Blackpool disputes switch-on attendance figures amid council debate
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 12:02 · Archive
Blackpool Council faces questions over reported attendance figures for its 2026 Illuminations switch-on event.
A council debate at Blackpool raised questions about actual attendance at the September 2026 Illuminations switch-on event. Squires Gate councillor Gerard Walsh said reports of 25,000 attendees appeared inflated, suggesting the figure was closer to 12,500. The free event featured performances from Five, The Feeling and Lucy Spraggan, with Paddy McGuiness pulling the switch and hosting from BBC Radio Lancashire's Graham Liver and Sharon Hartley.
Cllr Walsh compared the figures to Lytham Festival's single-night concerts, where Michael Bublé and Pitbull events drew crowds of around 20,000 and 25,000 respectively. He raised the issue as part of broader concerns that Blackpool had experienced a slow tourism season in 2026, with hospitality business owners reporting challenging conditions.
Blackpool Council Leader Lynn Williams responded that a key difference was that the switch-on was free to attend, while Lytham Festival concert tickets cost £150. She emphasised that the two events were not directly comparable because of this fundamental difference in access.
How it is being reported
- Lytham Festival attendances can’t be compared to free switch-on event, says leaderA council debate raised questions about how many people actually attended the 2026 Blackpool Illuminations switch-on event compared to Lytham FestivalLancsLive · 14 Oct, 11:20
- Blackpool Illuminations Switch-on attendance figures can't be compared to Lytham Festival, says council leader“Pitbull sold 25,000 tickets, Michael Buble was 20,000. If you can compare those areal shots with Blackpool Headlands, something is amiss.”Blackpool Gazette · 14 Oct, 09:15
In this story: Blackpool · Lytham Festival · Gerard Walsh · Lynn Williams · Paddy McGuiness
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