Greater Manchester lights festival to return promising explosion of colour, music and creativity

A hugely popular lights festival is to return for another year. Late-night arts event Illuminate is back in Oldham for a seventh year on the weekend of February 24 and 25. 

This year's theme, "Colour in Nature," will see the town centre and Northern Roots transform into a canvas of colour and light. The fun begins at 6pm on Saturday, February 24, with the annual illuminated parade from the Oldham Civic Centre to the Old Town Hall.

There will be hundreds of community-made lanterns, galloping horses, flying birds and a giant illuminated octopus. Look out for illuminated puppets, dancers and drummers from Global Grooves, alongside groups from across Oldham as they create an explosion of colour, music and creativity.

From 6pm until 9pm, visitors can explore the 10 light artworks at various locations across the town centre - all you need to do is grab a brochure and follow the trail. Local artists and performers have been busy creating installations and performances for Illuminate. 

The fun continues at Northern Roots on Sunday, February 25, for ‘By the Light of the Moon’ from 5.30pm to 8pm. The free, family event celebrates the magical world of Moths. Those attending can meet the moonlight pollinators in the magical forest, help the moths carry out their nocturnal work and join the Moonlight Moth Ball.

Cllr Arooh Shah, Leader of Oldham Council welcomed the return of the events and said: “The festival has become a highlight on our ever-growing cultural calendar, and I’m so pleased it's so well received by residents and visitors. This year promises to be even more enchanting for families and individuals of all ages.”

For more information about the events, visit the council website.