We all know the story: Curious Alice follows a rabbit down a hole and is transported into an even more curious world where time goes backwards, pink cats talk and Jabberwockies exist. But now, Mancs are being afforded the very special opportunity to explore the world of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland for themselves, with a brand new XR (extended reality) experience at Trafford Palazzo in Manchester.
Perfect for all the family, this April Trafford Palazzo will become the gateway to a new kind of storytelling. Immersia XR: Walking XR Theatre makes its debut as the UK’s first large-scale immersive XR experience, blending cutting-edge technology with iconic tales in an unforgettable walk-through format.
Running from April 5 to July 6, 2025, Immersia XR invites audiences of all ages to step inside legendary stories and live them from within. No screens. No controllers. Just you—walking through the story.
Wearing lightweight XR headsets, visitors will move freely through cinematic, 360-degree digital worlds, surrounded by spatial sound, interactive environments, and stunning visual storytelling. There are no wires, no rails, and no limits—just immersive magic that responds to guests every step.
Visitors can choose from three unforgettable XR adventures, each designed to transport them into a richly detailed story world. In Alice in Wonderland, visitors will step through the looking glass into a surreal dreamscape—where enchanted forests twist and turn, tea parties defy logic, and mischievous creatures guide (or confuse) their every step.
But the experience begins before you even put on the headset. The entire venue at Trafford Palazzo will be transformed into a living, breathing Wonderland, with giant fantasy installations, vibrant decorations, and hands-on activities for all ages. Guests will be greeted by a larger-than-life white rabbit, wander through a booth maze, and join a whimsical tea party in a fully decorated space that feels pulled straight from the storybook.
Families can enjoy themed zones including the Cheshire Cat’s grin-lined garden, Alice’s Kids Zone, and more — creating a world where fantasy spills beyond the headset and into the real world around you. This XR experience is a real must for Alice in Wonderland fans and those looking for something a bit different in Manchester.
Arabian Nights takes guests on a sweeping adventure across golden deserts and mythical lands, where they’ll outwit cunning bandits, uncover ancient secrets, and sail toward legend in this reimagining of One Thousand and One Nights.
In Moon Landing, visitors will strap in for a breathtaking sci-fi mission—walking the Moon’s surface, navigating lunar lava caves, and surviving solar storms as they explore the uncharted beauty of outer space. Each journey will transform the visitor from a spectator into an explorer, blending physical movement and theatre-like immersion with the wonder of extended reality.
Ian Xiang, Founder of Immersia XR, said: “We’re not just launching a new attraction—we’re pioneering the future of storytelling. Walking XR Theatre is where cinema, theatre, and technology converge to create magic. You don’t just watch the story—you walk through it.”
Experience Alice in Wonderland, Arabian Nights and the Moon Landings like never before at this XR experience in Manchester – find out more and book ahead here.
The Immersia XR: Walking XR Theatre experience will be at Trafford Palazzo from 5th April to 6th July 2025.
📍 Trafford Palazzo, Barton Dock Rd, Trafford City, Stretford, Manchester M17 8AS.