Rochdale Christmas lights switch-on and new fire festival

Date published: 01 November 2023

The countdown to Christmas begins in Rochdale later this month with a new two day event and family entertainment leading up to the lights switch-on.

Father Christmas and special guests including the Mayor of Rochdale Councillor Mike Holly will switch-on the lights at 5.30pm on Sunday 26 November in front of the town hall after the traditional countdown.

Alongside the big switch on in Rochdale, the free Ignite Fire Festival will take place on Saturday 25 November and Sunday 26 November with more than 25 displays and illuminated installations open to walk through from 4pm to 8pm in the gardens opposite Rochdale Town Hall.

The festival will include flame arches and fire throwing, a musical fire tree and other fire-based attractions for visitors to enjoy.

Street theatre and interactive arts group Travelling Light Circus will host fire shows featuring jugglers, torch spinning and dance for a multi-sensory experience along with over 70 local residents that they will have trained especially for the event.

A techno infused performance by Drum Machine – a 20 strong drumming collective – is set to take place alongside the festival. The group have performed at festivals across the UK but it will be their first time in Rochdale.

For younger children, there will be lantern making workshops. Hot food, mulled wine and other seasonal drinks will be available.

It will be the first time the Christmas lights switch-on has been held in front of Rochdale Town Hall since 2019 due to ongoing refurbishment work.

The building is being restored and is due to reopen in 2024.

Councillor Janet Emsley, Rochdale council’s cabinet member for equity, safety and reform, said: “This new fire festival is such an exciting and unique addition to our switch-on, something we’ve never seen before in Rochdale, providing amazing family entertainment across the weekend and helping to attract visitors from across the region.

“It’s a chance to support local with our fantastic businesses and I invite everyone to come and join us.”

Christmas switch on events are also taking in place in:

Heywood town centre, Saturday 18 November – 3pm to 5.30pm, organised by Heywood Business Group.
Middleton town centre, Saturday 18 November – 2pm to 7pm organised by Middleton Township.
Littleborough town centre, Saturday 25 November – 4pm to 6pm organised by LEAF.

Declan Carey, Local Democracy Reporter