Blackpool has a reputation for stag dos, candy floss, and screaming on rollercoasters. And yes, all of that is here. But beneath the neon and noise, there is a genuinely romantic side to this seaside town that most people overlook.
Whether you are planning a weekend away, a first proper trip together, or just a night out that is a cut above the usual, Blackpool delivers. Here are 15 of the best romantic things to do in Blackpool, from windswept beach walks to sequin-drenched cabaret nights.
1. Take in a Show at Funny Girls
A night at Funny Girls is one of the best date nights in Blackpool, full stop. The drag cabaret show runs at the historic 1939 Art Deco theater on Dickson Road, and the combination of live performance, glittering costumes, sharp comedy, and a warm crowd makes for an evening that couples talk about long after they get home.
The show runs at 7pm most nights of the week, with tickets starting from £10.00 on weeknights and up to £34.00 for premium Saturday seats. Add a three-course pre-show dinner at Garbo’s, the Art Deco restaurant inside the venue, for £29.85 per person, and you have a complete evening without setting foot anywhere else.
It works as a date night because the atmosphere is inclusive and welcoming, the performances are genuinely skilled, and there is something about laughing together that brings people closer. Funny Girls has been voted Best Show in Blackpool for five consecutive years and holds over 35,000 five-star reviews for good reason.
2. Walk the Promenade at Sunset
It sounds simple because it is. The Blackpool Promenade stretches for miles along the seafront, and at dusk, with the light dropping over the Irish Sea, it is genuinely beautiful. Start near North Pier and walk south at your own pace. There are benches, sea views, and enough space to feel like you have the place to yourselves, even in summer. No booking required. No cost. Just good company and a decent view.
3. See the Blackpool Illuminations
Blackpool’s Illuminations cover six miles of traditional festoons, tableaux, and interactive features along the Promenade and have been described as the greatest free light show on Earth. The 2026 display switches on at 9pm on Friday 4th September and runs nightly through the autumn and winter months.
Walking the Promenade as the lights come on is one of those experiences that feels more romantic than it has any right to be. Time your arrival for just before sunset, and you will catch the color in the sky, then the glow of the lights as they come on. Ride the tram back if you want to save your legs for something else later in the evening.
4. Afternoon Tea at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom
Dating back to 1894, the Blackpool Tower Ballroom is one of Blackpool’s most iconic and romantic venues, featuring sparkling chandeliers and decorated ceilings. You can book afternoon tea at around £25 per person and spend 90 minutes watching dancers take to the floor while an organist plays below.
The setting is beautiful, with tables arranged to face the stunning dance floor, so you can watch the dancing or even get up and have a twirl yourself. It is the kind of old-fashioned romantic afternoon that most towns cannot pull off. Blackpool does it effortlessly.
5. Ride the Ferris Wheel on Central Pier
Central Pier is the go-to location for couples in Blackpool, and riding the Ferris wheel at night offers a bird’s-eye view of the town under the stars. It is retro, slightly windswept, and has a charm that more polished attractions simply cannot match. Go at night when the lights from the promenade and pier stretch out below you.
6. Stroll Through Stanley Park
Stanley Park covers 257 acres east of Blackpool Tower, with expansive walkways, Italian gardens, art deco buildings, and an impressive fountain crafted from Italian marble accompanied by iconic statues. It is the kind of park that makes you slow down. Pack a picnic in summer or just walk the paths in autumn when the colors are at their best. There is also an art deco café for a quiet coffee stop.
7. Browse the Grundy Art Gallery
The Grundy Art Gallery on Queen Street holds a large collection of watercolors, oils, prints, and Oriental and British paintings. Entry is free. It is quiet, a little unexpected for Blackpool, and the kind of place you can spend an easy hour without any agenda. A good choice if you want something that is not a ride or a show.
8. Walk the Great Promenade Show
The Great Promenade Show is a collection of public artwork set along the promenade by the South Pier, featuring works that include a dance hall mirror ball that rotates to create dancing lights and the High Tide Organ, a musical instrument powered solely by the water swell of the high tide. It is an outdoor gallery you walk through at your own pace. Free, interesting, and unlike most things you will find at a British seaside resort.
9. Have Fish and Chips on the Beach
There is no point pretending this is not on the list. A proper portion of fish and chips, eaten on the beach or on one of the piers, is one of the simplest and most satisfying things you can do in Blackpool. Central Pier has food stalls where fish and chips is always a popular choice, and the atmosphere is lively with a classic seaside feel. Find a spot, sit down, and eat them while the sea does whatever it wants.
