A brand-new intimate and immersive dining experience is coming to Manchester this year as Lightopia takes over Heaton Park once again.
The award-winning light and lantern festival will return to the city’s largest park for the third successive year on 18 November, but this time round, accompanying the enchanting light installations on the illuminated trail is a brand-new dining experience – Dine in the Light.
Nestled in the park’s woodland and surrounded by lanterns, Lightopia’s illuminated ‘Dining Domes’ make for a unique and atmospheric dining experience for families, friends and couples.
The 10 dining domes will serve up an imaginative three-course menu of classic seasonal dishes, all with a whimsical touch and curated by the three-rosette chef former head chef of Alderley Edge Hotel in Cheshire, Chris Holland – who is best known for his traditional British cuisine with a scientific edge.
Chris likes to get experimental with his recipes, so you should expect the unexpected – think smoke, sparklers, and so much more.
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Lightopia’s illuminated ‘Dining Domes’ make for a unique and atmospheric dining experience / Credit: Lightopia
Some of the winter-warming starters on the menu include roasted pumpkin soup, Swiss cheese and Riesling fondue served with torn ciabatta for dipping, and vegan Buffalo cauliflower wings, while main courses feature everything from a wide range of hanging kebabs, to slow-cooked chicken dishes and sticky glazed short rib of beef.
For those with a sweet tooth, some of the dessert highlights have to be these two Manc inspired treats – the Manchester Trifle with layers of Vimto jelly, vanilla sponge, and mulled blackberries, or a Heaton Mess Meringue loaded with fresh cream, baked peaches, and raspberries.
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The drinks menu include mulled wine, a selection of festival cocktails, wine, craft ales, and lager.
The 10 dining domes will serve up an imaginative three-course menu of classic seasonal dishes / Credit: Lightopia
You can drink, dine, and be merry in your very own private dining dome – which sits up to six or 12 for up to 90 minutes – before or after heading off to discover the enchanting Lightopia light trail in all its glory.
A children’s menu is also on hand, and it’s served with a sprinkling of magic too.
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The Dine in the Dark three-course menu and a drink comes to £38 per person, and all dome dining experiences must be pre-booked, with three dining time slots to choose from – 5pm, 6:30pm, or 8pm.
Also new for Lightopia Manchester 2021, The Stables Courtyard Bar and Dining will offer a more casual dining experience with different food and drink venders taking over converted vintage horseboxes to serve up everything from tasty, gourmet soft shell tacos, to delicious stone-baked pizzas, and festive beverages and theatrical cocktails, all served under a heated canopy in the courtyard.
Walk-in on the evening or to guarantee your spot reserve a seat, and it’s £5 per person – which is fully-redeemable against food and drink on the night.
Bookings for the Dine in the Light experience are now available here.
You can drink, dine, and be merry in your very own private dining dome for up to 90 minutes / Credit: Lightopia
Lightopia will be open to the public from Thursday 18 November – Monday 3 January. The event is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, except during school holidays, and it will also close on Christmas Day.
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Opening times are between 5pm to 10pm, and last entry is 8:30pm daily.
Advance tickets are priced at £20 for adults (or £22 on the day), £13 for children (or £15 on the day), and £60 for families of two adults and two children (£68 on the day). Children under three can go free.
Essential carers of disabled visitors can attend for free, the disabled visitor pays the normal admission fee.
A new interactive VR space experience by the Smithsonian is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
Working in partnership with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, a new immersive space experience is being brought to life by virtual reality (VR), and it’s coming to Manchester.
You won’t find many other things like this in the entire UK, let alone the North West.
Developed in collaboration with the world-renowned Observatory (SAO) itself, next month, our city is set to take people on a ‘journey through the cosmos’ like never before.
Having already stunned crowds down in London, the ‘Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience’ is coming to Manchester for the very first time; here’s a quick glimpse…
Popping up in an otherwise unsuspecting corner of the Northern Quarter, the Smithsonian’s Starstruck exhibition and interactive display is a must-not-miss this August.
Allowing visitors to travel far beyond Earth through the medium of VR goggles, you’ll be able to explore distant galaxies, witness the life cycle of stars, and witness everything from exoplanets, burning suns, even black holes up close and personal.
It’s also worth noting that this has been brought to life using real astronomical data and with help from experts working at the leading science, astronomy and astrophysics centre.
During the experience, Mancs will be transported via the power of humanity’s famous observatories, including the Hubble Space Telescope, the James Webb, the Chandra X‑ray and more, allowing them to not just see and hear but almost feel these far-flung phenomena like never before.
Besides visiting these various state-of-the-art institutions individually, there’s virtually no other exhibit that offers this kind of access – pardon the pun.
Presented by the award-winning and increasingly popular Fever Events, each VR session is set to last roughly 40 minutes, serving as a great family day out, couples date, or solo experience; and trust us, you’re bound to get lost in time AND space. Ok, that pun we definitely meant.
Credit: Fever Originals (supplied)
Speaking ahead of its arrival, Fever’s Global Director of Production, Alex Winterbottom, said in a statement: “We’re proud to have developed this new immersive experience in collaboration with the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO), the largest astrophysics research centre on the planet.
“This partnership has enabled us to ensure scientific accuracy down to the smallest detail to make the observatory’s incredible research within reach to audiences in Manchester.
“Bringing Starstruck to the Science Museum highlights the project’s ability to educate and engage visitors of all ages, from children to adults, while remaining highly entertaining.”
Starstruck by the Smithsonian lands at Transmission House on Tib Street on Thursday, 6 August, and with tickets starting from just £10.50 for children, students and over 60s, it’s a no-brainer.
Grab yours now while you can right HERE and check out the latest trailer down below.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via Fever/We Are Indigo PR)
What's On
Trafford Centre’s FREE emergency services day is returning with 50 vehicles, live demonstrations, and more
Emily Sergeant
Dozens of emergency services vehicles, live demonstrations, meet and greets, and more will be heading to the Trafford Centre this summer.
Back by popular demand, now that schools across Greater Manchester have broken up for the summer holidays, the North West’s biggest celebration of the emergency services back at the Trafford Centre early next month – offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at the lifesaving work carried out across the region every day.
Running from 10am through to 4pm, this free family-friendly event promises a full day of excitement, education, and entertainment.
Visitors can expect around 50 emergency service vehicles, live demonstrations, and interactive displays.
The Trafford Centre’s FREE emergency services day is returning next month / Credit: Supplied
There will also be representatives from the British Army, RNLI, and many more.
Both modern and vintage vehicles will be on display to give visitors a fascinating insight into how the emergency services have evolved over the years.
Families can also enjoy a host of additional attractions while they’re there, including meet-and-greets at intervals with Fireman Sam, free face painting, fairground rides, ice cream vans, balloons, and live performances from local choirs.
There’ll be 50 vehicles, live demonstrations, and loads more happening / Credit: Supplied
The event will be officially opened at 10:20am with a short ceremony led by Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester Kate Green, alongside other local dignitaries.
“Our annual Emergency Services Day is a brilliant day out for all ages, and a great way to say thank you to our amazing emergency services and support our everyday heroes,” explained Simon Layton, who is the Centre Director at Trafford Centre.
“We’re proud to host such an inspiring day here at Trafford Centre.”
Emily Sergeant -
22nd October 2021 
