February Festival of Circus and Magic!

Something magical is happening at February Half-term! Make a date in your diary for the February Festival of Circus and Magic. It’s an exciting blend of live performances, incredible illusions, and show-stopping variety!

February Festival of Circus and Magic! From 19-22 February 2026

Blackpool is preparing for a spellbinding half‑term as the resort bursts into life for the February Festival of Circus and Magic. Across four fun‑filled days, residents and visitors can enjoy an exciting programme of live performances, spectacular shows and hands‑on workshops.

The town centre will be transformed with roaming street entertainers, from hilarious pedalo swans to astonishing magic acts. Free workshops and performances will also take place at key venues including The Blackpool Tower, Arc Cinema, Houndshill Shopping Centre, Abingdon Street Market and Arc Cinema.

The excitement continues Friday 20 February, when Britain’s Got Talent winner and local star Harry Moulding takes to the stage for a special headline magic show at Pleasure Beach Resort. You can also try your hand at puppetry, circus skills and other creative activities throughout the festival.

It’s the perfect way to launch the season in Blackpool. You’re in for a treat with an action‑packed line‑up of free events. The town centre streets will come alive with performers, and there are plenty of opportunities to get involved through workshops and shows.

February Festival of Circus and Magic – Schedule

Ticketed shows – on sale now

Tweedy –– The Globe, Pleasure Beach – 19 February, 6.30pm

Tickets – £10

Tweedy brings his acclaimed “Massive Solo Show” to The Globe at Pleasure Beach Resort on Thursday 19 February. This one-hour whirlwind of slapstick and physical comedy shows exactly why Tweedy is considered the gold standard of modern clowning.

Harry Moulding and guests – Paradise Room, Pleasure Beach – 20 February, 6pm

Tickets – £12.50

The incredibly talented Harry Moulding is heading to the Paradise Room at Pleasure Beach Resort this February Half-Term. As the 2025 winner of Britain’s Got Talent and a performer at last year’s Royal Variety Performance, Harry is widely considered one of the most exciting entertainers of his generation.

Free shows and workshops

Th’ESPs Larger than life Sideshow Characters – Abingdon St Market – 19 February

Larger-than-life Sideshow characters inspired by Blackpool’s rich heritage of entertainment.

Blackpool Circus School – Houndshill – 19,20, 21 & 22 February

Whether you’ve always wanted to try your hand at juggling or fancy testing your balance on a tightwire, these workshops are a fantastic way to have a go. It’s not just about the tricks, though, it’s a brilliant way for kids (and adults) to build a bit of confidence, get creative and maybe even find a new hobby.

UV Puppet Show & Workshop – Blackpool Tower Fifth Floor – 19 & 22 February (Pre-booking essential)

The creature from the Blackpool Lagoon is a crazy ‘Black Light U.V’ show which has been performed for thousands of delighted spectators. Kids love the bright colourful characters and great music whilst adults love the humour and topical references. Prebooking essential.

Meet the Menagerie – Houndshill Shopping Centre – 20 & 21 February

Meet Dr William Henry Cocker and team and his selection of wonderful creatures. A sideshow spectacle including meerkats, spiders, snakes, lizards and much more

Paris Bubbles – Bubble Art – Blackpool Tower Fifth Floor – 21 February (Pre-booking essential)

Various different gases are used to craft stunning bubble sculptures, effects, and magical displays, including a volcano bubble, a soap bubble carousel, a bubble ghost, and even a tornado inside a bubble!

Louby Lou’s Circus Celebration – The Arc – 21 February (Pre-booking essential)

Get ready for a high energy show bursting with laughter, surprises and feel-good fun. Louby Lou mixes classic clowning with modern Ibiza-style dance tracks, eye-catching magic and plenty of unexpected moments along the way.

Chaos with Clown Catch – The Arc – 22 February (Pre-booking essential)

A magical, laughter‑filled show with Adrian Catch, one of the most energetic and entertaining children’s performers around. Adrian brings together amazing magic, playful comedy and plenty of interactive fun, creating a show that keeps kids giggling, guessing and getting involved from start to finish.

