Yorkshire pudding wraps and boozy hot chocolates are just some of the festive treats on offer at an incredible new lantern trail.
In case you haven’t heard, Land of Lights has now opened at Gulliver’s World in Warrington, and it’s transformed the much-loved North West theme park into an immersive winter wonderland for the Christmas season – with 12 “vivid dreamworlds” full of dozens of gigantic lanterns inspired by animals, mega monuments, and wonders of the natural world to marvel at.
As the sun goes down and the nights draw in, visitors are now able to explore an amazing array of light installations as they walk all around the park.
More than 7,000 individual lanterns and hundreds of thousands of LED lights create the spectacle.
Having been already enchanting families since it opened at few weeks back now, Land of Lights is a first-of-its-kind attraction for the area, and it’s arrived in Warrington after it was held for the first time ever at Gulliver’s Land down in Milton Keynes last year, and proved to be a smash-hit success that was visited by thousands.
The award-winning work of the Zigong Lantern Group – with more than 100 people involved in the production process, and it taking six months to design, manufacture, and artistically finish – Land of Lights seems to already be garnering rave reviews.
But those aren’t just down to all the show-stopping lanterns and light installations.
That’s because visitors also have the chance to tuck into a feast of festive-themed street food and drinks all throughout the festival too.
Yorkshire Pudding Wraps at Land of Lights at Gulliver’s World. Credit: The Manc GroupToasted marshmallows at Land of Lights at Gulliver’s World
As you make your way around the illuminated park, you can grab everything from freshly-made and generously-filled Yorkshire pudding wraps, and an impressive selection of handmade churros, to authentic German sausages and bratwursts, and a winter-warming lineup of tipples and soft drinks like mulled wine, beer, and boozy hot chocolates.
Not only that, but there’s also Lagado’s Restaurant & Grill located on site too, which offers up a wide range of sit-down meal options inside its warm restaurant on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays of the festival.
As we mentioned, the event looks to have been proving pretty popular in the short time since it’s opened, with positive reviews coming in thick and fast.
One glowing review reads: “We visited Land of Lights at Gulliver’s world, I have to say it’s breathtaking, much more than what I imagined, well worth the money, definitely recommended.
“Like stepping into a fairy tale, it’s an amazing experience. You have hot food and drink, different gadget shops during the trail, it’s an instant stress relief after a bad day. Parking is free.”
Land of Lights is now open at Gulliver’s World in Warrington, and is running right through to 25 February 2024 – with tickets already on sale and prices starting from only £12.
Rochdale to become colourful canvas as internationally-acclaimed artists bring mural festival to town
Thomas Melia
Some of the world’s best artists will descend on Rochdale soon, creating beautiful artwork on buildings and turning Rochdale town centre into a huge urban art gallery.
The ‘Common Walls’ International Mural Festival will give Rochdale locals and visitors a chance to see artworks being created up close by the world-renowned artists who’ll be in the Greater Manchester town for a week bringing their masterpieces to life.
Set to run from 7 through to 14 September, a collection of artists are descending onto the streets of Rochdale to give walls around the town centre a lick of paint that will not only brighten up the space, but also leave a lasting legacy.
10 of Rochdale’s notable town centre buildings will undergo a drastic change as part of this art-focused event.
Each art piece will pay homage to moments in Rochdale’s captivating history.
Rochdale-raised artist AYLO and Manchester-based Le Mai are two of the creatives getting involved, alongside Smug / Credit: Supplied
The artists involved in this creative, colourful, and cross-continental campaign include Greek artist Insane51, Swiss-born Onur, Manc-based Lei Mai, and so many more.
This new initiative is fronted by local artist Hayley Garner, known by her artist pseudonym AYLO, who was raised in Rochdale.
The festival’s main celebrations are taking place on Saturday 13 September, when you’ll be able to walk through the town and admire all the pieces of art dotted around.
There will also be BMX stunt shows, a live grafitti jam, pop-up galleries, artist talks, and live music, as well as street art workshops so you can unleash your inner Bansky.
Insane51 and Smug join AYLO as just some of the other artists involved / Credit: Supplied
“I’ve painted murals all over the world, but nothing compares to painting in your hometown alongside artists I have looked up to and admired, especially during Rochdale’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture,” commented lead artist and curator of Common Walls, Hayley Garner aka AYLO.
“I’m excited to see every day spaces transformed into landmarks of creativity and connection.
“What makes this even more special is welcoming world-class artists I’ve met on my journey, many of whom will be painting in Greater Manchester for the first time. They are amongst the best in the world and to bring them to my hometown is a real honour.”
Common Walls International Mural Festival is coming to Rochdale from Sunday 7 September to Sunday 14 September, and you can find out more information and further Greater Manchester Town of Culture listings online HERE.
Featured Images – Publicity Pictures (via Supplied)
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Drag Race UK winner Kyran Thrax plans PERFECT Manchester day out ahead of hosting all-new racing event
Thomas Melia
Ahead of hosting the cleverly-named Drag Race event ‘Glam Prix’ in the city centre, Kyran Thrax plans their perfect day out in Manchester.
Now it’s not a secret that Manchester is home to music royalty, but this city has always been a must-visit for various celebrities – including Drag Race UK season six winner Kyran Thrax.
This talented performer has spent plenty of time in the city centre and is now sharing their Manchester city centre hotspots ahead of their upcoming appearance at entertainment venue Chaos Karts for ‘Glam Prix’.
Kyran Thrax and a whole host of Drag Queens are coming to Chaos Karts for their ‘Glam Prix’ event in Manchester / Credit: Supplied
Thrax begins the day with a light walk through Urbis to reminisce their teenage years, and a must-have time has to be a “three pound can of cider”.
From this, our horizons and tastebuds take a two-minute journey to the always-beautiful Corn Exchange ,which houses a huge selection of food options – but this performer loves one spot in particular.
A special shoutout to the team at the Italian eatery’s city centre site as the performer notes: “[Vapiano] never hits as hard as it does in Manchester”.
After munching down on some much-needed carbs and cheesy goodness, the Drag Race UK winner must pay a visit to not one, but over 60 independent retailers, as they take us toAfflecks.
Afflecks is one of Thrax’s favourite spots and with a huge selection of independent retailers we can see why / Credit: The Manc Group
The UK Drag Queen reveals a fun fact about themselves, noting: “I actually got my nipple pierced in Afflecks and she’s still going strong”.
Now that we’re dazzling in vintage fashion, jewellery, accessories and an all-new nipple piercing courtesy of this independent shopping hub, a night out on Canal Street is definitely necessary.
The Drag Queen has frequented this party paradise, also known as Gay Village, many times and has even performed on various stages.
Thrax recounts: “I was on stage so late that when I left it was daylight. Everyone was going to work with their briefcases and I’m here, 30 inch wig, face immaculate, but my beard’s coming through,” – a stellar night out, if you ask us.
Gay Village is known for throwing some of the best parties including Manchester Pride Festival / Credit: The Manc Group
Kyran Thrax will be hosting Manchester’s first-ever Drag Queen Drag Race event ‘Glam Prix’ at Chaos Karts in Manchester with a team of iconic performers who are ready to take to the tracks.
The event, which cleverly combines both meanings of the phrase Drag Race, takes place just days before Manchester Pride Festival 2025, on Wednesday 20 August.
Although a whole host of Drag performers have been announced, there’s also chance for three lucky members of the public to try and secure pole positions by racing alongside these UK Queens.
If you fancy attending and racing as part of the ‘Glam Prix’ event at Chaos Karts, you can find all the information you need as well as your chance to enter HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
4th December 2023 
