Dunham Massey’s magical festive light trail is back this Christmas, and more dates have just been added due to popular demand.
Having returned to the grounds of the Altrincham-based National Trust property for the sixth year running now, Christmas at Dunham Massey is back for 2022 with what’s already being described as a “must-see magical festive trail”.
It’s bringing the garden to life with “a million twinkling lights” and “seasonal sounds”.
By making your way around the picturesque park, you can expect to discover sparkling tunnels, giant baubles, and glistening trees drenched in colour.
If you’ve ever been to the beloved trail before, then you may recognise some of the returning light sculptures, including the larger-than-life illuminated reindeers which are made up of countless festive fairy lights, as well as the fan-favourite walkthrough Tunnel of Light, which is a spellbinding experience all on its own.
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Dunham Massey’s magical festive light trail is back this Christmas / Credit: Dunham Massey
You can also be mesmerised by flickering flames in the fire garden, stand in awe of the dancing waterside reflections, and keep an eye out for Father Christmas along the way too.
There’s also some new additions to the trail this year too, including the Gladioli Tunnel – which is a new installation by UK-based arts collective Jigantics that features “lit arches of multicoloured flowers bathe visitors in a myriad of different lights”.
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As well as the light trail, the grounds are also home to a whole host of talented independent street food vendors who are serving up plenty of delicious dishes like burgers, hot dogs, pizzas, and Greek souvlaki and gyros, as well as tempting sweet treats and drinks like spiced winter warmers, hot chocolates, toasted marshmallows, and so much more to complete your walk under the stars.
More ticket dates have just been added due to popular demand / Credit: Dunham Massey
Designed for all ages to enjoy, and with sessions starting as soon as the sun goes down from 4:30pm, the 90-minute Christmas at Dunham Massey trail is running right through to the new year on 2 January, and tickets are now available.
Each timed entry to the trail has a limited capacity, and the early evening and weekend slots are likely to sell out quickly.
The very special homecoming show will be New Order‘s first full headline performance in the city since 2021.
The group are widely accepted to be one of the most influential bands of all time and this year celebrated 40 years of their hit Blue Monday.
They were founded in 1980 by vocalist and guitarist Bernard Sumner, bassist Peter Hook and drummer Stephen Morris, who had all been together in Joy Division, which disbanded after the suicide of lead singer Ian Curtis.
This year, the band announced reissued editions of their classic compilation ‘Substance 1987’, the band’s biggest-selling album to date.
They also headlined Barcelona’s Primavera Sound before they commenced their UK and European tour this autumn.
New Order will be supported by Johnny Marr, good friend of the band and legendary guitarist of The Smiths.
Marr and Sumner previously worked on synth-dance act Electronic together, and released three albums.
Johnny Marr announced a new album earlier this year – ‘Spirit Power: The Best of Johnny Marr’ will celebrate the first ten years of his solo career, featuring songs from across his four solo albums.
Fans can expect to hear Johnny’s greatest hits alongside the brand new track ‘The Answer’ as he takes to the stage at Wythenshawe Park next August.
Also supporting New Order at Wythenshawe Park will be adopted Manc Roisin Murphy, known in the 1990s as one half of pop duo Moloko.
The Irish singer and songwriter recently released her universally acclaimed sixth studio album, Hit Parade.
Presale tickets will go on sale from Monday 4 December at 10am, while general sale tickets go on sale on Tuesday 5 December at 10am, and you can grab yours here.
The National named as next act on lineup for Sounds of the City 2024 at Castlefield Bowl
Danny Jones
American rockers The National have been confirmed as the latest act on the Sounds of the City 2024 lineup at Castelfield Bowlin July.
The legendary alt-dad-rockers, as we like to think of them, have officially been named as the next artist for the annual summer festival right here in Manchester city centre, joining the likes of Tom Grennan, Manic Street Preachers, Jungle, Suede and more.
With a Grammy award win and countless other nominations to their name down the years, The National has become one of the best-loved contemporary rock and indie outfits around the globe and now they’re making their Sounds of the City debut in front of roughly 8,000 Mancs.
These lads have been around for over two decades now and have just released their 10th studio album this past September. They show no signs of slowing down and will no doubt light up Manchester’s iconic Castlefield Bowl as they have done countless other arenas and amphitheatres.
We are pleased to announce some additional tour dates for Summer 2024.
Tickets for all shows go on sale Friday, 17th November at 10AM GMT, except Milan and Rome which go on sale Thursday, 16th November at 10AM GMT. pic.twitter.com/FqG58cMVpf
The National confirm Castlefield Bowl and Sounds of the City debut in 2024.
Announcing the show as part of their current tour which kicked off this November at home in the States, this latest leg is promoting the new record, Laugh Track: a surprise release which comes just a couple of couple of months after their previous project, First Two Pages of Frankenstein, which dropped in July.
While the band confirmed the songs were all written at the same time, the five-piece has insisted that if the last album “represented a rebuilding of trust between us after 20+ years together, Laugh Track is both the product of that faith and a new statement of intent.”
In a continued sea change for the group, the new record features some seriously cool feature artists including Phoebe Bridgers and Rosanne Cash (daughter of country legend, Johnny) — two very exciting names to follow up the equally surprising collaboration with Taylor Swift.
All that being said, these lads will be putting on anything but a ‘Slow Show’ and it’s safe to say that if you miss out, everybody else will be there.
General sale for The National at Manchester’s Castlefield Bowl for Sounds of the City 2024 goes live at 10am on Friday, 17 November, adding to an already stacked month of mega live music here in 0161.
Emily Sergeant -
23rd November 2022 
