Award-winning illuminations event Lightopia is returning to Heaton Park in Manchester with new “festive fantasy” installations and light shows.
Ahead of the grand opening of the popular outdoor Christmas lights event – which is returning for the third year running – next Friday, Lightopia has also announced a new charity initiative called Light of Love that supports a range of local organisations around Greater Manchester, and for 2021, will officially partner with Hits Radio’s Cash for Kids ‘Mission Christmas’.
Cash For Kids ‘Mission Christmas’ is known for bringing the magic of Christmas to children who may otherwise wake up without a visit from Santa.
Last year, ‘Mission Christmas’ was able to help 30,697 children across the region, while Cash for Kids itself aims to support the one in three children that are living in poverty across Greater Manchester.
Visitors to Lightopia this year will be able to add on an optional donation as they purchase tickets for the Manchester outdoor Christmas lights event.
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Lightopia is returning to Heaton Park in Manchester with new “festive fantasy” installations / Credit: Lightopia
Commenting on the exciting partnership, Michelle Williamnson – Regional Manager at Cash For Kids – said: “We are thrilled that Lightopia Manchester is supporting Mission Christmas this year, as with more families hitting unexpected hardship over the past year, Christmas is a luxury that many simply can’t afford [and] some households are having to make difficult decisions between food, heating, and gifts.
“For some children and young people, Christmas can be just like any other day – but we want to make sure it’s different and as special as possible this year.
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“Every child deserves a gift, and with your help they can wake up to a visit from Santa on Christmas morning.”
Lightopia is promising a ‘state-of-the-art’ lakeside water show for 2021 / Credit: Lightopia
Ian Xiang – Creative Director of Lightopia – adds: “We are excited to bring a new element to Lightopia Manchester this winter, Light of Love aims to support local charities doing vital work in the Greater Manchester communities.
“The work of these organisations has never been so important [and] this year, we are helping to raise funds for Cash for Kids Mission Christmas, helping to make Christmas special for every child, with a gift this Christmas.”
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The Light of Love initiative will also be supporting OUR PASS and SEND this year.
OUR PASS is a membership scheme for young people who live in Greater Manchester, for both school leavers and care leavers, while SEND is the system that supports children and young people with additional needs throughout their education.
Visitors to Lightopia this year will be able to add on an optional donation as they purchase tickets / Credit: Lightopia
The Light of Love initiative, and additional outdoor light installations aren’t all that’s new at Lightopia in Manchester this year, as there’s also the new illuminated ‘Dining Domes’.
Nestled in the park’s woodland and surrounded by lanterns, the ten domes make for a unique and atmospheric dining experience for families, friends and couples, while The Stables Courtyard Bar and Dining will offer a more casual dining experience, with food, music and festive spirit under a heated canopy.
Lightopia will be open to the public Thursdays – Sundays from the 25 November until 11 December, and then will be open every day until Monday 3 January 2022 except for Christmas day, with opening times between 5pm to 10pm, and last entry is 8.30pm daily.
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Lightopia’s illuminated ‘Dining Domes’ make for a unique and atmospheric dining experience / Credit: Lightopia
Advance tickets are priced at £20 for adults (or £22 on the day), £13 for children (or £15 on the day), £60 for families of two adults and two children (£68 on the day), and children under three can go free.
Essential carers of disabled visitors can attend for free, the disabled visitor pays the normal admission fee.
Manchester firefighter surprises partner with proposal during new recruits parade
Danny Jones
We’re a sucker for a wholesome little video as we know you are, which is exactly why we thought of you lot when we came across this video of a newly graduated Manchester firefighter surprising his partner with a heartwarming proposal.
Just the kind of heartwarming that usually sets us off after a long week at work.
The clip shared by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) on Thursday, 25 April, shows Manc fireman James popping the question to his girlfriend sat unassumingly in the audience at a recent passing out ceremony.
