All you need to know about Christmas by the Sea

There is free ice skating at the Christmas by the Sea festival in Blackpool

Blackpool's Tower Festival Headland will again be turned into a winter wonderland for the resort's fifth Christmas by the Sea event.

The popular festival village opens on Friday ahead of the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing show returning to the town's Tower Ballroom the following day.

Here's everything you need to know.

When is it happening?

The event starts on Friday 21 November and runs daily, except for Christmas Day, until 4 January. It will be open from 12:00 GMT until 21:00.

Where is it taking place?

It is taking place on the Promenade by the Comedy Carpet and opposite Blackpool Tower.

What will be there?

Attractions include a snow slide, an aerial swing ride called the Star Flyer and the German Swing Grill

There is a range of festive family attractions such as a free skating rink and festive rides.

Rides this year includes a 100ft-long snow slide and an aerial swing ride called the Star Flyer with the return of the German Swing Grill, Snow Dome Waltzers, a Helter-Skelter slide as well as the Ice Breaker thrill ride.

A Christmas-themed fun house set over three floors is another new addition to the festival village, which will feature spinning barrels and discs and shuffle boards.

There will also be festive light installations and themed log cabins with food, drink and artificial snowfalls.

How do I get there and where can I park?

The festival village is staged at Blackpool's Tower Festival Headland on the Promenade in the centre of the resort.

If you are travelling by car, throughout the Christmas By The Sea season, parking in Blackpool Council car parks, including Talbot and Central Multi-Storey Car Parks, is priced at £2 for up to four hours.

A list of council-owned car parks, mapped by location, can be found here.

Blackpool North railway station is either a 10-minute walk away, or you can take a connecting tram.

Blackpool South railway station is about a 30-minute walk.

Do I need a ticket?

No - it is a free attraction although some parts, including rides, require tickets.

The outdoor skating rink returns to the promenade this year and is free to use, including the hire of skates.

Will I be able to see Blackpool Illuminations?

The Blackpool Illuminations have been extended until 4 January

Christmas By The Sea will be complemented by a full Illuminations display along the seafront after VisitBlackpool again extended by the famous lights display by two months so that it will run until 4 January.