Until 3 January 2027
Parking Near Blackpool Illuminations
The Illuminations run along the promenade until 3 January 2027, so the best car park depends on which stretch you want to see. Pick a car park that's open all night if you'll be late back, and note that the route gets shorter from 2 November.
- Tower and Central PierCentral Car ParkFY1 5QB · open all night · Bonny Street if it's full
- Pleasure Beach endSouth Beach Car ParkFY4 1BB · open all night · Osborne Road is cheaper
Illuminations 2026 dates and route
- Until Sunday 1 November: the full route, about six miles from Starr Gate to Red Bank Road
- Monday 2 November to Sunday 3 January: a shorter route, from the Pleasure Beach to Gynn Roundabout
- Lightpool Festival, 25 to 29 October: half-term light shows on the Tower Festival Headland, and the busiest week for parking
The lights come on around dusk, so they start earlier each week through the autumn. Check the switch-on times on Visit Blackpool for the night you're going.
Where to park for each stretch
The lights are a route, not a venue, so park near the stretch you most want to see, walk it, and take the tram along the front for the rest.
North Pier and North Shore
The Tower and Central Pier
South Pier and the Pleasure Beach
Prices are from Blackpool Council and the car parks' own boards, checked in October 2026. Walking times are our estimates from the map.
From 2 November the lights stop at the Pleasure Beach, so the South Pier and Pleasure Beach car parks are at the southern end of the display.
Pick a car park that's still open
On a busy night it can take a while to walk the lights and get back. Houndshill closes at 11.30pm, and Talbot Road and the Central multi-storey at midnight. These car parks never close:
- Central (surface) and Bonny Street for the Tower
- Banks Street for North Pier
- South Beach and 98 Bond Street for the Pleasure Beach
Cheapest parking for the Illuminations
- South end: Osborne Road, £5 for up to 10 hours
- North end: Banks Street, £4.70 for 4 hours, open all night
- Town centre: South King Street, £6.20 for 4 hours, open all night, about 8 minutes from the Tower
Free parking options
Possible on New South Promenade and some side streets if you arrive early, but Illuminations nights are exactly when free spaces disappear. See the free parking guide.
Busy nights
Fridays, Saturdays and the Lightpool half term (25 to 29 October) are the busiest. Blackpool Transport diverts town-centre buses from 6.30pm on those evenings, which tells you how full the centre gets.
- Arrive before dusk if you can
- Decide which stretch you want before you set off
- If Central is full, try Bonny Street; if South Beach is full, try Osborne Road
- Park once and use the tram along the front to see more of the route
Related guides: Tower · North Pier · South Pier · Pleasure Beach.
Photos of Parking Near Blackpool Illuminations
Central and south shore car parks that work well as Illuminations bases.Getting there
- Tower stretch: M55, then follow the signs for the town centre to Central Car Park (FY1 5QB)
- Pleasure Beach stretch: M55, then follow the signs for South Shore to South Beach (FY4 1BB)
- North Pier stretch: set your satnav to Banks Street (FY1 2DT)
Frequently asked questions
Until Sunday 3 January 2027. The full route from Starr Gate to Red Bank Road runs until 1 November, then a shorter route from the Pleasure Beach to Gynn Roundabout runs from 2 November.
When do the Blackpool Illuminations end in 2026?
It depends which stretch you're visiting: Central or Bonny Street for the Tower, South Beach for the Pleasure Beach end, and West Street or Banks Street for North Pier.
Where is the best place to park for Blackpool Illuminations?
Central's surface car park, Bonny Street, Banks Street, South Beach and 98 Bond Street are all open 24 hours.
Which car parks are open late for the Illuminations?
Sometimes on New South Promenade and side streets, but rarely on busy nights. Don't rely on it.
Is there free parking near the Illuminations?
Most council car parks give Blue Badge holders 3 hours free with a clock, including Central's surface car park, Bonny Street, Banks Street and South Beach. See the Blue Badge parking guide.
Is there disabled parking for the Illuminations?
All attraction guides: parking near attractions.