25 years of Skiddle: the celebration is coming…

This year, Skiddle reaches the big ol’ age of 25! God, we know, we’re feeling old too. 

What started out as two friends developing a what's on guide for their city has quickly become an incredible 25-year legacy devoted to helping people get into the events they love! 

To celebrate, we’ll be taking to the Blackpool Tower Ballroom in Blackpool on Thursday 30th April 2026, for a huge 25th birthday celebration - and you’re all invited! 

​Better still, across the entire year, we’ll be highlighting and celebrating the culture, music, events, and people that defined that quarter of a century, as Skiddle grew. Watch this space and our social media for highlights from the past two and a half decades, spanning tunes, albums, and so much more. 

So, you want to hear more about the party? Of course you do! Let’s get into it…

The big bash 

With just a little over three months to go, friends, family, finalists, sponsors, and guests from across the industry are invited to the Blackpool Tower Ballroom party, which will begin with a welcome drinks reception followed by a three-course meal before the Skiddle Awards ceremony takes centre stage. We’ll also have a special guest speaker, but we’ll keep their identity to ourselves for the time being. Then, of course, we’ll have the afterparty with a widely loved DJ on the decks. 

Back of the net 

Warming up for the evening, the 5-a-side football tournament will take place at the Skiddle Community Stadium, the home of Squires Gate Football Club.

A laugh and a bit of friendly competition, no footie experience is required to slide tackle the Skiddle lot and promoters… nicely, of course. Anyone over 18 can join! 

Organised by our own Ryan Stanger (Head of Operations), the tournament will see all subs donated to our chosen charity, OnSide, a national youth charity determined to make sure that all young people have the opportunity to shine.

Teams must be registered by Friday 24th April 2026. You can find out more here. 

You get an award, and you get an award, everybody gets an award!

We want to recognise the brilliance, dedication and innovation that make live events and experiences unforgettable, so the Skiddle Awards are back to allow you the chance to nominate your favourite events and experiences. And if you’re an event organiser, you can encourage your audience to nominate you! 

Nominate one or more events, and you'll be entered into a draw to win two tickets to our birthday party. 

With categories for festivals, big days out, clubs, live music, and everything in between, there are plenty of chances to nominate your favourite events.

From here, the events will be shortlisted, and there’ll be a vote for the top spots. 

Find everything you need to know about the awards here. 

The afters

Now, it wouldn’t be Skiddle without an afters!

Here, we’ll have a DJ taking to the decks (watch this space for the DJ announcement!) to keep us all lively and on the dancefloor until the early hours. 

You don’t need an extra ticket for this one; your ticket for Skiddle’s 25th will get you into the afters, where we’ll keep the good times rolling at the Tower’s Fifth Floor (don’t look down) until 2am. 

Grab your tickets for Skiddle’s 25th anniversary party towards the bottom of this page. 

For full details on Skiddle’s 25th birthday celebrations, head here. 

If you’re interested in sponsoring the event, head here.  

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