Looking to brighten up the dark nights with a festive activity? Manchester’s city-wide celebrations are set to soon return, bringing stunning festive decorations to the centre and beyond. From twinkling street lights to huge lit-up installations and even Candlelight concerts, here’s our guide to the best places to see Christmas lights in and around Manchester this year.
Christmas lights in Greater Manchester
1. Manchester city centre
Setting up a bit of a trail for Mancs to enjoy this Christmas, Manchester City Council will should hopefully be cracking out a Giant Santa for the festive period – and this year likely to be joined by a number of gorgeous illuminated sculptures that you can find dotted around the city. There might not have been a big lights switch-on event this year but you can find them across Piccadilly Gardens, St Peter’s Square and New Cathedral Street, as well as St Ann’s Square and the Cathedral.
Piccadilly Gardens, St Peter’s Square, New Cathedral Street, St Ann’s Square and the Cathedral.
Free to visit.
2. Mayfield Park
This year’s festive season in Manchester is expected to be even brighter as one of newest light shows is set to return to the city centre. Located in Mayfield Park, Manchester city centre’s first new public park in more than 100 years, an enchanting winter light show known as The Twilight Trail will take place. Visitors will explore enchanting lighting installations taking over the 6.5-acre park and finish the trail at Freight Island where they are encouraged to stay for further festive experiences – from Christmas food and drink to Visit Santa Experience, and much more.
Twilight Trail at Mayfield Park, 11 Baring Street, M1 2PZ from November 14 to December 31.
Adult tickets start from £10.
3. RHS Bridgewater
Salford’s new RHS garden is shimmering up a storm this Christmas, with a beautiful light trail that spans the entire site. Think sparkling trees, shrubs and water features basking in the glow, alongside a selection of warming drinks and tasty festive treats that guests can pick up along the trail.
GLOW at RHS Bridgewater, Occupation Road, Off Leigh Road, Worsley, Salford, M28 2LJ from November 27 to December 30.
Adult tickets start from £7.95 for members and £12.95 for non-members.
4. Dunham Massey
Back for 2024 and here to lift our spirits, is Dunham Massey‘s stunningly festive illumination trail, which will see transform the beautiful formal gardens and deer park transform with light installations situated throughout. The after-dark illuminated trail will be bringing all the festive feels to the historic National Trust venue, along with three new light installations. Gasp at the huge strobe effects that flood the park and waterside with colourful lights, walk through light-covered tunnels (brilliant for photos) and walk alongside artistic-looking light sculptures.
Christmas at Dunham Massey, Dunham Massey National Trust, Woodhouse Lane, Altrincham, WA14 4SJ from November 15 until January 1.
Adult tickets start from £19.
5. The Trafford Centre
The creators of Manchester’s iconic The Twilight Trail are back with their newest holiday spectacle: The Christmas Trail at Wilderspool Woods, a 4.5-acre Christmas wonderland nestled in the grounds of the Trafford Centre in Manchester. This breathtaking experience follows the successful launch of The Halloween Trail at the same location, and promises to whisk visitors into a magical wonderland of twinkling lights and festive magic. Wilderspool Woods will be illuminated by a dazzling array of lights and captivating installations, including The Moon – a giant glowing sculpture suspended between the trees, surrounded by twinkling stars and beams of light.
The Christmas Trail, Wilderspool Woods, The Trafford Centre, Trafford Park, Stretford, M17 8AA from November 8 until January 2, 2025.
Adult tickets start from £10.
Christmas lights outside of Greater Manchester
6. Gulliver’s World Resort
Set across 12 dreamworlds, visitors can explore this magical, lantern-adorned 1-mile trail. From spectacular oceans to dazzling festive delights, at the Land of Lights Lantern Festival at Gulliver’s World Resort you can be immersed into a world of dazzling displays. Experience seasonal spectaculars and the wonders of nature, brought to light by Zigong Lantern Group’s team of experts. As well as witnessing lanterns all aglow, the park is also playing host to a charity Glow Walk on November 17 with money raised going to BBC Children in Need.
Land of Lights Lantern Festival, Gulliver’s World Resort, Warrington, WA5 9YZ from November 9 until January 4, 2025.
Adult tickets start from £12.50.
7. Tatton Park
This Christmas, you can admire sparkling lights and more at Tatton Park’s festive event, Yuletide, less than an hour from Manchester. Walk along the glittering, performative light trail to discover stories and folklore, interactive puppets and intrigue. Based on thrilling winter folklore, visitors will see wondrous installations, interactive light effects, illuminated puppets and costumed characters bring the stories of winter to life. You can also enjoy roasting marshmallows around the campfire, live music and fire juggling antics too.
Yuletide at Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 6QN from November 16 until December 23.
Adult tickets start from £20.
8. Chester Zoo
A bit further afield from all the other Christmas lights events in Manchester but it’s definitely worth a grand day out to see these festive lights in all their glory. Chester Zoo’s annual trail is returning this Christmas “even bigger and brighter”, which sees the zoo transformed into a winter wonderland with glistening animals dotted throughout. The family-friendly event takes guests on a magical journey, through the mysterious oceans of the world, to a tropical paradise filled with familiar animals.
Chester Zoo, Moston Rd, Upton, Chester, CH2 1EU from November 15 to January 1.
Adult tickets start from £18.
9. Arley Hall
Located at the filming location used in Peaky Blinkers as well as the previous spot of Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience, which is less than a 50-minute drive from Manchester city centre, the Christmas lights at this spot are pretty magical. As darkness descends this winter, Luminate at Arley Hall and Gardens is here to bring the brightness and festive feels. Luminate is a delightful experience to be enjoyed equally by young and old, featuring stunning light elements to marvel at as you meander through the gardens.
Luminate at Arley Hall & Gardens, Northwich, Cheshire, CW9 6NA from November 30 until December 24.
Adult tickets start from £15.
10. Knowsley Safari Park
Enchanted at Knowsley Safari Park has become a Christmas tradition for many, and this year’s experience will feature over 30 light-up animals throughout the Foot Safari, ready to immerse guests in the festive spirit. Be swept away by the magical atmosphere created by illuminated deer, giraffes, zebra, penguins, flamingos and many more, as seasonal music plays. This year Knowsley Safari is pulling out all the stops with its a Christmas Carnival area, featuring a coconut shy, high striker challenge and toasted marshmallows.
Enchanted at Knowsley Safari Park, Prescot, L34 4AN from November 30 until December 23.
Adult tickets start from £10.
11. Trentham Estate
Adding to the abundance of festive trails complete with magical installations is Trentham Winter Light Trail, and better still, it’s only an hour’s drive from Manchester and makes for a fun, wholesome adventure for the season. Visitors will be able to discover over a mile of magical illuminations, captivating soundscapes and interactive displays, throughout the Italian-style Trentham Gardens. Discover an array of breathtaking light installations whilst wandering through sparkling tree lines, tunnels of light, and larger than life illuminations throughout the Trentham Estate, with festive surprises around every corner.
Trentham Winter Light Trail at Trentham Estate, Stone Rd, Trentham, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 8JG from November 29 until December 31.
Adult tickets start from £17.50.