Christmas light trails North West 2024
I love a Christmas light trail and there are loads across the North West. Below you’ll find all the Christmas light trails North West for 2024. That way you can see which ones are nearest to you and find the perfect light trail for your family. This post is part of a series of posts on Christmas Events North West.
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I have done my best to make sure this post is up to date and accurate but please check the organiser’s website before travelling as events may be cancelled at short notice, details might be changed and mistakes happen. I have included links to the event organisers so you can check the up to date details and terms and conditions.
If you have an event you want to be added, drop me an email at – info@northwestforkids.co.uk I add all events for free and this year I’m offering low cost “Featured events” where your event will be pinned to the top of the guide, you can include a photo and you’ll also get a dedicated Facebook post to promote just your event to my page of 18k. Email me to find out costs and potential reach of your chosen guide.
All of these events require booking so don’t forget to click through and book your tickets. Some of these events are already sold out on some dates!
If you love finding new family days out and events in the North West then you need to follow me on Facebook or Instagram. If you use Facebook you might like to join my Family Days out North West group.
Christmas light trails Cheshire
BeWILDerwood presents Christmas – Book now for 2024
When – Selected dates from 30th November – 23rd December 2024
New for 2024, you can now meet father Christmas and children will receive a small, sweet treat. The mini BeWILDerwood pantomime is back along with the sparkly trail of lights with snowmen, candy canes and other favourites.
We visited on their press opening night 2022, find my full review here – BeWILDerwood presents Christmas review. We think this is a fantastic event for families with children 10 and under.
Tickets are £17.50 for everyone over 92cm.
Book your tickets here BeWILDerwood present Christmas 2024
Lanterns and light at Chester Zoo – book now for 2024
When – 15th November 2024 – 1st January 2025
Creating lasting memories on a Christmas light trail like no other. Journey through vibrant lands where orangutans, elephants, and lions roam. Explore a glowing tunnel of sparkling lights, fill up on festive treats in our Christmas food markets, and even come face-to-face with Father Christmas himself along the trail.
Ticket prices from £18-24 for adults and £12-19 for children.
Find out more and book your tickets here – Lanterns and Light | Chester Zoo
Christmas at Bolesworth – no details for 2024
Yuletide at Tatton park – Book now for 2024
When – 16th November – 23rd December 2024
From the team behind Just so festival, Yuletide is back for it’s second year. This is a truly magical event.
A blend of light trail and wondrous winter festival, create a new winter family tradition on this glittering winter adventure!
As we approach the longest night, we invite you to step into an incredible, wild, glittering world at Tatton Park Gardens this Christmas. Fall into a world of folklore, festive tradition and ridiculous rituals as the characters and creatures from winter myths and stories come to life.
Expect an incredible illuminated trail, where winter witch goddesses have captured the moon and sun and shapeshifting snow hares play tricks on us all. Visit the heart of Yuletide, keeping warm as you dance to wild folk bands, crown your family’s ‘Lord of Misrule’ and gather round the fire for wondrous tales.
Expect marshmallows to toast and hot chocolate to warm you up!
Book here – Yuletide – A Glittering Winter Adventure
Find our review from 2023 here – Yuletide at Tatton park
Christmas at Magical Woodland – book now for 2024
When – 29th November – 24th December 2024.
We haven’t been to the Christmas trail but the Halloween one was amazing! Find out more here – Magical Woodland Cheshire review.
Enjoy a woodland walk in the dark through 15 acres of illuminated woodlands. This magical forest is sure to be a Christmas favourite his year. No dogs.
Adults £23.95, children £16.50
Book your tickets here – Magical Woodland Christmas
Land of lights presents Wonderwild, Gulliver’s world Warrington – book now for 2024
Land of Lights Lantern Festival returns to Gulliver’s Warrington this October, welcome to WonderWild! Discover a place where nature’s most majestic creatures and natural wonders have been reimagined.
Journey through a huge new collection of incredible lanterns and displays.
When – Selected dates from 9th November 2024 – 4th January 2024
Cost – prices vary but start at £15 per adult and children 3 and over.
Find out more and book here – Land of Lights Lantern Festival – Warrington
Christmas at Delamere forest – no event in 2024
Enchanted walk at Quarry Bank Mill – book now for 2024
When – 28th November – 21st December 2024, selected dates
Cost – £9.50 per ticket
With festive lighting and illuminated walkways, wander through the Upper Garden on the Enchanted Winter Walk. Keep an eye out for Mrs Claus preparing the sleigh for Christmas Eve, and little ones, don’t forget to pick up your reindeer food ready for the big day.
This experience will take approximately 30 minutes for a wander through the gardens, some time with Mrs Claus and a warming drink.
