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.
Albert’s Schloss is hosting a massive Y2K-inspired New Year’s Eve party
Danny Jones
Albert’s Schloss, home to some of Manchester’s biggest and wildest nights out, is hosting one massive blowout to celebrate New Year 2025.
Known for their big, Bavarian-themed events, live oompah bands, fantastic alpine food and drink, not to mention plenty of dancing on tables, the Peter Street favourite located just off Deansgate never does things in half measures.
In fact, the partying is beyond tried and tested, as plenty of Mancs plan to visit Albert’s Schloss for NYE annually, so it’s a good job they’re getting ahead this year, with tickets already on sale now.
They’re also no stranger to theme, and this time they’re looking to ring in the New Year by looking back at one of the biggest dates in modern memory: the turn of the Millennium.
Come curtains up, this is gonna be the biggest night of the year. (Credit: Press shot via Albert’s Schloss)
Yes, with the Y2K style back in vogue, be it the fashion, music, hairstyles and more, Manchester Albert’s Schloss is capitalising on the moment with a full-on revival that would put even the best of late ’90s/early noughties clubbing through its paces.
From 7pm onwards, guests can look forward to the usual Haus bands, DJs sets and all-star showtime cast delivering live music, dancing and pure, unfiltered joy.
As per an official press release, strap-in for a night full of “pop anthems, disco classics, and a few guilty pleasures as the haus transforms into a glitter-soaked time capsule of millennium madness.”
You have our attention – carry on…
With three other locations around the UK, including Birmingham, London and Liverpool’s Albert’s Shenke’s, we can vouch for Manchester’s very own being the best.
If the scenes from their Octoberfest celebrations are anything to go by, this event won’t disappoint and in-line with the rest of the festive period, bookings for their Christmas parties are also open.
Of course, guests are encouraged to embrace the theme; crop tops, cargo pants, bucket hats and double denim are all encouraged. As they put it, “Whether you’re channelling Britney, Bowie or the Backstreet Boys, this is your chance to party like it’s 1999.”
General Admission tickets start from £50 and include a glass of prosecco on arrival. Entry is from 7pm, with the last entry window closes by 10:30pm. This also a strictly 21+ only event.
There’s also a special Albert’s Schloss NYE set menu offer to, priced at £90 per person and including a glass of prosecco, canapés on arrival and midnight snacks to keep the party fuelled into the early hours.
Expect a three-course feast made up of a bier onion soup and beef carpaccio, sauerbraten beef short rib and roast chicken supreme, as well as a choice of milk chocolate mousse and vanilla crème brûlée.
Secure your place at one of the biggest parties while you still can – you can grab your tickets HERE.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via Albert’s Schloss)
What's On
A noughties fashion throwback is returning to Manchester and handing out freebies – including tattoos
Danny Jones
Beloved nineties and noughties clothing band Bench is at the beginning of a renaissance, and as they prepare to hand out free samples and even tattoos as part of their ‘Revival Collection’ sale, they’re returning to where it all started: Manchester.
Toasting the Y2K trends that have come back into style, the locally-founded label – started here in our city circa 1989 – is once again looking to make inroads and remind everyone why they were such a cult favourite name to begin with.
Preparing to reinstate its position in the Manc streetwear scene, Bench is set to make its comeback with a massive sample sale right here in Manchester, and there’s plenty of discounted stuff plus complimentary bits up for grabs.
We’re about to dance and dress like it’s 1999.
@bench.official Your first look at our AW25 Revival collection, available exclusively at Bench. Open House at the @Manchester Social this Thursday 6th November 👀 Shop samples old and new (yep, there’s even more available) for exclusive prices at our Manchester city centre sample sale event 💸 #samplesale#manchester♬ original sound – Bench Official
Spread across three whole floors, the ‘Bench Open House’ and Y2K Revival Collection will be on show at The Manchester Social tattoo studio.
Featuring timeless staples like oversized tees, vintage wash and classic turn-of-the-century style denim, big, baggy sweats and low-slung trousers re-designed for a new era.
Promising “extra goodies” from brands like Isovibe and Sunday Rain to the first 50 purchases on the day, you can expect plenty of familiar makes on show.
Being housed at Manchester Social too, the first 25 guests to book in will get a free flash tattoo on the night, courtesy of the studio’s talented fine-line artists; bookings can be made online or over the phone in advance for this directly.
And that’s no way near all there is on offer…
Those coming along can also enjoy retro gaming, nostalgic beats from live DJs supplying ’90s house party vibes, as well as cool photo ops, cocktails from Zubrowka (bison grass vodka brand), Baby Beer shots by Licor 43, plus non-alcoholic rum cocktails from Caleño. Immaculate energy all night long.
We’re personally loving how much late 1990s/early ’00s fashion is doing the rounds again. (Credit: Press shots)
Most importantly of all, the full proceeds from the sale will be donated to the native homeless charity Mustard Tree, which helps support people across the region.
Joanne Reidy, Head of Marketing at Bench’s parent group Apparel Brands, commented: “At Bench, Manchester isn’t just our home, it’s helped shape our identity.
“We’re proud that every sale from the Open House sample sale will go directly to Mustard Tree, supporting their vital work helping people across the city.”
Jack Barton, Head of Communications at the non-profit organisation, added: “We’re incredibly grateful to be the beneficiary of this event. Our mission is to combat poverty and prevent homelessness – it is down to the goodwill of our Greater Manchester partners who make this possible.
The Bench Open House and sample sale event takes place from 6-10pm at Manchester Social (9 South King Street, M2 6DG) this Thursday, 6 November. It’s completely free entry, but those looking to cop one of the selected designs can book in now.
Emily Sergeant -
22nd October 2021 