Pass out ceremonies are when trainees go from recruits to fully qualified firefighters after completing their intensive operational training. It’s a long-standing tradition in the emergency services where friends and family gather to celebrate their achievements – it’s almost like it’s the perfect opportunity…
Watch as a Manc firefighter turns his passing out ceremony into a surprise proposal.
As you can see, since the graduates are usually the centre of attention, James couldn’t help but size his moment and instead of walking and lining up normally like everyone else, he decided to head straight over to his wife-to-be and get down on one knee.
You already know the rest.
Welling up immediately and barely able to remove her hands from her face, Melissa nods and says yes as the crowd cheers and the pair share a smooch.
Writing on social media, the GMFRS said: “We managed to capture a VERY special moment at our new recruits pass out parade today… Congratulations to James and Melissa!”, adding, “Certainly one way to start your new career”.
If we don’t see all the groomsmen dressed as firefighters on a random viral video sometime soon we’re going to be gutted.
All the best to the happy couple and if you’ve got any more lovely clips like this to send in so we can make ourselves cry (in a good way), you know what to do.
Featured Images — Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service
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Peter Kay’s statement in full as his Co-op Live gigs are postponed for SECOND time
Daisy Jackson
Peter Kay has issued a statement after his two gigs at Co-op Live were rescheduled – again.
The Bolton-born comedian was supposed to officially open the huge new Manchester venue last week, but ‘power supply issues’ forced it to be rescheduled.
He was then supposed to perform on Monday and Tuesday of next week instead, but these two shows have been pushed back even further.
Peter Kay has now issued a statement addressing the postponement, saying it’s ‘very disappointing’.
He also said: “I know, I can’t believe it either.”
He’s even amended his own tour poster to add the disclaimer: “(If they actually open the place).”
The star joked that he was now the ‘ninth artist in the world’ to play there.
Can always count on a comic to make the joke everyone else is thinking.
The legendary comic wrote: “To everybody with tickets, my apologies once again but unfortunately the Co-op Live still isn’t ready and so, as yet, remains untested for a large-scale audience.
“Consequently, they are having to reschedule my two shows yet again (I know I can’t believe it either).
“The first available dates the shows can reschedule to are as follows: Mon 29th April to Thurs 23rd May, Tues 30th April to Frid 24th May.
“Tickets will be transferred, or refunds given if the new dates aren’t suitable.
“It’s very disappointing but your safety is important, and I won’t compromise that.”
Co-op Live said in a statement: “Since making the difficult decision to postpone the live shows at Co-op Live due to take place this week, we have been undertaking an extensive protocol of testing critical procedures to ensure all areas are ready for fans.”
They’ve also made the rather bold decision to once again assure fans that the next raft of shows now set to be their opening gigs – big dates from Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and Olivia Rodrigo – are still set to go ahead as scheduled.
Touch wood.
Today's announcement comes with reassurance that we welcome fans to Co-op Live from Boogie Wit Da Hoodie on 1 May and into Olivia Rodrigo from 3 May 2024.
This could back to bite them. It already has once before.
“To ensure that we can run all shows safely, regretfully we have now had to take the decision to reschedule the planned The Black Keys and Peter Kay shows.
“Both The Black Keys and Peter Kay have graciously agreed to reschedule their shows. The Black Keys will now perform on 15 May 2024, and Peter Kay will now perform on 23 and 24 May 2024.
“All tickets remain valid and ticket holders will be contacted by their point of purchase. Refunds will be available for those who can no longer attend.
“We deeply appreciate the impact this will have on excited fans, and sincerely apologise for the inconvenience that this change will undoubtedly cause. Rescheduling Peter Kay and The Black Keys will give us the extra time we need to continue testing enhanced emergency communications thoroughly.
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“This is vital to satisfy the rigorous set of guidelines and protocols that are necessary for a venue of this size to ensure that our fans, artists and staff have the safest experience possible.”
Emily Sergeant -
17th November 2021 
