The Best Christmas Light Displays In And Around Manchester in 2024

From Manchester city centre to Chester Zoo, there are some fantastic light displays to illuminate these dark winter nights and fill your heart with Christmas cheer!

A Christmas light installation in Manchester city centre in the shape of a bumblebee wearing a Santa hat
Image: Shuttestock

Although theres no official Christmas light switch-on event in Manchester city centre this year, you will still find great Christmas light installations dotted around Piccadilly Gardens, New Cathedral Street, St Peters Square, St Anns Square and Manchester Cathedral. In addition, there are some absolutely fabulous light displays in Manchester and its surrounds this winter, including several light trails and even a light art festival!

Heres our run-down of the best light displays in and around Manchester this Christmas:


The Christmas Trail at Wilderspool Woods

A man walks through the Christmas Trail at Wilderspool Woods in The Trafford Centre; differently-coloured lines of light twist around the path above him
SecretManchester.com

The Trafford Center 8 Nov 2024 to 2 Jan 2025

Come along to the Trafford Centre this Christmas, where the secret woods within its grounds have been transformed into a winter wonderland filled with lights and illuminations


Land of Lights Lantern Festival at Gulliver’s World, Warrington

Families stand outside the entrance to the Land of Lights Festival at Gullivers World theme park in Warrington - several giant colourful light installations stand at different heights around them
UKThemeParkSpy.co.uk

Gulliver’s World Theme Park in Warrington 9 Nov 2024 to 4 Jan 2025

Gulliver’s World is transformed this winter for the Land of Lights Lantern Festival!


The Twilight Trail at Mayfield Park

Winter Island in Depot Mayfield, with all the lights of the Twilight Trail, seen from above
EscapetoFreightIsland.com

Freight Island 14 Nov 2024 to 31 Dec 2024

With more than 50,000 lights set across the 6.5 acres of Mayfield Park, Winter Island is the place to be for an enchanting (and lively) Christmas time!


Christmas at Dunham Massey

Dunham Massey 15 Nov 2024 to 1 Jan 2025

A stunning and ancient National Trust site transformed into a winter wonderland with sparkling lights, installations and seasonal music


Lanterns and Light at Chester Zoo

A young girl smiles at a glowing light installation in the shape of a monkey, its hand near hear face
Chester.com

Chester Zoo 15 Nov 2024 to 1 Jan 2025

Chester Zoo's Lanterns and Light Christmas Trail is back for 2024, promising a magical experience with more features than ever!


RHS Glow at RHS Bridgewater

RHS Bridgewater 27 Nov 2024 to 30 Dec 2024

Create magical festive memories at RHS Garden Bridgewater!


Lightwaves Salford 2024

Four light art installations from Lightwaves Salford 2024

The Quays 5 Dec 2024 to 8 Dec 2024

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Lightwaves Salford is a free light art festival presented by Quays Culture in Media City, with 14 awe-inspiring installations along a 2k trail