A brand new breathtaking light trail is heading to Heaton Park this Christmas, transforming the popular Manchester park into a twinkling winter wonderland.
Visitors will walk through fields of colour-changing orbs of light, and amongst larger-than-life glowing flowers.
Neon strings will reach high into the sky and a laser garden will light up its space with thousands of tiny beams of light.
You can even wander through a giant twinkling tunnel as part of the all-new seasonal light display.
As you explore the full Christmas at Heaton Park light trail, you can take a break and grab some food from one of the hand-picked street food vendors on site.
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There’ll be spiced winter warmers, hot chocolates, and toasted marshmallows.
The huge event has been created by the makers of the world-famous Christmas at Kew, delivered by Raymond Gubbay Ltd, a division of Sony Music UK.
Matthew Findlay, head of UK Trails for Sony Music/Raymond Gubbay Ltd, said: “We’re thrilled to be bringing this beautiful new trail to Manchester for 2023.
“We’re collaborating with the team at Culture Creative, who have a wealth of expertise in designing and delivering light trails.
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“Working sympathetically with the landscape and history of Heaton Park, we have created an unforgettable, immersive experience illuminating the special beauty of the location, suitable for all the family to enjoy this Christmas.”
Tickets are now on sale for the new Sony Music trail Christmas at Heaton Park, which will run between 1 and 31 December (apart for 4, 5, 11, 12 and 25 December).
It will be open between 4.45pm and 10pm, with the last entry at 8pm.
Advanced tickets are priced from £18 for adults, £14 for children (age 3-16), and £69 for families (two adults and two children).
Off-peak advanced tickets are from £15 for adults, £10 for children, and £55 for families.
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Christmas at Heaton Park is also one of the few light trails where dogs are welcome to join the magic… dog-owners rejoice!
10 of the best North West light trails to visit this winter
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Christmas is fast approaching, meaning it’s time to wrap up warm and get booking your tickets for one of these fabulous, festive, family-friendly light trails, before the rush.
While many of us are still acclimatising to that familiar bite in the air and finally beginning to accept these darker mornings – it doesn’t have to all be doom and gloom.
There are plenty of activities across the North West currently gearing up to light the way through these dark months, as we head towards Christmas.
After all – nothing quite gets you in the mood like witnessing the first twinkly lights of the season, as our local areas are transformed into a vision of festive light and colour. Why not go the full mile and attend one of these amazing trails to maximise on that Christmas magic.
Here are our 10 suggestions…
Ignite Fire Festival – Rochdale
Rochdale set to be illuminated by fiery sculptures for this year’s Ignite Fire FestivalIgnite Fire Festival returns this winter
The Ignite Fire Festival is set to once again unite thousands of locals and visitors alike in Rochdale, with a spectacular trail of fire, lights and sound, along with some thrilling new attractions including hand-crafted blazing fire sculptures, pyrotechnics, and illuminated installations.
Visitors can expect a dramatic experience from start to finish, executed through cutting-edge technology as part of Ignite’s most ambitious light display yet.
This year’s festival will all centre around the mesmerising, multi-sensory and immersive night time-trail ‘BODY,’ which will transport visitors on a journey, through the six zones of the human anatomy.
Ignite is a free festival running across three magical evenings, between Friday 20 – Sunday 22 November, 5pm-8pm.
Read more about it HERE, and click HERE for more information about the Ignite Fire Festival.
Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience – Chester
The flying Ford Anglia will even be in attendance
This immersive, multi-sensory, night-time trail is a chance to channel your inner witch or wizard, as you step into an enchanted woodland, under the night sky and transport yourself into a wintery world.
Along down the illuminated winding path, fans will encounter some familiar faces like Hagrid or the weird and wonderful creatures from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts franchises, all brought to life through cutting-edge light shows and projections.
The installations will bring iconic scenes to life, as well as providing the perfect photo spots, opportunities for guests to practice their spell-casting skills, engage in a wand duel or summon a Patronus.
Northern Lights Manchester is taking over Heaton Park
Northern Lights has just announced a major return to Heaton Park, with a brand-new Christmas Time Machine theme.
The dazzling mile-long light trail will transform the park into a wonderland, with 14 different themed installations including Candy Cane Lane, a giant neon slinky, and shimmering nutcrackers, plus plenty of selfie spots along the route.
The Christmas Time Machine will take place from 19 November, all the way through to the end of the year, inviting visitors to step back into their favourite festive memories with a nostalgic collection in installations.
Expect original soundscapes, spectacular new illuminations, and even a marshmallow zone will bring the fully accessible trail to life.
There’ll also be vintage fairground rides, cosy festive pit stops and an expanded Christmas Village with artisan food and drink producers from across the region.
