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.
Repercussion returns to The Warehouse Project for 2025 and its first-ever winter edition
Danny Jones
Fan favourite club event Repercussion is back for 2025, and this year’s Warehouse Project season is seriously starting to ramp up.
The annual Warehouse Project programme is now well underway and hasn’t disappointed us one bit so far upon its return to Depot Mayfield.
With the likes of Annie Mac, Fisher and Worried About Henry having already ticked off the opening events on the WHP25 calendar, there are so many other big nights now coming up – and there are very few that are quite as big and/or popular as Repercussion.
Judging by the calibre of acts they’ve got for what will be their first-ever winter edition at WHP, that reputation is only going to get bigger…
The Repercussion 2025 lineup is now yours. Underworld – true pioneers of electronic music – perform live, joined by Caribou (live), Floating Points, Joy Orbison, Job Jobse, Daphni, Chloé Caillet and many, many more.
As you can see, the Repercussion lineup for 2025 is absolutely stacked, with names such as Caribou (live), Floating Points, Joy Orbison and others already confirmed.
You’ve even got the likes of legends of London’s late-night scene like Shy FX and SHERELLE closing out the party as Greater Manchester’s most iconic clubbing institution goes full steam ahead into the early hours of the morning.
God, we’re a lucky bunch to have something as world-famous as WHP on our doorstep, aren’t we?
There’s plenty of the Manc music scene on show too, with local station CROP Radio taking over the nearby Star & Garter, as the pub and live music venue continues to champion top grassroots talent.
Furthermore, there’ll be plenty more spotlighting next door at Freight Island’s Plant Room, too, which boasts some of 0161’s finest selectors, including Metrodome, Joey T, Jim Bane, Camilla Reghenzi and Joe Motion.
There’s plenty more to be enjoyed beyond just the music itself, as well.
For 2025, Repercussion is also hosting a new record and retail market, featuring curated vinyl from Northern Quarter tastemakers and former record shop pioneers, Eastern Bloc, as well as lifestyle items from concept store, Suzy Loves Milo.
These collaborations are a celebration of Manchester’s independent spirit, and it goes without saying that Repercussion, Barry Can’t Swim, Homobloc, and so many other huge electronic nights wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the grassroots tradition running throughout our city’s culture.
Pre-sale will be available from 9am this Friday, 9 October, and general admission goes live from 12 noon; get ready to grab your tickets HERE. In the meantime, you can study the rest of the WHP 25 dates in full down below.
13 Going On 30 The Musical at Manchester Opera House – a fresh take on the nostalgic smash hit
Amy Williams
13 Going On 30 The Musical made its world premiere in Manchester last night, and it’s a night to relive a childhood favourite film, done so brilliantly.
With the original writers, Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa, as part of the team plus Andy Fickman, who has screen hits such as She’s The Man and musicals including Heathers, you know from the off this is going to be good.
If you don’t know the story, it begins with a young (13 year old) Jenna and Matty, with Jenna wishing she was one of the popular girls, and instead ‘thirty, flirty and thriving’. The next minute, she wakes up on her 30th birthday.
She got everything she dreamed of – prom queen, editor of a popular fashion magazine, and the dream guy – but lost her best friend, family and became someone she didn’t quite like.
Can she turn it around and get back to the person she once was?
I loved this film when I was closer to 13, and now watching it premiere on the stage a bit closer to 30 myself, it’s still just as brilliant.
13 Going On 30 The Musical in Manchester13 Going On 30 The Musical in ManchesterCredit: Pamela Raith Photography
There’s an original score throughout it too (with the exception of, of course, Thriller – and the whole dance routine to go with it too might I add).
Staring Lucie Jones as Jenna Rink – with previous roles on Les Miserables, Ghost The Musical and Wicked – and David Hunter as Matt Flamhaff, their voices were absolutely incredible. A special mention too to young Matt, with brilliant vocals.
13 Going On 30 The Musical brought back the Thriller dance, the famous multicoloured dress and the need to go back instantly and rewatch the film again (and make my mum watch it, who hadn’t seen the film previously but still loved the show just as much).
13 Going On 30 The Musical is on at the Opera House Manchester until Sunday 12 October and you can still grab tickets here.
Danny Jones -
31st October 2023 
