The Blackpool Tower Ballroom

Our opening times are below, along with which organist is playing.

The Blackpool Tower Ballroom hosts a number of private functions throughout the year, below are a list of dates and times where The Blackpool Tower Ballroom will not be open to the public:

April
Friday 29th - Saturday 30th

May
Sunday 1st
Tuesday 10th
Sunday 29th

June
Sunday 12th
Sunday 19th

September
Friday 16th
Friday 23rd
Saturday 24th
Friday 30th

October
Sunday 16th

November
Sunday 6th
Friday 11th - Sunday 13th
Monday 14th - Sunday 27th

December
Thursday 1st - Monday 5th
Thursday 15th
Friday 16th
Saturday 17th
Sunday 18th
Saturday 31st

Looking to Play and Stay in Blackpool - take a look at our short breaks website to find great offers on places to stay and discounts on our Blackpool BIG Ticket here >

Phil Kelsall MBE

How did it all start for you at The Blackpool Tower: At eighteen I was recommended to play the Hammond Organ in The Blackpool Tower Circus, then I deputized for Ernest Broadbent, former Blackpool Tower Ballroom organist until he retired. The rest is history, as the saying goes!

What made you take up the Organ: As a boy I used to frequent The Blackpool Tower's Ballroom regularly. I remember watching legendary organist Reginald Dixon performing. The atmosphere was infectious and I must have imagined myself up there one day!

The Wurlitzer is celebrating 70 years this year. How does it compare to other organs you have played: I have played nearly every theatre organ in Britain but with the fine acoustics of The Blackpool Tower Ballroom the Wurlitzer makes a totally unique sound and in my opinion is one of the finest ever built by Wurlitzer.

What particular highlights stand out during your time at The Blackpool Tower: The most memorable has to be The Blackpool Tower's Centenary Celebrations in 1994. Her Majesty The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh visited the Ballroom and I was honoured to be introduced to them both.

How do you feel every time you rise up on the Wurlitzer in front of an audience in The Blackpool Tower Ballroom: I do sometimes think as I'm half way through the stage what a strange way of earning a living!

In June 2010 Phil was awarded an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list for what was described as a "35 year love affair" with The Blackpool Tower Ballroom.

Chris Hopkins

Chris started playing the organ at The Blackpool Tower in 1995, since then he has developed his own unique style and has become a firm favourite with the dancers.

Over the years The Blackpool Tower Ballroom has had numerous electronic organs to compliment the Wurlitzer organ, more recently the Wersi Louvre, and the present model the Roland AT900, Chris has always been the first to embrace these vast technological instrument’s and manipulate there potential. Chris is equally at home on the Mighty Wurlitzer.

Over the years Chris has made numerous TV/ Radio appearance’s promoting The Blackpool Tower Ballroom, including Strictly Come Dancing and Britain’s FavouriteView.

In more recent years Chris was invited to play [the Organ] at his beloved Manchester United for their foundation.

When he is not at The Blackpool Tower he can be found wandering the Lake District, or the Scottish Highlands where he is a keen Landscape photographer. Chris is also a fully qualified Approved Driving Instructor, and has helped many of the staff at The Blackpool Tower through there driving test.

John Bowdler

Born and educated in Wigan, Lancashire, John began playing the Organ at the age of eight. He is currently in his 28th year as one of the team of resident Organists at The Blackpool Tower. John took up his position at the age of 16, straight from school.

In addition to his commitments at The Blackpool Tower, John travels the country extensively undertaking concerts for Organ Societies and playing for dances. He has made several appearances at the Organ festivals all over the country.
He also travels to the Isle of Man every year. John has been interviewed by various radio stations in the country. He has also made several T.V. appearances on Granada, BBC and Swiss Television. During 1997 John made his international debut in Amsterdam, completing a successful concert weekend.

To complement Johns live performances, he also has a series of recordings, made both at the world famous Wurlitzer Organ of The Blackpool Tower Ballroom and his own Technics GA-3 electronic Organ.

John was voted as “Organist of the year” for 1998 by 2 Organ Societies, Verwood Organ Society in Dorset and also Top Note Organ Society, Leyland. Horse racing fans may have noticed “John Bowdler Music”, a horse originally owned and named by Paul Dean, a turf accountant and keen dancer at The Blackpool Tower Ballroom. Paul also purchased another horse which he named “Bouncing Bowdler” which has enjoyed much success. Amongst the horses’ biggest achievements, are a marvellous run to finish in 2nd place in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot, and was placed 2nd at Glorious Goodwood in the Queen Mother Molecomb Stakes. These provided memorable days out for everyone involved. But more recently Paul purchased a 2 year old horse named “Bowdlers Magic.” www.johnbowdler.com

David Lobban

2014 is David’s 19th season at The Blackpool Tower Ballroom, 37th year as a professional musician and 51st year associated with the entertainment/hospitality/keyboard industries.

As a chorister with Jesus College Choir Cambridge, he became interested in the majesty of the classical organ. It was when his parents gave him a wind up gramophone with some 78rpm records, including one by Sidney Torch at the Regal Marble Arch Christie, David found an exciting musical prospect and sought out the cinema organs available.

The family bought a shop in Somerset, which enabled him to spend many hours at the Odeon in Weston-Super-Mare exploring the capabilities of the Compton organ there. A move to Gorleston (Near Great Yarmouth) meant David was involved with the installation of the Compton/Christie in the Palace Bingo Club. He was encouraged by the organs owner, Terry Hepworth, in both playing and organ building, which culminated in him taking an apprenticeship with Hill, Norman & Beard Organ Builders, the same firm who built Christie Organs in the golden age of cinema.

