When you think about Christmas entertainment in Blackpool, what comes to mind? Perhaps ice skating, pantomimes, or the famous illuminations. But if you want something truly different this festive season, there’s one show that stands out from the traditional offerings: the Christmas cabaret at Funny Girls.
This isn’t your typical holiday show. It’s a dazzling mix of drag performances, live entertainment, and festive cheer that has been making audiences laugh, gasp, and cheer for over 30 years. If you’re looking for a Christmas night out that breaks away from convention whilst still capturing the magic of the season, here’s why Funny Girls should be at the top of your list.
What Makes Funny Girls a Blackpool Institution
Before we talk about the Christmas spectacular, let’s understand what makes this venue special. Since 1994, Funny Girls has been a cornerstone of Blackpool’s entertainment scene. The venue operates from a converted 1939 Odeon cinema, now transformed into an art deco showbar that oozes vintage glamour.
The numbers speak for themselves. With over 35,000 reviews on TripAdvisor and a ranking in the top 10% of attractions worldwide, Funny Girls has earned its reputation as Blackpool’s number one rated show for five consecutive years. More than three million guests have walked through its doors, and the venue continues to sell out shows throughout the year.
What sets Funny Girls apart isn’t just the quality of the performances. It’s the atmosphere. From the moment you arrive, you’re welcomed into a space that feels celebratory, inclusive, and refreshingly unpretentious. The staff work hard to make everyone feel comfortable, whether you’re a regular or experiencing drag cabaret for the first time.
The Christmas Show: A Festive Spectacle Like No Other
The Christmas show at Funny Girls takes everything people love about the venue and wraps it in tinsel, sequins, and holiday magic. This isn’t a show that simply adds Santa hats to regular routines. It’s a carefully crafted production that celebrates Christmas through spectacular performances inspired by beloved festive films and productions.
What to Expect from the Winter Wonderful Christmas Extravaganza
The Christmas show features a talented troupe of performers who guide you through a sparkling journey of festive entertainment. You’ll see dance numbers inspired by Happy Feet’s joyous penguins, dramatic moments from Anastasia, and cool renditions from Frozen that will give you chills in the best possible way.
The show pays tribute to classic Christmas films like White Christmas, features the high-kicking elegance reminiscent of the Rockettes, and includes all the sweetness of Nativity alongside the laugh-out-loud humour of Elf. Each performance is designed to capture different aspects of the Christmas spirit, from nostalgic to playful to genuinely moving.
Between the main performances, expect quick wit and banter from the hosts. Betty Legs Diamond and the DJ hosts (including Carmen, Zoe, and Bonnie, depending on the night) are known for their sharp one-liners and brilliant audience interaction. They keep the energy high between acts, creating an atmosphere that feels more like a party than a formal theatre show.
The Venue and Atmosphere
One of the best things about Funny Girls is the venue itself. The historic 1939 Odeon building has been beautifully preserved, with art deco features that transport you to a more glamorous era. The main showroom is intimate enough that you feel connected to the performers, yet spacious enough to accommodate the elaborate staging and costume changes.
Table service is available throughout the show, meaning you can enjoy drinks without missing a moment of the action. The bar staff work incredibly hard to keep everyone topped up, and prices are more reasonable than you might expect at a top-rated attraction. Many reviews specifically mention how affordable the drinks are compared to other entertainment venues.
Pre-Show Dining at Garbo’s
If you want to make your Christmas visit extra special, consider booking the three-course pre-show dinner. For £29.85 per person, you can enjoy a meal at Garbo’s, the venue’s cosy art deco restaurant. The doors to Garbo’s open at 6:30pm, giving you plenty of time to relax and enjoy your food before the main entertainment begins at 8pm.
The pre-show meal has received consistently positive reviews. Guests describe the food as tasty and well-prepared, with attentive service that makes you feel looked after. It’s a great way to turn your evening into a full experience rather than just a show.
