Pop icon Olly Murs has spoken of his excitement at heading to Blackpool later this month – when he will switch on the seaside resort’s famous illuminations. Fresh from his UK-wide arena tour, Olly will take to the stage on Blackpool’s Tower Festival Headland to deliver a free-to-watch hour-long show-stopping set on Friday 29th August.
The 41 year-old The Voice UK judge will be joined by X Factor winner Louisa Johnson with 24,000 free tickets made available for those wishing to attend. Murs joins a host of celebs to switch on the lights at the Illuminations ceremony including Robbie Williams, Peter Kay and Dame Barbara Windsor.
The Friday night celebration will once again start with a ‘Blackpool Introduces’ showcase featuring the best of local talent. Further announcements on the line-up will be announced shortly.
A set allocation has been made exclusively available for local residents, with tourists, music lovers and entertainment fans also invited to enter for their chance to win free tickets to this year’s Switch-On event.
Festival organisers will also be introducing a live screening zone on the promenade, allowing those who miss out on tickets to soak up the atmosphere and be a part of what promises to be an exciting evening of entertainment.
Murs said: “I am buzzing to be performing at Blackpool Illuminations on Friday 29 August!
“I haven’t performed there since 2011, so it’s about time!! It’ll be an incredible night, with a huge set from me & the band, and of course a massive light Switch-On!! Make sure you’re there.”
Cllr Lynn Williams, leader of Blackpool Council said: “The Switch-On event is one of the highlights of Blackpool’s calendar, it’s an event of celebration for our residents and brings together our local community and visitors from far and wide.
“It’s not just a fantastic evening of entertainment — the Illuminations season also delivers a huge boost to our local economy, filling our hotels, restaurants, and shops, and supporting jobs throughout the resort.
“Last year’s Switch On event was fantastic, and we’re really excited for Switch-On 2025 to showcase our world famous Illuminations, our wonderful town and resort.”
This year’s event has been sponsored by Blackpool Council’s newly-formed wholly-owned tourism company, Blackpool Tourism Limited, aligning closely with the company’s overarching objective to ensure more guests visit, stay over, and return to the iconic seaside destination.
Kate Shane, managing director of Blackpool Tourism Limited, said: “We are thrilled to be sponsoring this year’s Switch-On event, bringing Olly’s headline show to the Golden Mile for this spectacular event that celebrates the start of the 2025 Illuminations.
“A free event for all the family with one of the UK’s most popular performers lighting up the Promenade.
“Bringing in performers of such a high calibre enables us to build on our reputation of offering unique and memorable experiences that keep visitors coming back year after year, helping Blackpool to retain and build on its position as the UK’s number one seaside resort.
“The Switch-On event is just the start, and we’re looking forward to welcoming millions of guests to the world-famous Blackpool Illuminations right the way through to 4 January!”
The Switch-On event precedes the start of the Illuminations season, which has been drawing in millions of visitors each year since 1879.
What started as the UK’s first ever public display with eight carbon arc lamps has now grown into six miles of immersive light and art displays, blending tradition and modern technology to create one of the UK’s most iconic and long-running visitor events.
For more information on this year’s Switch-On and Blackpool Illuminations visit here:
