With the nights slowly drawing in, Firework and Illuminations season will soon be upon us. With plenty of coach holidays and coach trips to events across the UK and even Europe we thought we’d find out a bit more about what makes these events so spectacular.
Blackpool Illuminations
An annual favourite for all the family the Blackpool Illuminations promises to impress visitors to the wonderful seaside year in year out. Running from September to November each year, millions flock to see a wonderful display of lights each year. The display stretches for over six miles between Bispham and Starr Gate and will shine non-stop for 66 nights. The Illuminations came about when the 1879 street lights were lit by electric instead of gas. The lights became an animated feature and came on leaps and bounds, however in 1939 during World War II the illuminations had to be switched off as part of the black out. In 1949 the illuminations returned and have been a regular fixture ever since.
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Rhine in Flames
A bit further afield, the annual Rhine in Flames event in Germany promises to be a wonderful display along the River Rhine. The annual festival runs from May until September in the UNESCO listed heritage site. Running between Rudesheim and Bonn the Rhine in Flames are a wonderful display of pyrotechnics with a floatilla of illuminated boats and awesome fireworks. Around the time of the Rhine in Flames festival there is also a wine festival allowing visitors to sample some of the tipples made from the crops growing along the river. It’s no wonder it is seen as a great event by those who have attended.
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Matlock Bath Illuminations
Lesser known than the famous Blackpool Illuminations, the town of Matlock in the Peak District also offers a chance to see a wonderful display of lights. This fun-filled family event features a spectacular display of illuminated boats on the River Derwent. Each model is made up of thousands of pea lights and are powered by lorry batteries. There is also fireworks on each Saturday whilst the illuminations are running making it a perfect family evening out. The illuminations run every Saturday and Sunday from 12 September to 31 October.
Durham Lumiere
Another popular lighting event is the Durham Lumiere, running for just a few days in November, the Lumiere is a wonderful display of colour and light. 27 installations are spread across the city including a huge 3D elephant and a giant sun. The Lumiere will also be moving to London for the first time in January 2016. The festival will consist of illuminations in 20 locations in the capital from the West End to Kings Cross. Sadly, we have no London Lumiere tours on sale at present but make sure you keep tuned as they could be coming very soon.
These are just a few of the great illuminations and firework breaks available at Door2Tour.com , check our website for more great events.