Happiness! The Ken Dodd Exhibition

Featuring original stage costumes and theatrical memorabilia, iconic props and puppets, programmes, interactive displays and original performance footage, the Happiness! Ken Dodd Exhibition opens at Blackpool's Showtown on June 24 (until January 3, 2027).

The legendary comedian's relationship with Blackpool spanned decades, from theatre performances to switching on the Illuminations. Audiences flocked to the resort’s theatres to see his famously marathon variety shows, often continuing long into the early hours.

His town ties also stretched far beyond the stage performances, helping save the historic Grand Theatre and proudly opening the Promenade’s famous Comedy Carpet in 2011.

Sir Ken once said: “Blackpool is my favourite town. It’s the showbiz temple of the UK – anybody who’s everybody has played Blackpool.”

Ken Dodd's waxwork welcomes visitors to the exhibition

Visitors to Showtown can explore a specially-curated selection of archive programmes and photographs, admire the flamboyant stage outfits, props and original puppets - including the infamous Dicky Mint, foreman at the jam butty mines of Knotty Ash - as well as watch original video footage of Dodd's performances and read exclusive excerpts from private notebooks.

Madame Tussauds Blackpool has loaned its life-size waxwork of Sir Ken, complete with tickling stick, to watch over the exhibition and there is an interactive "giggle map" that captures just some of the many places and people he encountered during his live stage shows across the country.

Spencer Phillips, who is chairman of the Blackpool Museum Heritage Trust which operates Showtown, said: “Ken Dodd holds a truly special place in Britain’s entertainment story, and his long-standing relationship with Blackpool makes this exhibition even more meaningful for the town."

Director of National Museums Liverpool, Laura Pye, added: “Sir Ken was an iconic comedian, performer and philanthropist, who dedicated his life to making others smile. After a successful extended run at the Museum of Liverpool in 2024, we are delighted the Happiness! Exhibition now comes to Showtown, so even more visitors can experience his legacy in a town so iconic to him.”

More info and tickets here