Happiness! The Ken Dodd Exhibition
Happiness! arrives at Showtown this June with a tickle-tastic new Ken Dodd Exhibition.
Get ready for a tattyfilarious trip into the wonderfully wacky world of a comedy legend at Showtown this summer! Blackpool’s award-winning museum of fun and entertainment is truly tickled to announce its first ever visiting exhibition will bring giggles galore for all the family as it celebrates the life and career of Sir Ken Dodd OBE. Happiness! The Ken Dodd Exhibition will open at Showtown on Wednesday 24 June 2026 and run right through to Sunday 3 January 2027, showcasing a joyful and deeply personal collection of rare artifacts belonging to the Master of Mirth himself, which will be travelling exclusively to the resort direct from Museum of Liverpool - part of National Museums Liverpool.
This exciting standalone exhibition will be packed with rarely seen theatrical treasures and will also pay tribute to Ken’s deep and enduring relationship with Blackpool. Visitors can explore a specially curated selection of fascinating archive programmes and photographs, admire Ken’s flamboyant stage outfits, fun props and original puppets - including the infamous Dicky Mint - the Foreman from the Jam Butty Mines of Knotty Ash, watch original video footage of his performances and read exclusive excerpts from private notebooks belonging to the much-loved comedian and entertainer. Madame Tussauds Blackpool has even kindly loaned its life-size waxwork of Sir Ken, complete with tickling stick, to watch over proceedings throughout the exhibition
Director National Museums Liverpool, Laura Pye, added: “Sir Ken Dodd was an iconic comedian, performer and philanthropist who dedicated his life to making others smile. After a successful extended run at Museum of Liverpool in 2024 we are delighted that the Happiness! exhibition now extends to Showtown in Blackpool, so even more visitors can experience his legacy in a town that was so iconic to him.”
Come and experience one of the town’s most exciting cultural attractions, where laughter echoes through every gallery, memories come to life and happiness truly is “the greatest gift we possess.”
Where: Showtown, Blackpool, FY1 4TQ
When: Wednesday 24 June 2026 until Sunday 3 January 2027
Tickets: £3 for adults aged 16+. Children go FREE
Venue details
- Address:
- Showtown
- Bank Hey Street
- Blackpool
- FY1 4TQ