The countdown to Christmas begins in Rochdale next month with the return of the spectacular Ignite Fire Festival and magical family entertainment leading up to the festive lights switch-on.
Ignite Fire Festival, sponsored by car supermarket The Trade Centre UK, will be transforming the square and gardens around Rochdale Town Hall, including the new pathways and parkland on Broadfield Slopes.
Organisers Rochdale Development Agency are promising this year will be the best yet. (Photograph courtesy of Naoise Culhane)
This free night-time event will open over 3 evenings from Friday, 20 to Sunday, 22 November 2026, 5pm - 8pm, delivering a magical trail of fire, lights and sound. Organisers Rochdale Development Agency are promising this year will be the best yet with new dazzling trails and attractions.
Immersive night-time trail, 'BODY,' will take centre stage. It will bring visitors on a journey through 6 zones of the human body using fire, light, sound and special effects.
Immersive night-time trail, 'BODY,' will take centre stage. (Photograph courtesy of Naoise Culhane)
The multi-sensory experience is the most ambitious fire and light installation yet from multi-award-winning outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank, and Ignite will be its north-west premiere, after having previously travelled over the globe, from Ireland to Canada. Audiences can expect to be mesmerised on a dramatic, spellbinding journey as they walk through the glowing embers of human metabolism - the silent furnace that keeps us alive, continuously generating heat to power all the bodies functions. Using cutting-edge technology, the experience will entertain and educate, providing a deeper understand of what lays beneath.
‘family-friendly’
There will also be a Fire Garden providing extra sparkle, illuminating slopes and gardens behind Rochdale Town Hall with intricate hand-crafted fire sculptures and pyrotechnics, transforming it into a place of beauty. Back again for 2026 is ‘Drum Machine’ - the 20 strong drumming collective who will be bringing their dance floor grooves and stomping tunes to the event. Also returning are ‘Fireflies,’ as part of the Culture Co-op programme with Rochdale’s Skylight Circus Arts and live fire shows by interactive arts group Travelling Light Circus, alongside residents trained up especially for the festival performing mesmerising fire spinning feats.
Ignite Fire Festival is now one of the borough’s most popular free events.
There will also be flame cooked hot food served each night, mulled wine and other seasonal drinks.
On Sunday, 22 November 2026 Father Christmas and his special guests, including the Mayor of Rochdale Councillor Faisal Rana officially switch-on the lights at 5.30pm in front of the town hall after the traditional countdown, whilst Ignite Fire Festival continues until 8pm.
Councillor Sue Smith, cabinet member for communities and co-operation at Rochdale Borough Council said:
“Ignite Fire Festival has become a real success story for the borough, drawing audiences from across Greater Manchester and beyond. This 2026 line-up will build on that success with new attractions, creative performances and family-friendly experiences. It will be a fantastic celebration for residents and visitors alike, setting the stage perfectly for our Christmas lights switch-on.”
Bev Ayre, senior producer at Walk the Plank, said they are delighted to be returning to Rochdale:
“The Body is unlike anything we’ve brought to Ignite before. An immersive fire and light experience that combines art, science and creativity to help people discover the incredible human body in a fun and engaging way. Set against the stunning backdrop of Rochdale Town Hall Square and gardens, it promises to be one of our most exciting attractions yet. Even if you’ve visited Ignite before, this year’s festival will feel completely new.”
Ignite is funded by Rochdale Borough Council and Rochdale Development Agency in partnership with Walk the Plank and Culture Co-op.
Christmas lights switch-on events will also take place in Heywood and Middleton on Saturday, 14 November 2026 and in Littleborough on Saturday, 28 November 2026.