About the festival
- Times and dates:
- 5pm–8pm, Friday 21 November 2025
- 5pm–8pm, Saturday 22 November 2025
- 5pm–8pm, Sunday 23 November 2025
- Who is this event suitable for? For all ages.
- Location: Rochdale Memorial Gardens, The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AZ
- Directions: How to get to Rochdale Town Hall
- Do I need to book? No, you can just turn up.
- Contact: admin@rochdalecreates.co.uk
- Food and drink: hot food, mulled wine and other seasonal drinks will be available to buy.
Ignite Fire Festival will be transforming the gardens opposite Rochdale Town Hall, with more dazzling displays and activities for all the family.
New additions for 2025
The festival has now been extended to include:
- The beautifully restored pathways and parkland on Broadfield Slopes.
- More dazzling displays and activities for all the family.
- An ice rink.
- Christmas market.
Christmas lights switch-on: 5.30pm, Sunday, 23 November 2025
Father Christmas and his special guests, including the Mayor of Rochdale Councillor Janet Emsley will officially switch-on the lights at around 5.30pm on Sunday, 23 November 2025 in front of the town hall after the traditional countdown.
The Ignite Fire Festival will continue in the gardens opposite until 8pm.
Ice rink
Available from Friday, 21 November 2025-Sunday, January 4 2026
An exciting addition to this years festival is Santa's Village ice rink, with the grand opening taking place on the first night of the festival.
Charges apply and booking is recommended.
Displays and performances
Each evening 5pm to 8pm.
Step into a world of fiery displays, blazing sculptures and glowing installations created by the award-winning outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank.
Highlights Include:
- World premiere of Bubbles of Love - a kinetic sculpture by Felix Rowberry.
- Paka’s Fire Dragon - a mesmerising animatronic display.
- Fire Garden Wonders - displays of flaming lotus flowers, strange birds that rotate or burst into life, hissing sculptures and turning cogs.
- A magical landscape of sound, light and fire: the square and gardens around Rochdale Town Hall will be transformed.
- Torchlight procession: join a torchlight procession on Friday, 21 November 2025 to celebrate the launch of the new Broadfield Slopes. The Broadfield Slopes Project
Ignite Fire Festival gallery
Greater Manchester Town of Culture 2025-26
Ignite Fire Festival is part of a spectacular line up of festivals, live performances, exhibitions and art during Rochdale’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture 2025-26.
The title, awarded by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, celebrates the town’s rich history, creativity, talent and diverse arts scene.
Event sponsors
Main sponsor:
The Trade Centre UK: the region's largest car supermarket.
Support from:
The Casey Group: the contractor responsible for the restoration of the Broadfield Slopes.
BRSK: the full fibre broadband provider.
Event organisers
Rochdale Borough Council and Rochdale Development Agency in partnership with Walk the Plank and Culture Co-op, funded by the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, supported by the council.
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.