One of the most glittering events in the North West is returning this winter, when Gulliver’s World is filled with beautiful lanterns.
The hugely popular Land of Lights will this year feature all-new lanterns, each one inspired by the wonders of nature.
With a WonderWild theme, the light trail will have a unique blend of ‘animal-inspired artistry with a fantastical twist’.
The breathtaking spectacle will lead visitors around a twinkling wonderland filled with light and colour.
The one-mile trail will showcase a huge array of lanterns and displays, creating a wonderous, wild, and magical atmosphere suitable for all ages.
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It debuted at Gulliver’s World in Warrington last year and drew in thousands of excited people throughout winter.
This year’s lantern trail at Gulliver’s World Land of Lights will have a WonderWild theme. Credit: Supplied
And now it’s back, between 9 November and 4 January, and there’s a chance to save big on your tickets if you act quickly.
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Super early bird tickets will start from just £10 per person when they go on sale this Sunday.
Ross Partridge, festival manager, said: “We’re excited to invite guests to experience WonderWild, our most ambitious Land of Lights festival yet.
“This year, we’re taking visitors on a journey through various enchanting realms, including the Jungle of Colour, Frozen Kingdom, and Winged Wonders. It’s an opportunity to see plants, animals, and nature in a whole new light.”
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£10 tickets for Gulliver’s World’s Land of Lights are on sale from 10am on Sunday 1 September – you can grab yours here.
Printworks’ Vue cinema is the latest to get a comfort upgrade with new ‘Ultra Lux’ seats
Emily Sergeant
Cinephiles across Manchester are now able to enjoy the latest movie releases in ultimate comfort.
If you hadn’t already heard, over at the popularMediaCity Vue cinema complex, 75 brand-new ‘Ultra Lux’ seats were installed across seven screensat the end of last year, offering film fans what is, quite literally, the chance to sit in the best seats in the house.
And now,Printworks is getting in on the action as well, as a whopping 163 new ‘Ultra Lux’ seats have now been installed at Vue Manchester Printworks too.
Each seat provides the very-best view of the big screen and comes with a host of premium features.
Some of these exciting premium features include extra-wide armrests, a personal table forsnacks and drinks, your very-own beverage cooler – which is ideal for films with a particularly long run-time – and even backs and legs that recline independently, so you can find the most relaxing viewing position possible.
Ultra Lux seats have arrived at Vue Manchester Printworks / Credit: Vue Gallery / Supplied
Vue currently has 93 state-of-the-art cinemas throughout the UK and Ireland, totalling more than 850 screens – and Vue Manchester Printworks is the latest to benefit from upgraded seating.
This means that anyone heading to thecinema to see some of the latest and upcoming releases like Project Hail Mary, The Drama, Hoppers, Scream 7, How To Make a Killing, and so many more, can experience comfort like never before.
“We’ve invested in bringing Vue’s premium seating to our venues and can’t wait for customers to enjoy an even more comfortable cinema experience on their next visit,” commented Brodie Lyons, who is the Area Manager for the two Vue venues in Manchester.
“It’s truly the best way to immerse yourself in a film.”
Tickets for screenings at Vue Manchester Printworks and Vue Quayside Manchester start from £7.99, with upgrades to Ultra Lux available on selected tickets.
It couldn’t be a better time to lose yourself in the power of cinema – and treat yourself to an Ultra Lux experience.
You can book tickets for upcoming films online by visiting myvue.com.
Featured Image – Supplied
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All three major Manchester Universities are teaming up for a historic Freshers season
Danny Jones
For the first time in history, all three major Universities in central Manchester are partnering for a landmark year of Freshers celebrations, and it’s going to be an unforgettable one for students.
Against all the odds, one company has managed to unite the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Salford to host a collaborative programme in and around the city centre for the soon-to-arrive class of 2026.
The organisers in question are Cool It Events, who have identified the issue of countless random parties and unofficial ‘ghost’ dates that often end up not even happening, before deciding to combat it by teaming up with the trio of local institutions for a definitive triple crown partnership.
In another first for our region, all three student unions are getting behind this, not only for the sake of ease and clarity on behalf of the new cohort set to attend, but to guarantee safety, legitimacy, and also value for money.
Of course, proper uni-sanctioned parties and so on have always been a part of Freshers’ week, but equally, the opportunistic ‘fly-by-night’ culture of others trying to get in on the action and rogue promotions simply trying to make a bit of money whilst ripping off young people is just old.
Furthermore, as Cool It puts it: “In a digital age where predatory ‘unofficial’ wristbands often lead to overbooked venues or events that simply don’t exist, these partnerships offer a rare peace of mind.”
It also means that those trying to put on a genuinely good day and/or night out aren’t simply relegated to some vague second tier of back-up options; this way, it’s clear who is taking part (UoM, MMU and University of Salford), doing what, and where.
Their approach to this next-level Freshers festival started in 2025, and with a presence in other locations like Liverpool, Chester and Bolton, their reputation just keeps growing.
Naturally, they’re aiming to make this year the biggest and best yet, by not only teaming up with the big unis but also by locking in what they and so many dub the “gold standard of venues.”
Places taking part include:
The O2 Ritz
Factory 251
Gorilla
Joshua Brooks
Popworld
Manchester Academy
Brickhouse
Kable
The Grovesnor
And that’s just a handful, with more still to be confirmed.
For instance, ‘We Love Wednesdays’ at Ark on Deansgate Locks – widely regarded as the city’s biggest weekly student night – will also be getting involved in a big way.
Credit: Cool It Events (supplied)
Given that market analysis has also shown that the unofficial ‘Freshers Packs’ can often cost upwards of 50% more than the official versions, not to mention offering no concrete guarantee of entry or SU backing, this is also a way to help students save money on their arrival into the city.
Put simply, the Universities and Cool It Events have done all the work for you, curating an excellent introduction to the best nightlife and student culture in the North, period – minus the risks.
If this sounds like a bit of you, or you have family heading to uni in Greater Manchester this coming term, you can find all the information on their website, including via your chosen University’s student union portal. Last but not least, if you’re already sold, you can grab your tickets to all the events right HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
31st August 2024 
