What's On
Lightopia is returning to Heaton Park this Christmas with a brand new immersive light festival
You can get 20% off tickets today…
Lightopia is returning to Manchester for its fourth year this Christmas with a brand new immersive light festival.
A Christmas Story By Lightopia will bring the magic of the festive period to Heaton Park with a walking trail following the story of new beginnings and the circle of life.
Using never-before-seen audiovisual displays, the festival will give families the chance to experience a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
The Guardian Gate, a wonderland decorated by a blanket of shooting stars with the Essence of Light display, will kick start the festival, before guests are lead through the Ying-Yang display and Tranquility Arch, where they can discover the meaning of hope and balance as they stroll past a vibrant home to colourful swans and butterflies.
Lightopia
As they emerge from the winding path of the Mythical Forest, they will be greeted by the festival’s main event, The Phoenix.
For the first time in Lightopia’s history, the heart of the festival will be experienced through both sound and light, with a five-minute A/V show pushing the boundaries of music through the captivating display.
There will also be the Secret Flower Garden, which will light up the natural greenery of the park with a collection of glowing fauna.
And curated especially for younger guests, The Book of Rebirth will unlock the imagination with animated animals, while the kids zone will feature interactive musical tiles.
Lightopia
The adventure ends with the grand finale, the Lakeside Watershow, a spectacle of moving creatures and patterns projected across the lake and fountain.
Ian Xiang, Creative Director of Lightopia, said of the return of the event: “We are delighted to share the magic of Lightopia 2022 with families in Manchester and beyond. We hope this immersive experience will bring together friends and loved ones through the power of light and sound.”
Lightopia will be open to the public from Thursday November 24th until Monday January 2nd. The event will be closed on Christmas Day. Opening times are between 5pm to 10pm, and last entry is 8.30pm daily.
Tickets go on sale this Friday, September 16th, but if you sign up today you can get 20% off your ticket price.
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 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
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The prestigious Manchester Art Fair is back in town for its 16th year
