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Chester Zoo announces ‘biggest and brightest’ Christmas lantern parade for 2023
Is it too early to mention Christmas?
Take a walk through a magical winter wonderland at Chester Zoo’s ‘biggest and brightest’ Christmas lantern parade set for this year.
The popular light trail will return this Christmas with some added new features for the family to enjoy, making it even more interesting and spectacular.
Lanterns and Light at Chester Zoo promises to bring wild worlds to life with its enchanting winter light and sound experiences that will surround you and the family in festive magic.
We may be still in the middle of summer and looking forward to jetting off somewhere sunny, but Chester Zoo has revealed its new plans for its festive winter light trail and it sounds like a must-see for families.
The dazzling trail of lanterns and light displays is set to hold some added new surprises and never before seen installations.
Among its new features, visitors can gaze in awe at a 15 metre-long woolly 3D mammoth hologram, illuminated dolphins jumping through waterways, a walkway of gigantic pea lit animals and an impressive fire garden.
The zoo have partnered with Sony Music / RGL, as well as Culture Creative — who are the creatives behind other successful worldwide events such as Christmas at Kew Gardens, Christmas at Blenheim Palace and Dark Spectrum — delivering a display to delight the senses.
Chester Zoo’s special Christmastime event will run throughout the crisp, dark evenings of November and December giving families plenty of opportunity to find the time to visit this wonderland.
The zoo have said they will combine elements from its original Lanterns trail — which has been a popular attraction for the last 12 years — delivering its ‘biggest and brightest’ trail yet under the new name of Lanterns and Light.
Proceeds from ticket sales will go towards Chester Zoo’s efforts to conserve nature and wildlife, and helping it to thrive.
Dominic Strange, Chester Zoo’s commercial director, said: “Everyone knows what a special place the zoo is by day. But this winter, by night, our new Lanterns and Light event will transform it into a spectacular, truly unique festive light trail that’ll be like no other.
“Building on the tremendous success of our previous annual winter evening event, The Lanterns, we’ve partnered with Sony Music and Culture Creative to create an extraordinary festive experience that promises to be bigger, better, and brighter than ever before.
“This will be a delightful fusion of the nostalgic and the new. While still honouring all of the charm and many old favourites from times gone by, such as our interactive puppets, animals, lanterns, and of course, Father Christmas.
“Our fresh new look, and all of the many new elements we’re adding, will make Lanterns and Light an experience that truly is beyond compare. We can’t wait to share it with our visitors.
“Most importantly of all though, Lanterns and Light will not only give families the opportunity to immerse themselves in the magic of Christmas and create cherished memories, it’ll also support our charitable efforts to protect some of the world’s most threatened species.”
Tickets for Lanterns and Light are now on sale and cost from £12. To book or find out more, click HERE.
What's On
The new FREE Christmas night market with over 40 traders from across our region
Get in the festive spirit!
Get in the festive spirit with a brand new FREE Christmas makers night market, with over 40 traders and small businesses from across the region.
Brought to you by Renaker, the Manchester Made Christmas night market is coming to New Jackson, Deansgate Square from Friday December 6th to Sunday December 8th.
Following on from a successful summer market in May, the Manchester Made Market is returning bigger and better than before but with a Christmassy twist.
Manchester Made Market
Expect a ‘cosy and magical’ Christmas night market experience, with food, drink, live music and even a grotto for visits to Father Christmas.
There’ll be Christmas trees galore, glittering with lighting, with one huge show-stopping tree taking centre stage.
Bringing together over 40 artisanal traders and small businesses from across the region, the three-day event will showcase a plethora of food produce, homewares, crafts and creations.
Manchester Made Market
Visitors will be sure to find unique Christmas gifts that support local businesses, including from The Cole Men and their award winning sauces, Moon & Sixpence’s handmade jewellery, and fine art photography by Craig Barker.
There’ll be live music from a 20-piece choir, playing Christmas classics, cocktails from Manchester Gin and Gooey’s sweet treats.
The experts from Millington Hall Farm in Altrincham will be bringing a taste of their Wild Grill experience, including live sausage making demonstrations and an array of German sausages served from a festive BBQ trailer.
Manchester Made Market
Families with children can visit the Christmas grotto, where Father Christmas himself will be waiting in a cosy tipi – kids will get a gift from Santa, and bookings can be made online for £8.50 per child.
Manchester Made Market will be open from 4pm to 9pm on Friday December 6th, and 1pm to 9pm on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th – pre-register for a free guest list ticket and 50% off a hot chocolate HERE, or book the Christmas grotto HERE.
What's On
Free one-day Christmas festival returning to Stockport to kick off festive season
Get in the festive spirit in Stockport!
Stockport’s free, one-day Christmas festival is returning this festive season, with 200 performers and more than 50 shows.
Spectacular Sunday will return to the town on November 17th at various sites and venues.
Following the success of last year’s event, hundreds of performers will take over Stockport, with everything from giant roller-skating presents to a living snow globe and roaming Christmas dolls.
There will also be street theatre, including grumpy Christmas grandads, a gigantic balloon man and water show.
Matthew Nichol Photography
Produced by carnival arts organisation Global Grooves and organised by Stockport Council, Totally Stockport, Merseyway and Stockport Market, the town centre will be buzzing with Christmas excitement.
Events will be happening in iconic Stockport locations like Market Place, Underbanks, Merseyway, Redrock and Suffragette Square.
A grand finale in Merseyway will bring together the brass bands of Stockport, ending the day with a huge flash mob and rendition of All You Need Is Love.
Cirq Delight
Cllr Singleton, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Sport, said: “We’re so excited to bring this event back after last year’s amazing success.
“It’s such a fun way to get everyone in the festive spirit and really shows off what makes Stockport special – our sense of community and joy.
“With loads of free performances and activities, plus a chance to enjoy the newly improved areas of Merseyway, it’s a perfect day out for families.
“Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday is all about having fun, making memories, and starting the holiday season in style.”
Spectacular Sunday is happening from 11am to 5pm on Sunday November 17th – find out more HERE.
The prestigious Manchester Art Fair is back in town for its 16th year next month, bringing with it a vibrant gallery space showcasing thousands of works from over 500 artists.
One of the biggest and most significant events in the UK art world calendar, it’ll take over Manchester Central for three days, from Friday November 15th to 17th.
The city will be flooded with art from all corners of the world, championing everything from local heroes to new emerging talent, as well as international artists with worldwide acclaim.
Manchester Art Fair
A wide range of artistic disciplines will be represented at the event, from painters, illustrators, and sculptors to graffiti artists and everything in between.
Expect exhibitions, workshops, Q&A sessions, demos, book signings and parties happening across the event.
Tickets include free access to art workshops and talks from leading artists and cultural experts, and are on sale now.
You can grab them HERE.
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The VR gaming experience at airport where you can escape reality
The new FREE Christmas night market with over 40 traders from across our region
Free one-day Christmas festival returning to Stockport to kick off festive season
Simmons Bar opens first Northern site in Manchester with free drinks at launch party
The prestigious Manchester Art Fair is back in town for its 16th year
