Final preparations are under way for Ignite Fire Festival taking place at Rochdale Town Hall Square from Friday, 20–Sunday, 22 November, leading up to the much anticipated Christmas 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. This free night-time event will open 5pm - 8pm, delivering a magical trail of fire, lights and sound. Organisers Rochdale Development Agency say this year will be the best yet with new dazzling trails and attractions.
The free night-time event will open over 3 evenings from Friday, 20 to Sunday 22 November. (Photograph courtesy of Neil McElmon)
Immersive night-time trail, 'BODY,' will take centre stage, bringing visitors on a journey through 6 zones of the human body using fire, light, sound and special effects. 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 body's functions. Using cutting-edge technology, the experience will entertain and educate, providing a deeper understanding of what lies beneath.
Through the use of cutting-edge technology the experience will both entertain and educate. (Photograph courtesy of Chris Payne)
There will also be a Fire Garden providing extra sparkle, illuminating slopes and gardens behind Rochdale Town Hall with 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 festival. 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 Ignite, performing fire spinning feats.
There will be flame-cooked hot food served each night including Texas BBQ, brisket, mac n cheese, bratwurst and seasonal drinks.
And look out for stalls filled with homemade goods from fantastic local young people – a Teenage Market will also be staged each evening at the event.
On the opening night (Friday, November 20) from 5.30pm to 7.30pm, you can take part in an Ignite themed 'Paint the Flame' pottery painting at Clay & Glaze on Drake Street, a short walk from the festival. You can paint a fire or a dragon-themed mug. The activity is suitable for children and adults. (Charge of £10 per mug applies).
Father Christmas and his special guests switch-on the Christmas lights at 5.30pm on Sunday, 22 November.
Father Christmas and his special guests, including the Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Faisal Rana, stars from Middleton Arena’s pantomime Cinderella, the borough’s children’s champions and local members of the UK Youth Parliament switch-on the Christmas lights at 5.30pm on Sunday, 22 November. The switch-on takes place 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 is the perfect way to kick off the festive season, bringing together spectacular entertainment, dazzling displays and magical moments for all ages. Bigger and brighter than ever this year, it's the ultimate build-up to our Christmas lights switch-on."
Jamie Lynock, general manager of The Trade Centre UK in Rochdale added:
"We're proud to be supporting what has quickly become one of Rochdale’s most loved events. Ignite is set to be bigger and better than ever, bringing spectacular entertainment, family fun and plenty of festive cheer to the town. Sponsoring the event is a great way for us to give back to the community where so many of our customers and colleagues live, while helping create memorable experiences for local families. I’m delighted to be involved and looking forward to helping switch on the Christmas lights on Sunday evening to round off a fantastic weekend."
Bev Ayre, senior producer at Walk the Plank, said they are delighted to be returning to Rochdale:
"The countdown is on until we bring BODY to Ignite, and we can't wait. We hope our dynamic fire and light installation will not only entertain audiences but inspire everyone to learn more about what makes us all human. We are also excited to illuminate the slopes with fire and special effects, framing the beautiful town hall."
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.