Chester Zoo’s Christmas trail is back for 2023 and this year the return of the festive light show and long-running seasonal experience promises to be truly bigger and better than ever, with groundbreaking new displays, light shows, immersive soundscapes and much more.
‘Lanterns and Light‘, or previous incarnations of the annual Christmas event, has been running at Chester Zoo for over a decade now, with the family-friendly entertainment delivering a bigger and more enchanting spectacle year in, year out.
So, given the success of last year’s celebrations, the legendary local zoo had quite the job on their hands topping themselves, but with talk of not only a huge light show with more colourful illuminated animal lanterns than ever but plenty of exciting new additions, we think they just might have done it.
The beloved wintertime event will see visitors embark on the incredible light trail around the 128-acre premises this November right up until the end of the year and it really is promising to be the most special year to date.
Credit: Chester Zoo
As alluded to above, in addition to hundreds of colourful illuminated animal lanterns, guests will also be greeted by a whole host of costumed characters including the main man himself: Father Christmas, jolly old Saint Nick, Santa — whatever merry moniker floats your boat.
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Other sparkly new features include an ultraviolet walkway with luminous animal faces and colour-changing rainforests; illuminated dolphins that appear to leap from moats and waterways, a huge fire garden, as well as a variety of fairground rides and Christmas market stalls.
However, undoubtedly the best of this year’s offerings are the brand-new soundscapes designed in collaboration with Sony Music as part of the groundbreaking festive installations, which include a giant, four-metre-tall, interactive 3D woolly mammoth hologram. Yes, seriously.
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The incredible lights and effects will be taking centre stage at the zoo on multiple occasions each day and is a world-first that will light up the Cheshire sky like never before.
This dazzling display has previously received widespread public acclaim over the years, especially since the funds raised from ticket sales support the zoo’s conservation missions and work to help nature survive and thrive around the world.
Tickets for Lanterns and Light are on sale now with the festive experience scheduled to run across 33 special evenings from Friday, 17 November all the way up until New Year’s Eve (Sunday, 31 December) and entry slots from 4pm–8pm every evening.
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And, most importantly of all, as Chester Zoo remains a vital non-profit in the North West and in the global wildlife community, all the money raised through the event goes right back into their crucial charity work.
You can find out more information and book your tickets HERE.
Manchester Cathedral to be lit up with ‘truly stunning’ new 360° walk-through projection this winter
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Cathedral is set to be lit up with ‘truly stunning’ new 360° walk-through projection show this winter.
After captivating more than a million spectators globally and illuminating dozens of the world’s most extraordinary historic landmarks over the past couple of years, LUMINISCENCE is set to make its highly anticipated UK debut this winter – and Manchester Cathedral has been chosen as the lucky location for this dazzling event.
Combining 360° video mapping, new orchestral arrangements of iconic songs, and a narrative story celebrating everything that makes Manchester and its residents so special, visitors will be invited to step into a ‘spellbinding fusion’ of light, sound, and storytelling.
LUMINISCENCE is set to pay tribute to Manchester’s rich cultural heritage through specially arranged orchestral renditions of iconic anthems – with the setlist including songs by Oasis, The Verve, Joy Division, and Elbow, just to name a few.
Manchester Cathedral is set to be lit up with a ‘truly stunning’ new 360° walk-through projection this winter / Credit: Supplied
A brand-new script has been written for the show by BAFTA award winning writer Tim Whitnall, while narration will be provided by legendary local actor, Christopher Eccleston.
The show will be brought to life further by Manchester Collectives Gospel Choir, who’ll add a soaring choral dimension to what sounds set to be an already-powerful immersive experience.
Light from a battalion of high-power projectors becomes the storyteller inside the Cathedral, transforming the ancient architecture into a vast living canvas where every statue, carving, pillar, and stained-glass window comes to life.
LUMINISCENCE takes over Manchester Cathedral from Wednesday 14 January through to 26 March 2026, and audiences are encouraged to book early to avoid missing this unique experience as there’ll be strict capacity during the limited run.
Audiences can choose between Gold and Silver ticket tiers, offering options to suit every budget.
Gold tickets include fast-track entry and a glass of fizz on arrival, while Silver tickets for adults start from £29 (including a 10% booking fee), with concession prices available too.
Tickets go on general sale on Tuesday 18 November, and you can book them here.
Featured Image – Supplied
What's On
Comedy sensation Matt Rife announces new arena tour with Manchester show
Daisy Jackson
Comedian Matt Rife has just announced a brand-new world tour, with an arena show in Manchester on the cards.
The American comic, who has a whopping 11m followers on Instagram and 20m on TikTok, will be performing a night at the AO Arena on his extended Stay Golden World Tour, with tickets on sale Friday.
It’s one of 40+ new dates across North America and Europe, on a tour which will feature a 360 degree in-the-round stage at select venues.
The record-breaking comedian had already announced shows across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Canada, and performed shows across the States.
He’s been the youngest comedian to ever sell out New York’s Madison Square Garden – and he did two sold-out nights.
He’s shattered ticket sale records at arenas right across the USA, too.
Matt Rife has become one of the hottest names in comedy thanks to his razor-sharp crowd work and massive social media following, with over 44.6 million followers and more than three billion views globally, as well as chart-topping Netflix specials.
The 30-year-old entertainer will release a new Netflix special – Matt Rife: Unwrapped – on 2 December this year.
The ‘Christmas Crowd Work Special’ will ‘explore gifts, traditions and who’s made it on the naughty or nice list this year’.
Matt Rife will be at the AO Arena in Manchester on
Tickets for Matt Rife in Manchester at the AO Arena will go on sale from Wednesday 12 November for artist presale, and general sale will begin from 2pm on Friday 14 November – you can get your tickets HERE.
Danny Jones -
31st October 2023 
