Well done Manchester, we’ve finally done it – with the amount of light trails illuminating our skyline this winter, you might be able to see us from space.
Who doesn’t love a light trail? The incredible views that brighten up the dreary winter nights, the synchronised wows as we gaze at the statues and figures along the way, or the hot chocolate waiting for you at the end that greets you like a warm hug.
That’s why we’ve rounded up some of the best light trails around Greater Manchester for you to explore this winter.
The 10 best Christmas light trails in and around Manchester 2024
1. Yuletide – Tatton Park
A festive event with a difference is taking over Tatton Park this winter, bringing folklore stories to life with illuminated puppets, live music and storytelling.
The latest seasonal event from Wild Rumpus, ‘Yuletide’ will captivate families as they explore the stunning illuminated landscape.
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Organisers say the captivating event promises to be a ‘truly magical experience’.
We’ve found a light trail with a difference for you to explore this winter – a magical world of glowing lanterns has taken over Gulliver’s World, and it’s a brand-new installation for 2024.
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‘Land of Lights’ is a one-mile trail that showcases a huge array of lanterns and displays, with loads of nature-inspired enchanting realms to explore from Fantasy Forest, Ice Kingdom and Winged Wonders.
Plus you can treat yourself to a hot chocolate or toast some marshmallows on your way round, and then fill yourself up with Yorkshire pudding wraps and crumble at the end.
The Trafford Centre‘s hidden woodland has been transformed into a festive wonderland, with stunning light displays, Santa’s sleigh and, of course, mulled wine at the ready for the adults.
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There are even free marshmallow toasting and letter-writing stations for the kids to get their Christmas lists ready.
Then there’s food from Freight Island’s traders, including premium smashed burgers from a Michelin chef, southern fried buttermilk chicken, cheese toasties and more. Plus, kids eat free for ticket holders when buying an adult meal.
Dates: On now until 2 January
Tickets: £8 for children, £10 for adults, £32 for families
The magnificent grounds of RHS Bridgewater will be aglow this winter, when its popular Glow event returns to the gardens in Salford.
The brand-new route will feature magical installations like light-up hedgehogs, fairy lights, and interactive displays that will weave around the gardens.
There’ll also be gift-shopping opportunities, music, and delicious food and drink.
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Dates: 27 November – 30 December
Tickets: From £12.95 for adults, £6.95 for children
A new festive light maze is heading to Cheshire for the first time this December. (Credit: Supplied)
There’s a brand-new festive light maze heading to Cheshire this Christmas, and it sounds absolutely a-maze-ing (so, so sorry).
‘A World of Illumination’ will feature giant candy canes, tunnels of light, and an overhead laser show all hidden inside a festive maze. There’s much more than meets the eye with this light trail and
And the eagle-eyed amongst you can look out for hidden handles and buttons which lead to secret rooms and festive treasures.
Arguably the toast of Cheshire’s light trail offerings. (Credit: Supplied)
This National Trust site is one of the founding godfathers when it comes to light trails and has been consistent ever since they first lit up the iconic house and its gardens.
Whether your favourite part is the lit-up moat, the array of bright figures and statues, or toasting a marshmallow, Dunham Massey has got you covered.
Being an important hub for wildlife, each ticket sold helps with the conservation and care of this UK historical landmark.
Running for four nights only in December, the festival aptly named after what your Mum shouts five times a day is back in Bolton town centre.
This festival prides itself on bringing experiences to all and this year visitors get to admire ‘Gaia’.
This six-metre-wide illuminated Earth replica will be on display throughout the festival’s duration, and is a direct detail comparison of the imagery NASA utilises. Wow!
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Dates: 5-8 December
Tickets: Free
Bookings: No tickets required
10. Lightwaves Salford – MediaCityUK
This Salford special has stood as one of the most beloved light trails in Manchester for some time now.
Spread across two kilometres and branded as ‘MediaCity‘s winter season highlight’, this experience features 14 different art installations that are set to be awe-inspiring.
One of the most engaging pieces, ‘I Caught a…’, will change throughout the night with a varying display of animals pictured in a cage.
Originally commissioned in 2021, ‘Through No 4’ will receive a glow-up with some innovative lights helping to really enhance this pretty little project located along Salford Quays.
Dates: 5-8 December
Tickets: FREE!
Bookings: No tickets required
And one to bookmark for next year…
Ignite Fire Festival is back in Rochdale this month. (Credit: Supplied)
Goblets of fire, a daisy chain of flaming flowers, a firebird with blazing eyes and even fire eaters – it could only be the return of ‘Ignite Fire Festival’.
Rochdale will be looking extra glowy next week when the free event by Walk the Plank arts group fills the gardens opposite @rochdaletownhall with dazzling pyrotechnic displays.
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There’ll be three nights of fiery displays, culminating in the annual Christmas lights switch-on.
Jessie Ware announces biggest-ever headline tour, including massive Manchester arena show
Danny Jones
Beloved British singer-songwriter Jessie Ware has just announced her biggest headline tour to date, including a massive arena show right here in Manchester.
She’s back with a bang, all right…
The solo star revealed the title and album cover for her sixth studio LP, Superbloom, in late January, and with the release date now fast approaching (Friday, 17 April), she’s gearing up for some truly huge gigs, both domestically and across Europe.
