In the unlikely event that we need to cancel Lightopia Festival at Heaton Park, you can transfer your ticket to a different date or receive a refund. We will inform everyone via email and our social media outlets as soon as possible on the day. Always check you spam folder for any communication from us!

Under any other circumstances Lightopia Festival tickets are non refundable and non-exchangeable. We are unable to swap the date of your booking at any point so please make sure that you have definitely booked the correct date! If you are unable to attend on the day of your booking please feel free to pass on the tickets to family and friends.

Unfortunately we are unable to change the date of your ticket after you booked it for any reason, including the weather! Please make sure you book the correct date and if you cannot attend, please feel free to pass on your tickets to friends or family.

To avoid disappointment please book your tickets in advance - popular dates sell out fast. Tickets can be bought on the day at the venue for an extra £2 per ticket IF they haven't already sold out.

A disabled person purchasing a ticket may bring one essential carer companion free of charge. Please purchase 1 x  adult /child ticket for the disabled person first and then fill in this form HERE a minimum of 3 working days prior to the date you wish to visit. Blue badge parking can also be requested via this form.

PLEASE NOTE: You do not need to purchase a ticket for the essential carer. If you do, we will not be able to refund you this ticket! The same applies to any parking tickets purchased before your application.

Each application will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. For further queries of this form or around accessibility please email info@lightopiafestival.com. If you cannot access the Google form, please email us and we will provide you with an application form via email.

Adult (16+):

Off-Peak/Peak

£17.50/£22.50         (plus booking fee)

Child (3-15):

£11/£14.50              (plus booking fee)

Infant (2 and under):

free of charge 

Please ensure that you booked your free infant ticket before you attend.

Family: 

£49/£69                    (plus booking fee)

Personal Assistant:

Free (upon Application)

Please see the FAQ section "Do you offer free tickets fro personal assistants" for more details on how to apply.

Box Office Pricing: 

All tickets will an extra £2 at the box office , if available on the day!

You can view your booking at any time by logging into your Easol customer account , please use the link below :

VIEW MY BOOKING

Your PDF tickets will be available to download 7 days prior to the day of your visit. For any bookings made less than 7 days before the visit , the tickets will become available immediately.

We will also send you PDF tickets using the same time schedule. Please always check your spam folder! 

Please check your tickets immediately to ensure that if you do have a problem, such as logging into your account or anything else regarding your tickets, you can email us and we will be able to respond to you in time. Our inbox will get extremely busy during the event. We advise to check them at least 72 hours in advance to ensure allow plenty of time to get in touch and for us to reply to you. If you bought your tickets less than 72 hours in advance, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to respond to your request in time, but we will certainly try. 

Upon completing your ticket purchase, you will receive a confirmation e-mail, please always check you spam folder. 

To view your booking at any time please log into your Easol account using your email address and password you used to book your tickets. You can log in using the link below :

https://myeasol.com/bookings

Your pdf-tickets will be available to download on your account 7 days before the day of your booking. We will also send you pdf-tickets via email, at the same time. Don't forget to check your spam folder. Please don't worry if you lose this email - remember that all you have to do is log in to your account and the tickets will always be there.

On the day of your event you will require the QR code to be scanned at the gate - this can be on a printed out pdf- ticket or a  photograph of the QR code. 

 If you cannot log in to your account you can also email us at info@lightopiafestival.com but please make sure to include as much information as possible, such as the Location, Order Number, Name & Email Address used to book the tickets. 

Please note : Our customer service team can not respond to you instantly and usually require at least 48hrs to respond to any queries, so please ensure that check you tickets at least 2 days before the event! 

You will be able to buy tickets at our Box Office on the day IF the event is not sold out for an extra £2 per ticket. 

You can email our customer service team via info@lightopiafestival.com. 

Please allow at least 48 hrs for them to get in touch with you!

Lightopia Festival is accessible via a number of different transportation methods.

