ADVERTISEMENT

What's On

Lightwaves returns to Salford Quays next month with mesmerising FREE outdoor light trail

The popular light art festival is back for its twelfth year.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 12th November 2025

One of the North West’s most mesmerising light art festivals is returning to Salford once again this festive season.

After having successfully lit up MediaCity like never before in recent years, and going on to become an undeniable winter season highlight in Greater Manchester, Lightwaves Salford is set to return for another year early next month, and will be joining the growing list of light trails already in place across the region and beyond.

Presented by Quays Culture, the popular festival is returning for its twelfth year, and there’ll be 12 illuminated artworks along a 1.5km fully-accessible trail around MediaCity and Salford Quays.

The mesmerising immersive experience will include installations of different scale, all making use of light, sound, and technology in innovative ways.

The themes of the artworks vary from celebrating the nostalgia of a seaside arcade, to highlighting climate change and our connection to the natural world all set to represented, aiming to offer people a sense of optimism and togetherness. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Organisers are calling this year’s festival their ‘most interactive yet’.

“This year the focus is on artworks that visitors can engage with on a more human scale,” explained Rachel Candler from Quays Culture, “so we’re looking forward to seeing playful moments and even some dancing.

ADVERTISEMENT
Lightwaves returns to Salford Quays next month with a mesmerising FREE outdoor light trail / Credit: Dave Sloan | Liz West

“Year on year, Lightwaves delights audiences of all ages, and we’re sure that 2025 will be no exception. 

“For many of our visitors, Lightwaves Salford marks the start of the festive period, getting together with friends or family for a dazzling evening of light art as we head into the winter months.”

Read more:

Lightwaves Salford 2025 returns on Thursday 4 through to Sunday 7 December, and it’s free to attend with no need to book tickets prior.

ADVERTISEMENT

Maps will be available online in advance and on the night, but visitors can use any route they like.

Featured Image – Liz West (Supplied)

What's On

Bongo’s Bingo is hosting a series of special ‘Christmas Cracker’ and New Year’s shows

Danny Jones Danny Jones Bongo's Bingo Christmas New Year's Eve show dates 2025

Britain’s beloved Bongo’s Bingo is hosting a series of massive end-of-season specials to ring in the new year, announcing a number of their famous ‘Christmas Cracker’ and festive parties.

They’re also holding a ‘Big Fat Bingo of the Year’ (we don’t see any trademark issues whatsoever…), including one for NYE.

As one of the best nights out, not just in the North but in the country, they’re hoping to send you into 2026 singing, dancing, laughing, and hopefully with some lasting memories and maybe a prize or two.

Confirming the latest raft of shows starting this month, you can expect all the usual Bongo’s madness and more, plus all the bells and whistles, as well as plenty of tinsel and holiday cheer.

bongo's bingo mcr dates 2025
We’d love a new hoover for Christmas, to be fair. (Credit: Press shot)

Returning to Albert Hall as it regularly does throughout the rest of the calendar, Bongo’s Bingo is promising to give Manchester a Christmas and New Year’s period they’ll never forget.

As they put it, the hosts will be “transporting everyone back to the time when coloured tree lights and flammable tinsel ruled supreme, because the halcyon days of turkey with all the trimmings, mini bottles of Babycham and not a naughty elf in sight are BACK big time at Bongo’s Bingo.”

Bloomin’ ‘eck, they don’t half know how to get a crowd fired up even before they’re in the room, do they?

Set to deliver all the best festive tunes, “dodgy Santa Clauses” – their words, not ours – as well as plenty of foil hats fresh from the Christmas cracker, they’ll be partying with us Mancs multiple times throughout December, not to mention a bonus show at the end of November as we fully swap autumn for winter.

As for the ‘Twixmas’/’Christmas gooch’ period (again, not our words…), the format will then switch to the Big Fat Bingo of the Year, with quiz elements featuring all the biggest memes, tunes and cultural moments of 2025. 

You can see the full list of Bongo’s Bingo festive dates for 2025 down below:

Bongo’s Bingo Christmas Cracker and Big Fat Bingo of the Year dates

Christmas Cracker

  • November – Fri, 28
  • December – Sat 6 Dec (day and night), Sat 20 Dec, Sun 21 (day), Mon 22 and Tues 23

Big Fat Bingo Of The Year

  • Sat, 27 Dec (day and night), Sun 28 (day) and NYE 2025

If you’re interested in booking onto Bongo’s Bingo this Christmas and/or New Year’s, you can find out more information and grab your tickets right HERE.

This festive period really is shaping up nicely.

First look at Albert Square as Manchester Christmas Markets return to their spiritual home

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Press shots (supplied)

What's On

Manchester Cathedral to be lit up with ‘truly stunning’ new 360° walk-through projection this winter

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant LUMINISCENCE

Manchester Cathedral is set to be lit up with ‘truly stunning’ new 360° walk-through projection show this winter.

After captivating more than a million spectators globally and illuminating dozens of the world’s most extraordinary historic landmarks over the past couple of years, LUMINISCENCE is set to make its highly anticipated UK debut this winter – and Manchester Cathedral has been chosen as the lucky location for this dazzling event.

Combining 360° video mapping, new orchestral arrangements of iconic songs, and a narrative story celebrating everything that makes Manchester and its residents so special, visitors will be invited to step into a ‘spellbinding fusion’ of light, sound, and storytelling.

LUMINISCENCE is set to pay tribute to Manchester’s rich cultural heritage through specially arranged orchestral renditions of iconic anthems – with the setlist including songs by Oasis, The Verve, Joy Division, and Elbow, just to name a few. 

Manchester Cathedral is set to be lit up with a ‘truly stunning’ new 360° walk-through projection this winter / Credit: Supplied

A brand-new script has been written for the show by BAFTA award winning writer Tim Whitnall, while narration will be provided by legendary local actor, Christopher Eccleston.

The show will be brought to life further by Manchester Collectives Gospel Choir, who’ll add a soaring choral dimension to what sounds set to be an already-powerful immersive experience.

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.

LUMINISCENCE takes over Manchester Cathedral from Wednesday 14 January through to 26 March 2026, and audiences are encouraged to book early to avoid missing this unique experience as there’ll be strict capacity during the limited run.

Audiences can choose between Gold and Silver ticket tiers, offering options to suit every budget.

Read more:

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.

Tickets go on general sale on Tuesday 18 November, and you can book them here.

Featured Image – Supplied

More What's On

Matt Rife has announced a Manchester arena gig. Credit: Hannes van der Merwe

Art & Culture

Comedy sensation Matt Rife announces new arena tour with Manchester show

Frank Warren 45th anniversary fight card Manchester Co-op Live

Sport

Frank Warren’s special anniversary fight card, featuring local fighters, is coming to Manchester

Art & Culture

First look at Albert Square as Manchester Christmas Markets return to their spiritual home

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches