Fire festival returns to Rochdale with free entry and Christmas lights switch-on

Posted by on 21 Nov 2025

It may be getting colder, but there’s hot news around Rochdale this week.  Final preparations are under way for Ignite Fire Festival taking place at Rochdale Town Hall Square from Friday 21 to Sunday 23 November, leading up to the Christmas lights switch-on at the town hall.

Ignite, sponsored by car supermarket The Trade Centre UK, will be transforming the square and gardens around Rochdale Town Hall with three free spectacular shows delivering a magical trail of fire, lights and entertainment for all the family from 5pm – 8pm each evening. The festival includes beautifully restored pathways and parkland on Broadfield Slopes plus more dazzling displays and activities including an ice rink. On Saturday and Sunday there’s also a Christmas market.

It all opens at 5pm on Friday (21 November) with a torchlit procession to launch the new Broadfield Slopes by the town hall. This will feature a fire drawn image that references the Pack Horse that gave its name to Packer Spout, the historic spring located on the slopes. The Casey Group, the contractor responsible for the restoration of the slopes will be displaying some of their modern equipment and talking to visitors about career opportunities in the construction industry. 

A fire garden full of blazing sculptures and animatronic installations created by multi-award-winning outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank will include ‘Bubbles of Love’, a new kinetic sculpture by Felix Rowberry and audiences will also be able to enjoy the mesmerising animatronics of Paka’s Fire Dragon. 

There will be stunning live performances featuring some of the UK’s top talent, including special effects company BPM SFX staging six spectacular fire shows each evening in front of the town hall.  Travelling Light Circus and Rochdale’s Skylight Circus return with ‘Fireflies’ a mesmerising multi-sensory show featuring jugglers, fire torch spinning and more as part of the Culture Co-op programme with residents trained up especially for the festival. Back again for 2025 is ‘Drum Machine’ - the popular drumming collective who will be bringing their techno infused beats to the event.

Rochdale’s Ice Rink by Santa’s Village, launches for the first time at the event, located on Rochdale Town Hall Square, promising a magical experience for all ages and skill levels, running until 4 January, although advance booking is advised. 

Father Christmas and his special guests, including the Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Janet Emsley, stars from Middleton Arena’s pantomime Aladdin and the borough’s children’s champions, switch-on the Christmas lights at 5.30pm on Sunday (23 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 such an exciting event, with something for all ages that really delivers the wow factor, bigger than ever this year and the perfect build up to our Christmas switch-on.”

Find out more about Ignite, plan your visit and find local food and drink offers at www.rochdale.gov.uk/ignite
Ignite is organised by Rochdale Borough Council and Rochdale Development Agency in partnership with Walk the Plank and Culture Co-op, funded by the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, supported by the council. 

The festival’s main sponsor is The Trade Centre UK with support from The Casey Group – the contractor responsible for the restoration of the Broadfield Slopes and BRSK – the full fibre broadband provider.
Ignite is part of a spectacular line up of festivals, live performances, exhibitions and art during Rochdale’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture 2025-26. The title, awarded by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, celebrates the town’s rich history, creativity, talent and diverse arts scene. Find out more at www.rochdale.gov.uk/TownOfCulture