Northern Lights Manchester - Festive Light Trail

Northern Lights Manchester returns to Heaton Park this winter with a brand-new theme, A Christmas Time Machine.Step into a spectacular illuminated journey inspired by the toys, traditions and memories of Christmases past.

Across 15 installations, visitors can take control of a giant glowing racetrack inspired by Scalextric, walk beneath neon Spirograph patterns and watch a larger-than-life rainbow Slinky tumble overhead while wrapping its neon lights around the trees.The interactive adventure continues with glowing bells that visitors can play to create their own festive tune, giant nutcrackers issuing playful commands and mirrored kaleidoscope arches filled with swirling colour.

A Christmas catalogue featuring drawings by local primary school pupils will also recreate the excitement of circling dream presents in THAT catalogue.Elsewhere, retro lava-lamp colours will bubble through the trees, oversized candy canes will line the route and a giant illuminated edition of The Night Before Christmas will bring the classic festive story to life.For the grand finale, Heaton Park’s Lakehouse will become a magical cuckoo clock wound by a giant key, as gears turn, toy soldiers march and candy canes twirl across the building in one last explosion of colour and Christmas nostalgia.Complete the evening with marshmallow roasting under festoon lights, heartwarming food and drinks from the Christmas Village, and vintage fairground rides.