If you are planning a family weekend in Blackpool on 23rd and 24th May 2026, you have landed on the right guide. This is a genuinely busy weekend for the town. Half term falls in late May, and there is a solid range of things happening across the two days that suit different ages, budgets, and energy levels. Let's break it all down so you can plan without guessing.

What's On for Families in Blackpool This Weekend

Here is a clear breakdown of what is actually happening on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th May, verified from venue listings.

Saturday 23rd May

Man in the Mirror – Opera House, Winter Gardens The Michael Jackson tribute show lands at the Opera House on Saturday evening. This is an evening show at 7:30pm, so it works better for families with older children than toddlers. The Opera House is inside the Winter Gardens on Church Street. Tickets are available through the Winter Gardens website.

The Blackpool Dance Festival – Winter Gardens The world-famous Blackpool Dance Festival runs from 16th to 29th May at the Winter Gardens Empress Ballroom, and the 23rd falls right in the middle of it. The May Dance Festival is the largest of the five festivals held in Blackpool each year, covering Ballroom and Latin American dancing and incorporating the British Open Championships for adult amateur and professional couples, plus formation teams. 2026 is the festival's 100th anniversary, which makes it a particularly special year to catch it. Note that spectators are not permitted in the competition area itself, but the atmosphere around the Winter Gardens during festival week is something the whole family can experience.

Fireman Sam – The Grand Theatre (Sunday 24th May) One for the youngest in the family. Fireman Sam appears at the Grand Theatre on Sunday 24th May at 12:30pm. The Grand Theatre is at 33 Church Street. This is a live stage show suited to toddlers and young children who love the character. Book tickets directly through the Grand Theatre box office.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach – Open Both Days Blackpool Pleasure Beach is open on most dates from 7th March until 28th November in 2026, with gates opening at 10am or 11am and closing times varying throughout the season. Both days of the weekend should be open during this period, but always check the official site before you travel. For families with young children, Nickelodeon Land is the section with 12 themed rides including character meet-and-greets with PAW Patrol, SpongeBob SquarePants, and Dora. Buy tickets in advance online for the best price tickets purchased on the same day as your visit after 6am are charged at full gate price, so booking ahead saves money.

The Free Weekend Option: A Monet at the Grundy Art Gallery

This one is worth knowing about if you want something different on the Saturday. The Grundy Art Gallery on Queen Street is hosting a genuinely rare exhibition this spring.

Claude Monet's The Petit Bras of the Seine at Argenteuil (1872) is on public display from 28th March to 13th June at the Grundy Art Gallery as part of The National Gallery Masterpiece Tour 2025–2027. Selected from more than 30 institutions, the Grundy is one of just four venues nationwide chosen to host the work, and admission is free.

The Grundy is open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10am to 4:20pm, with last entry before closing. It is closed on Sundays, Mondays, and bank holidays. That means Saturday 23rd May is your window for this one. For families with school-age children who study art, or simply curious kids, this is a rare chance to see an original Impressionist painting without travelling to London and without paying a penny.

The Indoor Activity Anchor: Jungle World Blackpool

Weekend plans with children need a reliable indoor option. Weather in Blackpool at the end of May can go either way, and if the morning starts grey, you want somewhere to head that does not depend on sunshine.

Jungle World Blackpool, inside Hounds Hill Shopping Centre on Victoria Street, is one of the most practical choices for families during half term weekend. The centre is an indoor soft play venue for children aged 0 to 12, with a dedicated toddler zone for under-fives, a multi-level play frame, trampolines, a mini zipline, climbing frames, and Blackpool's tallest indoor slide at 40 metres.

Here is why it works well as part of a weekend plan. If you are spending Saturday at the Pleasure Beach or catching an evening show, Sunday morning at Jungle World gives younger children structured active play in a controlled, warm space. Or flip it around ,start Sunday with the Fireman Sam show at 12:30pm and use the morning session at Jungle World to burn off energy beforehand.

The Tiki Café inside the venue holds a five-star food hygiene rating and serves freshly prepared food including pizzas, paninis, jacket potatoes, children's meals, and coffee. Parents can watch the play area from the café seating while the children play.

