A free late-night light festival returns to Oldham next month

Oldham’s Illuminate Light Night Festival returns for its eighth year this February.

Running across the weekend of Sat 22 Feb & Sun 23 Feb, organisers have promised a bigger and brighter event than ever before.

The festival invites visitors of all ages to discover Oldham in a whole new light, with this year’s theme, “Illuminating the Everyday.”

On Saturday, light art will transform spaces across Oldham town centre from 6pm – 9pm, the free event will feature ‘awe-inspiring installations, dazzling performances, and interactive experiences’ created by acclaimed artists from the UK and beyond.

Highlights of the event include the Illuminate Parade, which kicks off at 6pm, opening the festival in spectacular style. The Parade will wind its way through Oldham town centre, featuring hundreds of vibrant community-made lanterns, dazzling “everyday hero” puppets, music, dance, and giant Illuminated creations from Global Grooves.

Experience MAPP by artist AlexP, is a stunning interactive video-mapping installation that turns everyday surroundings into colourful, dynamic works of art, while Harmony Hall by Illuminos and Oldham Theatre workshop combines projections and live theatre upon the Old Town Hall.

Elsewhere, witness 100 real-time Oldham heartbeats in The Matter of the Heart by idontloveyouanymore at the Oldham Parish Church, showing the collective power of the community in a dazzling display of light and rhythm, and Gallery Oldham will host The Lights, a collection of artworks on loan from The Grundy Gallery in Blackpool.

Immerse yourself in The DOME, a 360-degree projection exploring themes of empire, colonialism, and identity and take part in the light painting workshops and all the current at this special late-night opening.

On Sunday, Northern Roots will be throwing their free, family friendly event. What will a future of tantalizing technology, robots and AI look like? What will the future look like if we love and protect our natural world?

What will a future of tantalizing technology, robots and AI look like? What will the future look like if we love and protect our natural world? Global Grooves and intergalactic snail riders Sleepy Pete, Rosemary Ripple and Gastro Flash take visitors on an illuminated journey into the future.

To see the full programme and to book lantern workshops and Crypt by candlelight tickets, click here.

Cllr Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council, expressed her excitement about the event’s return: “It’s wonderful to see this incredible popular event back in Oldham town centre, bringing our community together to celebrate in such a special and unique way.

“This free event has become a visitor favourite in our growing calendar of free events, offering something for everyone, no matter their age.

“I’d encourage everyone joining us to support our fantastic local businesses while they’re in town.

“You can grab a bite to eat or do a bit of shopping before or after the event. It’s a great way to enjoy the day and show love to our town’s amazing eateries and shops.

“And if you haven’t yet visited Northern Roots, this is the perfect opportunity to discover this unique space for yourself.”

Illuminate Light Night is free to attend and more details are available here.