Top Shows in Blackpool 2026: Why Funny Girls Is the One Everyone Keeps Talking About

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Planning a night out in Blackpool and wondering what show is actually worth your money in 2026? There are plenty of options along the Golden Mile, but year after year, one name comes up in nearly every conversation: Funny Girls.

This guide covers what’s on at Funny Girls in 2026, what each show is like, what to expect when you walk through the door, and why the place has built such a loyal following since opening in 1994.

Let’s break it down.

What Makes Funny Girls Stand Out From Other Blackpool Shows

When people search for the top shows in Blackpool 2026, they are usually after one thing: a genuinely good night out. Not a mediocre production. Not a tired act, phoning it in. A proper, memorable evening.

Funny Girls has been delivering that since 1994. The show runs in a restored 1939 Art Deco theater on Dickson Road, and the building itself sets the tone before a single performer takes the stage. Walk in and you are immediately somewhere special.

The formula is drag cabaret done with real skill: high-energy dance routines, sharp comedy, lavish costumes, and a host who works the crowd without ever losing the plot. It is cheeky, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt all at once.

Here is why the numbers back this up. Funny Girls has been rated in the top 10% of attractions worldwide on TripAdvisor, holds over 35,000 five-star reviews across TripAdvisor, Google, and Facebook, and has been voted Best Show in Blackpool for five consecutive years. That kind of consistency does not happen by accident.

The Funny Girls Shows Running in 2026

The Spring Show

The Spring Show runs throughout the earlier part of the year, and it is the first major production of the 2026 season. Think sequins, sass, and a cast that brings serious theatrical training to every number.

Tickets start from £10.00 on weeknights and go up to £34.00 on Saturday evenings. The show runs at 7:00 pm every night it is on, so it suits both early birds and those making a full evening of it.

What you actually see on stage during the Spring Show is a collection of themed routines built around classic pop and showbiz numbers, connected by comedy from the host. There are around seven acts through the evening, with breaks in between so you can grab a drink, catch your breath, and let the laughter settle.

The cast for the 2026 Spring Show includes some well-established Funny Girls performers:

  • Flexi Belle, a high-kicking dancer who the team describes as “small but mighty,” known for athletic routines that leave audiences genuinely slack-jawed.
  • Lewis Bolton, who trained in musical theater at Blackpool and the Fylde University after starting as a bar queen at the venue.
  • Sebastian, who grew up in Sweden training in dance, gymnastics, and circus arts before finding his way to the Funny Girls stage.
  • Jordan, a performer who blends disco freestyle, multiple dance styles, and aerial work.
  • Andrea, described as Funny Girls’ Italian charmer, bringing a touch of Sicilian magic to the stage.
  • Reece, originally from Preston, who trained at Phil Winston’s Theatreworks in Blackpool from the age of 16.
  • Shirley, who trained in musical theater at SLP College in Leeds.
  • Luke, a Leicester-born performer with an international career including work on cruise lines and in touring productions of “Spirit of the Dance.”

The longer-serving cast members add real depth to the show. Zoe, described as the longest-serving DJ and hostess at Funny Girls, is a crowd favorite known for sharp wit and audience banter that walks the perfect line between naughty and welcoming. Betty Legs Diamond is a Funny Girls original, part of the line-up since the venue opened in 1994, and widely credited with much of the show’s enduring appeal.

The Summer Show

The Summer Show is a separate production that arrives later in the year, with a different set of routines, costumes, and theme. It builds on the Spring Show energy but leans into the season, with choreography and staging that reflects the warmer months.

Tickets and dates for the Summer Show follow the same general pricing structure. Weekend nights, particularly Saturdays, carry a premium that reflects demand, so booking ahead is worth doing.

The Summer Show is especially popular with groups coming to Blackpool for hen dos, birthdays, and summer holidays. It also draws a lot of returning visitors who come back specifically for this production after seeing the Spring Show.

