The free event returns to the town this November with ‘world-class’ lights displays, immersive installations and street performances
17:07, 06 Oct 2025Updated 17:07, 06 Oct 2025
The Put Big Light On Festival returns to Bolton this November(Image: ABNM Photography)
The darker nights might be fast approaching but the autumnal evenings also signal the return of magical light shows across Greater Manchester.
The latest event to be confirmed is in Bolton as a much-loved light art festival marks its return.
‘Put Big Light On Festival’ is free to attend and returns to Bolton between Thursday, 20 November and Sunday, 23 November, every night from 5pm until 9pm.
Once again, visitors can expect dazzling light displays, immersive installations, and vibrant street entertainment popping up across the town centre.
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Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Culture, Cllr Nadeem Ayub, said: “Put Big Light On is more than just a festival, it’s a celebration of Bolton’s creativity, resilience, and community spirit.
“We’re proud to welcome world-class artists and local talent to light up our town and bring people together in a truly magical way.
The Put Big Light On Festival returns to Bolton this November(Image: Supplied)
“Visitors can expect a family-friendly event packed full of entertainment and moving light art displays designed to inspire wonder.”
Back by popular demand – and for the final time – Dan Archer’s Borealis will illuminate Victoria Square in Bolton Town Centre, creating an immersive Northern Lights experience.
This ‘world-class’ artwork featured in the first Put Big Light On Festival in 2023 and attracted over 50,000 visitors.
Borealis recreates one of Planet Earth’s most incredible natural phenomena, the Northern Lights.
Beacon of Hope © Craig Morrison(Image: Supplied)
As beams of light travel through particle clouds, visitors can look up to see the show above above them.
The particle clouds are moved by wind, over which there is no control, meaning visitors will never see the same pattern twice.
This year’s light show line-up also includes Mars by Luke Jerram – a six-metre diameter sculpture featuring high-resolution NASA imagery of the Martian surface at Bolton Central Library, and Submergence by Squidsoup, Newport Street’s walkthrough experience with thousands of suspended lights.
There will also be a newly commissioned piece for Bolton combining painting, sculpture, projection mapping, and soundscapes inspired by Bolton’s urban and natural textures at Octagon Theatre.
Meanwhile, The Garden by Ant Dickinson will be an interactive projection where visitors use their mobile devices to control insects and butterflies across the architecture of Le Mans Crescent.
Submergence by Squidsoup © Rikard Osterlund(Image: Rikard Osterlund)
There will also be Beacon of Hope by Craig Morrison, a timber dome and vertical beam of light create a radiant call across the night sky.
For its Bolton debut, Folk Dance Remixed joins forces with Craig Morrison to animate Beacon of Hope through a fusion of Folk and Hip-Hop dance.
Together, they’ll weave a message of unity and hope around the Beacon, culminating in a joyful Ceilidh Jam – a social dance experience that invites everyone to celebrate together at Elizabeth Park.
Those heading down for the free light event can also expect plenty of street entertainment and activities including a giant owl soaring over Victoria Square, an exotic alien duo inside Bolton Central Library and The Astronaut, a four-metre installation floating above.
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There will also be a special Light and Music Trail where visitors can explore the museum bathed in colour and UV light, all set to a specially curated playlist.
Put The Big Light On returns to Bolton town centre between Thursday, 20 November and Sunday, 23 November, between 5pm and 9pm.