Blackpool Illuminations Switch on 2008 will be performed by the BBC2 Television Programme Top Gear trio, Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond.  The event will take place on Friday August 29th and the lights will then be on for sixty-six evenings until the final night Sunday 2nd November.  There will be a cast of star performers in the free  BBC radio 2 concert which be broadcast live on air from  8.30pm to  9.30pm. The line up of artistes will feature Boyzone, Scouting For Girls, and David Jordan.  Janice Long will be presenting the show. 

The Radio 2 Arena near the Golden Mile will be open from mid afternoon and the build up to the Blackpool Illuminations 2008 switch on concert will include Sarah Whatmore, Mama’s Gun  and  Billium, with Joey Blower hosting.  This build-up  entertainment will start at approximately  6 pm.  The lights will be turned on by the Top Gear team  during the concert at about 9.25 pm. and they  will stay on until around 1’o'clock on the Saturday morning.This will be an opportunity for people to see the new  designs: Venus Reborn by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and Talking Heads by Andy McKeown.  Sunday 31st August will see the opening of the World Fireworks Championships with a display  by Germany – weather permitting.