Heaton Park will be transformed into a glowing world of wonder as one of the UK’s most celebrated festive light trails makes its Manchester debut this month.
And now, just weeks away from the grand opening date, organisers have given visitors all the information they need to know – including sharing a full map of the site.
In case you missed the announcement earlier this summer, visitors will soon be able step into an immersive world of light and sound as Northern Lights – the acclaimed light trail from the team behind established music festivals Kendal Calling and Bluedot – descends on our city’s largest park this winter.
Already a hit in other major northern cities such as Leeds and Newcastle, Northern Lights has captured national attention with its cinematic visuals, choreographed soundscapes, and festive atmosphere.
The mile-long route will feature 16 large-scale installations, each synchronised to bespoke soundtracks creating a 90-minute experience like no other.
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Heaton Park’s dazzling NEW immersive light trail is opening this month / Credit: Supplied
Winding through Heaton Park’s iconic grounds, visitors will encounter glowing tunnels, enchanted glades, and a stunning illuminated lake scene, all promising to deliver an incredible experience for visitors of all ages.
Organisers say the new trail is designed to ‘spark wonder’ as the magical festive season arrives.
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Alongside the trail, there’ll also be a ‘Christmas Village’ serving up mulled wine, hot chocolate, toasted marshmallows, and street food from Manchester’s finest independent traders, alongside vintage fairground rides, and open fire pits to complete the winter vibes.
“We’re beyond excited to be bringing the Northern Lights magic to Manchester’s Heaton Park, and can’t wait for everyone to see all the work and creativity that has gone into the installations,” commented Emma St. Croix, who is the Senior Marketing Manager at Northern Lights Manchester.
“Bringing this festive experience to Manchester and working alongside amazing local communities and talented artists has been a true privilege, allowing us to create something uniquely magical that brings the whole family together.”
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Northern Lights is not only one of the UK’s most successful festive light events, but it’s also one of the most accessible, as the Manchester trail will be fully accessible for wheelchair users and prams once it arrives this winter, following hard paths, ramps, and matted areas, with no steps in sight.
On top of this, there’ll also be dedicated quiet sessions for neurodivergent visitors, and the chance to get wristbands allowing queue-jumping for those with additional needs.
Northern Lights will arrive at Heaton Park on 20 November and run up until New Year’s Eve (31 December 2025), with timed entry slots every 15 minutes from 4:15pm up until 8:15pm (times may vary during off-peak days), and tickets are on sale now.
Prices starting at £15 for adults, £5 for children aged three and up, and under threes going free – and you can also use the code LIGHTS20 at the checkout to enjoy 20% off.
Spectacular 360° immersive experience Luminiscence extends Manchester run to summer
Emily Sergeant
The spectacular 360° immersive experience that’s currently lighting up Manchester Cathedral has extended its run in our city.
Due to ‘overwhelming demand’ and a roster of impressive reviews since making its UK debut earlier this year, LUMINISCENCE – the 360° immersive spectacle – has now extended its run at Manchester Cathedral until the early summer, having captured the hearts of thousands of Mancs and visitors to the city in the process.
If you haven’t had the chance to visit yet, LUMINISCENCE combines 360° video mapping, new orchestral arrangements of iconic songs, and a narrative story celebrating everything that makes Manchester and its residents so special.
Visitors are invited to step into a ‘spellbinding fusion’ of light, sound, and storytelling.
Light from a battalion of high-power projectors becomes the storyteller inside the Cathedral, transforming the ancient architecture into a vast living canvas where every statue, carving, pillar, and stained-glass window comes to life.
Narrated by Manchester icon Christopher Eccleston and written by BAFTA-winning writer Tim Whitnall, the 45-minute standing concert features newly orchestrated versions of Manchester’s most iconic anthems, all performed alongside the acclaimed Collectives Gospel Choir.