Arriving by Car

We have a number of car parks on site that are available for customers.

North - St Margaret’s Road, M25 2GT

South - Lake Car Park, Sheepfoot Lane, M25 0DL

Car parking tickets will be available to purchase online and onsite unless sold out in advance. If you are driving it is highly recommended that you purchase your car parking ticket in advance to avoid disappointment.

Click to purchase your parking ticket here - the same page you book your event tickets, just scroll down - the parking is below event tickets. If you buy your car parking ticket at the venue it will cost £7. 

Metrolink

Metrolink services will take you directly to the Heaton Park and Bowker Vale stops, which are only a few minutes’ walk from the park. Journeys take around 20 minutes from Manchester city centre.

Remember you must have a valid Metrolink ticket or pass before boarding a tram. Travel from the city centre to Heaton Park will require a 1+2+3 zone ticket. You can find a full breakdown of the prices here

Metrolink customers can find out more information about services on the TFGM website or by calling Customer Services on 0161 205 2000. Follow @MCRMetrolink on Twitter for live travel updates.

If you are arriving by public transport or on foot please access Lightopia Festival via the entrance gate opposite Heaton Park Tram Stop, on Bury Old Road, M25 1JN.

Park and Ride

Metrolink customers can also use one of our park and rides for free. The closest stations with Park and Ride facilities are:

– Radcliffe with 396 spaces (Crook Street, Radcliffe, M26 2SU)
– Whitefield with 216 spaces (Nuttall Avenue, Whitefield, M45 6QA)

Please note the park and ride facilities are only available to Metrolink customers.
Overnight parking is also available at some Park and Ride sites, but you must collect your car by midday the following day.

If you are arriving by public transport or on foot please access Lightopia Festival via the entrance gate opposite Heaton Park Tram Stop, on Bury Old Road, M25 1JN.

Bus

Heaton Park is served by existing bus routes from around Greater Manchester: 41, 59, 90, 135 and 484.

If you’re travelling by bus this week visit TFGM’s online Route Explorer, which puts information on services and timetables at your fingertips.

If you are arriving by public transport or on foot please access Lightopia Festival via the entrance gate opposite Heaton Park Tram Stop, on Bury Old Road, M25 1JN.

Train

Manchester is well served by rail, with services running into Manchester Piccadilly, Oxford Road and Victoria.

You can connect to onward Metrolink services from Victoria and Piccadilly.

The following companies operate into Manchester:

– Northern Rail
– TransPennine Express
– LNER
– Cross Country
– Arriva Trains Wales
– East Midlands

Be sure to plan ahead and check train times on the National Rail website before you travel.

National Rail will always have the latest information on rail services. Follow them on Twitter in advance of your journey @nationalrailenq

If you are arriving by public transport or on foot please access Lightopia Festival via the entrance gate opposite Heaton Park Tram Stop, on Bury Old Road, M25 1JN.

By Foot

Walking between the city centre and Heaton Park, may be another alternative option. The walk is flat and will take around an hour from the city centre – just follow the signs along Bury Old Road (West of Heaton Park) to Cheetham Hill Road and into the city.

If you are arriving by public transport or on foot please access Lightopia Festival via the entrance gate opposite Heaton Park Tram Stop, on Bury Old Road, M25 1JN.

The time outlined on your parking pass ticket is the time slot that you have to arrive and park. Once your vehicle is parked, you can stay as long as you need to and your car can remain parked until you leave.

Lightopia is wheelchair and mobility scooter accessible. There are some gentle hills around the park but otherwise the route is flat. 

Disabled parking is available at both car parks. If you are a blue badge holder or require a carer, you do not need to purchase a car parking ticket. Please apply for a disabled parking ticket via our carer ticket application form HERE. Spaces are limited so please make sure you book your space in advance. All spaces will be allocated on a "first come first serve basis". If you do purchase a parking ticket before your apply for disabled parking, we will not be able to refund you this ticket. If you are unsure whether you qualify for free disabled parking, please contact the customer service team via info@ligthopiafestival.com

Please note that we require 3 days for this to be processed!