Northern Lights will also host dedicated inclusive evenings on Wednesday 2 and Wednesday 9 December, with reduced capacity and lower audio levels, to create a calmer environment that may be preferable for some neurodivergent visitors and those who benefit from a more relaxed experience.
Why not visit the glittering winter adventure at Tatton Park Gardens this winter?
This isn’t your average light trail – here, visitors have the chance to join in with festive mischief, toast marshmallows and discover magical surprises all along the route, it truly is an adventure for the whole family.
After dark, visitors are transported to an alternate reality with glowing installations and secret spaces throughout the gardens, encountering mythical creatures, inspired by ridiculous winter rituals.
The experience centres around a wonderful celebration of folklore, festive traditions and seasonal rituals, where guests should expect the unexpected with acrobats, puppets, curious characters, storytelling, live music and performances.
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This is such a special celebration of the season for all ages to get involved with, which practically guarantees getting you in the Christmassy mood.
After dark, the Lanterns & Light trail is set to completely transform Chester Zoo as we know it, into a brand new experience complete with festive lights, wildlife-themed displays, animal puppets and even adults-only evenings, for the very first time.
This year, the trail has been reimagined, with some mesmerising installations including the spectacular Suspended Jellyfish underwater display, a mirrored disco tunnel, a glittering pea-lit canopy, and Floating Feathers.
Throughout the trail, visitors can expect to see some new life-sized animal puppets including parrots, dolphins and a giant polar bear, brought to life by specialist performers.
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Alongside the new additions, the walk-through Cathedral of Light and atmospheric Fire Garden are set to return, where guests can toast marshmallows and warm up with festive food, or hot drinks by the fire pits.
Oh and if that wasn’t enough – there will also be a chance to meet Father Christmas and explore the funfair, all while helping fund Chester Zoo’s vital conservation work.
This exotic event will be running between Friday 13 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, with two adults-only evenings, on 19 November and 8 December.
Last year, more than 140,000 people visited the trail, so be sure to book ahead.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Christmas at Dunham Massey, meaning you can be well assured that they know how to put on a fabulous festive event.
Christmas at Dunham Massey is a staple winter tradition for many in the North West and we can see why – designed by award-winning light trail producers, the gardens are completely transformed into a winter wonderland with twinkling lights, colour, fire, and immersive sounds.
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For 2026, the accessible, mile-long trail, promises a brand-new array of bewitching light installations, photo opportunities and projections on the historic house, in addition to the return of Father Christmas and the festive fairground.
This trail is built for all ages whether you want to bring a date, friends or your family – you are bound to enjoy the wide range of seasonal delicacies available from mulled wine, hot chocolates and plenty of food stalls to choose from.
While this trail is dog-friendly, there are accessible sessions available where only assistance dogs are allowed to join along.
The RHS Bridgewater’s 2026 celebration of light, ‘Glow,’ follows a brand-new route through the woodland, with two new breathtaking light art commissions – an enchanted forest and an immersive sunrise to sunset display.
These are in addition to a magical moon feature, the stunning Yangzhou Scholars’ Garden and the dynamic light show ‘Halo.’
This winter walk begins with a lovely selection of cafés, serving up some seasonal treats and the opportunity to toast marshmallows on the fire.
Get your tickets HERE and allow yourself to start getting excited.
How will you possibly pick which experience to go to? Whichever you settle on – be sure to book early to avoid disappointment.
The best food and drink to enjoy at the Manchester Christmas Markets 2026
Daisy Jackson
The Manchester Christmas Markets has developed a more diverse food and drink offering every single year since its inception.
Long gone are the days where all there was to eat was a bratwurst served off a swing grill, or a mound of garlic potatoes (though those do still exist, and still serve their purpose).
Now, the Manchester Christmas Markets are packed to the rafters with local traders and brilliant independent businesses serving food from all the way across the globe.
This year, there are more than 200 stalls spread across 10 locations, so we’ve whizzed round them all to find where the very best food and drink traders are lurking.
From viral hits like fried chicken waffle sandwiches and croissant pots, to new taste sensations like a cheese fondue served in an edible bowl, there’s plenty to fill you up.
Pie and mash from Great North Pie Co – King Street
The 14 hour braised beef and ale pieA Lancashire cheese and onion pie, with extra gravy
Back for a second go at the Manchester Christmas Markets is Great North Pie Co., serving the absolute perfect winter warmer food on King Street.
You’ve often be able to pick up their award-winning pies here, but usually to take home and heat up yourself.
Now, they’re available piping hot, on a bed of mash with lashings of gravy. The Lancashire cheese and onion is world-class, and if you ask nicely they might have a suet pudding for you too.
Prices – £9 for pie, £4 for mash, £2 for gravy
Fondue in a bread bowl – Cathedral Gardens
Fondue at the Manchester Christmas Markets. Credit: The Manc Group
What could be better than a bowl of melted cheese? A bowl of melted cheese where the bowl is made of sourdough bread, obviously…
Fondue is a newcomer to the Manchester Christmas Markets, serving up the Alpine food classic with a festive twist.
