Heaton Park is preparing to host a spectacular festive celebration this winter – with Lightopia returning for a new, socially-distance edition of adventures, lights, lanterns, sculptures and shows.
The 2020 edition of Lightopia promises a feast for the senses, including dazzling sound and light displays and a socially-distanced magical illuminated trail.
The Grade I-listed Heaton Hall will serve as a backdrop to the new Christmas showcase – featuring Santa’s sleigh, glistening snowflakes and a giant interactive piano for guests to create their own winter soundtrack.
The festival will also be home to an immersive Astronomy display, Zodiac Sign installation, and Musical City that encourages visitors to dance their way through the lights.
The popular Animals attraction will return, and much-loved installations from 2019 can be re-visited in the Discovery space.
Kids can leap right into a fairytale of candy, flowers and characters at the Woodland Fairytale area, whilst the Lakeside water show promises a “visual masterpiece”.
ADVERTISEMENT
Shimmering walkways have been designed to create a safe environment with wider footpaths to maintain social distancing, with dragon sculptures dotted around Lightopia’s food stalls and licensed bars.
There will also be three entry points to reduce queuing and direct access to two car parks.
Ian Xiang, Creative Director of Lightopia, says: “We are excited to bring Lightopia back to Manchester, and have once again created a world in which light, sculpture and art combine with traditional, Chinese lantern-making techniques to create an immersive experience, full of light and stories.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We want our guests to become part of the Lightopia story, helping to create new forms of art as they interact and engage with the luminescent sculptures that trail through Heaton Park.”
Lightopia will be open to the public from Friday 20 November until Sunday 3 January.
Opening times are between 5pm to 10pm, and last entry is 8.30pm daily.
The event will remain closed on Mondays, Tuesdays (except during school holidays) Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Keep up to date with announcements via following Lightopia on Instagram and Facebook @lightopiafestival and Twitter @lightopiafest #Lightopia
What's On
Full list of road closures for Manchester Caribbean Carnival 2026 this weekend
Emily Sergeant
One of the best-loved annual events in Manchester’s social calendar is back for 2026 this weekend.
Manchester Caribbean Carnival has brought the Greater Manchester community together for a family-friendly celebration of Caribbean culture, heritage, and music for more than 50 years now, and the community hub of Alexandra Park and the surrounding city streets are set to welcome the massively-popular event once again this weekend.
Launching back in 1972, the annual event has become a staple in the city’s cultural calendar, and is known for showcasing the rich heritage and diversity of the region’s Caribbean diaspora.
Tens of thousands of people gather each year eager to enjoy two days filled with music, traditional bands, dance troupes, steel pans, and a selection of the best food and drink vendors that Manchester has to offer.
Kicking off from 12pm and running right through until 8pm on both days, with some early-morning events also starting at 7am, this year’s Carnival is promising to be just as spectacular as ever.
It also features a fantastic lineup of events and performances to look forward to.
But, in a bid to keep everyone safe throughout the weekend, Manchester City Council has published a list of temporary road closures and traffic management measures set to be put in place, so here’s everything you need to know.
🎊 Heading to Manchester Caribbean Carnival on Saturday and Sunday [8-9 August]?
🚍 On Saturday, rolling road closures will be in place to allow for two parades to take place. If you're travelling by bus, allow extra time for your journey.
Full list of road closures for Manchester Caribbean Carnival 2026
Saturday 8 August – 7am to 9am
Rolling road closures will be in place on:
Moss Lane East (Princess Road to Upper Lloyd Street)
Upper Lloyd Street (Moss Lane East to Great Western Street)
Great Western Street (Upper Lloyd Street to Quinney Crescent)
Quinney Crescent (Great Western Street to Alexandra Road)
Alexandra Road (Quinney Crescent to Claremont Road)
Saturday 8 August – 6am to 4pm
A full road closure will be in place on Claremont Road (Quinney Crescent to Alexandra Road) for the Parade set up and dispersal.
Saturday 8 August – 11:30am to 2:30pm
Rolling road closures will be in place as the parade moves through the area.
11:30am to 12:50pm
Yarburgh Street (Alexandra Road to Withington Road)
Withington Road (Yarburgh Street to Moss Lane West)
12:15pm to 1:10pm
Moss Lane West (Withington Road to Moss Lane East)
Moss Lane East (Moss Lane West to Princess Road)
12:40pm to 1:35pm
Moss Lane East (Princess Road to Upper Lloyd Street)
Upper Lloyd Street (Moss Lane East to Claremont Road)
Claremont Road (Upper Lloyd Street to Quinney Crescent)
Saturday 8 August and Sunday 9 August – 6pm to 8pm
As visitors leave Alexandra Park, a road closure will be in place on Claremont Road (Princess Road to Quinney Crescent), so you’ll need to allow extra time for journeys through this area.
Featured Image – Manchester Caribbean Carnival (via Facebook)
What's On
Huge contemporary craft fair with 200+ makers is coming to Manchester later this year
Emily Sergeant
One of the UK’s largest craft fairs will be taking over a historic Manchester building later this year.
More than 200 of the UK’s finest contemporary makers and artists will gather in Manchester this autumn, as the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair (GNCCF) returns to the magnificent Victoria Baths in October, creating a shopping experience like no other.
Set within the spectacular Grade II-listed venue, the fair will transform the building’s iconic empty Gala pools into one of the UK’s most distinctive settings for contemporary craft.
Since launching in Manchester all the way back in 2008, the GNCCF has showcased the work of more than 4,500 makers, welcomed over 90,000 visitors and generated more than £4 million in sales for independent creative businesses.
A huge contemporary craft fair with 200+ makers is coming to Manchester later this year / Credit: GNCCF (via Facebook)
Now in its nineteenth year and expected to attract thousands of visitors from across the UK, the GNCCF has become one of the highlights of Manchester’s cultural calendar, having showcased the work of more than 4,500 makers and generated more than £4 million in sales for independent businesses.
The fair will bring together designer-makers from the fields of ceramics, jewellery, textiles, furniture, glass, wood, metal, printmaking, sculpture, and fine art.
Every exhibitor is selected by an independent panel of craft experts – with 2026 set to welcome 70 exhibitors making their GNCCF debut, alongside many of the UK’s most respected makers.
Prices will range from affordable handmade gifts to collector-quality pieces, meaning the fair will offer something to suit every budget, every taste, and every stage of collecting.
“Victoria Baths is one of Manchester’s most remarkable heritage buildings and provides an extraordinary backdrop for the fair,” explained Victoria Scholes, who is the Development Director of GNCCF.
“The contrast between its beautiful Edwardian architecture and the very best in contemporary craft makes visiting GNCCF a truly memorable experience. People often tell us they love exploring the building as much as the craft.”
The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair 2026 will be taking over Victoria Baths from 15-18 October, and you can get tickets here.
The Manc -
14th August 2020 
