Christmas light trails in and around Greater Manchester for 2024

With the nights drawing in, thoughts are turning to this year's big festive light events and there are plenty of them.

Whether it's the illuminated animals at Knowsley Safari and Chester Zoo, or the glittering deer at Dunham Massey, there are all kinds of events to help get you in the festive spirit.

Among them is a brand new event coming to The Trafford Centre. From the creators of Manchester’s Twilight Trail in Manchester city centre's Mayfield Park, The Christmas Trail at Wilderspool Woods promises 'to whisk visitors into a magical wonderland of twinkling lights and festive magic'.

This year will also see the return of Yuletide, which came to Tatton Park for the first time last Christmas and was a big hit with families. The event is from Wild Rumpus, the team behind the annual Just So family festival and the Lanterns at Chester Zoo.

Billed as 'a blend of festive light trail and wondrous winter festival', visitors are told to expect an enchanting illuminated trail, where folklore is brought to life with performance and puppets, magic and lights.

Here, we've rounded up some of the biggest events that you might want to start planning now to avoid disappointment. Some are selected dates only.

Lanterns and Light, Chester Zoo

Journey through vibrant lands where orangutans, elephants and lions roam. Wander through a glowing tunnel of lights, enjoy festive treats at the Christmas food markets on the trail, and greet Father Christmas in his workshop.

The zoo's winter trail promises to be 'better than ever before' after it teamed up with Sony Music for a second year.

Experience the joy of interacting with never-seen-before animal puppets including energetic meerkats, colourful peacocks, and playful snow leopards, joined by lots of favourites from previous years.

Returning for 2024 is the illuminating sea of light, which will be synchronised to music, 'creating a mesmerising spectacle of light and sound', plus an impressive fire garden, rainbow bridge and pea-lit lanterns all return too.

Dates: November 15 to January 1

Tickets: Adults from £18 off peak, children from £12 off peak, toddlers £2.50, under 12 months and carers free

Christmas at Dunham Massey

'A series of dazzling new illuminated artworks' has been announced for the Christmas at Dunham Massey event, which promises to 'enchant visitors' once again this festive season.

The after dark event will once again transform the park into a winter wonderland, with little ones catching a glimpse of Father Christmas along the way.

Created by Culture Creative and produced in partnership with Sony Music and the National Trust, the trail features thousands of twinkling lights, sparkling baubles, tunnels of light and vibrant woodland and lakeside displays, and is loved by visitors of all ages.

Among the new highlights for 2024 is Luminosi Trees by Sound Intervention. Three six-metre high light trees change colour in time to a music composition using gamelan gongs and based on the Fibonacci sequence of numbers.

Dates: November 15 to January 1

Tickets: Adults from £19, children from £12.50, families from £60, under threes and carers free

Enchanted at Knowsley Safari

Knowsley's Foot Safari will once again transform into 'a magical wonderland', where visitors can wander among illuminated animals, from camels to wolves, to exciting new additions like towering giraffes and playful lion cubs.

The Winter Village is back for a third year and families can stroll through the sparkling light tunnel, and catch Santa’s elves hard at work. While you're here, post your Christmas wish list and enjoy the festive favourite activity of toasting marshmallows by the fire.

There'll be plenty of pitstops along the way to enjoy festive foods throughout the trail and the chance to jump on some 'thrilling rides' to complete the adventure.

This year there's also the opportunity to add a trip to the Santa Panto as part of your visit - 'filled with songs, magic, and more jokes than a Christmas cracker'.

Dates: November 30 to December 23

Tickets: Adults from £10, children from £10, toddlers 1 to 2 years £2, under ones free

Twilight Trail, Mayfield Park

A Twilight Trail is coming to Mayfield Park as part of the North's largest heated outdoor and indoor festival returning to Depot Mayfield.

The light trail promises to transform the 6.5-acre Mayfield Park into 'a twinkling wonderland, complete with stunning visual installations, a mesmerising lantern display, and a captivating soundscape'.

It will feature new installations for 2024, including light tunnels such as The Twist, an all-new Laser Garden, and a Giant Boom Box installation. Plus, some of the most popular installations from 2023 will also be returning, such as the Rainbow Road and Disco Under The Bridges.

It will be soundtracked by the iconic disco collective, La Discothèque, elevating the immersive light experience with a vibrant musical backdrop.

For families visiting The Twilight Trail this season, a child ticket also includes a Kids Eat Free offer at Freight Island. Valid for one free kids’ menu item per child, when purchased along side a regular priced adult meal (participating traders only).

Dates: November 14 to December 31

Tickets: Adults and teens 13+ from £10, children from £8, under 2s free, families from £32

The Christmas Trail, The Trafford Centre

The creators of the Mayfield Park event are also bringing a new event to The Trafford Centre this Christmas.

The Christmas Trail will be nestled in the grounds of the centre at Wilderspool Woods, creating a 4.5-acre 'Christmas wonderland' that promises 'to whisk visitors into a magical wonderland of twinkling lights and festive magic'.

The woods - squeezed in between the M&S car park and the old Frankie & Benny's restaurant and currently hosting a Halloween-themed trail - 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.

There'll be giant, illuminated presents, shooting stars, 'enchanting' Giant Orbs, origami boats and more.