Tickets include entry and hot drink for adults. And for children tickets include entry, reindeer food and child size hot drink.
Suitable for all ages. Babies under 12 months free of charge.
National Trust admission charges do not apply. Both NT members and non-members will need to buy tickets for this event.
Book tickets here – Enchanted walk
Luminate Cheshire, Arley Hall – 2024 tickets on sale now
When – 29th November – 31st December 2024
As darkness descends, join us on our enchanting journey, as we weave a captivating light trail through the woodlands at Arley estate. Immerse yourself in our mesmerising mile long trail, with stunning lighting elements and fabulous interactive light play, all set to music.
A timeless experience to be enjoyed by all, young and old alike.
The start/finish area will have tasty hot food (who doesn’t love a seasonal snack on a festive night out) and drinks for before or after the trail. On the route you will find mulled wine and marshmallows for toasting on fire pits.
Book your tickets here – Luminate Cheshire Light Trail at Arley Hall, Cheshire
Prices Monday to Thursday, up to Thursday 12th December 2024
Adult: £15.00, Child: £10.00, Family: £55.00
Prices Friday, Saturday & Sunday and everyday from Monday 16th December 2024
Adult: £20.50, Child: £15.00, Family: £68.50
Christmas light trails Manchester
Christmas at Dunham Massey 2024 – 2024 tickets on sale now
Masses of twinkling lights and giant glowing deer welcome you to the beautiful and iconic atmosphere of Dunham Massey after dark. Discover new light and sound installations for 2023 as colour-changing batons of light stretch out into the far distance and winding paths pass tunnels of stars. Watch lights dance along the lawn and discover larger-than-life flowers that tower overhead. There’s usually a chance to get a magical glimpse of Father Christmas too.
The trail is approximately one mile long and we’d recommend allowing 1 to 2 hours for your visit. Food, drink and fairground rides are available onsite.
When – 15 November 2024 to 1st January 2025
Book your tickets here – Christmas at Dunham Massey tickets
Tickets from Adult Off Peak – £19.00, Child (3-16 Years) Off Peak – £12.50. Prices vary between dates and times though.
Find our review from 2023 here – Christmas at Dunham Massey
Glow at RHS Bridgewater 2024 – tickets on sale now
When – Selected date from 27th November – 30th December 2024.
Take an enchanted walk through RHS Garden Bridgewater, marvelling at spectacular light displays along your way. Weave through yew domes festooned with fairy lights, stroll through the illuminated archways of the Kitchen Garden. At Garden Cottage hit the rainbow dancefloor and lose yourself in a soundtrack of Manchester anthems (chosen by you).
Cost – Members: adult £8.75, child £4.35, Non-members: adult £14.25, child £7.65
Book here – Glow 2024 at the RHS Gardens / RHS Gardening
Christmas at Heaton Park – no details for 2024
The Twilight trail, Mayfield Park – book now for 2024
When – 14th November -31st December 2024
Where – Mayfield park, Boardman Gate Entrance, Baring Street, Manchester, M1 2PY
An immersive light show trail, designed for all ages, from families, couples, groups, and everyone in between.
Find out more and book here – The Twilight Trail
Lightwaves, Salford – details for 2024
Free light trail around MediaCity.
When – 5th – 8th December 2024, 4pm – 10pm
Enjoy illuminated works from established as well as emerging artists, local and national, bringing a variety of different pieces; thought-provoking, surprising and playful.
Full details here – Lightwaves – Light Up the North
The Christmas Trail – book now for 2024
When – 8th November 2024 – 2nd January 2025
Where – The Trafford Centre
A magical light and captivating sound show will transform the secret woods into a Christmas wonderland.
Complementing the festive atmosphere, Freight Island is opening a festive pop up at Wilderspool Woods, available for guests at The Christmas Trail and everyone visiting Trafford Centre this festive season.
Book here – The Christmas Trail
Christmas light trails Lancashire
AD – featured event – Santa’s magical light trail, Duxbury park golf club, Chorley – Book now for 2024
When – 12th – 23rd December 2024
This illuminated Light Trail is a magical, night-time Christmas light show that showcases structures, installations, and illuminations created especially for Santa’s Light Trail by our teams of local creative artists, lighting designers and craft-persons.
As you enter Santa’s Light Trail though our magical illuminated archway you will wind your way around the pathways at Duxbury Park through an array of light installations, special effects, a walk around the Moon, Lasers and more as you wind your way through the displays and step inside the wardrobe and into to the secret walled garden of Narnia.
Inside the secret walled Garden will be more lighting, a selection of refreshments, hot and cold drinks including a bar plus kiddie rides and of course the big man himself SANTA CLAUS waiting in his log cabin to meet the children and present them with a quality gift. You can also meet Eric the Elf and get a selfie.
