Lightopia is returning to Heaton Park with a new Christmas-themed immersive experience, and you can now grab yourself 10% off tickets.
Lighting up Manchester and already captivating audiences for the fourth year in a row, award-winning illuminations event Lightopia is bringing the magic of Christmas to the grounds of Heaton Park from tonight.
Promising to be a “once-in-a-lifetime adventure” for the all the family to enjoy, and having taken over the park until January, the immersive experience features brand-new and unseen audiovisual displays.
This year’s trail follows the story of new beginnings and the circle of life.
Beginning at the ‘Guardian Gate’, you will be transported into a winter wonderland decorated by a blanket of shooting stars with the ‘Essence of Light’ display, before following the winding mystical path to the ‘Mythical Forrest’ – a Christmas realm that suitably celebrates the festive season with giant baubles, trees, and presents.
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Lightopia is returning to Heaton Park with a new Christmas-themed immersive experience / Credit: Lightopia
The ‘Secret Flower Garden’ lights up the natural greenery of the park with a collection of glowing fauna wrapped around the branches above and the grass below, and then, in a display that festival organisers say is curated especially for younger guests called the ‘Book of Rebirth’, little Mancs can unlock their imagination with friendly animated animals.
The kid’s zone also features interactive musical tiles for everyone to interact and play with.
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The vibrant ‘Ying Yang’ display and ‘Tranquility Arch’ – which is home to colourful swans and butterflies – are some of the other displays to catch this year.
The Lightopia team says guests should then “prepare your senses” for the ‘Phoenix’ – which is this year’s main event that is new for 2022, and invites you to experience the heart of the festival through sound and light with a five-minute A/V show that will “push the boundaries” of music through the captivating display.
The immersive adventure ends with the grand finale ‘Lakeside Water Show’ – a spectacle of moving creatures and patterns projected across the lake and fountain.
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It’s promising to be a “once-in-a-lifetime adventure” for the all the family to enjoy / Credit: Lightopia
Speaking on Lightopia’s return to Manchester for the fifth year, Ian Xiang – Creative Director of Lightopia – said: “We are delighted to share the magic of Lightopia 2022 with families in Manchester and beyond and we hope this immersive experience will bring together friends and loved ones through the power of light and sound.
“Not only have we created a fantastical world, full of happiness, illumination, and charm, we hope by offering families a more affordable experience, they can escape for an evening filled with festive magic at Christmas.”
Lightopia is running right through until Monday 2 January 2023, and visitors can make their way to the festival every day – except for when it’s closed on Christmas Day – between 5pm to 10pm, with last entry being 8:30pm.
Advance tickets are priced at £17.50 for adults off-peak and £22.50 at peak times, from £11 – £14.50 for children – with those under three going free – and £49 for families of two adults and two children off-peak and £69 for peak times. Essential carers of disabled visitors can also attend for free when the disabled visitor pays the normal admission fee.
The immersive experience will bring people together through the power of light and sound / Credit: Lightopia
New for 2022, Lightopia has announced a new ticketing system to help families with rising living costs, with an off-peak option on selected weekdays.
And if you’re looking to save an few extra pennies on top of that, The Manc also has an exclusive discount code for you to make the most of – which gives an extra 10% off ticket prices throughout the duration of the festival to give everyone the chance to visit the magical experience for themselves this festive season.
Use the code Manc10 to get 10% off.
Find out more and grab tickets to Lightopia 2022 here.
Featured Image – Lightopia
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Manchester Arndale to host FREE beauty event with mini makeovers, live demos, and more this weekend
Emily Sergeant
A new free beauty event is coming to Manchester Arndale this weekend, featuring top brands such as Sephora and Space NK.
Taking over Exchange Court in the Arndale for two days, which is next to Next inside the major shopping centre, The Beauty in You event will be offering free mini makeovers and one-to-one consultations, as well as showcasing live demos, offering the chance to win exciting beauty prizes, and so much more.
Sephora, Space NK, The Body Shop, Bperfect, and Rituals are just some of the renowned brands set to be involved across the two-day event, while Boots-based and designer beauty brands like L’Oreal Luxe, MAC, and Estée Lauder will also be there.
Shoppers can discover new looks and upgrade their beauty routine with consultations and live demos from professional makeup artists.
There’s also a chance to be rewarded when you shop, as all weekend you simply just need to spend £50 or more across any of Manchester Arndale’s health and beauty stores, show your receipts to the event staff in Exchange Court, and you’ll be entered into a prize draw to win a £500 Beauty Bundle packed with must-have products to take your routine to the next level.
You can shop from the likes of PURESEOL, BPerfect, KIKO Milano, Bath & Body Works, and Lush for a chance to win big.
For the chance to win even more prizes, you can try your luck on the Spin to Shine Wheel to unlock some ‘uplifting’ rewards – from exclusive vouchers to brilliant prizes.
Manchester Arndale is hosting a free beauty event with mini makeovers, live demos, and more / Credit: Supplied
Don’t forget to strike a pose and snap a selfie at the interactive photo experience too.
Plus, as well as expecting to hear insider advice from some of the biggest names in beauty, the Arndale’s feel-good ambassadors, The Beauty Spots, will be at the event all weekend handing out compliments, encouragement, and just spreading general joy.
The Beauty in You event is the ultimate chance to ‘test, try and transform’ your routine all in one place, so make sure to head to Exchange Court this Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 September.
The event runs from 12-6pm on Saturday, and 12-5:30pm on Sunday.
Featured Image – Supplied
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Rochdale will be hosting its FIRST EVER comedy festival later month
Thomas Melia
There’s a comedy festival making its way to Rochdale for the first time ever, and it’s taking place over 10 days this autumn.
Rochdale is preparing for barrels of laughter, as the borough is about to host a comedy festival as part of its events programme for being crowned Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture for 2025-26.
The line-up features some well-renowned names in thecomedy world, many of whom have received awards and recognition along the way.
You can expect appearances from Lou Conran, who features as a regular support act for Sarah Millican, Tez Ilyas, from ‘Man Like Mobeen’, and TV comedy legend Mick Miller. There’s even some Britain’s Got Talent alumni in the form of last year’s finalist Alex Mitchell and 2017 semi-finalist Jonny Awsum.
Tez Ilyaz, Lou Conran and Brennan Reece are just some of the acts listed for Rochdale Comedy Festival / Credit: Supplied
Edinburgh Festival favourite Patrick Monahan will be performing along with English comedian of the year Rob Mullholland, Aaron Wood – named by Rolling Stone UK as one of the 12 rising comedy stars to see at the Edinburgh Fringe this summer, and comedy musician Alex Camp.
The lineup also includes Robin Ince, co-host and creator of Sony Gold Award winning BBC Radio 4 series The Infinite Monkey Cage, and a whole host of other stand-up acts who are all gearing up ready to make Rochdale giggle.
“Us northerners are famous for our sense of humour and there’s a big appetite for comedy,” commented Councillor Sue Smith, who is the cabinet member for communities and co-operation at Rochdale Borough Council.
Rochdale Comedy Festival has an array of comedians taking part including Jonny Awsum and Daisy Earl / Credit: Supplied
“I’m happy to see Rochdale Comedy Festival launching during our year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture.
“It will bring together communities and give new comedians a chance to shine.”
So whether you’re in need of a cheer up, or you’re a comedy aficionado, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to crack a smile at Rochdale Comedy Festival, as it’s happening across 10 days from 26 September to 5 October in various venues across the Greater Manchester borough.
Emily Sergeant -
24th November 2022 
