At the start of this year, Time Out editors and writers revealed their picks for the best parts of the UK to visit over the coming 12 months. Some are unsung spots that deserve more appreciation, some are hosting noteworthy cultural events, others are tried and tested holiday destinations that are just getting better. That’s the case for Blackpool, which came 12th on our list.
Brits have been visiting Blackpool for donkeys. There was a time when the classic seaside resort was in a state of decline and deterioration, but now, it’s undergoing an enormous £2 billion regeneration that could restore it to its former glory. And there are plenty of reasons to give it a visit in 2026.
Most notably, the town’s iconic Pleasure Beach turns 130 this year. For its birthday, it’s getting a brand new ride – the tallest of its kind in the UK, in fact.
Aviktas will be a colossal 138-foot-tall ride with an enormous pendulum swinging riders 120 degrees back and forth. There isn’t an exact date for the ride’s opening yet but when it’s ready, it’ll be nearly double the height of the UK’s current tallest gyro swing ride (Drayton Manor’s Maelstrom).
Image: Pleasure Beach
For Pleasure Beach visitors after something a little less petrifying, there will also be a lovely new Alice in Wonderland themed ice show arriving in the summer. ‘Alice Frozen in a Wonderland of Dreams’ will run in the park’s arena between July and September – perfect for families stopping by Blackpool in the summer holidays.
The Pleasure Beach isn’t all there is to do in the town, though. In 2024, it became home to the UK’s first ever circus museum and, of course there are the Illuminations that dazzle every year from around September to January. There’s also Blackpool Pride in June, Blackpool Air Show in August, the World Fireworks Championship in October and Christmas By The Sea during the festive season.
If you visit the town in the spring, book a stay at The Royal Carlton. The art deco accom is one of Blackpool’s most legendary places to stay, but has been closed for a huge refurb since summer 2024. It’s set to reopen and reveal its grand makeover in a few months time.
Plus: The best new things to do in the UK in 2026.
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