Family fun at Blackpool Grand

Peter Ian Mowbray RODP

2 weeks ago

From First Giggles to Giant Adventures: Create Unforgettable Family Moments at Blackpool Grand!

Blackpool Grand Theatre is inviting families of all shapes and sizes – parents, grandparents, carers, aunties, uncles and loved ones alike – to share in a season of laughter, wonder and unforgettable first experiences, culminating in its beloved, award-nominated and Blackpool’s No.1 pantomime tradition, Jack and the Beanstalk. This is a year of theatre designed not just to entertain, but to bring people closer together – creating moments you will talk about long after the curtain falls.

There is something truly special about watching a child experience theatre for the first time. The excitement on the journey there, the anticipation as they take their seat, the wide-eyed wonder as the lights dim, and then the laughter, the gasps, the questions, the joy. Whether it’s your child, grandchild, niece, nephew or a young person you care about, these are the moments that stay with them, and with you.

Research from organisations such as Arts Council England and the Education Endowment Foundation highlights how shared cultural experiences, such as theatre, can play a powerful role in a child’s development, helping to build confidence, creativity, empathy and communication skills. But beyond that, theatre offers something increasingly rare, time together, fully present, sharing a story, reacting in the same moment and creating a memory that belongs to all of you.

Blackpool Grand Theatre’s 2026 family programme has been thoughtfully curated to support those moments at every age and stage.

For little ones taking their very first steps into theatre, The Sooty Show (Sun 05 Apr), Fireman Sam (Sun 24 May), Dear Zoo Live! (Tue 10 – Wed 11 Nov) and The Tiger Who Came To Tea (Tue 14 – Wed 15 Jul) offer joyful, gentle introductions filled with colour, music and familiar characters they already love.

For families ready to laugh together, Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter’s The Dinosaur That Pooped (Sun 03 May) and Peppa Pig’s Big Family Show (Tue 01 – Wed 02 Sep) promise big energy, big fun and the kind of shared laughter that fills the whole auditorium.

As children grow, so too do the stories they connect with and the lessons they begin to understand. The Boy at the Back of the Class (Tue 05 – Sat 09 May) offers a powerful, deeply moving story about kindness, empathy, and seeing the world through someone else’s eyes, helping young audiences develop emotional awareness and compassion. Meanwhile, Horrible Histories: Terrible Tudors and Awful Egyptians (Thu 15 – Sun 18 Oct) brings learning vividly to life through humour and imagination, sparking curiosity and making history accessible, memorable and fun. Together, these productions support a child’s growing understanding of the world around them, encouraging questions, conversation and a deeper connection to both people and stories.

For those looking for something visually spectacular and a little different, War of the Worlds (Wed 22 – Sat 25 Apr), K-Pop Live (Sun 26 Apr) and Return to the Forest (Thu 25 – Sat 27 Jun) offer bold, exciting theatrical experiences that open up new worlds and new ways of seeing live performance. From the thrilling intensity and edge-of-your-seat excitement of War of the Worlds, which can spark curiosity and wonder about science, storytelling and the unknown, to the high-energy, colour and infectious joy of K-Pop Live, where music, movement and global culture come together to inspire confidence and self-expression, these shows create powerful emotional responses in young audiences. Return to the Forest offers something more reflective and imaginative, inviting children to connect with nature, creativity and the world around them in a visually stunning, almost dreamlike experience. Together, these productions encourage children to feel excitement, curiosity and inspiration – showing them that theatre can be anything, and opening their minds to new ideas, cultures and possibilities.

And at the heart of it all is a tradition so many families return to year after year, Jack and the Beanstalk (Fri 04 Dec 2026 – Sun 03 Jan 2027), Blackpool’s No.1 Pantomime. For some, it will be a child’s very first pantomime; for others, it will be part of a treasured family ritual. It is where generations sit side by side, laugh together, cheer together and share in something truly magical.

Because theatre isn’t just about what happens on stage, it’s about who you experience it with. It’s about holding a small hand during a magical moment, sharing a laugh with grandparents, or watching a child turn to you with pure excitement in their eyes. These are the memories that matter.

Andrew Howard, Head of Audiences, Marketing and Sales at Blackpool Grand Theatre, said: “We see it every day, families coming through our doors, sometimes for the very first time, and experiencing something together that they’ll remember for years to come. It’s not just about the show, it’s about that shared moment between a parent and child, a grandparent and grandchild, or loved ones coming together and being completely immersed in the same story. In a world that moves so quickly, theatre gives us the chance to slow down, connect and feel something together. That’s what makes it so powerful, and that’s exactly what this season is all about.”

This season is about more than just a trip to the theatre – it’s about the moments you can’t get back. The first time they laugh out loud at the stage, the moment they reach for your hand when the lights go down, the stories they’ll talk about on the way home and remember for years to come. Whether it’s your child, grandchild, niece, nephew or someone special in your life, these are the experiences that shape childhood and stay with them forever. Don’t miss your chance to be part of it. Discover the full family season and book now at blackpoolgrand.co.uk or call 01253 290 190 – because the best memories aren’t made someday, they’re made together, right now.

Listing

Blackpool Grand Theatre, 33 Church Street

The Sooty Show – Sun 05 Apr 2026

https://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/event/the-sooty-show

War of the Worlds – Wed 22 Apr 2026 – Sat 25 Apr 2026

https://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/event/war-of-the-worlds

K-Pop Live – Sun 26 Apr 2026

https://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/event/k-pop-live

Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter’s Dinosaur That Pooped – Sun 03 May 2026

https://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/event/tom-fletcher-and-dougie-poynters-dinosaur-that-pooped

Boy At The Back of The Class – Tue 05 May 2026 – Sat 09 May 2026

https://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/event/boy-at-the-back-of-the-class