World Championships of Magic held in Blackpool
More than 2,000 of the world's best magicians are in Blackpool to take part in the World Championships of Magic.
The Fédération Internationale des Sociétés Magiques (FISM) holds the convention every three years.
The Opera House, Winter Gardens and Tower Ballroom will all host magic events with amateur and professional magicians from 85 countries competing.
Organiser Derek Lever, from Blackpool Magicians' Club, said he was "delighted" to host the event.
"The top people in the business will be passing on things that they've learned over the years," he said.
"Magic is still as popular as it ever was."
The first FISM World Championships of Magic were held in Lausanne, Switzerland in 1948.
The event was held every year until 1952, when it became every three years.
This year's event, the 25th, is the first to be held in the UK and features a range of shows, lectures and competitions.