If you think that just 13 nights of Illumination Tours in Blackpool this year wasn’t enough then you will be pleased to hear the news that Blackpool Transport have announced that they will be continuing until the end of November. Additional dates are set to go on sale shortly with the Frigate due to be running every Friday and Saturday.
The Frigate (which has been running every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday since 15th October) will now also run on 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 21st, 22nd, 28th and 29th November. It will still be three tours a night, although the times are slightly different with tour departing Pleasure Beach at 1730, 1900 and 2030.
Jane Cole, Managing Director of Blackpool Transport, said: “Our special Illuminations Tours during the Lightpool Festival are proving a huge hit, and have completely sold out. To make sure that even more people can enjoy a nostalgic trip on board one of our historic vehicles, our dedicated team has put together a plan that will see three trips a night on both Friday and Saturday evenings.
“Once again, we expect these special trips to be very popular, and anyone who wants to join them will need to book in advance. We’re all thrilled to be able to extend the tours further into the illuminations season and can’t wait to welcome even more people aboard for an evening to remember.”
Originally it was announced that just 13 nights of Illumination Tours would run this year, following on from the complete suspension of all heritage tram operations last December. This has seen the Frigate operating Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, and Balloon 717 on Thursdays and Saturdays. These tours have now sold out, but if you’re out and about in Blackpool you will still be able to see them running until Saturday 1st November.
The latest batch of tours aren’t on sale just yet but further details will follow next week sometime. Check out this booking page for more details – https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/blackpoolheritage/items/286168/calendar/2025/10/.
The Frigate will continue to sail along Blackpool Prom for a bit longer after the announcement of more tours in November. The tram is seen here on tour duty having just passed Central Pier.
Another shot of the Frigate with the Tower looming large in the background. (Both Photographs by Keith, 15th October 2025)