About this event
Saturday, 25 November 2023 and Sunday, 26 November 2023. 2 free night-time spectaculars delivering a magical trail of blazing fire and lights.
- Who is this event suitable for? For all ages.
- Do I need to book? Please see each event below for details.
- Directions: Get directions to this event on Google Maps
- Event organiser: Rochdale Borough Council in partnership with Out There Arts
Ignite Fire Festival
Dates and times: 4pm–8pm each day, Saturday, 25 November 2023 and Sunday, 26 November 2023
Cost: free
Booking required? No, you can just turn up.
Over 25 fiery displays, blazing sculptures and illuminated installations created by artists from the UK and abroad will be open to walk through from 4pm to 8pm each evening, with the Christmas lights switch-on taking place on Sunday, 26 November 2023 from 5.30pm.
A free immersive experience for all ages, Ignite will feature incredible flame arches, an elegant ‘Eyeful Tower’ of fire and flame throwing, a musical fire tree along with a varied assortment of other big and bright fire based attractions.
Visitors will be able to follow the trail of flaming chimneys, fire shells, fire pits, festoon lighting, magical lights and jaw dropping special effects.
Street theatre and interactive arts group Travelling Light Circus will host fire shows at the event.
Street theatre and interactive arts group Travelling Light Circus will host fire shows featuring jugglers, torch spinning and dance for a multi-sensory mesmerising experience.
Drum Machine, a 20- strong drumming collective, will be performing.
Listen and look out for a techno infused performance by ‘Drum Machine’, a 20 strong drumming collective. The group have performed at top festivals across the UK but it will be their very first time in Rochdale.
There will also be hot festive food and other seasonal drinks.
Ignite is organised by Rochdale Borough Council in partnership with Out There Arts – the National Centre for Outdoor Arts & Circus and Culture Co-op, a ‘Creative People and Places’ programme, funded by Arts Council England.
Lantern making workshop
Date and time: 2.30pm–5.30pm, Sunday, 26 November 2023
Cost: free
Booking required? No, you can just turn up.
For younger children there will be a lantern making workshop at The Medicine Tap on The Esplanade so little ones can take their own homemade lantern to the switch-on. The workshop runs from 2.30pm to 5.30pm on Sunday, 26 November 2023, to give you time to make your lantern before taking it with you as you walk around the gardens and trail at Ignite Fire Festival which opens at 4pm. You're also encouraged to bring your lantern over to the town hall for the Christmas Lights Switch-On.
Free drumming workshops with Drum Machine
Date and time: 12pm–2pm, Saturday, 25 November 2023 and Sunday, 26 November 2023
Cost: free
Booking required: book a place for the free drumming workshop
To coincide with the Ignite Fire Festival, Culture Co-op is offering free drumming workshops with the band Drum Machine. Drum Machine are a larger than life drumming collective, who play top festivals across the UK, with their infectious and funky grooves. Before their appearances at Ignite Fire Festival, each day they will be showing you how it’s done and letting you have a go, at Deeplish Community Centre, Rochdale. Come along and take part in this fun, lively and welcoming workshop. Suitable for experienced drummers or first timers. Recommended for ages 14+ (all under 18s must be accompanied by an adult).
Christmas Cooking at the Co-op
Date and time: 11am–1.30pm, Saturday, 25 November 2023
Cost: £20 per person
Booking required: this event has now ended
To coincide with the Ignite Fire Festival, Rochdale Pioneers Museum are hosting a Christmas cooking and lunch event to make Christmas cakes from scratch and mince pies which can be frozen ready for the festive season.
Christmas Lights Switch-On
Date and time: 5.30pm, Sunday, 26 November 2023
Cost: free
Booking required? No, you can just turn up.
Father Christmas, and his special guests, including Mayor of Rochdale Councillor Mike Holly, will officially switch on the lights at 5.30pm on Sunday, 26 November 2023 in front of the town hall after the traditional countdown, whilst the Ignite Fire Festival continues until 8pm.
Food and drink
The Quirky Catering Company will be serving festive food and drinks from their Festive Food Truck in front of Rochdale Town Hall on Sunday, 26 November 2023 from 4pm–8pm.
The menu includes hot Christmas sandwiches, bratwurst, festive fries, plus hot and cold drinks.
Hot Christmas Sandwiches
- Roast turkey with stuffing, cranberry sauce and gravy served on an oven bottom muffin £7
- Pulled pork with stuffing, apple sauce and gravy served on an oven bottom muffin £7
Bratwurst
- Wild boar and pork sausage with sauerkraut and curry ketchup £7
Festive fries
- Fries topped with turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and gravy £6
- Fries topped with pulled pork, stuffing, apple sauce, and gravy £6
Drinks
- Hot chocolate and cream £3.50
- Tea or coffee £2.50
- Soft drinks £2.50
Food and drink offers
Local restaurants and bars will be ‘igniting’ your appetites with some tasty food and drink offers from Saturday, 25 November 2023-Sunday, 26 November 2023 to celebrate the fire festival and Christmas lights switch-on.
- Free cup of coffee or tea at Yates Rochdale. Limit to one per customer. No purchase necessary.
- 50 per cent off all kid's meals at The Flying Horse Hotel
- Kids eat free at Bombay Brew
We’ll aim to update this page with more food and drink offers before the event.
Getting to the Ignite Fire Festival
Disclaimer
Events and activities are not organised by Rochdale Borough Council unless stated otherwise. Neither is Rochdale Borough Council responsible for the accuracy of the information provided. If you are under 18, ask your parent/guardian before taking part in any event or activity.