Three-night event leads into town’s Christmas lights switch-on
Rochdale town centre is set to come alive with flames, lights and music as the Ignite Fire Festival returns from Friday 21 to Sunday 23 November. The free event, backed by The Trade Centre UK, will take over the gardens around Rochdale Town Hall and the newly restored Broadfield Slopes with a packed programme of evening performances, fiery art and festive cheer.
The festival opens at 5pm on Friday with a torchlit procession launching the Broadfield Slopes. The route will feature a fire-drawn image inspired by the Pack Horse linked to the historic Packer Spout spring. The Casey Group, which led the restoration of the slopes, will display construction equipment and speak with visitors about careers in the industry.
Multi-award-winning arts company Walk the Plank will transform the space into a fire garden of blazing sculptures and animatronic creations. A new mechanical fire sculpture, Bubbles of Love, designed by kinetic artist Felix Rowberry, will make its debut. Paka’s Fire Dragon will also appear on all three nights.
Producer Liz Pugh said: “We know Ignite audiences love the magic of fire so it felt appropriate to reveal the amazing new mechanical fire sculpture Bubbles of Love for the first time in a place with such a history of pioneering spirit, during its special year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture.”
World-leading effects company BPM SFX will deliver six fire shows nightly in front of the town hall. Travelling Light Circus and Rochdale’s Skylight Circus return with Fireflies, a sensory performance featuring jugglers and fire torch spinning. Local residents have been trained through the Culture Co-op programme to take part. Drumming collective Drum Machine will also return with their high-energy, techno-inspired set.
From Saturday to Sunday, a festive market with around 20 stalls will offer seasonal food and drink. Meanwhile, Father Christmas will be joined by the Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Janet Emsley, pantomime stars from Aladdin at Middleton Arena, and the borough’s children’s champions for the Christmas lights switch-on at 5.30pm on Sunday 23 November. The ceremony will take place in front of Rochdale Town Hall while Ignite continues until 8pm.
This year’s event also introduces Rochdale’s first town centre ice rink. Located beside Santa’s Village on Town Hall Square, the rink will remain open until 4 January and promises a festive experience for all ages and skill levels. Advance booking is recommended.
The festival is organised by Rochdale Borough Council and Rochdale Development Agency, with support from Walk the Plank, Culture Co-op and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The Trade Centre UK is lead sponsor, joined by The Casey Group and broadband provider BRSK, both of whom will have stalls at the event.
Mike Doyle, brand ambassador at The Trade Centre UK, said: “This year promises to be the biggest celebration yet. We’re proud to support such a cherished occasion. Sponsoring is our way of deepening our local ties and giving back to the borough that so many of our customers and team members call home.”
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