Review of Yuletide Light Trail at Tatton Park

Published Date: 15 Nov 2024

Updated: 24 Nov 2024

Author: Rachael Sneddon

The family Christmas event Yuletide is back at Tatton Park offering a lovely festive festival. We were invited along for a sneak peak before it’s opening this weekend.

Created by Wild Rumpus, the creators of the Just So Festival, Timber Festival as well as the Lanterns at Chester Zoo, Yuletide offers a magical interactive experience for all ages.

Read on for what to expect from this year’s event.

Table of Contents

Review of Yuletide Tatton Park

Review Yuletide entrance

We are big fans of Wild Rumpus attending their Just Festival each year and are never disappointed when attending any of their events.

Yuletide is located at Tatton Park around 30 minutes from Manchester depending on the traffic and you need to enter via the Rostherne entrance. The event is located in the gardens you enter via the Stableyard and is only a few minutes walk from the car park.

The Stableyard is also the location of Yuletide’s food and drink offerings, along with a large tipi where you can enjoy the refreshments.

On entering Yuletide, you have the choice of starting with a folklore story, enjoying live music, watching fire juggling, toasting marshmallows, or entering The Glittering Trail.

Review Yuletide Storytelling

We opted for the story with traditional storyteller Ian Douglas and his Magic Lantern Caravan. He shared lovely traditional tales accompanied by a shadow puppet theatre show.

All the children and adults were transfixed throughout and it was a wonderful way to share a winter’s evening. Especially as there was a cosy seating area creating an intimate gathering.

Next, we headed to The Fireshow. Here we watched a duo of Fire Jugglers who were showing off their skills to the crowd. From burning devil stick tricks to juggling balls of fire we all watched open-mouthed and excited to see what their next feat would be.

Before we headed into the light trail, the kids decided that marshmallow toasting was in order available to purchase for £1.00.

Review Yuletide Puppets

I’ve been to Tatton Park with the family many times, but never at night and I couldn’t wait to enter The Glittering Trail.

The path was well-lit and I was pleased to see that it was well-maintained and no mud in sight.

The 1km trail takes you through Tatton Gardens mystical atmosphere is created using a combination of lighting, music, puppetry and the characters from around the world that you meet along the way.

Favourites included the Kallikantzaroi, cute little woodland creatures who were happy to give out hugs; Lou Hi Stole The Moon where we discovered huge planet installations that I could have looked at all evening; and the Fox and the Northern Light where we discovered the cutest fox puppet.

Review Yuletide rainbow path

The kids also loved the shadow circles, where they got the chance to be part of the trail-making shapes with the start props.

The end of the trail is marked with a stunning rainbow pathway. The adults in our party were probably more excited about it than the kids. It was truly magical, and a great opportunity for a pic or two.

What We Thought About Yuletide?

Review Yuletide shadow puppetry

We all had a great time at the Yuletide event. It was unlike any other festive event I have previously been to.

There was no Santa’s or his Grotto, tacky decorations, lots of tech-filled installations or big Christmas hits – and loved it. It was lovely to be able to step away from the usual hustle and bustle and commercialism of this time of year.

Wild Rumpus has built on the popular light trail and created something different and extra special. A truly magical festive event where families can enjoy spending time together with stories, music and laughter.

How To Book Yuletide at Tatton Park.

Yuletide is running at Tatton Park from 16th November until 23^rd December 2024 on selected dates.

For more information and how to book >>> Yuletide at Tatton Park

Top Tips for Yuletide 2024

Review Yuletide Trail animals

To help you make the most out of your visit to Yuletide 2024 we have put together our top tips for families.

Getting To Tatton Park

Yuletide is located at the Stableyard at Tatton Park. You need to enter via the Rostherne entrance and can use postcode WA16 6SG on your Sat Nav. Be aware that the entrance is slightly concealed and the road leading it to it has no street lights so you may want to go a little slower as you approach.

Parking For Yuletide

The parking is included in the ticket price and the carpark is located around 5 minutes from the event.

How Long Does the Yuletide Event Take

The whole event is free flow and organisers anticipate that it will take a minimum of 90 minutes for you to see and do everything.

However, you can stay as long as you like listening to the stories and music, watching the fireshow and taking everything in on the trail.

What To Wear

Although there are undercover spaces such as the live music tend and story area you will spend most of your time outside so you will need to wrap up warm.

As mentioned above none of the paths were muddy during our visit but if it has been raining it may be worth taking boots and a change of shoes for the journey home.

Food and Drink at Yuletide

At the entrance to the event, you will find food and drink vendors selling hot and cold options.

Unfortunately during the preview event, these were not open but we did spot a Jacket Potato truck and a Coffee and Hot Chocolate Cart.

There was also a large seated area and a tipi for you to be able to enjoy any treats you purchase.

Once inside you can also purchase marshmallows for toasting on the open fires.

Don’t Miss The Shows

Yuletide show times

The storytelling, fire shows and live music are on at set times during the event. There is a board with the times near the entrance which is worth taking a picture of so that you don’t miss any of them.