Blackpool has never tried to be subtle. It’s loud, colourful, unapologetically fun, and one of the UK’s most visited seaside resorts for good reason. Whether you’re planning a birthday trip, a group getaway, or just a spontaneous weekend break, there’s more to do here than most people realise. This guide walks you through how to make the most of 48 hours in Blackpool, from the beach in the morning to a show-stopping night out.
Saturday: Make the Most of Your First Full Day
Start on the Seafront
Get to the beach early. Blackpool’s seafront stretches for miles, and the famous Golden Mile is best enjoyed before the crowds descend. Walk or cycle along the promenade, grab a coffee and a bacon butty from one of the seafront cafés, and take in the view. It’s free, it’s breezy, and it sets the tone for the weekend.
Blackpool Tower is right there on the prom and is well worth a visit. The Tower Ballroom on its own is worth the ticket price. It’s a Grade I listed building with ornate decor that looks like it was plucked from a dream. The Tower Eye at the top gives you views across the Irish Sea on a clear day.
A quick itinerary for Saturday morning:
- Walk the promenade from the North Pier to the Central Pier.
- Visit Blackpool Tower (allow about 2 hours)
- Grab lunch on or near the seafront.
Afternoon: Explore the Pleasure Beach and Beyond
Blackpool Pleasure Beach is one of the oldest and best-known amusement parks in the country. It has over 125 rides, including the Big One rollercoaster, which was the tallest in the world when it opened in 1994. If you’re visiting with teenagers or thrill-seekers, this is where you’ll spend the afternoon.
If theme parks aren’t your thing, Sea Life Blackpool is a good alternative, particularly if you’re travelling with younger children. There’s also the Sandcastle Waterpark, which runs year-round thanks to being fully indoors.
Half-term is a busy time in Blackpool. Entertainment shows in Blackpool this half-term fill up quickly, so booking ahead for evenings is not just recommended, it’s essential.
Evening: A Proper Night Out
This is where Blackpool earns its reputation. The nightlife here is genuinely good, and the variety is wide. You can choose from arcades and bowling to live music and theatre. But if you only do one thing on a Saturday night in Blackpool, make it a proper show.
Saturday Night: Why Funny Girls Should Be on Your List
There are plenty of bars and clubs in Blackpool, but few venues have the history, the atmosphere, or the pure entertainment value of Funny Girls. Based at 5 Dickson Road, Funny Girls has been running drag and cabaret shows since 1994, and it’s earned its place as one of Blackpool’s most well-known entertainment venues.
The show runs from around 8 pm to 11:30 pm and combines comedy, dance, drag performance, and audience interaction. The venue itself is a 1930s-style theatre, which gives the whole evening a proper night-out feel rather than something thrown together in a pub function room. Tickets are reasonably priced, and the atmosphere is welcoming to everyone, couples, groups, stag and hen dos, families, and first-timers alike.
If you want to make a full evening of it, book the pre-show dinner option. For £29.85 per person, you get a three-course meal in Garbo’s, the venue’s art deco restaurant, before the curtain goes up. It’s a nice way to settle in before the chaos begins.
The current seasonal show, Blooming Queens Spring Show, runs until mid-May. After that, the summer show, Hot Girl Summer, takes over from late May through to early September. Each season gets a completely new production, so return visitors always get something fresh.
Entertainment shows in Blackpool this half-term are a big draw for families and groups, and Funny Girls genuinely delivers a night that most people talk about long after they leave.
Sunday: The Second Day Done Right
Morning: Slow Down and Explore
Sunday morning in Blackpool doesn’t need to be rushed. A lot of visitors spend it wandering the town centre or heading back to the beach. The market on Abingdon Street is worth a look if you’re an early riser, and there are plenty of good breakfast spots scattered around the town.
Stanley Park is one of Blackpool’s best-kept secrets. It’s a 280-acre art deco park that sits away from the seafront crowds, with a boating lake, Italian gardens, and a café. It’s genuinely peaceful and a good place to recover from Saturday night.
