It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas - at least it is inside Heaton Park anyway.
That's because the popular Lightopia lanterns festival is back for another festive season and it's bigger than ever.
The brand new illuminated trail - which this year has taken on A Christmas Fantasy theme - features interactive lights, lanterns and installations for people of all ages to enjoy.
New additions for 2021 include a Magic Circus display, a Future Zone and a Time Travel Zone.
READ MORE: The ultimate guide to Christmas events for kids in Manchester
There's lots of festive fare up for grabs from the various stalls - both at the beginning and as you make your way round - and there's a fairground too with the likes of dodgems and a Runaway Train.
If you've already bought tickets, or you're thinking of going along this year, we've put together a guide with everything you'll need to know.
What's on the trail?
The trail starts over by the Grade I-listed Heaton Hall, where you'll find a 9ft Christmas tree, a giant bauble and a sea of glowing balls that change colour in time with the music.
There are other lanterns characters there too, including a gingerbread, a nutcracker and a snowman, which takes on an alternative creepy face as the festive vibe turns somewhat freaky - but not for long.
You then make your way down to the Gate of Guardians entrance and walk through the glowing tunnel to the rest of the event.
It's here you'll find the Earth Flower - one of the most interactive parts of the display - which lets visitors bang on one of the 10 musical drums to power up the glowing attraction.
In the space above the huge flower is a field of 50,000 illuminated love hearts.
There are thousands of lights and lanterns in all - from the giant donuts and lollipops of Candy Lane, to the unicorns and other mythical creatures inside the Fantasy Forest. Even the good old Manchester bee makes an appearance.
They're all pretty spaced out this year, so it takes a while getting from one to the other, but it helps keep a distance from other groups and gives you more time to get those all-important pictures along the route.
The Lakeside Water Show is a must-see with Santa inside his snow globe among the festive scenes projected over the lake and you certainly won't miss the two gigantic 40-metre dragons as you pass by Dragon’s Land towards the end.
Is there anything else to do?
There's a Ferris wheel at the beginning of the trail outside Heaton Hall and a fairground and stalls about two thirds of the way round - with rides including Drop Zone, dodgems, a Runaway Train and more.
It's here you'll find the Sweet Factory selling everything from candyfloss and dummies, to toffee and fudge.
And there are loads of other stalls a bit further along with a wide range of food and drink.
If you want to make even more of an evening of it, you could book for the woodland dining dome experience, which has been added this year.
The domes seat up to six or 12 guests, with three time slots available for dining, 5pm, 6.30pm, or 8pm, and pre-booking essential.
A seasonal three-course meal has been created by three-rosette chef Chris Holland, former head chef of the Alderley Edge Hotel, and The Life Cafés & Resorts Culinary Team.
Alternatively The Stables Courtyard Bar and Dining is also offering food, drink and music, in a slightly more casual venue. While it is outdoors, the heated courtyard is covered by a canopy.
What time are the trails?
The event is running from now until January 3 and will only close on Mondays and Tuesday, except for school holidays, as well as Christmas Day.
You can book a time slot from 5pm and new trails start every 15 minutes to avoid congestion. Last entry is usually 8pm, or 7.30pm on certain dates (6pm Christmas Eve).
How much are tickets and parking?
Tickets cost £20 for adults, £13 for children and £60 for families of two adults and two children - under threes go free.
Parking tickets need to be booked separately and cost £5 each.
Fairground rides need to be paid for separately and cost from £2.50.
How long does it last?
It obviously depends how long you linger at each of the installations - and how long it takes you to get a nice photo of the family (which in our experience can take quite some time), but you're looking around an hour-and-a-half, probably longer if you choose to eat and drink and enjoy some of the rides too.
There's no time limit so once inside you can stay for as long as you like.
Food and drink stalls and prices
Up at the entrance to the event near the hall you'll find The Smokeshed, selling the likes of BBQ pulled pork, steak burgers loaded fries, prices from £6, while the neighbouring German sausage stall sells a range of, you guessed it, sausages, again £6.
There's a bar there with gins, wines and spirits from £5, while beer and cider is £3 for half a pint, £5 a pint.
Stalls near the fairground sell everything from hot roasts (£8) and wraps (£8.50), to sweet treats such as donuts, mallow sticks and cookies, from £1.50.
There are hot chocolate stalls aplenty and the lakeside cafe is also open - for takeaway only - selling a variety of hot drinks including salted caramel, peppermint candy cane, orange and toasted marshmallow hot chocolates (from £3.95) as well as gingerbread lattes, toasted praline mocha and mulled wine.
For more details and to book tickets visit the website here.