Your cheese fondue is served with dipping croutons and pickles, then topped with things like hot honey chicken, or pulled duck and cranberry sauce.
Prices – between £12.50 and £14.50 for a fondue bowl; £4.50 for a side of potatoes
Crème brûlée French toast from HK Toast – King Street
We love a Christmas Markets snack with a side of fire, and HK Toast is back doing exactly that.
They’re taking classic deep-fried Hong Kong-style French toast, then topping it with a load of different flavours like Cantonese egg tart, crunchy pistachio, and peaches and cream – plus their new theatrical torched crème brûlée offering.
These guys were one of our favourite traders from last year and things are only getting hotter.
Prices – £9.50
Yorkshire pudding wraps from Porky Pig – Exchange Square
Yorkshire pudding wrap and a loaded bowl from Porky PigDeep fried pigs in blankets with melted camembert
These guys have been part of the Manchester Christmas Markets for donkeys years now, and are still always going to pull in a queue.
Porky Pig serve up all your classic roast dinner bits – carvery meat, veggies, stuffing and gravy – inside a gigantic Yorkshire pudding wrap.
But they don’t stop there – you’ll also find carvery boxes, battered pigs in blankets, meat barms, and all sorts of other bits.
Prices – from £10.50 for a Yorkshire pudding wrap
Cheese skirt dumplings from Hot Dumplings – St Ann’s Square
Hot Dumplings at the Manchester Christmas Markets
The latest concept from our favourites at Oi Dumplings is Hot Dumplings, where you can get piping hot trays of gyoza and dumplings to go.
A real highlight is the chilli cheese skirt chicken gyoza, which are all stuck together with a crispy, cheesy bottom, and the warming chicken soup dumplings.
Don’t forget to add lashings of crispy chilli oil and dumpling vinegar for one of the best bites of food at the Manchester Christmas Markets.
Prices – £9, including three sauces and toppings
Deep fried mince pies from Yard & Coop – St Ann’s Square
Deep-fried mince pies from Yard & Coop. Credit: The Manc Group
Yard & Coop just love a deep-fried bit of nonsense, and this year, that’s a deep-fried mince pie.
Alongside their usual chicken and fries trays, the Northern Quarter fried chicken icons are now serving up a battered festive dessert, too.
Warning – the inside will be hotter than the surface of the sun, which is actually just what you want after freezing your butt off at the Christmas Markets.
Prices – £4
Tiramisu from Misu – Market Street
Misu Tiramisu at the Manchester Christmas Markets
These were one of the really big food hitters from the Manchester Christmas Markets last year, so you’ll be pleased to see Misu have made a return.
This time, they’ll be selling their tiny tiramisu drawers from Market Street, with loads of different flavours to choose from.
Whether you’re a classic coffee gal or are fancying a seasonal special like gingerbread, salted caramel pretzel, or orange chocolate, there’ll be something to tickle your fancy here.
Prices – between £8 and £9
Croissants from Flat Baker – Albert Square
Flat Baker’s new Albert Square bakery stall. Credit: The Manc Group
Flat Baker opens at the Manchester Christmas Markets and the people flock to it like a moth to a flame – and this year looks set to be no different.
Debs and the team have got a prime spot on Albert Square, and for the first time in history, they’ve built a mini bakery inside their market stall.
That means you can watch them rolling and folding their phenomenal festive treats, from their viral croissant pots to bakes like a gingerbread cinnamon roll, pecan danish, a smores croissant pudding slice, a chocolate orange Danish, and loads more.
Prices – Between £3 and £6.95
Fried chicken waffles from Waffle Kart – King Street
Waffle Kart are back at the Manchester Christmas Markets 2026. Credit: The Manc Group
These guys surely need no introduction – Waffle Kart is one of those stalls that will send a queue halfway down King Street every single year.
Look out for the screaming rubber chicken stuck to the outside of their wooden shed, and you’ll find their incredible pickle-brined fried chicken dishes.
Expect chilli crisp sandwiches with waffles for bread, Szechaun chicken, and loaded waffles too.
Prices – between £11.95 and £14.95 for mains
Birria tacos from Fuego – Lincoln Square and Exchange Square
Fuego at the Manchester Christmas Markets. Credit: The Manc Group
A favourite at the now-lost Piccadilly Street Food Market, Fuego are here for the coming weeks with two locations at the Manchester Christmas Markets.
Expect phenomenal birria tacos stuffed with slow-cooked meat, as well as their ultimate winter warmer, a pot of birria ramen.
They’re part of the new food-focused area on Lincoln Square as well as sandwiched in right next to the ever-busy Porky Pig.
Daisy Jackson -
14th November 2023 
