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.
Bewitching Christmas light trail Northern Lights will return to Heaton Park this year
Daisy Jackson
The festive light trail that proved to be a smash hit last winter will make a return to Manchester this year.
Northern Lights has just announced a major return to Heaton Park, with a brand-new Christmas Time Machine theme.
The dazzling mile-long light trail will transform the park into a wonderland with 14 different installations, plus selfie spots along the route.
And there’ll be a limited Kids Go Free offer on select dates, as well as inclusive evenings with reduced capacity and lower audio levels.
Northern Lights attracted more than 100,000 visitors when it made its Heaton Park debut last winter, and received rave reviews across the board.
This year, A Christmas Time Machine will take place from 19 November all the way through to the end of the year, inviting visitors to step back into their favourite festive memories with a nostalgic collection in installations.
Original soundscapes, spectacular new illuminations, and even a marshmallow zone will bring the fully accessible trail to life.
Northern Lights is returning to Manchester. Credit: Supplied
Visitors will walk along Candy Cane Lane, admire a giant neon slinky, and ogle at shimmering nutcrackers.
There’ll also be vintage fairground rides, cosy festive pit stops, and an expanded Christmas Village with artisan food and drink producers from across the region.
Demand is expected to be high for this year’s festivities, with Early Bird tickets just released to get you the best value prices of the year.
Emma St.Croix, Senior Marketing Manager at From The Fields, said: “The response to Northern Lights Manchester last year exceeded all of our expectations.
“The warmth and enthusiasm from visitors made it incredibly special for our team, and we’re delighted to be returning to Heaton Park with something completely new.
“Since January, we’ve been reimagining every part of the experience. A Christmas Time Machine takes visitors on a journey through the festive moments that stay with us long after the decorations come down. Nodding to the traditions we return to year after year, the nostalgia of Christmases gone by, and the excitement of creating new memories together.
“We can’t wait to welcome visitors back and share this next chapter of Northern Lights with families, friends and loved ones from across the region.”
Northern Lights will also host dedicated inclusive evenings on Wednesday 2 and Wednesday 9 December. Visitor numbers will be reduced by 75%, with lower audio levels throughout the trail to create a calmer environment that may be preferable for some neurodivergent visitors and those who benefit from a more relaxed experience.
Northern Lights Manchester tickets
Kids Go Free offer – available on selected Off-Peak Early Bird dates until 31 August (or until allocation is exhausted. Use code KIDSLIGHTS before selecting tickets to unlock.
Early Bird Pricing
Peak tickets – from £17.25 including transaction fee
Off-peak tickets – from £13.75 including transaction fee
A Thomas the Tank Engine replica steam train is travelling through Greater Manchester this summer
Emily Sergeant
Everyone’s favourite little blue engine is making another return to Greater Manchester once again this summer.
But this time, it’s with a rock and roll twist.
After delighting families throughout the region during countless successful events over the past couple of years, East Lancashire Railway (ELR) has announced that the Thomas the Tank Engine replica train is back this summer, arriving in a couple of weeks for a ‘rocking good’ time.
In case you aren’t too familiar with the beloved Day Out With Thomas experience, it’s said to be ‘a train ride like no other’.
Families have the chance to hop onboard the replica of the cult-classic blue train character when he returns next weekend for a 45-minute trip through the Greater Manchester countryside.
Everyone’s favourite little blue engine is making another return to Greater Manchester this summer / Credit: ELR
The journey begins at Bury Train Station, where you’ll be greeted by The Fat Controller, meet Sir Topham Hatt, say hello to Thomas on the platform, and then climb aboard a carriage, all before Thomas makes a final stop at the beautiful Ramsbottom station.
The doors to Bury Transport Museum will also be open across the weekend and will be hosting loads of fun free activities.
On the Day Out With Thomas: Let’s Rock, Let’s Roll Tour, families will be able to watch and dance along to exciting live shows with Sodor Station Sweepers Rusty & Dusty, join in the Thomas and Friends character hunt, have fun with garden games, keep the beat going at the ‘Music Corner’ packed with music-inspired fun, and so much more.
Thomas will be stopping at East Lancashire Railway this year on 18-19 July so there’s plenty of opportunities to see him, and tickets are now on sale.
Ticket prices start at £14.50 for kids, and £24 for adults.
Danny Jones -
31st October 2023 