One thing worth knowing before you go: the venue limits capacity per session, and according to Jungle World Blackpool, around 90 per cent of weekends sell out. Half term weekend is as busy as it gets. Book your session in advance at jungleworldpark.com/blackpool.

Opening hours over the weekend:

• Saturday: 9am to 6pm
• Sunday: 10am to 5pm

The centre is at Unit N10A, Hounds Hill Shopping Centre, Victoria Street, Blackpool, FY1 4HU.

How to Plan Your Two Days

Here is a practical way to split the weekend depending on your children's ages.

If you have young children (under 5):

Saturday morning: Grundy Art Gallery (free, opens at 10am on Saturdays). Even young children respond to colourful paintings, and the gallery is calm and relaxed. Saturday afternoon: Jungle World Blackpool for a session in the toddler zone. Sunday morning: Early session at Jungle World before the Sunday crowds build. Sunday afternoon: Fireman Sam at the Grand Theatre at 12:30pm.

If you have older children (5 to 12):

Saturday: Blackpool Pleasure Beach for a full day. Buy eTickets in advance. Arrive at opening time for shorter queues. Saturday evening: Man in the Mirror at the Opera House (for families with older children and teenagers). Sunday: Jungle World Blackpool for the main play frame, zipline, and tall slide. Then explore the Promenade or Hounds Hill Shopping Centre.

Getting Around Blackpool This Weekend

Most of the venues mentioned in this guide sit within a short distance of each other. The Winter Gardens, Grand Theatre, and Hounds Hill Shopping Centre are all central. The Pleasure Beach is on South Beach, around two miles from the town centre.

The Blackpool tram runs along the Promenade and connects the town centre to the Pleasure Beach. It is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to move between the seafront and the centre. Tram information is available through Blackpool Transport.

Paid parking is available at Hounds Hill if you drive. For the Pleasure Beach, on-site and nearby car parks fill quickly on busy days, so arriving early makes a real difference.

Practical Tips for the Weekend

A few things worth knowing before you go:

• Book Jungle World Blackpool sessions in advance at jungleworldpark.com/blackpool. This is the single most practical step you can take for this part of the weekend.
• Buy Pleasure Beach eTickets the night before your visit to get the discounted rate rather than full gate price.
• The Grundy Art Gallery is closed on Sundays, so Saturday is your only opportunity during this weekend.
• Fireman Sam at the Grand Theatre is on Sunday 24th at 12:30pm. Doors usually open 30 minutes before curtain. Arrive with time to settle young children.
• Children under five get free entry to some attractions. Always check before booking.

5 Frequently Asked Questions About Weekend Family Events in Blackpool

1. What is happening in Blackpool on 23rd and 24th May 2026 for families?

Several family-friendly events run across both days, including the ongoing Blackpool Dance Festival at the Winter Gardens, Man in the Mirror at the Opera House on Saturday evening, Fireman Sam at the Grand Theatre on Sunday, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, and indoor soft play at Jungle World Blackpool in Hounds Hill.

2. Is Blackpool Pleasure Beach open on the 23rd and 24th May 2026?

Blackpool Pleasure Beach operates on most dates between March and late November, and this weekend falls within the main season. Opening times vary, so check the official Pleasure Beach website before your visit and book eTickets in advance to avoid paying the higher gate price on the day.

3. Do I need to book Jungle World Blackpool in advance for the half term weekend?

Yes. The venue runs timed, capacity-limited sessions and reports that around 90 per cent of weekends sell out. Half term is one of the busiest periods of the year, so booking ahead online at jungleworldpark.com/blackpool is the safest approach. Walk-ins risk missing out entirely.

4. Is the Monet exhibition at the Grundy Art Gallery suitable for children?

The gallery is free to enter and open on Saturdays from 10am to 4:20pm. Children enjoy seeing a famous original painting up close, and the gallery is calm and accessible. It is a relaxed, short visit that pairs well with another activity in the same morning. Note the gallery is closed on Sundays and bank holidays.

5. What is the best way to get around Blackpool with children over the weekend?

The Blackpool tram runs along the Promenade and connects the town centre to the Pleasure Beach, making it a practical and affordable option for families. Central venues like the Grand Theatre, Winter Gardens, and Hounds Hill Shopping Centre are all walkable from each other. Driving is an option but parking in the centre on busy weekends fills quickly, so arriving early helps.