BIG Christmas news: Lightopia is coming back to Manchester, and it’s going to be bigger and brighter than ever before.
Okay, I’m well aware that it’s only September and we still have at least a couple of days of sunshine left to enjoy… But, after last year’s dismal, socially-distanced festive period I have decided that it is never too early for Christmas announcements.
For the last two years, Manchester’s Heaton Park has been graced with Lightopia, a festival of immersive lights, lanterns and mesmerising installations and, low and behold, it’s coming back for its third event.
Lightopia Festival
The never-before-seen illuminated trail will feature magical and multi-sensory interactive lights, lanterns and installations, illustrating a story of an imaginative and fantasy festive world.
Lightopia 2021 will feature a fantastical ‘Magic Circus’ display, complete with illusional installations and interactive entertainment.
There will also be the ‘Fantasy Forest’, an area home to the most extraordinary and mystical animals to uncover. Guests will be able to walk through the enchanted forest and meet mythical creatures hidden in the woodland, including a nine tailed fox and unicorns.
Other attractions will include the ‘Fantasy Universe’ with a supernova display and bioluminescence plants; ‘Dragon’s Land’ featuring two huge 40m dragons and fabled fairies; ‘Candy Land’, a sweet-inspired illuminated dreamland; ‘Fantasy Bees’, the trademark Manchester’s bee brought to life in a fantasy world; and the ‘Wonders of the World’.
Lightopia Festival
As for the finer details – Lightopia will be open to the public from November 18th 2021 until January 3rd 2022. The event will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, except during school holidays, as well as Christmas Day.
To stay posted with any updates, make sure to follow Lightopia Festival on Instagram.
To get your own tickets, visit the Lightopia Festival website here.
Legendary singer-songwriter Stevie Nicks is coming to Manchester’s Co-op Live this summer.
The front woman of the iconic band Fleetwood Mac will take to the stage at the brand new arena – set to open this spring – to the delight of her adoring fans on Tuesday, July 9th.
Nicks will perform in Manchester ahead of her upcoming appearance at BTS in London’s Hyde Park on July 12th.
Speaking about her upcoming show in London, Nicks said: “Anything that draws me back to London – and therefore to England – fills my heart with joy. And to be able to visit and make music… is always a dream come true…”
Nicks joined Fleetwood Mac in 1975 along with her then partner and fellow Mac band member, Lindsey Buckingham.
She introduced to the band her distinctive voice, poetic songwriting, and captivating stage presence, winning over the love of audiences worldwide.
Her impact on Fleetwood Mac’s success during the late 1970s and early 1980s, particularly with the release of the highly acclaimed album Rumours, solidified her as a musical powerhouse.
This record sold over 40 million copies worldwide, making it the 5th best-selling album of the 1970s and the 9th best-selling album of all time.
Beyond her contributions to Fleetwood Mac, Nicks has had a significant solo career that further cements her enduring influence.
Hits including ‘Edge of Seventeen’ and ‘Stand Back’ showcase her versatility and unique style.
Her ability to transcend musical boundaries, coupled with her trailblazing role as a woman in rock, has inspired generations of artists.
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Fleetwood Mac in 1998 and as a solo artist in 2019, Stevie Nicks continues to be celebrated not only for her musical prowess but also as a symbol of resilience and creativity in the ever-evolving musical landscape.
Co-op members will be first in line for tickets at Co-op Live before they go on general sale, including other exclusive benefits – get signed up HERE.
Co-op member presale tickets go live at 12pm on March 20th
General sale tickets go live at 12pm on March 22nd.
LEGO is set to host a series of FREE interactive workshops in Greater Manchester next month.
From next month, youngsters who love to build things with Lego can take part in the workshops held at the LEGO Toy Shop in Manchester Arndale and LEGO Store at the Trafford Centre, as part of a new campaign aimed at championing and standing up for girls’ creativity.
The LEGO Group wants to encourage kids across Greater Manchester and the rest of the UK to ‘play unstoppable’.
