Presented by the creators of The Twilight Trail, this immersive experience builds on the success of last year’s debut at Mayfield Park.
This October, the creators of Manchester’s acclaimed The Twilight Trail are back with a captivating new experience at the Wilderspool Woods – a 4.5 acre hidden woodland in the grounds of Trafford Centre. The Halloween Trail is a magical and mesmerising light show and interactive experience that will captivate guests of all ages – running from Thursday, 17th October to Sunday, 3rd November.
This year’s trail transforms the eerie woodland of Wilderspool Woods into an enchanted, haunted world, complete with over 100,000 lights illuminating a Skeleton Village. Attendees can look forward to supernatural surprises around every corner, with laser-filled gardens of mist, colourful bats soaring above, and glowing LED eyes that watch from the treetops.
The trail will feature a spooky soundtrack curated by renowned DJ Rasp, enhancing the atmosphere with eerie beats and otherworldly tunes as visitors make their way through the experience.
Families can enjoy interactive moments such as pumpkin picking and carving stations, marshmallow roasting, a skeleton petting zoo, and the vibrant skeleton disco. Guests will also encounter Helix, a floating ribbon of sparkling light that weaves through the forest, and The Twist, a psychedelic, corkscrew pathway of mesmerising lights. Adventurous souls may even stumble upon the mysterious Haunted Hotel or enjoy a drink at Ye Olde Skeleton Arms, a creepy, old-fashioned pub tucked away in the woods.
Adding to the trail’s magic is a top-tier food and drink programme curated by Freight Island, with mouth-watering treats from top traders such as:
- Formaggi by Lazy Tony’s, the ultimate comfort food spot, known for their irresistible loaded roasties, rich and gooey poutine, indulgent Italian-American toasties, and perfectly crispy deep-fried mozzarella
- Voodoo Rays, a cult-favourite for pizza lovers, serving up their iconic giant 22” New York-style pizzas – each slice packed with bold flavours and a crispy crust guaranteed to keep visitors coming back for more.
- Cabin Chocolat, the go-to for decadent hot chocolate, offering velvety smooth creations topped with fluffy marshmallows, caramel, and sweets. For an adult twist, guests can try one of their indulgent boozy hot chocolates.
- Soft Boi, a must-visit for dessert fans – the team will be dishing out creamy, delicious soft-serve ice cream that’s the perfect treat after a night of exploring the trail.
In a major food highlight, Heard, a new burger venture from two Michelin-starred chef Jordan Bailey, will also feature on the trail. Bailey, known for his rapid rise to success with Ireland’s best restaurant Aimsir, will bring his culinary expertise to the start of the trail with a selection of smash burgers, made using the finest eco-friendly ingredients from regenerative farms.
Free parking is available for all ticket holders, with convenient transport links also available for those travelling via tram and bus.
Dan Morris, co-founder of Trafford Trails, said: “We’re excited to reveal Wilderspool Wood as the location for this year’s Halloween Trail. This hidden space offers the perfect setting for an immersive and exciting Halloween experience. With DJ Rasp’s soundtrack, stunning light displays, and some of the best food traders around, we’re looking forward to welcoming visitors of all ages for a great night out.”
Simon Layton, Centre Director at Trafford Centre, added: “We’re delighted to bring something new to Trafford this Halloween. Collaborating with Freight Island and other great partners, we’ve created an experience that promises to be a real treat for our visitors. We can’t wait to see Wilderspool Wood lit up at night.”
The Halloween Trail will run from Thursday, 17th October to Sunday, 3rd November. Tickets are on sale now, with prices starting from £8 for children, £10 for adults, and family tickets from £32.
For more information and to book tickets, please visit: www.thetraffordtrails.co.uk/halloween
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