photo : Kevin Hickey
As autumn draws near, the world famous Blackpool Illuminations in Lancashire, U.K. get under-way amid music making, merriment and much money spent. While in Austria, Advent glows warmly on the horizon as winter sets in – and you can go there, but on not so big a budget!
Blackpool Illuminations
At the end of August, the world renowned Blackpool Illuminations set the seaside resort alight with over 1 million bulbs; more than 500 roadside features joined together with strings of fairy lights; larger-than-life tableaux; lasers, neons, fibre-optics, search and floodlights. This fantastic festival of light lasts 66 days and costs around a whopping £2 million to stage!
It wasn’t always that way, though. When the Illuminations – or Lights, as they are known locally – were first held it was in the days before Thomas Ellison patented the electric light bulb. The humble origins of Blackpool lights were 8 arc lamps set up on the promenade. But in May 1912, the show really kicked off. Princess Louise (daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert) and other members of the British Royal Household were in town and to celebrate an exhibition using 10,000 light bulbs was put on along much of the promenade.
Since 1932 the staging of the Illuminations has grown exponentially. It now covers an impressive 6 miles of seafront; takes 22 weeks to put in place; and a further 9 weeks to take down. But best of all, Blackpool Illuminations now uses green electricity from renewable sources, like wind, hydro-power; and bio-gas. The Austrians would be proud of this eco-friendly approach to providing England’s biggest free show!
Advent in Austria
The lead up to Christmas sees Austria bathed in a glow of soft and romantic light, as strings fairy lights festoon villages, towns and cities. From late November garlands of twinkling lights glisten over medieval thoroughfares; shine in cosy little courtyards; and perch on the branches of pine trees.
The use of electric bulbs is only a fairly recent event in Austria. The use of illuminated Christmas trees started in neighbouring German in the 18th century and was soon adopted across the border from Bavaria. These custom for these early attractions was to use candles glued or pinned to trees. In the early 20th century, this changed to the use of small lanterns and glass balls holding the candle light – a tradition that continued until around the 1930s, when electric lighting was used.
Christmas Markets
But the most spectacular of Austria’s illuminated events, are the Christmas markets. Huddled together as if for warmth against the winds and weather of winter, tiny rustic huts are ablaze with color by day and night in the squares and piazza of the country’s towns and cities. Music fills the air and merriment abounds, as stallholders and visitors alike taste a little tipple of Glühwein; savour the super Käserkrainer; and devour the delicious Sachertorte.
And with both these events comes an awful lot of love for the people, the places and fantastic festival of lights they put on year after year.
Holiday In Austria at Advent
If you would like to visit the Austrian Advent extravaganza, contact me now to arrange your holiday in a winter wonderland.
See our section on Airports in and near Austria for flight options that won’t bust the bank!