What Audiences Are Saying
The reviews for the Christmas show at Funny Girls tell their own story. One recent visitor wrote: “Such good fun – the Christmas show was amazing, and we’re coming back every year!” This sentiment appears repeatedly in guest feedback.
People consistently mention several key aspects of the experience:
- The Performers: Every review praises the talent on stage. The performers work incredibly hard, with multiple costume changes throughout the night and professional choreography that rivals West End productions. As one guest put it: “The energy and drive from each performer is excellent. The West End is in Blackpool.”
- The Hosts: The DJ hosts receive particular acclaim for their ability to keep the show moving, interact with the audience, and add humour between performances. One visitor described their host as “amazing, witty and so funny,” noting that they “really keep the show going.”
- The Atmosphere: The venue creates an environment where everyone feels welcome. Multiple reviews mention feeling comfortable and at ease from the moment they arrived, with staff described as helpful and the overall vibe as friendly and inclusive.
- Value for Money: With ticket prices starting around £10 for standing room and going up to around £35 for premium seating (prices vary by day and season), many guests comment on how reasonable the pricing is, especially considering the quality of entertainment.
Planning Your Christmas Visit to Funny Girls
If you’re thinking about booking the Christmas show at Funny Girls, here’s what you need to know:
Show Times and Tickets
The venue doors open at 7pm, with the DJ and hostess entertainment starting from 8pm. The main cabaret performances begin at 8:30pm, with routines continuing throughout the evening at regular intervals. The show finale typically takes place around 11pm.
Tickets are emailed to you automatically once you complete your booking on the Funny Girls website at funnygirlsshow.co.uk. If you’ve booked the pre-show meal, arrive between 6:30pm and 7:15pm to enjoy your dinner before the entertainment starts.
Getting There
Funny Girls is located at 5 Dickson Road, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 2AX. The venue is easy to find and well-served by public transport. If you’re driving, there are several car parks nearby.
What to Wear
There’s no strict dress code at Funny Girls, but many people enjoy dressing up for the occasion. During the Christmas show, you’ll see everything from festive jumpers to full cocktail attire. The key is to wear something comfortable that makes you feel good, because you’ll be there for several hours.
Accessibility
The venue works to accommodate all guests. If you have specific accessibility requirements, it’s worth calling ahead to discuss your needs with the box office team.
Why Choose a Drag Cabaret for Christmas?
You might be wondering why a drag cabaret show makes such a perfect Christmas outing. Here’s the thing: Christmas is about joy, celebration, and coming together with the people you care about. Funny Girls captures all of that whilst offering something genuinely different from the usual festive fare.
The performances are family-friendly (though the humour can be cheeky), making it suitable for a wide range of audiences. You don’t need to be a drag show enthusiast to enjoy it. The Christmas show appeals to everyone from hen parties to multi-generational family groups, couples on date nights to groups of friends looking for a memorable night out.
There’s something refreshing about Christmas entertainment that doesn’t take itself too seriously whilst still being professionally executed. Funny Girls manages that balance perfectly. You get spectacular costumes, talented performers, and festive themes, all delivered with warmth and humour.
Making the Most of Your Evening
To get the full Funny Girls experience this Christmas, here are a few tips:
- Arrive Early: If you haven’t booked dinner, arriving when the doors open at 7pm gives you time to settle in, order drinks, and soak up the atmosphere before the show starts.
- Engage with the Performers: The hosts thrive on audience interaction. Don’t be shy about participating in the banter (but don’t worry if you’d rather observe; they read the room well and won’t push anyone who seems uncomfortable).
- Book Ahead: The Christmas shows tend to sell out, especially on weekends. Booking in advance through the Funny Girls website ensures you get the date and seats you want.
- Consider the Dinner Package: If you’re celebrating a special occasion or just want to make the evening feel more luxurious, the three-course meal is excellent value and adds to the experience.
