Lightopia Festival 2020

The award-winning Lightopia festival returns to light up Manchester this winter. With a new and exciting route that has been designed to create a safe environment for the whole family to enjoy, Lightopia is no doubt set to be a hugely popular festive activity not to be missed during the Christmas season.

For those unfamiliar with one of Manchester's most-loved events of 2019, Lightopia is a festival of hand-sculpted lanterns, cherry-picked from across the globe. These unique pieces are carefully curated into a spellbinding trail that leads through the beautiful Heaton Park. Revellers journey through different themed areas along a route which also includes food stalls and licenced bars that offer refreshments along the way.

The Lakeside water show plays a key role in the experience, as state-of-the-art projections create a visual masterpiece, bringing the story of Lightopia to life; with a new production created for 2020 that reflects the Lightopia theme of discovery.

New this year is the stand-out Christmas showcase, which uses the Grade I-listed Heaton Hall as its sparkling backdrop – enjoy the most wonderful time of the year at Lightopia, as you pass by Santa’s sleigh, glistening snowflakes and make your own festive soundtrack with a giant interactive walking piano.

Other new areas for 2020 include the Astronomy display, Manchester Skyline and an immersive Musical City. The popular Animals attraction will return, and much-loved installations from 2019 can be re-visited in the Discovery space. Children will be full of excitement as they enter the fairytale world of candy, flowers and characters at the Woodland Fairytale area, with some new captivating pieces featured in this illuminated wonderland.

Buying tickets in advance for this event is strongly recommended.

"An after-dark wonderland" – Manchester Evening News

Covid-19 Statement:
You can book with confidence for Lightopia Festival Manchester. Come along knowing that the safety and wellbeing of our visitors and staff is of the utmost importance to us and we will continue to monitor and respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic situation as it evolves.

Current plans in place for the comfort and reassurance of our visitors include:
Reducing the number of tickets on sale within each time slot from previous years, to allow visitors more space
- Reducing the necessity to queue by having multiple entrance
- Revising the trail route to manage visitor flow
- Additional cleaning and having hand sanitisation stations where appropriate
- The rides and catering facilities are under review
- In the unlikely event that we need to cancel Lightopia Festival Manchester, you can transfer your ticket to the following year, or get a refund.