In 1977 David emigrated to Canada to become Associate Organist/Organ Technician in the Toronto Organ Grinder, a 500 cover restaurant featuring a 3/12 hybrid theatre organ. He has worked in Canada, the US, Malaysia, Taiwan, Spain, Portugal, Morocco and Holland. As a musician, he has worked in pizza parlours, holiday centres, circuses (including The Blackpool Tower and Moscow State), pantomimes, old time music halls, musicals, showbands and dance orchestras.

He has been in-store artist with Wurlitzer, Hohner, Yamaha and Kawai. He taught organ in Canada, the UK and was Keyboard Specialist with Yamaha Canada.

David had his own live weekly broadcast in Edmonton Alberta for three years whilst Stadium Organist at Northlands Coliseum for the Edmonton Oilers National Hockey League Team, entertaining and channelling the rhythmic energies of the over 17,900 capacity crowds every home game of the 1982 – 1984 seasons.

Away from music, David was involved in running a cattery, breeding Champion Burmese cast. Whilst on circus in Malaysia he was involved in rearing Tiger cubs. He was manager of a holiday site in Manitoulin Island, Warehouse Logistics Manager in Alberta with a shoe wholesaler as well as running the retail outlet.

A must for every organ enthusiast...

Follow in the footsteps of the legends Reginald Dixon and Phil Kelsall and discover the magic of the mighty Blackpool Tower Wurlitzer with a unique experience available to book today.
The Blackpool Tower Wurlitzer Experience offer a rare opportunity to fulfil a dream and gives a behind the scenes look at the history of this incredible instrument and the opportunity to play the Wurlitzer itself on the grand stage in the magnificent Blackpool Tower Ballroom.

Package One - £275 (includes up to 3 guests)

• Demonstration of the Wurlitzer by one of our resident organists
• Ride up from the Organ pit, seated at the Wurlitzer
• 1 hour playing time
• Includes Tea/Coffee during the Organ experience

ADDITIONAL GUESTS £6.00pp

Package Two - £300 (includes up to 3 guests)

• Demonstration of the Wurlitzer by one of our resident organists
• Ride up from the Organ pit, seated at the Wurlitzer
• 1 hour playing time
• Includes Tea/Coffee during the Organ experience
• Includes Afternoon Tea (sandwiches, cream scones with clotted cream and jam plus a choice of cake from the daily selection with a freshly brewed pot of tea or coffee)

ADDITIONAL GUESTS £15.00pp including Afternoon Tea

To book call 01253 622242 or email us by selecting Ballroom on our contact form.

Enjoy Tea in Style at The Blackpool Tower Ballroom

Take a step back in time and experience The Blackpool Tower Ballroom in true style.

The Blackpool Tower Ballroom is known and celebrated throughout the world for both its stunning architecture and fantastic dance floor.

And this year visitors to Blackpool can dance and relax in style as they enjoy Afternoon Tea in this historic icon.

Whether you want to be spun around by your partner or you just want to watch the world dance by, what better way to relax than by enjoying a sumptuous Afternoon Tea while listening to the sounds of The Blackpool Tower’s Wurlitzer Organ.

Afternoon Tea includes sandwiches, cream scones with clotted cream and jam plus a choice of cake from the daily selection with a freshly brewed pot of tea or coffee

Gift Vouchers
Wanting to buying Afternoon Tea as a gift for someone special? We have gift vouchers available at from £50.00 for two people, £63.00 for three people and £80.00 for four people - these can be purchased directly from the admission desks in The Blackpool Tower or by clicking the link below. For more formation please call 01253 629 233

CLICK HERE TO BUY AFTERNOON TEA GIFT VOUCHERS 

Afternoon Tea Champagne Experience

Enjoy Afternoon Tea in the Blackpool Tower Ballroom with an extra special treat with our champagne experience. The Ballroom Champagne Experience for 2 is £69.95, for 3 is £85.95 and for 4 is £99.95. For more information and to book call 0871 222 9929* or visit an admissions desk inside The Blackpool Tower (*calls cost 13p per min).

Venue Hire at The Blackpool Tower Ballroom

The beautiful Blackpool Tower Ballroom offers one of the UK's most unique and prestigious venues for a variety of events ranging from exhibitions, business lunches, conferences, weddings and bespoke entertainment offerings.

The Worlds-famous Blackpool Tower Ballroom is one of the true iconic venues of the 19th century with its beautifully decorated ceilings, sparkling chandeliers, stunning sprung dance floor and ornate balconies - there really is no other venue like it. From the BBC's prestigious Strictly Come Dancing to awards dinners, weddings and banquets, The Blackpool Tower Ballroom benefits from its unique positioning within The Blackpool Tower and central Blackpool location at the Tower Festival Headland on the new Promenade.

With direct onsite access to other Blackpool Tower venues including The Blackpool Tower Circus (1,300 in the round seating), Sea View terrace, Silver Landing and Lounge facilities, The Blackpool Tower Ballroom is equipped for all your event and conference needs.

Event capacities:

• Banquet - 900
• Dinner Dance/Reception - 550
• Concert - 2,500
• Theatre - 1,100

For further information please contact the conference & events team on 01253 622 242 (during office hours) or via e-mail to Blackpooltower.Eventenquiries@merlinentertainments.biz