Ignite Fire Festival

About

Ignite Fire Festival sponsored by The Trade Centre UK will be transforming the square and gardens around Rochdale Town Hall, including new pathways and parkland on Broadfield Slopes. with more dazzling displays, a brand-new light and fire trail alongside activities for all the family.

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:

• North-west premiere of night-time trail, 'BODY.’ It will bring visitors on a journey through 6 zones of the human body using fire, light, sound and special effects. You can expect to be mesmerised on a dramatic, spellbinding journey as you 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.
• Fire Garden - 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.
• Drum Machine - the 20 strong drumming collective will be bringing their dance floor grooves and stomping tunes to the event.
• 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.
• A magical landscape of sound, light and fire - the square and gardens around Rochdale Town Hall will be transformed.
• Teenage Market – stalls filled with home-made goods from our fantastic local young people and enjoy performances from our talented young performers. 
• Hot food, mulled wine and other seasonal drinks will be available to buy.

Christmas lights switch-on

Father Christmas and his special guests, including the Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale will officially switch-on the lights at around 5.30pm on Sunday, 22 November 2026 in front of Rochdale Town Hall after the traditional countdown. Ignite Fire Festival will continue in the gardens opposite Rochdale Town Hall until 8pm.

Accessibility

This event will include some flashing lights and fire effects, loud noises, bright lights, smoke, sensory smells, interactive elements and pyrotechnics.

Most of the event is step-free and suitable for prams, pushchairs and wheelchairs.