Blackpool is preparing for one of the most magical nights in its calendar.

For one night only, the Promenade's six miles will be closed to give cyclists a sneak preview of this year’s illuminations.

Ride The Lights will take place on the night of Tuesday 27 August – three days before the illuminations are officially switched on by Spice Girl Mel B.

The free family event will allow bikes of all sorts to explore the seafront.

The promenade will close its roads to traffic from 6.30pm until 10.30pm.

The Ride The Lights event itself will spark to life at around 7pm and continue until 10pm.

Additional parking spaces will be available at a pop-up car park at Blackpool Airport.

Councillor Lynn Williams, leader of Blackpool Council, said: "Ride The Lights is a fabulous event that is unique to Blackpool.

"Where else can you ride a bike in a traffic-free environment under a million shimmering lights.

"It's a wonderful opportunity for our own residents and for visitors to come on to Blackpool seafront with their families and enjoy a magical experience."

Attendees will not only have the privilege of marvelling at Blackpool's enchanting illumination display but also catch a first glimpse of some novel installations.

Among those is designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen’s extraordinary new installation, the 'Disco Donkey Cavalcade' positioned at the Tower Festival Headland.

This celebration of Blackpool’s iconic beach attractions features a parade of 12 donkeys dressed in 70s-inspired swimwear atop a 16ft high platform, underneath a massive ice cream sporting a disco ball.

Ride The Lights signals the start of the preparations for the Illuminations season, which is scheduled to run for an extended two months till January 5, 2025.

The day after the ride, on August 28, Trinity Hospice will host its annual Night Run starting on the Tower Festival Headland.