IT's that time of year again when Blackpool's promenade is lit up millions of lights.

Described by organisers as 'the greatest free light show on earth', it's been a Blackpool attraction since 1879 when they were described as ‘Artificial Sunshine’.

And if you've got fond memories of visiting with your family before nipping to the chippy on your way home, here's the dates you need for this year's illuminations.

The big switch-on takes place this Friday with Lucy Fallon, who plays Bethany Platt in ITV’s Coronation Street, will pull the famous switch in front of 20,000 people.

Brit Award-winners Busted, Nina Nesbitt, Becky Hill and Sigma will also be performing on the night as well as Britain’s top dance group Diversity.

The lights will then be on every night until November 3.

Here's the switch on and switch off times for each evening:

30th August Friday 9.25 p.m. 2.00 a.m.

31st August Saturday 8.00 p.m. 12.00 a.m.

2nd September Sunday 8.00 p.m. 11.00 p.m.

3rd September Monday 8.00 p.m. 10.30 p.m.

3rd September Tuesday 8.00 p.m. 10.30 p.m.

4th September Wednesday 8.00 p.m. 10.30 p.m.

5th September Thursday 8.00 p.m. 10.30 p.m.

6th September Friday 8.00 p.m. 12.00 a.m.

7th September Saturday 8.00 p.m. 12.00 a.m.

8th September Sunday 8.00 p.m. 11.00 p.m.

9th September Monday 8.00 p.m. 10.30 p.m.

10th September Tuesday 8.00 p.m. 10.30 p.m.

11th September Wednesday 8.00 p.m. 10.30 p.m.

12th September Thursday 8.00 p.m. 10.30 p.m.

13th September Friday 7.45 p.m. 12.00 a.m.

14th September Saturday 7.45 p.m. 12.00 a.m.

15th September Sunday 7.45 p.m. 11.00 p.m.

16th September Monday 7.45 p.m. 10.30 p.m.

17th September Tuesday 7.45 p.m. 10.30 p.m.

18th September Wednesday 7.45 p.m. 10.30 p.m.

19th September Thursday 7.45 p.m. 10.30 p.m.

20th September Friday 7.30 p.m. 12.00 a.m.

21st September Saturday 7.30 p.m. 12.00 a.m.

22nd September Sunday 7.30 p.m. 11.00 p.m.

23rd September Monday 7.30 p.m. 10.30 p.m.

24th September Tuesday 7.30 p.m. 10.30 p.m.

25th September Wednesday 7.30 p.m. 10.30 p.m.

26th September Thursday 7.30 p.m. 10.30 p.m.

27th September Friday 7.15 p.m. 12.00 a.m.

28th September Saturday 7.15 p.m. 12.00 a.m.

29th September Sunday 7.15 p.m. 11.00 p.m.

30th September Monday 7.15 p.m. 10.30 p.m.

1st October Tuesday 7.15 p.m. 10.30 p.m.

2nd October Wednesday 7.15 p.m. 10.30 p.m.

3rd October Thursday 7.15 p.m. 10.30 p.m.

4th October Friday 6:45 p.m. 12.00 a.m.

5th October Saturday 6:45 p.m. 12.00 a.m.

6th October Sunday 7.00 p.m. 11.00 p.m.

7th October Monday 7.00 p.m. 10.30 p.m.

8th October Tuesday 7.00 p.m. 10.30 p.m.

9th October Wednesday 7.00 p.m. 10.30 p.m.

10th October Thursday 7.00 p.m. 10.30 p.m.

11th October Friday 6.15 p.m. 12.00 a.m.

12th October Saturday 6.15 p.m. 12.00 a.m.

13th October Sunday 6.15 p.m. 11.00 p.m.

14th October Monday 6.15 p.m. 11.00 p.m.

15th October Tuesday 6.15 p.m. 11.00 p.m.

16th October Wednesday 6.15 p.m. 11.00 p.m.

17th October Thursday 6.15 p.m. 11.00 p.m.

18th October Friday 6.00 p.m. 12.00 a.m.

19th October Saturday 6.00 p.m. 12.00 a.m.

20th October Sunday 6.00 p.m. 11.00 p.m.

21st October Monday 6.00 p.m. 11.00 p.m.

22nd October Tuesday 6.00 p.m. 11.00 p.m.

23rd October Wednesday 6.00 pm 11.00 p.m.

24th October Thursday 6.00 p.m. 11.00 p.m.

25th October Friday 5.45 p.m. 12.00 a.m.

26th October Saturday 5.45 p.m. 12.00 a.m.

27th October Sunday 5.00 p.m. 11.00 p.m.

28th October Monday 5.00 p.m. 11.00 p.m.

29th October Tuesday 5.00 p.m. 11.00 p.m.

30th October Wednesday 5.00 p.m. 11.00 p.m.

31st October Thursday 5.00 p.m 11.00 p.m.

1st November Friday 5.00 p.m. 12.00 a.m.

2nd November Saturday 5.00 p.m. 12.00 a.m.

3rd November Sunday 5.00 p.m. 11.00 p.m.

For details on the best places to park, click here