Visitors to the brand new Luminate Winter Light Trail in Southport are being wowed by an incredible 25,000 lights, stretched across a trail almost a mile long.
Luminate already operates eye-catching illuminated events at venues around the UK, in Wales, Coventry, Norfolk and Cheshire.
This is the first time they have brought their showcase to Southport and they are appreciating the feedback from the hundreds of visitors who have already enjoyed the trail.
The Winter Light Trail is at Victoria Park in Southport every day until 23rd December, just two days before Christmas Day.
It is a huge investment by Luminate with a team of 30 expert staff taking 300 hours to set up everything. Their work has been worth it.
Winter Light Trail organiser Daniel Maycock said: “There are 14 ‘wow points’ as people make their way around the attraction.
“From the ringing bells, to the Make A Wish bandstand, to the tunnel of lights or the fairy glen, there are so many things for families to see. The Winter Light Trail is good value for a great family night out.
“It is something really different, a winter interactive light trail.
“It is a really good event for all the family. It is great for people of all ages – children love it, so do their parents, and so do grandparents.
“We have seen groups of people booking in, they have been really enjoying getting together with family and friends.
The Winter Light Trail at Victoria Park in Southport. Photo by Claire Brown
“The 23rd of December is our last day at Victoria Park, we are open every day up until then.
“There is lots of free parking near to the park, or there is a council car park at Southport Eco Centre where people can pay to park.
“We have some food outlets near the entrance too, so people can buy something to eat or a warming drink of tea, coffee or mulled wine to walk around with.
“Because it’s a new event people have not really been sure what exactly to expect. Come and have a look at our Luminate website, we have lots of information on there.”
Daniel has been enjoying the response since the new attraction opened in Southport.
He said: “We have seen some really nice comments from people.
“People who have been have been really impressed.
“Kids really love the interactive element of the trail.
“People have been able to see the searchlight beams for miles around, they have been asking on social media where the lights are from!
The Winter Light Trail at Victoria Park in Southport. Photo by Andrew Brown Media
“We have 15 minute slots set aside for when people can start the trail just to space everyone out. Once inside you can take as long as you want on the trail, you can go around twice if you want.
“Southport is a bit different to our other sites. I like being at Victoria Park. “This is our first time here in Southport.
“We picked it after we spoke with Southport Flower Show General manager Alan Adams and his team, they were great.
“We spoke about coming to the area and thought it would work really well here.”
The Winter Light Trail takes place at Victoria Park in Southport until Thursday, 23rd December, starting at 4.30pm each night.
Tickets are booked on a starting time slot basis, but you can take as long as you like walking the magical trail.
Visitors will be welcomed into a Christmas hub area where mulled wine and festive street food stalls will be cooking up tasty treats.
Once on the light trail visitors can expect 3D projections, light tunnels, a wishing tree, interactive shadow play and laser light maze and much more.
Alan Adams, General Manager of Southport Flower Show and Victoria Park Events, said: “We are really excited to be hosting this event – helping bring a fantastic new attraction to the town, establishing Southport as an all-year round resort.”
The trail is approximately 1.2km long and (depending on how quickly you walk through) will take around an hour to 90 minutes to complete.
You can buy tickets here: luminate.live/southport
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