Price – £20 per child (includes gift from Santa), Adults (13+) £10
Book here – Santa’s Light Trail
Blackpool illuminations 2024
Could this be the original Christmas light trail? You could walk through parts of them, drive through them all or enjoy a tram ride through them.
This year they will be on from 30th August 2024 until 5th January 2025
Christmas lights at Cuerden park – no details yet for 2024
When – 9th & 10th December 2023
Where – Cuerden park, Berkeley Drive, Bamber Bridge, Preston, PR5 6BY
Further details here – Christmas Lights
Christmas light trails Liverpool
Enchanted at Knowsley Safari – Book now for 2024
When – 30th November – 23rd December 2024
This winter, our Foot Safari will once again transform into a magical wonderland, where you can wander among illuminated animals, from camels to wolves, to exciting new additions like towering giraffes and playful lion cubs.
For the third year running, explore the Winter Village, 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 will also be plenty of pitstops along the way where you’ll be able to enjoy festive foods throughout the trail and then jump on our thrilling rides to complete your adventure (extra cost).
Want to add an extra bit of sparkle to your Enchanted experience? NEW for 2024, you can add on a trip to our Santa Panto, filled with songs, magic, and more jokes than a Christmas cracker!
Cost – early bird £10, standard price £20. Toddlers (1-2 years) £2, under 1s free.
Santa panto is £10 per child and £5 per adult.
Book tickets here – Enchanted: Knowsley Safari Christmas Lights
FREE Liverpool’s Brightest Light Trail, Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool – no details yet for 2024
When: 17th November – 5th January
This Christmas, Royal Albert Dock Liverpool will be illuminated once again with the return of its popular light trail. Taking place across the estate with over 1 million twinkling lights, embark on an enchanting waterfront wander.
Enjoy a selection of characters from Liverpool’s coat of arms alongside nautical installations representing the dock’s rich maritime history, offering a fun, free activity for families during the festive period. Highlights include a giant yellow submarine, a family of dazzling jellyfish as well as Neptune and Poseidon standing tall at the dock’s entrance.
Full details – Royal Albert Dock Light Trail – Visit Liverpool
The light before Christmas, Liverpool Cathedral – Book now for 2024
When – 29th November – 7th December 2024
Step into a magical Christmas journey at Liverpool Cathedral with The Light Before Christmas: Starlight. Back by popular demand, this immersive sound and light installation by the acclaimed artistic collective Luxmuralis will transform Liverpool Cathedrals iconic Gothic interior into a stunning canvas of light, sound, and storytelling.
Follow the star and experience the Nativity story in a new, enchanting way. This awe-inspiring event is suitable for all ages, making it the perfect festive outing for families, friends, and anyone looking to capture the true spirit of Christmas.
Book here – The Light Before Christmas Liverpool Cathedral
Christmas light trails Lake District
For the first year ever (well as long as I have been writing these guides), I’ve found some light trails in Cumbria!
Winter at Sizergh, Book now for 2024
When – 22nd November – 24th December 2024
Wander through nature-themed light and sound installations, designed by local artists and inspired by Sizergh’s estate, and get closer to our winter wildlife. In the House, discover the intriguing story of the Strickland turkey, and enjoy historical Christmas decorations through the ages. Then get creative in the Great Barn, with festive crafts for all.
Members £3, Children (non-members), £7, adult non-members £11
Book here – Winter at Sizergh | National Trust
Aira force winter illuminations, Book now for 2024
When – 13th, 14th, 20th and 21st December 2024
FREE
Twinkling lights and illuminated trees add sparkle to the woodland glade at Aira Force where decorations made by local school children adorn selected trees. Small but beautifully formed this free festive event is a celebration of local community, nature and the great outdoors.
It is a short stroll through the woods, with hot drinks available at the welcome hut. Wrap up warm, bring a headtorch and make sure you’re wearing sensible footwear. Free. Car park charges apply for non-members.
Full details here – Aira Force Winter Illuminations | National Trust
Hall Park Light Works – free light festival 2024
When – 30th November – 1st December 2024
Workington Hall to be cloaked in light, colour and sound plus projections, performances, installations and more to illuminate Hall Park.
Full details – Hall Park Light Works
More Christmas guides for the North West
Find all the Christmas markets North West here.
Find out where to enjoy Breakfast with Santa North West here.
Find all the Christmas Shows North West here.
Find all the Free Christmas events Cheshire here.
Find loads of Christmas walks North West here.
If you’re reading this in October and can’t wait to do a light trail, I’ve found 3 in October. Find them and more Halloween walks North West here.
Where to next?
Find more Family events North West England here.
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