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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Dance icons Faithless to host huge outdoor DJ party in north west
Daisy Jackson
Faithless, one of the biggest names in dance and electronic music, will be hosting a blistering DJ set in a beautiful outdoor setting this summer.
World-renowned DJ and record producer Sister Bliss will be taking to the decks at Carlisle Racecourse, as part of a packed calendar of events for The Jockey Club Live.
Taking place on Saturday 8 July after the racing, the plan is to transport this corner of Cumbria back to the heyday of dance music.
Sister Bliss was the musical force behind Faithless, together with the band’s late, great frontman Maxi Jazz and producer Rollo Armstrong.
The group’s music career spanned 17 years, selling more than 15 million records worldwide and playing live to millions across the globe.
They’ve headlined festivals and arenas and released timeless songs like ‘Insomnia’, ‘God is a DJ’, and ‘We Come 1’.
Following her 28-year career that went from the underground UK club scene to the biggest stages in the world, Sister Bliss has deservedly established herself as one of Britain’s most iconic electronic artists.
Sister Bliss of Faithless. Credit: Supplied
Helen Willis, general manager of Carlisle Racecourse, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Sister Bliss to Carlisle Racecourse for a Faithless DJ Set.
“Faithless are one of the most iconic giants of electronic music and we know fans will be dancing the night away to their biggest hits and more on Saturday 8 July.”
Sister Bliss said: “Summer outdoor shows are some of my absolute favourites and the crowd response is always remarkable.
“We have a spectacular show planned so can’t wait to see you all there!”
The Jockey Club Live events blend an exciting evening at the races with spectacular live music, with other names performing across the north west this summer including Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classic, Craig David, and Nile Rodgers & CHIC.
The Faithless DJ Set fixture coincides with the OEE Great Community Raceday, brought to you by OEE Container Technology Ltd.
Last year, the event raised over £3,000 for six different Cumbrian charities. £1 from every advanced ticket sold will be donated to the selected charities as part of the Great Community Raceday.
Coronation Street legend Hilda Ogden has been recreated from flowers at The Royal Exchange in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
A floral tribute to Coronation Street great Hilda Ogden has appeared in the heart of Manchester this week.
The iconic soap character has been recreated from flowers, grasses and other plant life, down to her ever-present hair curlers.
The floral Hilda is in position at The Royal Exchange this week, ready for the Manchester Flower Festival.
The beautiful building will also be hosting a Bee Trail treasure hunt for the occasion on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 May.
Friends, families, couples and any other fun-seekers are invited down to solve the clues and find the bees, with prizes up for grabs like a £100 voucher to spend at French Connection, Afternoon Tea for Two at Annies, a £50 floral bouquet from Royal Exchange Flowers, a meal for two at Pastan, vouchers from TGI Fridays and Michaels coffeehouse, and gifts from Hotel Chocolat, L’Occitane, The Body Shop and Sostrene Grene.
All you need to do is come along, pick up an entry form from one of the above-mentioned participating stores and get stuck in.
The floral Hilda Ogden at the Royal Exchange. Credit: The Manc GroupThe Royal Exchange is taking part in the Manchester Flower Festival. Credit: The Manc Group
The entire city will burst into colour with blooms installed all over our shops and streets for the late May bank holiday weekend.
You can find the floral Hilda in the Royal Exchange Arcade from today.
She stands in a garden of late spring flowers, alongside an armchair where people can capture a selfie, with hair fashioned from various grasses wrapped around curlers underneath her head scarf and her tabard recreated from a mosaic of fresh flowers including orchids, craspedia, thistles, Limonium and chrysanthemums.
Anyone who snaps a selfie with Hilda, then posts it on Instagram tagging @royalexchangemanchester (you need to follow the page too), could win a £50 voucher to spend at The Royal Exchange.
How to take part in the Bee Trail for the Manchester Flower Festival
Grab an entry form on the day from any of the participating outlets*
Each of the clues will, when solved, direct you to a specific outlet.
Once there, locate the hidden Bee picture and note its unique number down on the entry form next to the store or eatery’s name.
Once you’ve completed the Trail, fill in your contact details and hand your entry form back in to one of the participating stores so that you will be entered in to the draw.
Keep your fingers crossed that you’ve won a prize!
Winners will be drawn and notified within two weeks of the closing date.
Participating outlets: French Connection, Annies restaurant, Pastan, Royal Exchange Flowers, L’Occitane, TGI Fridays, Michaels coffeehouse, Hotel Chocolat, The Body Shop and Sostrene Grene.
The Royal Exchange Manchester Bee Trail runs all day on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 May.
And don’t forget your Hilda selfie for an extra chance to win! #HildaSelfie
Emily Sergeant -
24th November 2022 
