Blackpool Illuminations & Manchester Christmas Markets

A two-day break to enjoy the UK's most popular seaside resort with free time to enjoy the famous Blackpool illuminations. With miles of sparkling lights, it's easy to see why this has been a firm favourite for years, attracting thousands of visitors from across the globe! along with a visit to Manchester with time to enjoy the Christmas Markets.What's Included?
- Modern coach travel with reserved seating- One night dinner, bed and breakfast hotel accommodation- Free time to enjoy the best of Blackpool, including the world-famous Illuminations- Time to enjoy the best of Blackpool- An excursion to Manchester and its Christmas MarketsThe Blackpool Illuminations - Between September and January, Blackpool shines brighter than any summer's day. The UK's most popular seaside resort holds its annual free light show - and it's the best time of year to visit!\n\nBlackpool - A coastal town full of character, by the Irish Sea in the Northwest of England. There's so much to do and see, whether you're 5 or 50 - and that's in the summer AND winter.\n\nManchester Christmas Markets -With markets spread across the city, a trip to Manchester is sure to get you feeling festive! As one of the largest Christmas Markets in the UK, it not only offers a huge variety of handmade, unique gifts, locally produced food and warming hot drinks, but also boasts an ice rink and light trails alongside the iconic Manchester Giant Santa. You'll love wandering the rows of stalls and soaking up the festive atmosphere!

Blackpool Illuminations
Between September and January, Blackpool shines brighter than any summer's day
The UK's most popular seaside resort does not shut its doors in winter. Instead, it holds its annual free light show, The Blackpool Illuminations - and it's the best time of year to visit!\n\n
It all began in 1879
8 arc lamps sprung up along Blackpool's seafront in 1879 (the council was experimenting with electric street lighting). This amped up to 10,000 lights in 1912 when Princess Louise opened the new section of the promenade named after her. In 1925, following WWI, the town's light display returned bigger and better than ever.\n\n
The Illuminations now feature 1 million bulbs and 500+ designs and features
With new investment and innovation, the scale, density, and content of the Illuminations have improved year on year.\n\nThe 3.5 million annual visitors will experience a different Blackpool - a world of lit-up buildings, fairground rides, lamp posts and trams. One where its promenade, three piers and iconic tower are flashing in rainbow colours, lights, and sound. You can even add to the six miles of madness with your own light-up novelty from the prom's street sellers.\n\n
The best seat to see the show is aboard one of the illuminated Heritage Trams
The current fleet includes the HMS Blackpool, the Fisherman's Friend Trawler, the Western Train - and even a double-decker. The Illuminations Tour operates each evening from the 'Heritage Tram Tours' stop (over the road from the Pleasure Beach).\n\n
Don't miss - Walk through the Tableaux section (at the North end) - it features the oldest illumination still on display, the Teddy Bears Picnic.

Blackpool
A year-round resort
Blackpool is a coastal town full of character, by the Irish Sea in the Northwest of England. It's the UK's most popular seaside resort - and that's in the summer AND winter.\n\n
In the summer, traditional seaside novelties like fish and chips, amusements, piers and long stretches of golden sand siren the masses.\n\n
From autumn to winter, it's the world-famous Blackpool Illuminations light up the town, attracting 3.5 million visitors every year. Many local establishments now trade all year round.\n\n
Take a unique trip around Blackpool
The only surviving first-generation tramway in the UK provides a unique trip around town. A number of the original fleet are still available to ride, and there are illuminated trams running September to January - the best seat to see the Illuminations!\n\n
A playground for kids - and adults alike

There is so much to do and see in Blackpool, whether you're 5 or 50! There are many top attractions - including:

- Golden beaches
- The Pleasure Beach
- BlackpoolZoo,
- SEA LIFE aquarium,
- Tower Dungeons,
- Winter Gardens,
- Opera House,
- Black Tower Ballroom,
- Madame Tussauds and
- And the iconic Blackpool's Tower, the town's landmark,modelled on The Eiffel Tower in Paris.



Manchester
A must-see city\nManchester is the UK's second city (after London), a title it shares with Birmingham - but is the only UK city to feature in National Geographic's influential annual 'Best of the World' list of the 25 must-see places to visit around the world as well as Lonely Planet's 'Best in Travel 2023'.\n\nIt was the world's first industrial city\nThe canals that course through Manchester are a reminder of the city's history of textiles and trade. It has a rich transport heritage too: it became home to the first purpose-built canal (in 1761), the first bus service in the UK (in 1824) as well as the first public passenger railway (in 1830).\n\nAn unrivalled choice of food, drink & more\nThere are so many, and so many different types of restaurants, bars and other attractions in Manchester - including the city's Cathedral, John Rylands Library, Manchester Museum, and the Science and Industry Museum. There's also an unrivalled calendar of world-class events, festivals and nightlife.\n\nShopping in Manchester is world-class\nThe Arndale, Market Street and The Trafford Centre feature every one of your high street favourites. Selfridges in Exchange Square, Harvey Nichols, and King Street are the areas to head to if you want to invest in something designer. Finally, The Northern Quarter features many independents and vintage shops if you want to discover something unique.