More details have been revealed about the Ignite Fire Festival taking place in Rochdale from Friday 21–Sunday 23 November 2025, leading up to the Christmas lights switch-on.
Ignite, sponsored by car supermarket The Trade Centre UK, will transform the square and gardens around Rochdale Town Hall with 3 free night-time spectacular shows delivering a magical trail of fire, lights and entertainment for all the family. The event has been extended to include beautifully restored pathways and parkland on Broadfield Slopes plus more dazzling displays and activities for all the family including an ice rink. On Saturday, 22 November 2025 and Sunday, 23 November 2025 there’s also a Christmas market with around 20 stalls.
Expect more dazzling displays over 3 nights.
‘The wow factor’
It opens at 5pm on Friday, 21 November 2025 with a torchlit procession to launch the new Broadfield Slopes by the town hall. This will feature a fire drawn image that references the Pack Horse that gave its name to Packer Spout, the historic spring located on the slopes. On all 3 nights The Casey Group, the contractor responsible for the restoration of the slopes will be displaying some of their modern equipment, and talking to visitors about career opportunities in the construction industry.
The event opens at 5pm on Friday, 21 November 2025 with a torchlit procession to launch the new Broadfield Slopes.
A fire garden full of blazing sculptures and animatronic installations created by multi-award-winning outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank will include ‘Bubbles of Love’, a new kinetic sculpture by Felix Rowberry and audiences will also be able to enjoy the mesmerising animatronics of Paka’s Fire Dragon. Liz Pugh, producer from Walk the Plank said:
“We know Ignite audiences love the magic of fire so it felt appropriate to reveal the amazing new mechanical fire sculpture Bubbles of Love for the first time in a place with such a history of pioneering spirit, during its special year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture.”
There will be stunning live performances featuring some of the UK’s top talent, including world leading special effects company BPM SFX staging 6 spectacular fire shows each evening in front of the town hall. Travelling Light Circus and Rochdale’s Skylight Circus return with ‘Fireflies’ a mesmerising multi-sensory show featuring jugglers, fire torch spinning and more as part of the Culture Co-op programme with residents trained up especially for the festival. Back again for 2025 is ‘Drum Machine’ - the popular drumming collective who will be bringing their techno infused beats to the event.
Drum Machine – the popular drumming collective who will be bringing their techno infused beats to the event.
Ignite Fire Festival will be open to walk through from 5pm to 8pm each evening. Father Christmas and his special guests, including the Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Janet Emsley, stars from Middleton Arena’s pantomime Aladdin and the borough’s children’s champions, switch-on the Christmas lights at 5.30pm on Sunday, 23 November 2025. The switch-on takes place in front of the town hall after the traditional countdown, whilst Ignite Fire Festival continues until 8pm.
Rochdale’s Ice Rink by Santa’s Village, opens for the first time at the festival, located on Rochdale Town Hall Square, promising a magical experience for all ages and skill levels, running until 4 January 2026, although advance booking is advised. Find Rochdale Town Hall Square on Google Maps
Rochdale’s Ice Rink opens for the first time at the festival, located on Rochdale Town Hall Square, promising a magical experience for all ages and skill levels, running until 4 January 2026.
There will also be hot food and other seasonal drinks available.
Councillor Sue Smith, cabinet member for communities and co-operation at Rochdale Borough Council said:
“Ignite is such an exciting and unique event, with something for all ages that really delivers the wow factor and it’s the perfect addition to our big switch-on.”
Mike Doyle, brand ambassador at The Trade Centre UK said they were pleased to be supporting the festival for the second year in a row:
“This year promises to be the biggest celebration yet. We’re proud to support such a cherished occasion. Sponsoring is our way of deepening our local ties and giving back to the borough that so many of our customers and team members call home.”
Follow a magical trail of fire, lights and entertainment.
Ignite is organised by 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.
The festival’s main sponsor is The Trade Centre UK with support from The Casey Group – the contractor responsible for the restoration of the Broadfield Slopes and BRSK – the full fibre broadband provider, who will have a presence at the event.
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. Find out more about Rochdale as Greater Manchester Town of Culture 2025-26