Unfortunately, no pets are allowed to join your journey. Registered Assistance/Guide dogs are allowed.

On average people spent 1.5 hours at the event in 2021, however depending on your walking pace and whether or not you choose to partake in other activities on-site including food, drinks, rides, this time period may be shorter or longer. The walking route is approximately 1.5 miles long and there are some gentle hills - please note we do not hire out wheelchairs/mobility scooters at event. Seating is very limited 

Unfortunately, no adult or children bicycles are allowed at the event.

Gates Open: 17:00 | Last Entry: 20:30 sharp! | Event Close: 22:00 | You will not be able to enter after 20:30

Please note that on the 24th December the event will close early. Last Entry: 18:00 | Event Closes: 20:00

Lightopia is a festival of hand-sculpted lanterns, cherry-picked from across the globe. These unique pieces are carefully curated into a new fantasy themed route that leads through the beautiful Heaton Park. The route also includes food stalls and licensed bars that offer refreshments along the way.

Get ready to walk through the illuminated trail and witness magical light installations of all shapes and sizes. Don’t miss out on our interactive installations, where you can control when the lights will shine.

Enjoy the most festive time of the year at the lakeside water show with Christmas themed synchronised dancing lights, shining stars and breathtaking soundtracks to make this moment unforgettable.

Unfortunately not - all fairground rides are an extra expense and are not included in the ticket price. 

We advise arriving 15 minutes before your booked entry start time. Bear in mind that if you are driving to the event, there may be traffic. We advise taking this into consideration when deciding on what time to begin your journey.

Lightopia Festival is located in the magnificent Heaton Park, Manchester:

Heaton Park, Sheepfoot Lane, Manchester.

Lightopia Festival is suitable for all ages and is to be enjoyed by everyone.

Lightopia takes place outdoors and you may need to queue on busy days. Please wear appropriate outdoor clothing and footwear for winter weather. We reserve the right to refuse inappropriately clothed patrons’ access.

Q: What food and drink will be available?

A:  There will be a number of casual, street food style outlets to choose from under the canopy – From Authentic Stonebaked Pizza to freshly prepared sweet treats and festive hot drinks. Alcoholic beverages will also be available. You can order from as many different outlets as you like. 

Q: What does each £10 dining voucher provide?

A: Each £10 dining voucher is for one person only. This voucher will provide access and a pre-booked seat at a table in the exclusive heated canopy dining area, with an initial £10 to spend at any food outlet under the canopy. Please note that the same refund policy and T&C will apply for the dining voucher as is currently applied to our entry tickets.

Q: What time do I have to turn up?

A: You are welcome to turn up to the canopy dining area at any point throughout your pre-booked Lightopia experience, for which you would have been allocated an entry time. However, we recommend planning your route in advance depending on which car park you have booked. The canopy dining area is located in the Stables block, close to Heaton Hall. 

Q: Will there be food and drink options available elsewhere on the light trail?

A: Yes, there are other opportunities for takeaway refreshments at various points along the light trail, however this voucher is only valid for vendors in the heated canopy dining area. The canopy dining area is the only location on the trail that provides seating and a heated casual dining experience. 

Q: Will the dining area be heated?

A: Yes, the canopy offers shelter in case of rainy weather and heating for those chilly winter nights. 

Q: Will there be toilet facilities available?

A: Yes, the canopy area will be equipped with toilet and baby changing facilities. 

Q: What else can I expect from the casual dining under the heated canopy experience?

A: Music, beautiful and ornate Lightopia lanterns and rustic decor will make for a welcoming and cosy casual dining experience to compliment your visit to Lightopia. Whether you are visiting as a family, friend group or otherwise, everyone is welcome. 

If you have any inquiries on casual dining, please contact dining@lightopiafestival.com