LightPool Festival: A twist on Blackpool Illuminations

The nights are drawing in, which means lots of people are making their annual pilgrimage to the Blackpool Illuminations. This year, along with the usual garish festivities, there will also be something a little more artistic. Beginning at the end of October, the town will be host to the LightPool Festival, a six-day event featuring works from renowned UK and international artists. Light installations will form a trail leading visitors around the town centre, and there will be live performances every night in St John’s Square. Standouts include the opening show Captain Kronos (pictured), new commissions from Turner Prize nominee Mark Titchner, and works featured at this year’s Burning Man. There’s even a workshop to teach people how to make illuminated costumes for dogs, which will be followed by a mass dog walk. The Festival also includes an exhibition at the Grundy Art Gallery called The Charged Line, which features renowned neon artworks.

Fri 28 Oct – Wed 2 Nov, St. John’s Square, Church Street, Blackpool, FY1 1HU, Tel: 01253 476407, FREE, www.visitblackpool.com