- Stay for the Full Evening: The show builds throughout the night, with the finale being particularly spectacular. Guests who leave early consistently mention wishing they’d stayed to the end.
Beyond the Christmas Show
Whilst this article focuses on the Christmas spectacular, it’s worth noting that Funny Girls runs different themed shows throughout the year. If you fall in love with the venue during your Christmas visit, you can return for their Spring Show, Summer Celebration, Halloween spectacular, or New Year’s Eve party. Each show is unique whilst maintaining the high standards the venue is known for.
The venue also offers heritage tours for those interested in learning more about the building’s history and going behind the scenes. At £20 per person, these tours include access to areas normally off-limits to the public, including backstage spaces, dressing rooms, and the wardrobe department.
The Funny Girls Difference
What makes Funny Girls stand out in Blackpool’s crowded entertainment market? It comes down to a few key factors:
- Authenticity: This isn’t a corporate-produced show trying to replicate success from elsewhere. It’s a genuinely local institution that has grown organically over three decades.
- Consistency: The venue has maintained its quality year after year, which is why it keeps winning awards and breaking records for positive reviews.
- Heart: There’s a warmth to Funny Girls that’s hard to quantify but easy to feel when you’re there. The staff, performers, and regular guests all contribute to an atmosphere that’s welcoming and celebratory.
- Value: In an era when entertainment can be prohibitively expensive, Funny Girls offers top-tier performances at prices that remain accessible.
Final Thoughts
Christmas in Blackpool offers plenty of entertainment options, from traditional pantomimes to ice shows and festive concerts. But if you want something that combines professional performance quality with genuine warmth, spectacular costumes with laugh-out-loud moments, and festive cheer with just the right amount of cheekiness, the Christmas show at Funny Girls delivers.
This is entertainment that doesn’t pretend to be anything other than what it is: a group of incredibly talented performers working their hearts out to give audiences an unforgettable night. It’s Christmas celebration with personality, delivered in a venue that has been perfecting its craft for over 30 years.
Whether you’re a Blackpool local looking for a different kind of Christmas night out, or you’re visiting the town for the holidays and want to experience something uniquely memorable, Funny Girls offers an experience that captures the true spirit of celebration. Book your tickets, gather your friends or family, and prepare for a Christmas show that’s unlike any other.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Christmas show at Funny Girls suitable for children?
The show is designed to be enjoyed by a wide audience, though the humour can be cheeky and include adult themes. Many families attend with teenagers and young adults. If you’re unsure whether it’s right for younger children, consider calling the box office to discuss the content. The venue staff can give you specific details about what to expect from the current Christmas production.
How long does the Christmas show last?
The entertainment runs from 8pm (when the DJ and hostess start) until approximately 11pm when the show finale takes place. With the cabaret performances beginning at 8:30pm and continuing at intervals throughout the evening, you’re looking at around three hours of entertainment. If you add the pre-show dinner, plan for a full evening from 6:30pm onwards.
Can I book tickets at the door or should I book in advance?
Whilst walk-up tickets are sometimes available, the Christmas shows at Funny Girls typically sell out, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. Booking in advance through funnygirlsshow.co.uk is strongly recommended. This guarantees your entry and often gives you better seating options. Some guests have mentioned getting discounted entry using local discount cards when paying at the door, but availability isn’t guaranteed.
What’s included in the ticket price?
Your ticket covers entry to the show and all the performances throughout the evening. Table service is available for drinks, which you pay for separately. If you want to include dinner, you’ll need to book the three-course meal package in addition to your show ticket. The meal is served in Garbo’s restaurant before the main show begins.
Is Funny Girls accessible for wheelchair users?
The main venue is accessible, though it’s worth contacting the box office in advance to discuss your specific needs. The building is a converted 1939 cinema, so some areas may have limitations. The box office team can arrange appropriate seating and ensure you have the best possible experience. They can be reached via the Funny Girls website or by calling during office hours.
