Lightopia 2020: Spectacular lantern and light festival returns to Manchester
Family fun awaits at award-winning Christmas light festival
While many Christmas events are being cancelled, an award-winning and socially-distanced light festival in Manchester is set to go ahead.
Lightopia returns to the city with this year’s Christmas at Heaton Park event.
The festive family festival runs from November 20, 2020 to January 3, 2021.
There will be new themes and creations but changes have also been made in light of Covid restrictions, to keep visitors safe including wider footpaths and three entry points to reduce queueing.
There will be a magical illuminated trail, designed so that people can maintain a social distance from each other and two car parks.
Lightopia 2020 will also pay tribute to Coronavirus frontline workers with a Local Heroes Area, featuring the words ‘thank you’ and a colourful rainbow display.
Lightopia creative director Ian Xiang said organisers are “excited” to bring Lightopia back to Manchester.
“We 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,” he said.
“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
Among the new additions will be a Christmas showcase using the Grade I-listed Heaton Hall as its sparkling backdrop.
There will also be Santa’s sleigh, a giant interactive walking piano, an astronomy display and interactive Zodiac sign installation.
Children will love robotic controlled pads on the floor, which create light shows when stepped on.
Another area is dedicated to the Manchester skyline and an immersive Musical City area, will encourage visitors to dance their way through the lights.
Returning attractions include the Woodland Fairytale area, the Animals attraction and the Discovery space.
A Lakeside water show includes a state-of-the-art projection while dragon sculptures will lead the way to Lightopia’s food stalls and licensed bars.
The event from November 20 to January 3 runs between 5pm and 10pm and last entry is 8.30pm daily.
The event is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, except during school holidays and closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Tickets are £20 online for adults (or £22 on the day), £13 for children (or £15 on the day) and £60 for families of two adults and two children (£68 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.
To book tickets, visit www.lightopiafestival.com
Follow on Instagram and Facebook @lightopiafestival #Lightopia