardens Blackpool

18:00 - 11:59

Lancashire Business Day 2025
241122lbvlancashiredaylhp0647web
Networking
27 Nov 2025

Lancashire Business Day 2025

12:00 - 17:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV120 Online Graphic 1
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin