Award-winning illuminations event Lightopia is returning to Manchester for a third successive year in 2021 with a new Christmas Fantasy adventure at Heaton Park.
Featuring an illuminated trail with multi-sensory interactive lights, lanterns and installations, Lightopia is described as a “fantasy festive world for family and friends filled with mythical creatures”.
The Grade I-listed Heaton Hall will play host to a Christmas Spectacular – with a 9ft bauble-inspired Christmas tree and immersive stand-alone giant bauble which visitors can walk inside.
Lightopia 2021 will also feature a fantastical Magic Circus display, complete with illusional installations and interactive entertainment as clowns, animals and magicians take charge of the night.
A giant Earth Flower will also be on display, surrounded by 10 musical drums and powering a Field of Love with 50,000 hearts filling the floor.
A Time Travel zone will contain holographic time portals and a colourful time tunnel complete with digital interactions, whilst an enchanted Fantasy Forest will introduce visitors to mythical creatures hidden in the woodland, including a nine tailed fox and unicorns.
Lightopia 2021 will also be home Dragon’s Land featuring two huge 40m dragons and fabled fairies; Candy Land – a sweet-inspired illuminated dreamland; Fantasy Bees – where iconic insects are brought to life in a fantasy world; and a Wonders of the World display with giant mirrored, glistening crystals and gems.
There will also be a Lakeside Water Show – a new fantasy production created especially for 2021.
Ian Xiang, Creative Director of Lightopia, says: “We are excited to bring a brand new Lightopia concept to Manchester this winter, a fantasy world that has never been seen before.
“Lightopia 2021 will be a dream world adventure, for families and friends to escape to this Christmas.
“We want our guests to become part of this new fantasy Lightopia experience, as they interact and engage with the luminescent sculptures that trail through Heaton Park.”
Creative Designer for Lightopia, Ava Moradi added: “This year, Lightopia will bring new artistic illuminated displays with unique fantasy themed installations and light shows.
“My main focus as an artist is for this immersive light experience to bring happiness and joy; making this festive day out a go-to place for friends and family to celebrate together through the magical trail.”
Lightopia will be open to the public from Friday 19 November until Monday 3 January.
The event is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, except during school holidays. It will also close on Christmas Day.
Opening times are between 5pm to 10pm, and last entry is 8.30pm daily.
For those looking to plan ahead with friends and family this Christmas, you can sign-up for Lightopia’s pre-sale now with your email online for 20% off the ticket price.
General ticket sales will be available on Wednesday 28 July.
Advance tickets are priced at £20.00 for adults (or £22.00 on the day), £13.00 for children (or £15.00 on the day), and £60.00 for families of two adults and two children (£68.00 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.
Follow on Instagram and Facebook @lightopiafestival #Lightopia.