A festive soundtrack will help put guests in the Christmas mood, with holiday classics and upbeat tunes filling the air as they make their way through the illuminated trail, scattered with falling snowflakes. Freight Island will also be hosting a pop up with plenty of festive food and drink.

Dates: November 8 to January 2

Tickets: Adults from £11, children from £9, family tickets from £36

Yuletide at Tatton Park

A 'glittering adventure' is promised at Tatton Park this Christmas, which sees the return of Yuletide for a second year.

Families are invited to 'fall into a world of folklore, festive tradition and rituals as the characters and creatures from winter myths and stories come to life'.

Enjoy live music and fire juggling, storytelling and performance at what's billed as 'a winter experience like no other'. You can toast marshmallows around the fire and warm up with a hot chocolate as you are enchanted by a traditional storyteller weaving tall tales to delight and enthral the whole family.

Dates: November 16 to December 23

Tickets: Adults (16+) £20, children £12, under 3s free

Glow at RHS Bridgewater

The gardens will once again be shining this Christmas as the popular Glow event returns. Visitors are invited to 'step into a kaleidoscope of colour' to follow a new, enchanting route through the woodlands and gardens.

Stop by the Old Frame Yard to spot giant petunias that come to life at a touch, and snap a picture with your family and friends in front of the sparkling star arch.

There’s plenty of fun for children, with yew domes lit up like twinkly hedgehogs, swirling snowflake lights along your path and glittering tunnels that turn the garden into a captivating wonderland.

The Moonlight Gardener will return with a brand-new light show full of 'illuminated delights' including juggling birds, levitating glass orbs and beautiful special effects.

And along the trail you can listen out for 'enchanting music and magical narration' from Jack Frost – A Winter Story. A brand-new musical album inspired by the myth of Jack Frost, with a captivating story written and narrated by Alan Titchmarsh and spellbinding music composed by Debbie Wiseman.

Dates: November 27 to December 30

Tickets: Adults from £7.95, children 5-16 from £3.95, under 5s free

Enchanted Winter Walk, Quarry Bank

Visitors can wander through the Upper Garden as the Enchanted Winter Walk returns at Quarry Bank.

With festive lighting and illuminated walkways, little ones can keep an eye out for Mrs Claus preparing the sleigh for Christmas Eve and pick up some reindeer food ready for the big day.

The experience lasts around 30 minutes for a wander through the gardens, some time with Mrs Claus and a warming drink. Price includes entry and hot drink for adults, and for children tickets include entry, reindeer food and child size hot drink. National Trust admission charges do not apply.

Dates: Thursday to Saturday from November 28 to December 21

Tickets: £9.50 per person

WonderWild, Land of Lights, Gulliver's World

The Land of Lights festival returns to Gulliver's this year with the theme WonderWild. The event promises to be 'a breathtaking spectacle', featuring an all-new collection of lanterns for 2024.

This year's theme 'reimagines nature's most majestic creatures and wonders, offering visitors a unique blend of animal-inspired artistry with a fantastical twist'.

Guests will explore a huge array of 'incredible' lanterns and displays, over a one-mile trail creating a 'wonderous, wild, and magical' atmosphere suitable for all ages. The experience will also feature an eclectic mix of music and entertainment as well as a selection of street food and seasonal drink options available throughout the festival.

Dates: November 9 to January 4

Tickets: Adults £22, children £22, concessions £11, under 2s free

BeWILDerwood Presents Christmas

The Cheshire attraction is one again hosting its sparkly light and panto trail this year. Families can follow The Sparkly Light Trail through BeWILDerwood and spot the silly Snowmen, candy canes and other festive favourites along the way.

This year's event will also feature a meet and greet with Father Christmas himself.

Dates: November 30 to December 23

Tickets: Adults £17.50, children £17.50, carers free

Magical Woodland, Blakemere Village

The Magical Woodland event is back at Blakemere Village in Cheshire this Christmas.

The event will see some old favourites in the 15-acre enchanted woodland, including dazzling cathedral canopies of fairy lights, interactive light features, tunnels of Boreralis-style lasers, floating umbrellas, and clouds of flying lanterns.

There'll be some new ones too and special guests Mr & Mrs Claus will also be making an appearance this year. Once inside you can stay as long as you like and there'll be snacks and drinks to enjoy around the firepits, as well as those all-important marshmallows.

Dates: November 29 to December 24

Tickets: Adults (16+) from £19.95, children from £11.50, families from £57, under 2s free

Luminate Cheshire, Arley Hall

A new light trail is coming to Cheshire's Arley Hall this Christmas.

Luminate was previously held at Walton Gardens, but has now moved to the Arley Hall Estate and promises 'a spectacular, illuminated trail, full of wonder and intrigue, to delight and enthral your senses'.

Taking place in the woodlands of the estate, the 'enchanting journey' will see visitors weave the 'mesmerising mile long trail, with stunning lighting elements and fabulous interactive light play, all set to music'.

Billed as a 'timeless experience to be enjoyed by all, young and old alike', the start/finish area will have hot food and drinks for before or after the trail. On the route you will find mulled wine and marshmallows for toasting on fire pits.

Dates: November 30 to December 24

Tickets: Adults from £15, children from £10, families from £45, under threes free