Set to make her Co-op Live debut later this year – the venue having booked so many big names already for 2026 – her Manc comeback can’t come soon enough.
Commenting on the announcement, the award-winning UK artist said: “I am so excited to be performing my biggest shows ever. We made it to arenas!!! I am playing iconic venues around the world, and I couldn’t be happier.
“The ‘Superbloom’ Tour will be filled with celebration, dancing, theatre, cowboys and goddesses, and of course a LOT of singing. Can’t wait to step into my garden where we all shall bloom!”
Born in London, she may not be a Northerner, but we’ve always had a lot of love for her music.
The 41-year-old has also found a whole new audience over the decade or so, thanks to the smash-hit podcast she records with her mum, Lennie, called Table Manners.
With her following stronger and more varied than ever, it’s no surprise she’s playing a space as big and industry-leading as the Co-op.
JUST ANNOUNCED: Jessie Ware 🪩 Saturday 5 Decemberhttps://t.co/r240zY16az@coopuk members get first in line for tickets. Co-op Member Presale: 09:00 Tuesday 21 April General Sale: 09:00 Thursday 23 April pic.twitter.com/yctYxk4W8Z
Confirming just four shows here in the UK and Ireland, us being the only other one in England bar The O2 in London, local fans can count themselves lucky she’s coming to our city.
Booking her return to 0161 for this winter, Jessie Ware comes to the Co-op Live arena in Manchester on 5 December, 2026.
Part and parcel of this venue, official Co-op members get early access, but you can also secure pre-sale by ordering her new album.
She’s also playing a more intimate in-store show here in town at the Arndale HMV if you miss out; see her socials for more info on that one.
As for general admission standing and seated tickets, you can get ready to grab yours from 9am on Thursday, 23 April, right HERE.
Olivia Dean at Co-op Live, Manchester- tickets, times, setlist and more for UK tour
Thomas Melia
The multi-award winning Olivia Dean is coming to Co-op Live in Manchester for two nights of her The Art of Loving Tour this April.
Pop and Neo-soul superstar Olivia Dean is continuing her phenomenal past 12 months by performing an arrangement of her hits and deep cuts from her newest LP The Art of Loving across the globe.
Dean recently scooped up four BRIT awards and three MOBO awards at the end of March right here at Co-op Live and now she’s returning to teach Manchester how to be ‘Nice To Each Other’.
The ‘Man I Need’ singer entered the music scene back in 2019 and instantly caught the attention of music lovers and critics alike, going on to receive a Mercury Prize nomination for her debut album Messy.
Gig guide | Olivia Dean at Co-op Live, Manchester – all you need to know
Olivia Dean is heading to Manchester for two shows at the impressive Co-op Live this April / Credit: Gwen Trannoy (Press shot)
Olivia Dean UK tour dates
Wed 22 April – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
Thu 23 April – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
Sat 25 April – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
Sun 26 April – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
Wed 29 April – London, UK – The O2
Thu 30 April – London, UK – The O2
Fri 1 May – London, UK – The O2
Sat 2 May – London, UK – The O2
Thu 11 June – London, UK – The O2
Fri 12 June – London, UK – The O2
Are there tickets left for Olivia Dean at Co-op Live?
Olivia Dean is bringing The Art of Loving Tour to Manchester on 25 and 26 April / Credit: Jack Davison (Press Shot)
Now… here comes ‘The Hardest Part’, answering a question that’s on everybody’s lips and althought it might be ‘So Easy (To Fall In Love)’, getting tickets to Olivia Dean’s gig might be difficult.
These tickets are in very high demand and have sold-out on all major ticketing platforms, so if you’re up for seeing this powerhouse, you might have to set up reminders on Ticketmaster or official resale sites like Twickets.
Olivia Dean setlist for 2026 tour
The ‘Man I Need’ songwriter is performing live in Manchester at Co-op Live / Credit: Jack Davison (Press Shot)
The Art of Loving Tour hasn’t officially kicked off yet but based off the name of this current run of shows, we can only hope her sophomore album gets played in full.
Here is the track list for The Art of Loving:
The Art of Loving (Intro)
Nice To Each Other
Lady Lady
Close Up
So Easy (To Fall In Love)
Let Alone The One You Love
Man I Need
Something Inbetween
Loud
Baby Steps
A Couple Minutes
I’ve Seen It
Stage times for Olivia Dean at Co-op Live, Manchester
Doors for the ‘I Could Be A Florist’ hitmaker are set to open from 6.30pm with no official starting time listed yet.
Co-op Live has a strict curfew of 11pm meaning you’ll have plenty of time to say ‘Ok Love You Bye’ and make it home in time before it gets to midnight.
How to get to Co-op Live
Tram
For those of you heading to Co-op Live, you’ll be glad to know it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.
Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.
Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre and until 1:00am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Bus
You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus, which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live. You also get free Bee Network travel with any valid event.
Getting there by car and parking
If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue, but this must be pre-booked ahead of time, and there are designated drop-off areas.
The postcode is M11 3DU, and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.
Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide on event day, though estimates will obviously vary:
Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.
There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live, but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:
Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces
Walk/cycle
Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly, and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.
Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes on the Beryl app, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app. There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.
For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.
Daisy Jackson -
23rd November 2024 