Visiting and Special Shows

Throughout 2026, Funny Girls also hosts visiting productions and themed special nights. These sit alongside the regular spring and summer shows and tend to sell out more quickly because they are one-off or short-run events.

Past visiting shows have included productions featuring drag performers from television, themed anniversary nights, and Betty Legs Diamond’s own solo spectacular, which puts the Funny Girls icon at the center of the stage for a full evening dedicated to her career and world.

Keep an eye on the Funny Girls shows page for the full calendar as new dates are added.

What to Expect on the Night

Here is the practical side, which a lot of guides skip over.

Doors and show time. Every show starts at 7:00pm. Arrive a few minutes early if you want to get settled, grab a drink from the bar, and find your seat without rushing.

The venue. The 1939 Art Deco theater on Dickson Road is the original home of Funny Girls in Blackpool. It is fully accessible for wheelchair users. Seating is arranged around tables rather than in rows, which makes it feel more like a cabaret club than a traditional theater.

Dinner before the show. Funny Girls runs Garbo’s, an Art Deco restaurant in the venue, where you can book a three-course pre-show dinner for £29.85 per person. Reviews consistently praise the food and service. Booking dinner alongside your show tickets turns the evening into something more complete, rather than just an hour-and-a-half performance.

Drinks. Multiple reviewers mention that drink prices are reasonable for a live entertainment venue. The table service throughout the show means you are never stuck queuing at a bar while something good is happening on stage.

The atmosphere. Funny Girls is deliberately welcoming. The show is not targeted at one specific audience; it pulls in mixed groups, families, couples, hen parties, and solo visitors. The comedy is adult but not mean-spirited. Reviewers regularly mention feeling welcomed from the moment they arrive.

Ticket Prices: What to Expect in 2026

Here is a quick breakdown of the standard ticket pricing structure for Funny Girls shows in 2026:

NightTicket Price Range
Wednesday / Thursday£10.00 – £23.50
Friday£12.50 – £32.00
Saturday£12.50 – £34.00
Sunday£10.00 – £26.50

Prices vary depending on where you sit and whether you are booking early or close to the date. Saturday nights are the most in-demand.

You can check live availability and book directly through their website.

Is Funny Girls Right for Your Group?

Not every show suits every audience. Here is a straightforward way to decide.

Go if: You want a proper evening out with laughs, great dancing, and a warm crowd. You are planning a hen do, birthday, or group trip. You want a Blackpool night out that feels different from a bar crawl or a quiet meal.

Think twice if you are looking for a child-appropriate family show. The comedy is adult, and the performances are designed for grown-up audiences.

For ages 18 and up, Funny Girls is about as good as a Blackpool night out gets in 2026.

5 Frequently Asked Questions About Funny Girls in 2026

1. What time does the Funny Girls show start in Blackpool? 

Every show at Funny Girls starts at 7:00pm. Doors usually open beforehand, so arriving 20 to 30 minutes early gives you time to find your seat and order drinks before the cast takes the stage.

2. How much are Funny Girls tickets in 2026? 

Tickets range from £10.00 on weeknights up to £34.00 for premium Saturday seats. The price you pay depends on the night, where you sit, and how far in advance you book. Saturdays are the most expensive and sell out fastest.

3. Can I book a meal before the Funny Girls show? 

Yes. Funny Girls runs an Art Deco restaurant called Garbo’s inside the venue, serving a three-course pre-show dinner for £29.85 per person. You add it on when booking your show ticket.

4. Is Funny Girls suitable for a hen party or birthday group? 

Absolutely. Mixed groups, hen parties, and birthdays make up a large part of the Funny Girls audience. The show is designed around crowd participation and group energy, and the table seating works well for parties of all sizes.

5. What is the difference between the Funny Girls Spring Show and Summer Show? 

They are two separate productions with different themes, routines, and costumes. The Spring Show runs in the first half of the year, and the Summer Show takes over later in the season. Both feature the same core cast, but the material and staging change between productions.

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