LUMINISCENCE extends its Manchester run through to the summer / Credit: Supplied
Paying tribute to Manchester’s rich cultural heritage through specially arranged orchestral renditions of iconic anthems, the setlist includes songs by local bands like Oasis, The Verve, Joy Division, and Elbow, just to name a few.
LUMINISCENCE will now be running at Manchester Cathedral up until Friday 5 June 2026.
Tickets are now on sale for the new dates, and a portion of every ticket sold will be donated directly to the ongoing upkeep and preservation of Manchester Cathedral.
Gold tickets include fast-track entry and a glass of fizz on arrival, while Silver tickets for adults start from £29 (including a 10% booking fee), with concession prices available too.
Full list of road closures for Manchester’s St Patrick’s Day Parade 2026 this weekend
Emily Sergeant
Manchester is marking St Patrick’s Day with a big parade this weekend, and as always, that means road closures will be in place.
Manchester‘s annual St Patrick’s Day Parade will make its return to the city centre, taking place from midday on Sunday 15 March.
Each year, the event always proves to an incredible celebration of the city’s proud and thriving Irish community, and is known for showcasing and championing local groups and organisations in the process, like Irish dance groups, marching bands and pipe bands, along with a strong representation of the 32 counties in Ireland.
The parade forms part of the wider Manchester Irish Festival, is free for everyone to attend, and is great for all ages.
Alongside the parade, there’ll be live Irish music performances, and food and drink aplenty throughout the weekend in the Irish Festival Village in St Ann’s Square.
With this year’s parade set to cover more of the city centre than ever, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has published a list of road closures and parking suspensions that will be in place over the weekend to ensure it can pass through safely.
The parade will begin at the Irish Heritage Centre at 12pm on Sunday 15 March, and will then make its way along Cheetham Hill Road, Trinity Way, Great Ducie Street, Chapel Street, Victoria Bridge Street, and finally onto Deansgate.
The parade will finish on Deansgate at approximately 1:15pm, shortly after the junction with John Dalton Street.
Manchester St Patrick’s Day Parade 2026 – Road Closures
The following road closures will be in place to facilitate the parade, so here’s everything you need to be aware of if you’re travelling in the city centre this weekend:
On Saturday 14 March:
Hilton Street (between Oldham Street and Spear Street). Stevenson Square will also not be accessible to buses during this time, as this is to facilitate celebrations prior to the parade.
From 9am until 11am on Sunday 15 March:
Queens Road (Boyle Street to Smedley Lane)
From 11am until 1pm on Sunday 15 March:
Queens Road (Cheetham Hill Road to Smedley Lane)
From 11am until 3pm on Sunday 15 March:
Cheetham Hill Road (Queens Road to New Bridge Street)
Cheetham Hill Road (New Bridge Street to Victoria Street)
Victoria Street (New Bridge Street to Deansgate)
Chapel Street (Victoria Street to Victoria Bridge Street)
Victoria Bridge Street (Chapel Street to Deansgate)
Deansgate (Victoria Street to Peter Street)
John Dalton Street (Deansgate to Princess Street)
Princess Street (John Dalton Street to George Street)
Parking Suspensions
From 12:01am until 4pm on Sunday 15 March:
Cheetham Hill Road (Queens Road to New Bridge Street)
Victoria Street (New Bridge Street to Deansgate)
Cateaton Street (Fennel Street to Deansgate)
Deansgate (Victoria Street to Peter Street)
Queen Street (Deansgate to end)
South King Street (Cross Street to Deansgate)
John Dalton Street (Princess Street to Deansgate)
St James Square (South King Street to John Dalton Street)
Ebden Street (Minshull Street to Back Action Street)
Back Action Street (Fairfield Street to Granby Row)
Throughout the weekend, especially on parade day, TfGM is advising against travelling into the city centre by car if possible, as roads will be busier than usual and journeys may take much longer. In this case, public transport will likely be the best way to travel.
If you must drive, then you’re urged to consider leaving the car at one of TfGM’s park and ride sites and completing your journey by tram, bus, or train.
Emily Sergeant -
4th November 2025 
