Things To Do

Lightopia is slashing ticket prices for the rest of its lantern festival in Manchester

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 27th December 2021

Lightopia has announced a big discount on tickets for the rest of its season here in Manchester.

The massive light and lantern festival will be offering 25% off event tickets for everyone.

The deal is running until the end of the festival, which is due to wrap up on Monday January 3.

Lightopia returned to Heaton Park for its third year back in November.

Lightopia Festival in Manchester’s Heaton Park. Credit: Supplied

The popular event once again saw the park filled with enchanting lanterns, installations and light shows in an interactive trail.

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This year’s ‘Christmas Fantasy’ at Lightopia includes brand new installations, like the Magic Circus display and the Field of Love, with 50,000 hearts covering the ground.

The Field of Love at Lightopia, which is offering a discount until January. Credit: Supplied

Other zones include the Time Travel section, where there are holographic time portals; the Fantasy Forest, where mythical creatures hide in the woodland; and Dragon’s Land, filled with 40-metre dragons and fabled fairies.

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There’s also street food stalls and a massive fairground to explore at Heaton Park.

Read more: 22 things to look forward to in Greater Manchester in 2022

The much-loved lakeside water show, where magical projections are cast over Heaton Park’s boating lake, has also made a return in 2021.

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Lightopia has shared its Christmas gift over the festive weekend, offering a 25% discount right through to the end of the festival on January 3.

Just use the code XMAS25 at the checkout at lightopiafestival.com.

Featured image: Supplied

Things To Do

A massive board game festival returns to Manchester city centre this month

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester Board Game Festival 2025

Tabletop fans, get ready for the biggest board game bonanza and gaming festival of the year as it returns to Manchester this month.

Yes, Manchester Board Game Festival (MBGF) is back for 2025, and we know you hear this a lot, but it really is bigger and better than ever – just wait until you find out where it’s being held this year…

Hosted by beloved local organisation Dungeons and Flagons, who are responsible for regular D&D and tabletop nights all over Greater Manchester every week, you can expect an expertly organised day of gaming, trading, talks and tonnes more.

Spanning a full weekend starting from Friday, 25 April and lasting until Sunday, the real challenge is seeing how many games you can squeeze in.

What to expect from Manchester Board Game Festival 2025

So, what exactly is on the table – pun very much intended – for MBGF 2025? Well, all of this, for starters:

  • 500+ games in the Dungeons and Flagons (D&F) games library with friendly hosts to help you find the perfect pick.
  • RPG sessions, seminars and bookable games like Blood on the Clocktower across the weekend.
  • A bustling ‘bring and buy’ sale and the popular PTW (play-to-win) shelf.
  • Speed gaming and party game zones for easy drop-in play.
  • The return of the infamous Board Game Pub Quiz & Bingo, raising money for charity

Local board game fans may have come across their D&F’s Tabletop Weekender back in February 2024, or maybe seen one of their events at a random Manc pub even in the past week, but this is their most ambitious date of the year.

Better still, there’s a whole separate event within the festival taking place across the Saturday and Sunday, specifically, which should draw big crowds in its own right.

The MCR Geek Fayre

As unapologetically nerdy as it sounds, ‘The MCR Geek Fayre’ promises a vibrant marketplace of 37 indie traders from around the area and beyond.

manchester tabletop festival 2025
Credit: Hannah Reeves (supplied)

Showcasing everything from art, board games, TTRPGs (tabletop roleplaying), accessories and lots more, the fair will run from the 26-27 and, just like the festival itself, its merely the first one the year – you can expect plenty more fun through the remainder of 2025.

With all that festivity, it only seems fitting that this year’s activities take place in a venue steeped in its own rich lore, as MBGF ’25 is set to be held in the legendary Sachas Hotel.

Speaking ahead of this year’s Manchester Board Game Festival, founder James Oxley said: “We’re so excited to be back with an even bigger event. MBGF is all about creating a space where people can connect, play, and discover new games and friends.”

With the first two days running all the way until midnight and still from 10am-8pm on Sunday, it’s a full-on, all-action weekend purpose-built for anyone who considers themselves an avid tabletop fan.

You can find out more information and grab your tickets from just £12.50 HERE. Happy gaming!

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Featured Images — @hannahreeves.jpeg (supplied)

Things To Do

There’s a HUGE retro vintage and vinyl fair heading to Urmston

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

A fair dedicated to all things vintage and vinyl is making its way over to Urmston this weekend, packed with lots of unique stalls and vendors.

Whether you’re after another leather jacket to add to your collection or hunting down a rare LP, this event covers all bases.

The ‘So Retro Vintage & Vinyl Fair’ is coming back to Urmston for 2025 and is a must-visit for any fans of vintage clothing, record collectors and anyone after a fun day out in Greater Manchester.

This unique day-long fair is returning to The Venue, one of Urmston’s large event spaces, this weekend.

There’ll be 25 independent traders and shoppers with everything from retro homeware to jewellery and accessories.

Anyone thinking of attending this vintage fair will be greeted with plenty of cute and quirky gift ideas, perfect for yourself or that one friend who is living their best retro lifestyle.

There's a HUGE vintage and vinyl fair heading to Urmston this weekend
Grab a bargain and a snazzy new addition for your wardrobe at Urmston’s vintage fair.
There's a HUGE vintage and vinyl fair heading to Urmston this weekend
Rare pieces and interesting vinyl finds on hand at the vintage fair in Urmston.
Credit: Publicity Pictures (via Supplied)

Alongside the stalls selling vintage goodies this year brings the arrival of all-new craft workshops, where visitors will be able to make and create retro lampshades or a tealight lantern with all materials provided.

These exciting classes will be ran by none other than creative mastermind Sarah from The Gingham Flamingo, a company which sells lots of fascinating handmade fabric garments.

After all that vintage retail therapy, ‘So Retro Vintage & Vinyl Fair’ is treating you to some lovely ways to soak up the atmosphere even more with a vintage bar, street food vendors and barista -style coffee cart.

Michelle Barratt, founder of So Retro Events. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to discover hidden treasure and soak up the retro atmosphere, and we’re very excited to bring interactive workshops to our even for the first time!”

There's a HUGE vintage and vinyl fair heading to Urmston this weekend
There will be plenty of quirky pieces to add to your wardrobe.
There's a HUGE vintage and vinyl fair heading to Urmston this weekend
Lots of friendly faces and unique vintage finds in Urmston this weekend.
Credit: Publicity Pictures (via Supplied)

So if you’re a lover of all things vintage or just fancy a different kind of day out, head over to Urmston this weekend and get ready to step back in time.

Read more:

The ‘So Retro Vintage & Vinyl Fair’ is coming to Urmston on Saturday 26 April from 10am to 3pm and all you have to do is pay a small fee of £2 on the door upon arrival. The workshops are an additional £20.

Featured Image: Publicity Picture (via Supplied)

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