The first in-person ‘Creativity Workshops’ are set to kick start in Greater Manchester for the last two Sundays of April.
The workshops will be held on Sunday April 21st and 28th – with online options available for those who are unable to make it in person.
Aimed at young creators aged 6-12, the workshops are focused on themes such as Entertainment, Space, Imagination and Gaming.
Here, young creators can ‘celebrate their star power’ by building a photo frame to display a picture of an achievement, friends and family, or anything they wish to celebrate. Other builds include a name sign, jewellery stand and more.
Staff at the stores will be on hand to help and guide children as they use their imaginations and build away.
For those children who are unable to make the workshops in-person, there will also be online workshops as part of the ‘Creativity at Home’ series – with the first ones set to be hosted by Strictly’s Dianne Buswell.
These are all about ‘fun and entertainment and decorating your room’ to reflect a piece of you.
The celebrity professional dancer will show children and show families how to create fun LEGO builds to decorate their home with.
Tickets to the workshops are FREE, but make sure to book them in advance on the LEGO as they are expected to be snapped-up fast. For tickets, click HERE.
The online Creativity at Home workshops are available now at www.LEGO.com/Creativity-Workshops.
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Stockport is set to host a free-to-attend cultural weekender filled with parades, workshops, comedy, live music, theatre and much, much more.
The town will be hosting a huge celebration this month as residents can come together for a two-day, fun-packed weekend of cultural festivities and access to must-visit venues, free of charge.
The Stockport Town of Culture Weekender promises fun all ages can enjoy, with more than 50 events lined up across 25 locations.
Taking place over the weekend of March 23rd and 24th, the Town of Culture Weekender will showcase the incredible variety of culture and creativity happening in Stockport.
Marking the end of its Greater Manchester Town of Culture status with a bang, visitors will be encouraged to explore new spaces while enjoying an event programme packed with live music, art, comedy and history.
Some of the fantastic events visitors can expect include Carnival of the Animals parade, live music, comedy acts, music, theatre and dance performances, sports workshops, gardening, crafts, history tours, free entry to local venues and more.
The newly opened centre park – a lush greenspace built on the rooftop of the town’s brand new transport interchange – which will play host to several activities planned across the weekend.
Music and dance will also be showcased at venues including Merseyway Shopping Centre, AMP, Petersgate Tap, Magnet, Spinning Top and the Market Place.
Meanwhile, Stockport Library will be providing all the fun for the little ones with a Bluey Day, featuring games and crafts based on the popular animated series.
A series of walks, tours and activities will also take place across the weekend, including a Hatting Walk and Stockport Music Walk, taking visitors on a fascinating journey through the town’s heritage.
The War Memorial Gallery will also be hosting the Stockport Rising Exhibition, showcasing the works of five local celebrated artists.
For those who are interested in exploring the town’s many attractions, many will be offering free entry for all, including the newly re-opened Hat Works Museum, Air Raid Shelters and Stockport Museum.
Councillor Mark Hunter, Leader of Stockport Council, said: “It will be wonderful to celebrate the end of our town of culture year with such a big extravaganza in the town centre, with so much to keep the whole family entertained.
“We hope this event will showcase just what we have achieved this year. It’s been wonderful to see residents and visitors enjoying all we have to offer culturally as a borough, whether going to an event or exhibition, shopping in the town centre or one of our district centres or enjoying a bite to eat.
“With help from everyone who has helped organise Town of Culture, we have facilitated and created a positive impression of the borough and a lasting legacy of creativity in the arts with Stockport Makes and Stockport Sounds, the ways in which we’ve helped residents get active with Stockport Moves and the wonderful cuisine we have on offer with Stockport Tastes.”
“We’ve shown that Stockport is on the up and the place to be, now and in the future,” he added.
Councillor Frankie Singleton, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Sport at Stockport Council, said: “There will be so much to see and do over the Stockport Town of Culture Weekender.
“So, save the date and make your way to the Town Centre to enjoy all the fun with your friends and family as we bring the curtain down on a fantastic year in Stockport with the Town of Culture Weekender.”