10. Visit Madame Tussauds Blackpool Together
For something a little different, Madame Tussauds Blackpool invites couples to create romantic wax hand keepsakes, making memories alongside lifelike figures of celebrities, musicians, and actors. It is playful and light-hearted, and the double wax hands offer a genuinely unusual souvenir. Interactive zones keep both adults entertained throughout the visit, with a wide range of celebrity figures to pose with.
11. Take a Vintage Tram Along the Seafront
The Blackpool Tramway is one of the oldest electric tramways in the world, and the heritage trams that run along the seafront during the Illuminations season are a lovely way to see the lights without walking the entire length of the promenade. Going along the prom in a vintage tram from Stargate to Bispham is widely considered well worth the trip. Sit together by the window, watch the lights go past, and let someone else do the navigating.
12. Explore the Winter Gardens
First opened in 1878 and now Grade II* listed, the Winter Gardens in Blackpool is a gem for couples, containing a range of venues for performing arts, live events, and entertainment. The building itself is worth seeing. Its ornate interiors, grand halls, and history make it one of the most genuinely beautiful spaces in the North West. Check what is on before you visit, as the program covers everything from concerts to comedy nights.
13. Watch a Show at the Blackpool Grand Theatre
The Blackpool Grand opened in 1894, designed to be the “prettiest theater in the land,” and today hosts a wide range of events from heritage tours to live shows. The building is restored to its Victorian splendor, and the productions vary from touring West End shows to comedy and drama. It is a proper theater evening, and the Grand does it well.
14. Have a Spa Day at Retreat at The Ruskin
The Retreat at The Ruskin is a peaceful wellness space offering aromatherapy massages, personalized facials, reflexology, and holistic treatments—a perfect romantic break or well-deserved escape during a Blackpool getaway. It is calm, unhurried, and a world away from the Golden Mile. Book in advance and make a proper afternoon of it.
15. Wander the Beach at Low Tide
At low tide, Blackpool Beach opens up to something much bigger and quieter than the packed summer scenes you might expect. The sand stretches back a long way, the tower looms in the background, and on a clear day the views along the Fylde Coast are genuinely arresting. Go early in the morning or on a midweek afternoon, and you will often have a long stretch of beach nearly to yourselves.
How to Plan the Perfect Romantic Weekend in Blackpool
Here is a simple plan that puts several of the above together without rushing.
Friday evening: Arrive and head straight to Funny Girls for the 7pm show. Book the pre-show dinner at Garbo’s for the full evening. Saturday night tickets sell fastest, so Friday is a smart choice for availability.
Saturday daytime: Stanley Park in the morning, fish and chips on the beach at lunchtime, and the Grundy Art Gallery or Great Promenade Show in the afternoon.
Saturday evening: Afternoon tea at the Tower Ballroom, then a walk along the Promenade at night.
Sunday: Low-tide beach walk, vintage tram along the seafront; leave at your own pace.
Two nights is enough to cover most of this list without feeling rushed.
5 FAQs About Romantic Things to Do in Blackpool
1. Is Blackpool actually a good destination for couples?
Yes, genuinely. Beyond the piers and amusements, Blackpool has a Tower Ballroom, a restored Victorian theater, a world-class cabaret venue, miles of beach, and one of the world’s most famous light shows. There is more here for couples than most people expect before they arrive.
2. What is the most romantic evening out in Blackpool?
A strong case can be made for dinner and a show at Funny Girls, followed by a walk along the Illuminated Promenade in autumn. The combination of great live entertainment, good food, and the free light show makes for an evening that covers everything without costing a fortune.
3. When is the best time of year to visit Blackpool as a couple?
September and October are ideal. The illuminations are on from 4th September 2026; the summer crowds have thinned out, and the town feels more relaxed. Spring is also good for couples who want the shows without the school holiday rush.
4. Are there free romantic things to do in Blackpool?
Plenty. The Promenade walk, the Great Promenade Show, the Grundy Art Gallery, Stanley Park, and the Blackpool Illuminations are all free. You can have a genuinely good day out in Blackpool without spending much at all.
5. Is Funny Girls suitable for a couple’s date night?
Yes, and it is one of the most consistently well-reviewed date nights in the North West. The show is adult but not mean-spirited, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the option to add a three-course dinner makes it a complete evening. It suits couples of all ages and works equally well as a first-date choice or an anniversary treat.
