Christmas By The Sea returning to Blackpool with free skate rink and huge 100ft snow slide

Festive light installations, themed log cabins, Christmas trees and a huge 100ft snow slide are making their way to Blackpool just in time for the festive season.

Blackpool’s hugely-popular outdoor festive village Christmas By The Sea will be back on the seafront this year for a ‘bigger and better’ celebration featuring plenty of family attractions and shopping opportunities including a free skating rink and festive tram rides.

Held on the headland opposite The Blackpool Tower, last year’s Christmas By The Sea delivered the highest visitor numbers ever recorded on the seafront during the winter months.

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Making a return from Friday, November 17 until January 1, the event will feature a free-to-attend outdoor skating rink situated in the shadows of the Blackpool Tower. It will be open from 12pm to 9pm every day (except for Christmas Day) and will include free skate hire. The nearby log cabins will provide the perfect location for an after-skate chill, with plenty of mulled wine and hot chocolate on offer.

The event will also mark the return of the Star Flyer - one of Europe’s tallest swing rides at a whopping 196 ft tall - alongside a host of themed children’s attractions and rides.

This year’s village will also include festive light installations, magical projection shows onto the Tower and even simulated snowfalls which will take place every hour throughout the day and evening.

People will also be able to slide into a winter wonderland of fun with a 100ft-long snow slide, which will be open every day from 12pm to 9pm. There will