Lightopia at Heaton Park

Shekina Rose, Families Editor

Book now

Lightopia

Heaton Park, Manchester
24 November 2022-2 January 2023

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Image courtesy of Heaton Park.
Book now

Lightopia, the award-winning and visually dramatic lantern and light festival, will be lighting up Heaton Park, Manchester this winter, in a fusion of beautiful, light art installations, music, and human interaction to warm up the entire family, taking place from 24 November 2022 to 2 January 2023.  This year’s trail follows the story of new beginnings and the circle of life, with a thoroughly festive theme: A Christmas Story by Lightopia.

Christmas Tree Lantern

 

You’ll be truly illuminated by the unique and interactive light exhibits, as you discover a new fantasy themed magical light trail through the parklands. Along the way, you will see magical, visually striking installations taking a variety of shapes and sizes, expect fairytales, local heroes, animals, glittering, immersive lanterns, vibrant colourful lasers, illuminated trees, an astronomy-themed display and water shows at the lakeside. This year’s highlights include the Phoenix, a five-minute audio-visual display, as well as the Secret Flower Garden, Tranquillity Arch, the shooting stars of the Essence of Light, and of course, the Lakeside Watershow.

Entrance gate

 

This will be a sensory heaven like no other, with not only lights and visuals to astound you, but stunning sounds and melodies as you walk through Musical City, featuring huge musical instruments played by hopping along the keys beneath your feet.

This year, the Lightopia organisers have announced a new ticketing system with new accessible pricing including an off-peak option on selected weekdays, to help families in the face of rising living costs. For more information and to book tickets, go to the website.

What's on at Heaton Park

Where to go near Lightopia at Heaton Park

Treetop Adventure Manchester
Manchester
Tourist Attraction
Treetop Trek Heaton Park

Get up close with the woodlands of Heaton Park in aerial assault courses that’ll have you bouncing, swinging and gliding through the canopy.

Manchester
Event venue
Abraham Moss School

Abraham Moss Community School is a mixed all-through school located on a 19-hectare site situated on Crescent Road in the Crumpsall/Cheetham Hill district of North Manchester, Greater Manchester, England, next to the Abraham Moss Metrolink station.

Manchester
Library
North City Library

A modern community library space in North Manchester which is shared with North Manchester Sixth Form College.

Broughton Leisure Centre
Salford
Event venue
Broughton Leisure Centre

Broughton Leisure Centre is a sports facility located in Salford, Manchester. Broughton Leisure Centre houses a 25m pool and a teaching pool and also has a sauna and steam room.

Manchester
Albert Park

Albert Park is an important and valued piece of open space which first opened in 1877. Among the park’s main attractions is a fantastic all-weather astro turf pitch,

Manchester
Park
LIVIA forest

LIVIA is an accumulation of woodlands included Drinkwater, Forest Bank, Clifton, Robin Hood Sidings, Silverdale, Queensmere reservoir and Waterdale.

Cheetham Hill
The Yard

New creative hub The Yard is home to a great little music venue, which tends to attract future-leaning electronic artists.

What's on: Families

Culture Guides

Ceramic Sculpture
Exhibitions

Across Manchester and Salford, exhibitions are thinking hard about how things are made – and how materials carry stories.

A pair of white angel wings displayed against a dark, black background. The lower parts of the wings are stained with vivid red, resembling blood splatter.
Theatre

This month’s theatre highlights span dystopian classics, political thrillers and bold new opera.

Music

From underground festivals showcasing emerging talent to global icons unveiling new work, here are our latest live music highlights.

Food and Drink in the North

Spring is coming, at some point. As for now, it’s cold and grim so take our advice and shelter in a nice warm restaurant, pub or bar.

Emily Lloyd-Saini as Grace in Space and Harrie Hayes as Lieutenant Strong in Horrible Science
Family things to do in the North

Whether you’re after storybook theatre, museum wanderings or illusion-bending play spaces, there’s plenty to keep curiosity ticking through winter and beyond.

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night
Cinema in the North

There's no shortage of great films out at the moment, whether you're looking for the latest blockbuster, that hot arthouse flick fresh from Cannes or a cosy classic.