Lightopia 2020 will see new installations unveiled and a new route for guests to explore. Visitors will be invited to discover the kaleidoscopic colours of the lantern festival, take in the spectacular light installations and wander the iridescent pathway of the magical illuminated trail.
The festival’s new route has been specially designed to create a safe environment, where guests will be able to see the sights and explore safely with friends and family, including wider footpaths to maintain social distancing. The Grade I-listed Heaton Hall will serve as a backdrop to the brand new Christmas showcase – you’ll pass by Santa’s sleigh, glistening snowflakes and a giant interactive walking piano.
The event will also play host to Musical City, which invites guests to dance through an array of lights, as the soundtrack transforms the area into an outdoor nightclub experience, with all ages welcome. New for 2020, the Local Heroes area will pay tribute to Manchester’s key workers with a series of specially commissioned installations.
Ian Xiang, Creative Director of Lightopia, says: “We are excited to bring Lightopia back to Manchester, and have once again created a world in which light, sculpture and art combine with traditional, Chinese lantern-making techniques to create an immersive experience, full of light and stories.
“We want our guests to become part of the Lightopia story, helping to create new forms of art as they interact and engage with the luminescent sculptures that trail through Heaton Park.”
Lightopia will be open to the public from Friday 20 November until Sunday 3 January, between 5 and 10pm. The event will be closed on Mondays, Tuesdays (except during school holidays) Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
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