The Northern Lights event has arrived at Heaton Park
The Northern Lights Christmas light trail has opened at Heaton Park (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
It’s become quite a tradition to attend a lights trial at Christmas time and there are plenty of them to choose from. Among this year’s offering is the brand new Northern Lights, which has arrived at Heaton Park.
We were among the first to step inside the event when it was unveiled on Thursday evening, promising to transform ‘the city’s most iconic park into a glittering wonderland of 16 awe-inspiring light illuminations’.
Unlike previous displays which have seen animals lanterns and giant candy canes taking over the park, this one is a bit more of a sedate affair, with light displays in sync with gentle spa-like soundtracks.
The first installation is Gladioli(Image: Manchester Family / MEN)
It’s wonderfully bright and colourful though and each installation offers something new, from the mesmerising, shimmering trees of the Frosted Forest to the sharp green beams illuminating the foggy air inside Laser Garden.
The trail is around a mile long and at around the half way point you can stop off for some marshmallow toasting and a drink from the Bar truck or a Hotel Chocolat Chocmobile serving up hot chocolates, coffees and teas.
It’s expected that most people will spend an hour to 90 minutes on the trail, but it depends how long you want to spend at each installation and whether you take your time at the drinks area.
Lantern Trees(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
The Buzzing Boulevard is a fun place for the little ones to spend some time, with bee themed drawings by children from Bowker Vale Primary School and Heaton Park Primary School projected onto the floor making a corridor of colourful light. The music for this installation has been specially composed by Stephen Frith, a student at Chethams School of Music.
You’ll find a final installation at the entrance to the event’s Christmas Village, where the trail starts and finishes. The pink Where Loves Lives archway plays the music to this year’s Christmas TV advert from John Lewis, which is the headline sponsor for the trail.
Inside the village is a range of stalls selling food and drink, as well as a teacups ride, a spinning carriage Joker ride and a big wheel.
Aurora Rising on the boating lake(Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
There’s a variety of food available including Crimbo cones and loaded chippy barms from Super Fry Guys’ Chippy Chick, duck rice bowls and wraps from Duck & Roll, burgers, pizzas, toasties and, of course, sausages.
If you’re wanting something sweet then Waffle Wands has a range of delicious toppings and there are tasty hot chocolates including Terry’s Chocolate Orange, Oreo, Bueno and White Biscoff.
There are plenty of benches around to grab a seat, including a tent with twinkling lights and a separate wooden bar with some cosy booth seating.
It might well have been cold – and I can’t guarantee it will be quite as much fun in the rain – but after a night of lights, Christmas food and a ride on a ferris wheel, we left full the of festive feels that make this time of year so special.
The Christmas Village (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
Northern Lights has been brought to Manchester by From The Fields, the creators of the popular Kendal Calling and Bluedot festivals as well as trails elsewhere, including Christmas at Bute Park and Northern Lights in Leeds and Newcastle.
The event runs from now until December 31. Opening times are 4.15pm to 8.15pm (times may vary during off-peak days), and entry slots are every 15 minutes.
Prices for adults range from £15 to £23.95, while children (aged 3-16) are £5 to £16.50, and under threes go free. You can book on the website here. Rides are extra, including the big wheel and Joker rider costing £5 each.