Afternoon: Trams, Crazy Golf, and the Piers
Blackpool has three piers, each with a different character. The North Pier is the most traditional and quieter, with deck chairs and a pleasant walk out over the sea. The Central Pier has a Ferris wheel. The South Pier leans into amusements and funfair rides.
If you want to tick off a bit of Blackpool history, hop on the heritage tram. Blackpool runs the oldest surviving electric tramway in the UK, with trams running along the coast between Blackpool and Fleetwood. A return journey on a vintage tram is one of those experiences that feels very Blackpool.
The crazy golf options around the town are also better than average, which sounds like damning with faint praise, but genuinely, there are several well-run mini-golf spots worth an hour of your afternoon.
Sunday Evening: Keep It Going
If you didn’t manage to catch a show on Saturday, Sunday evening is another good option. Funny Girls runs shows Wednesday through Sunday, so you can still book for Sunday night. The shows start at 8pm, which leaves plenty of time to eat and get settled before heading home on Monday.
For something different, the Grand Theatre on Church Street is a Victorian-era venue that hosts touring West End productions, comedy nights, and ballet. It’s worth checking what’s on during your visit as the programme changes regularly.
Practical Tips for the Weekend
- Getting there: Blackpool is well-connected by rail. Blackpool North station is in the town centre and has direct services from Manchester, Preston, and further afield.
- Getting around: The town centre and seafront are walkable, and the trams cover the coastal stretch well. Taxis are widely available at night.
- Booking shows: Entertainment shows in Blackpool this half-term book up fast, particularly on Fridays and Saturdays. Book online at least a week in advance for the best availability and seat choice.
- Where to stay: There are hundreds of hotels and B&Bs in Blackpool, ranging from budget guesthouses near the seafront to smarter options on the quieter North Shore.
- What to budget: Blackpool is genuinely affordable compared to most UK city breaks. Show tickets, food, and transport can be manageable on a moderate budget if you plan.
Blackpool rewards people who go in with a plan but leave room for a bit of spontaneity. The seafront, the piers, the parks, and the shows each offer something distinct, and two days is genuinely enough time to get a proper feel for the place. Book your evenings first, fill in the days around them, and you’ll leave with more good stories than you arrived with.
5 FAQs About a Weekend in Blackpool
Q: What are the best entertainment shows in Blackpool this half-term?
Blackpool has several theatre and cabaret options during half-term, with Funny Girls being one of the most popular. They run seasonal shows throughout the year, including the current Blooming Queens Spring Show. Book tickets early as half-term dates fill up quickly across all Blackpool venues.
Q: Is Funny Girls suitable for families or children?
The Funny Girls show is aimed at adults and is best suited to those aged 18 and over. It’s a drag and cabaret show with comedy and audience interaction, which may not be appropriate for younger children. For family-friendly Blackpool entertainment, Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Sea Life are better options.
Q: How much does a weekend in Blackpool cost on average?
A weekend for two, including accommodation, meals, Pleasure Beach tickets, and a show like Funny Girls, typically ranges from £200 to £400 depending on how many activities you include. Blackpool is one of the more affordable UK short-break destinations, with many free or low-cost attractions along the seafront.
Q: What is there to do in Blackpool on a rainy day?
Blackpool handles wet weather well. Sandcastle Waterpark is fully indoors, the Tower has multiple floors of entertainment, and the arcades on the Golden Mile are open regardless of the weather. Booking a show for the evening means you’ll have something to look forward to even on a grey day.
Q: Do I need to book Blackpool shows in advance, or can I turn up on the night?
You can sometimes get walk-in tickets at venues like Funny Girls if there’s availability, but during half-term, bank holidays, and weekends, shows often sell out. Booking online in advance guarantees your seats and usually offers a better selection of tables or booth seating for groups.
