Alton Towers to host Europe's biggest light and lantern festival this Christmas

In partnership with Lightopia, the Theme Park will host Europe’s biggest light and lantern festival, Seasonal Wonderland, which will take guests on a magical and immersive journey through the four seasons with spectacular lanterns, stunning light installations, a magnificent water show and colour transformations.

The festive attraction will take guests on a 2.3km journey past 120 different groups of lanterns.

Each one will feature light installations and over one million LED light bulbs, offering a multisensory experience.

This winter, Lightopia will bring never-seen-before, bespoke light installations, and for the first time ever, will showcase a state-of-the-art laser show that will dazzle guests with colourful illuminations, specifically designed for the UK’s biggest theme park.

Guests will be able to experience each season as they move along the seasonal pathway.

Winter

This is where the magic starts, get into the Christmas spirit as the most wonderful time of the year is brought to life with floor projections, immersive dancing lights and smoke bubbles.

Continue through the enchanted lands to see majestic winter animals and incredibly fantastical creatures.

Spring

Witness an explosion of colours, flowers and butterflies as nature blooms and awakens, leading the way through sparkling string lights with birds and a giant lantern tree with cute Easter animals.

Summer

Get ready to be transported to the ultimate Summer holiday destination, with brightly coloured floor projections, fun beach party themed lights and lanterns, and a stunning, state-of-the-art laser show.

Autumn

As the leaves start to fall, guests will follow the floor projections as the season changes.

Enter a magical world with mythical creatures, friendly ghosts, pumpkins, skeletons and a jaw dropping 6m tall Halloween handmade haunted house and other wicked and spooktacular surprises.

Water Show

Expect to be dazzled as the lake in front of the iconic Towers is brought to life with a spectacular Christmas themed water and light show.

The 45m wide and 25m tall water curtain, synchronized dancing lights, shining stars and breath-taking soundtracks, will offer a magnificent and magical finale, the perfect place to create unforgettable memories with friends and family this Christmas.

Ian Xiang, creative director at Lightopia, said: “I am thrilled to bring the biggest lantern and light festival in Europe to such an emblematic place like Alton Towers Resort this Christmas.

“Our idea from the beginning was to mix the old with the new, bringing traditional craftsmanship and combining state-of-the-art light technology.

“The upcoming Lightopia will be a magical seasonal adventure for families and friends to get together and experience a whole year in a day during Christmas time.”

Chris Carter, events and entertainments director at Alton Towers Resort, said: “Last year, Christmas was cancelled for so many people, which is why this year, Christmas will be bigger and better than ever and we are very excited to be working with Lightopia to bring this amazing attraction to life!

“We remain committed to creating a much-needed form of escapism for families and thrill-seekers across the UK and beyond. We’ve got an incredible line-up of seasonal entertainment and festive delights, which we’re sure our guests will love.”

How to get tickets to Alton Tower's Light and Lantern festival

You can book your place at the Light and Lantern Festival on the Alton Towers website.

Christmas at Alton Towers

And there is more festive charm at Alton Towers this Christmas.

This year, for the first time ever, the Resort will also be transforming Towers Street into a festive wonderland with over 60 Christmas market stalls for guests to explore. From unique crafts, festive food, mulled drinks and more delightful surprises, guests can enjoy some Christmas shopping and revel in the twinkling lights, charming local stalls and fantabulous feel-good festive atmosphere.

‘Tis season, guests will also have the chance to enjoy a Festive Day Out with specially selected rides ideal for families, including CBeebies Land and Gangtsa Granny: The Ride, meet joyful characters and take a stroll through the enchanting Alton Towers Gardens Lights Walk: Twinkling Stars.

Returning for 2021 is the family favourite Santa’s Sleepover.

The festive package includes an overnight stay in one of the fantastically themed hotels, a visit to Santa’s Grotto, one day entry to the theme park, plus the brand-new Towers Christmas Market and the Gardens Lights Walk: Twinkling Stars, and so much more.

Book tickets for Christmas at Alton Towers.

The Christmas celebrations will take place on various dates from Saturday, November 27 to Thursday, December 23.