The annual Illuminate Light Night festival returns to Oldham town centre this February.
Promising a free evening of spectacular light installations, performances and community celebration, the popular event will be hosting its ninth edition on Sat 21 Feb.
Illuminate Light Night invites visitors to explore a trail of glowing artworks, exhibitions and live performances created by local, national and international light artists across multiple town centre venues.
Central to the evening’s festivities is the Illuminate Parade, which kicks off the party at 6pm. The parade will wind its way through Oldham town centre from the Civic Centre featuring hundreds of vibrant, community-made lanterns and performers.
A standout highlight of Illuminate Light Night 2026 will be Happy as the Day is Long – a striking, larger-than-life mirrorball that will transform the Library Gardens into an immersive world of light and reflection. The artwork also hosts a pop-up silent disco.
Oldham residents are invited to help shape the soundtrack by nominating songs that bring them joy. Selected tracks will form a community-created Happy Playlist, played throughout the silent disco during the event. Nominate your song here.
Cllr Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council, said: “The annual Illuminate Light Night is a brilliant example of how we bring people together in Oldham.
“It’s a free, family-friendly event that transforms our town centre into a welcoming space filled with creativity, colour and joy.
“By delivering high-quality cultural experiences that are accessible to everyone, we’re celebrating the pride we have in our borough, supporting local businesses and showing Oldham at its very best.”
Further acts and locations will be announced in the coming weeks.
Featured image credit: James Mulkeen
- Words:
- Bradley Lengden
- Published on:
- Thu 29 Jan 2026
