With nostalgic themes and six new food traders joining this year’s lineup, it's set to be a big season of festive fun in the park
In just under a month, Heaton Park will become a magical illuminated spectacle as Northern Lights Manchester returns to the city just in time for the festive period.
This year’s event will see 15 brand-new installations inspired by the toys and traditions that once topped Christmas wish lists bringing an air of nostalgia with it.
Visitors can take a wander down the ‘Walkway of Wonder, where jewel-bright stained-glass panels glow like windows from an old fairytale, lighting the path beneath in colour. Then the sixties come calling at Lava Lamp Lane - a wonderfully trippy corner of the trail where glowing blobs of colour bubble up the trees and ooze across the ground.
Everyone’s favourite retro racing toy Scalextric is even getting a technicolour Christmas makeover, as visitors send lights whizzing round a giant racetrack at the Retro Races installation.
There’s even a nod to that iconic Christmas catalogue that many of us spent hours circling toys in. This year, local primary school pupils have filled its pages with their own brilliant drawings of classic toys.
The route is fully accessible, with dedicated neuro-inclusive evenings when visitor numbers are reduced by 75% and audio levels are lowered throughout.
This year’s event sees six new traders join the Christmas Village, alongside returning favourite The Sausage Factory. Chicken Hut will serve crispy chicken tenders and meal boxes, while Greek Traditional Souvlaki brings chargrilled flavours served as a traditional souvlaki or loaded into a box. The Lids & Co serves handmade pies with loads of ways to customise, and The Otley Burger Company, a Good Food Awards winner named the UK’s best food truck, brings its beef, chicken and plant-based burgers.
For anyone saving room for pudding, Crumble & Custard will layer up fruit crumbles with creamy custard, a perfect treat for this year’s trail that takes you on a trip through the past, while Crepes & Coffee will serve these sweet treats along with hot chocolate.
There’s even the opportunity to cosy up under the festoon lights partway around the route for a spot of marshmallow toasting by the fire.
Emma St. Croix, Senior Marketing Manager at From The Fields, said: “There’s something very festive about finishing a trip through Christmases past with a hot crumble and custard. Food is a big part of the night out at Northern Lights, and we’re excited to welcome six new traders plus The Sausage Factory and the Bees Knees Tavern from last year.
“With the Ferris wheel in the Christmas Village and a whole new trail across Heaton Park, there’s plenty to explore this year. We’re just over a month from opening and can’t wait to see everyone back.”
The trail at Heaton Park opens on 19 November, with 15 new installations inspired by the toys and traditions of Christmases past. Visitors can save 20% on tickets with code LIGHTS20 until 31 October. Tickets can be booked online now at northernlightsmanchester.com.
EVENT INFORMATION
When? 19 November - 31 December 2026
Where? Heaton Park, Manchester
Opening times?
4:30pm – 8:15pm (19–26 November)
4:15pm – 8:15pm (27 November – 31 December)
Ticket prices?
Adults from £19.50
Children (3-16) from £13.50
Family tickets from £60
Under 2s free
(Plus £1.75 booking fee)
Offers?
20% off with code LIGHTS20 until 31 October 2026
Where to book?
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