FIRST LOOK: Dazzling debut for magical Christmas At Roundhay Park

Yorkshire’s Roundhay Park in Leeds has been transformed into a magical winter wonderland with more than a million reasons to visit.

That's how many dazzling lights are twinkling to bring much needed cheer with Christmas At Roundhay Park making its debut and now open for the festive season.

From a flickering fire garden, to wild wicker sculptures and magical light installations, by world renowned artists, picture perfect moments and life-long memories are guaranteed on the after dark trail which is making its debut at the venue on selected nights to January 1, 2023.

BUY TICKETS: Christmas at Roundhay Park tickets are best bought in advance to guarantee an entry time slot – tickets from £19.50 adult, £15 child (age three -16) and £70 family (two adults and two children) – buy at christmasatroundhaypark.seetickets.com.

A timed entry system is in place and with popular weekend and early evening time slots expected to sell out fast, organisers are urging festive fun-seekers to buy their tickets in advance.

Sparkling tunnels of light and dancing lakeside reflections, giant baubles and glistening trees drenched in jewel-like colour are simply breathtaking.

In an age of fuel efficiency the installations are designed to be low in energy usage. Much of the trail is LED lit while lighting is only used where necessary for public safety.

And one of the many showstopping installations doesn't even depend on electricity - the fire garden, featuring dozens of real-flame torches, majestically light up castle ruins, helping to make this the hottest ticket in town.

It offers a moment of reflection, to pause at the mesmerising flickering flames which compliment the trails larger-than-life illuminations.

This is an immersive experience of lights, sounds, with a background soundtrack of Christmas songs, carols and orchestrated festive classics, plus smells, - with plenty of festive food and drinks, at extra cost, from vendors also taking part on the trail.

Tree tops glisten and shimmer, drenched in seasonal colours, with amazing highlights on the mile-plus trail including huge illuminated snowflakes and snowballs, giant sized luminous Lilies on the Roundhay Park lake and an incredible Neon tree.

Some of it may look familiar to those who visited the trail at Temp[le Newsome last year - promoters Sony Music and trail designers Culture Creative are the same team who have moved it to Rounday Park.

Last year's festive favourite, Christmas Cathedral, a towering, walk-through archway, festooned with tens of thousands of pea-lights, makes a welcome return.

But this is a much bigger and brighter trail.

Designed for visitors of all ages and accessible to everyone, expect plenty of selfie moments around the two-kilometre walk.

The trail highlights the park's natural features and beauty - multi coloured lights showcase the mature woodlands, which transport visitors to a fantasy landscape while the lake reflects the Christmas Cathedral, Lilies and a huge Leeds sign which welcomes visitors with dramatic effect.

Matthew Findlay, Head of UK Trails for Sony Music, said: “We are thrilled to launch a unique new Christmas lights trail at this iconic venue, our planning and preparation is well underway. There will be plenty to wow and surprise all visitors, young and old!”

Zoe Bottrell, MD of Culture Creative, says the trail is also about bringing families together.

She said: "We create trails for all the family to get together, to have a wonderful time and fun in the fresh air for an hour and a half or so.

"We want to take you on a bit of a journey.

"There are some areas that are bright, cheery and loud, both audibly and visually. But there are other parts that are quiet and contemplative; to really just take a breath and be able to to look at something beautiful with serene music, to have that moment with your family."

Zoe added: "It's not the kind of Christmas lights you're gonna see in your town centre, or at Blackpool, or in Oxford Street. That's not what it's about. It's about us illuminating these landscapes, telling their story and how fantastic these places are.

"With a touch of Christmas, there will be Santa on the trail to give you a wave and to wish you upon your merry way. But this is really about us being able to create an entire encompassing experience that allows you to feel completely immersed in the location that you're in.

"Every time you turn a corner, every time you come across a new part of that footpath, you'll come across a new vision in front of you; a new piece of visual art that will help us to tell that story."

Roundhay Park, one of the biggest city parks in Europe, has more than 700 acres of parkland, lakes, woodland and gardens which are owned by Leeds City Council. The park is one of the most popular attractions in the city with over a million visitors annually, and hosts festivals and events throughout the year.

Christmas at Roundhay is one of 15 outdoor illuminated trails staged across the UK by Raymond Gubbay Limited, a division of Sony Music, who have been delivering themed illuminated trails for over eight years. Each trail is designed to showcase the natural and unique environment of the individual location and to immerse visitors into a world of light, fire and soundscape.

They currently have 30 trails across the UK, Europe, USA, and Australia.

* Christmas at Roundhay Park, Mansion Ln, Roundhay, Leeds LS8 2HH, is on selected nights to January 1, 2023, open rom 4.30pm, last entry 8pm and closes at 10pm. Advanced tickets from £19.50 adult, £15 child (age three -16) and £70 family (two adults and two children). Visit christmasatroundhaypark.seetickets.com