Comedy Waiters Show – Abingdon St Market– 22 February

Prepare for a dining‑themed delight as mischievous performers blend silent comedy with graceful slapstick. What begins as a charming display of plate‑flipping flair and sculpted‑napkin finesse soon reveals a surprise twist—because with a flick of their bow ties, these seemingly ordinary waiters transform into undercover comedians.

Street Theatre

A La Puppet Carte – Adelaide St West – 19 February

A duet of pop-up puppet stages built onto the back of electric tricycles. Each mobile stage has a show full of surprises, fun and a heart-warming story of friendship and a sense of home.

Elton Wrong – Roaming Act – 19 February

Elton Wrong comes to a street near you, driving a white piano and belting out classic songs just like a rocket man. This is a light-hearted take on the culture of tribute acts and of the great man himself.

Sam Hogarth West End Street Magic – Adelaide St West and Abingdon Street Market – 19 & 20 February

Experience one of the UK’s most exciting street magic shows packed with slapstick comedy, viral sound effects, audience chaos and jaw-dropping magic.

The Van Dunk Show – Adelaide St West – 20 February

Dutch dry-land synchronized swimming sensations, the Van Dunk Brothers, will delight crowds with their award-winning display, armed only with a trunk full of trunks, swimming caps, goggles, armbands and verruca cream.

The Pree Hee Men –– Roaming Act – 20 February

Two potty cavemen and their hilariously themed crazy caveman car mix it up with stone age music, sound effects and accompanied by their prehistorical pet bird “Peep” who joins the nutty Neanderthals on their adventures.

The Flower Pot People –– Roaming Act – 20 February

The one of a kind Flower Pot People with their bright floral personalities and great showman style, bring much happiness and laughter to all. Catch them around for a selfie, hug or a high five and create unforgettable memories.

Nathan Earl – Street Magic – Adelaide St West – 21 February

 Nathan brings his one-of-a-kind magic to the streets, delivering bold, interactive performances that pull audiences together and keep them laughing, gasping and fully engaged.

Swan In Love – 21 February

Gary and Pel pedals into the hearts of audiences, inviting them to slow dance, snap some selfies, and take a ride on their 7ft Swan Pedalo.

Bouncability – 21 February

A fully mobile, naturally energetic, intriguing comedy spectacle, naturally welcoming and interactive fun act. Bouncability energetic characters love to try a variety of things – together they are eager to explore and play on their bouncy stilts

DJs & Ballerinas – Roaming Act – 22 February

Get ready to step back in time with DJ Booth, Vince Vinyl and the legendary “Wheels of Steel” mobile disco and cabaret. Join prima ballerinas Fifi Pavlova and Dame Margot Fondue as they bring their love of dance to the streets.

For full details visit – www.visitblackpool.com/febfest And don’t forget to check out Blackpool Magic Convention.

How the February Festival of Circus and Magic has evolved over the years…

On 29 January 2008, escapologist Danny Hunt helped to launch Blackpool’s first Showzam! Festival of magic, circus and new variety, by escaping from a water torture cell.

From 2009-2011 Carnesky’s Ghost Train was part of the Festival, indoors at Olympia in the Winter Gardens. Olympia was also where you could wonder at Mademoiselle Yvette the Headless Lady and Cleo the Girl in the Goldfish Bowl! Both supplied by preservationist Jon Marshall.

Yvette, The Headless Lady moves, breathes and lives! She’s kept alive by the miracles of modern medicine. The talented Dr Van Bergh attempts to recreate his original experiment by keeping a body alive without a head!

Then in 2018, the traditional Showzam! festival at February half-term was replaced by a programme of circus-themed activities across the whole year. It tied in nicely and reflected Blackpool’s new status as one of six Cities Of Circus in 2018.

In 2026 the February Festival of Circus and Magic took over the mantle, for a season-start full of entertainment and fun!