Stanley Park is celebrating its 100th birthday later this year! For a century, it has been an important place for the people of Blackpool, offering space to relax, play and enjoy nature.
Opening back in 1926 and Grade II listed, the park has twice been voted the UK’s Best Park, standing out among more than 360 green spaces nationwide.
A year of celebration
Although the official centenary takes place in October, celebrations will run throughout the year.
Blackpool Council, together with Friends of Stanley Park, Enveco and other partners, is creating a family friendly events programme that highlights the park’s heritage and the important part it continues to play in local life.
Activities planned for 2026 include:
- Special edition parkrun on 27 June - Stanley Park
- Friends of Stanley Park Toddle event, 27 June - Athletics Track
- Family activity sessions
- Heritage walks
- Special Love Parks Week events
- Bandstand performances
- Opportunities for residents to share memories and photographs
A major two-day celebration will take place on 2 and 3 October, with Friday marking the official anniversary. Early ideas for Saturday celebrations include artisan market stalls, activities, rides and family-friendly entertainment.
Keep your eyes peeled – a full timetable of events coming to this page soon.
A landmark green space
Spanning around 390 acres, Stanley Park features formal gardens, woodland, a lake, sports facilities and children’s play areas across four distinct zones. Its historic highlights include:
- The Italian Gardens
- Ornamental bridges
- Boating lake
- The iconic bandstand
- The Art Deco Café
- The Cocker Clock Tower, honouring Blackpool’s first mayor
The park welcomes over two million visitors each year and remains open daily from dawn until dusk.
Investing in the park’s future
To mark the centenary, Blackpool Council is investing £500,000 in additional maintenance, including £50,000 raised by Friends of Stanley Park.
Planned works include repairs to the Cocker Clock Tower and the Italian Gardens water fountain, ensuring the park’s heritage features are preserved for future generations.