Nothing says Christmas like a mesmerising light trail. This list compiles the best ones in and around Manchester that are already available to book now.
With extended entry until New Year’s Eve, Northern Lights invites visitors to explore a glittering mile-long trail through Heaton Park, featuring around fourteen themed light zones and several festive food stops along the route. The experience is designed for all ages and group sizes, guaranteeing a bright and atmospheric winter evening outdoors with the whole family.
Created by the team behind Kendal Calling and Bluedot, Northern Lights has quickly become a major festive attraction with expanding trails across the UK.
Super off-peak tickets start at £5 and £15 for adults – book yours below.
Experience a captivating light display until Sat 3 Jan at Dunham Massey – a great place for those festive family photos. Created by award-winning light trail producers, this year’s illuminated walk features a variety of spellbinding light installations alongside familiar favourites, including giant neon baubles hanging from trees, illuminated shards lighting up the landscape, fish leaping out of the water and, for the first time in over three years, festive projections on Dunham Massey’s house itself.
Off-peak tickets start at £12 for children and £19 for adults, with family tickets available from £40.
Open until Tue 30 Dec, the magical annual festive light show Glow returns to Worsley’s botanical jewel with thirteen new features across a luminous winter trail filled with colour, sound and seasonal atmosphere.
Visitors are invited to explore the garden after dark, winding through luminescent woodlands, waterside reflections and sparkling garden installations, before enjoying a range of comforting festive treats at the Stables Cafe, including hot chocolate, mulled wine and more.
Tickets start from £8.95.
The Twilight Tales brings a brand new festive experience to Freight Island with an illuminated trail filled with interactive moments, soundscapes and absorbing storytelling. Open until Mon 23 Dec, visitors can explore glowing walkthrough installations, meet hidden elves and hop aboard the Twilight Express before heading into the North Pole Playground.
The event also includes firepits for marshmallow toasting, family activities and food from twelve kitchens, along with live music from Tanner and the Tones.
Tickets start from £6.60 for children and £9.90 for adults, with under-2s free.
Breathing new life into the arresting world of festive folklore, traditions and rituals, Yuletide takes over Tatton Park with a brand new trail for 2025, packed with live music, storytelling, fire-juggling and a host of wonderfully rendered characters from winter myth.
As always, there’ll be plenty of hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows to guarantee a cosy, immersive campfire tale experience.
Children’s tickets start at £12, with adults starting at £22.
- Words:
- Chloe Tuff
- Published on:
- Fri 12 Dec 2025
Lanterns and Light returns to Chester Zoo with its biggest, brightest and longest installation yet. Running until Sat 3 Jan, the experience lasts around 60-90 minutes and features playful puppets, Ribbon Tunnel walkways, a Laser Garden and all-new installations for 2025 including Airquarium, Bubble Walk and Submergence.
There’s also a Christmas market full of festive food and drink – making it the perfect family adventure. Tickets start from £12.