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Lightopia returns with charity initiative to bring the magic of Christmas to children

For 2021, Lightopia Manchester’s Light of Love will officially partner with Hits Radio’s Cash for Kids Mission Christmas
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The award-winning Lightopia returns with its flagship event in Manchester, for the third year, with a brand-new enchanting light and lantern festival and a new charity initiative – Light of Love, supporting local charities and initiatives around Greater Manchester.

For 2021, Lightopia Manchester’s Light of Love will officially partner with Hits Radio’s Cash for Kids Mission Christmas, which aims to bring the magic of Christmas to children who may otherwise wake up without a visit from Santa.

Lightopia’s Light of Love will also support OUR PASS –  a membership scheme for young people who live in Greater Manchester, for both school leavers and care leavers – and SEND, the system that supports children and young people with additional needs throughout their education. 

Presenting a Christmas Fantasy at Heaton Park, Lightopia Manchester’s never-before-seen, illuminated trail will feature magical and multi-sensory interactive lights, lanterns, and installations, illustrating a story of an imaginative and fantasy festive world. 

This year, Lightopia’s Light of Love initiative will support Cash for Kids Mission Christmas, as Lightopians are able to add on an optional donation as they purchase tickets for the Manchester event. 

“We are thrilled that Lightopia Manchester is supporting Mission Christmas this year,” said Cash for Kids regional manager Michelle Williamson.

“With more families hitting unexpected hardship over the past year, Christmas is a luxury that many simply can’t afford, with some households having to make difficult decisions between food, heating, and gifts. 

“For some children and young people Christmas can be just like any other day, but we want to make sure it’s different and as special as possible this year.

“Every child deserves a gift, and with your help they can wake up to a visit from Santa on Christmas morning.”

Last year, in Greater Manchester, Mission Christmas was able to help 30,697 children. Cash for Kids aims to support the 1 in 3 children that are living in poverty across Greater Manchester. 

“We are excited to bring a new element to Lightopia Manchester this winter, Light of Love aims to support local charities doing vital work in the Greater Manchester communities; the work of these organisations has never been so important,” said Ian Xiang, creative director of Lightopia.

“This year, we are helping to raise funds for Cash for Kids Mission Christmas, helping to make Christmas special for every child, with a gift this Christmas.”

Also new for this year is Lightopia’s illuminated Dining Domes.

Nestled in the park’s woodland and surrounded by lanterns, the ten domes make for a unique and atmospheric dining experience for families, friends and couples. 

And The Stables Courtyard Bar and Dining will offer a more casual dining experience, with food, music and festive spirit under a heated canopy. All available to book now.

Lightopia will be open to the public Thursdays-Sundays from the 25th November until 11th December, after which Lightopia will be open every day until Monday 3rd January 2022 except for Christmas day.  Opening times are between 5pm to 10pm, and last entry is 8.30pm daily. Bookings for the Dine in the Light experience are now available here. Advance tickets are priced at £20 for adults (or £22 on the day), £13 for children (£15 on the day), and £60 for families of two adults and two children (£68 on the day). Children under three can go free. Essential carers of disabled visitors can attend for free, the disabled visitor pays the normal admission fee.

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Manchester is a successful city, but there are many people that suffer. The I Love MCR Foundation helps raise vital funds to help improve the lives and prospects of people and communities across Greater Manchester – and we can’t do it without your help. So please donate or fundraise what you can because investing in your local community to help it thrive can be a massively rewarding experience. Thank you in advance!

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