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Rochdale set to be illuminated by fiery sculptures for this year’s Ignite Fire Festival

Fancy a festive family event to get you in the Christmas spirit? Look no further

Lydia Mastrolonardo Lydia Mastrolonardo - 29th October 2026

The run up to Christmas is officially here – deck the halls, dig out your gloves, and get yourself across to Rochdale for a free, festive, family-friendly evening. 

Ignite Fire Festival, sponsored by The Trade Centre UK, is set to once again light the way towards Christmas, together with the festive lights switch-on, this November. 

Organisers Rochdale Development Agency are promising the best year yet with a spectacular trail of fire, lights and sound, along with some thrilling new attractions including blazing fire sculptures, and illuminated installations.

The gardens and square surrounding the magnificent Rochdale Town Hall, as well as the parkland and walkways on Broadfield slopes, are all preparing to be transformed into a vision of festive light and colour.

However, this year’s festival will all centre around the mesmerising night time-trail, ‘BODY.’ This multi-sensory and immersive trail will transport visitors on an educational but exciting journey, through the six zones of the human body. 

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Visitors can expect a dramatic experience from start to finish, executed through cutting-edge technology as part of Ignite’s most ambitious light display yet, led by the award-winning, worldwide outdoor art sensation – Walk the Plank.

The Fire Garden is also a must-visit during the festival, illuminating the slopes and gardens behind Rochdale Town Hall with intricate, hand-crafted fire sculptures and pyrotechnics.

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'BODY' is a new installation at Ignite Fire Festival in Rochdale
‘BODY’ is a new installation at Ignite Fire Festival in Rochdale
Ignite Fire Festival returns this winter
Ignite Fire Festival returns this winter

Thousands of people are expected to attend again, for an evening that includes fire shows and flaming hot circus performances from some of the north’s top talent, alongside ‘Drum Machine’ – the 20 strong drumming collective will be bringing their techno infused beats.

Then there is the ultimate Christmas activation – Santa’s coming to town. 

On Sunday 22 November, Father Christmas and his helpers, including the Mayor of Rochdale Councillor Faisal Rana, are paying us a visit to officially switch on the festive lights in front of the town hall at 5.30pm.

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Not forgetting the fabulous, flame-cooked, hot food available each night of the festival, accompanied by warming mulled wine and other seasonal beverages, facilitating the full seasonal experience.

Councillor Sue Smith, cabinet member for communities and co-operation at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Ignite Fire Festival has become a real success story for the borough, drawing audiences from across Greater Manchester and beyond. 

“This 2026 line-up will build on that success with new attractions, creative performances and family-friendly experiences. It will be a fantastic celebration for residents and visitors alike, setting the stage perfectly for our Christmas lights switch-on.”

Bev Ayre, senior producer at Walk the Plank, said they are delighted to be returning to Rochdale, stating: “The Body is unlike anything we’ve brought to Ignite before. An immersive fire and light experience that combines art, science and creativity to help people discover the incredible human body in a fun and engaging way. 

“Set against the stunning backdrop of Rochdale Town Hall Square and gardens, it promises to be one of our most exciting attractions yet. Even if you’ve visited Ignite before, this year’s festival will feel completely new.”

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This festival is made possible by Rochdale Borough Council and Rochdale Development Agency in partnership with Walk the Plank and Culture Co-op.

Ignite is a free festival that will be running across three magical evenings, between Friday 20 – Sunday 22 November, 5pm-8pm.

Click HERE for more information about the Ignite Fire Festival, in Rochdale.

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Featured image: Supplied

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Free pints and live craft experiences coming to a Manchester pub for one night only

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

A pop-up pub takeover is opening its doors in Manchester, where you can get your hands on a free pint as well as some amazing craft experiences. 

The Uncommon Inn is being operated by premium Italian lager brand Poretti, who want to help us Brits break out of our daily routines. 

Matt & Phreds on Tib Street will welcome The Uncommon Inn on Thursday 22 October, from 4pm to 8pm, giving visitors the chance to discover unusual creative skills and watch artisans at work, with a free pint in hand.

It comes after research commissioned by Poretti found that 61% of UK adults feel they are living on autopilot, while a quarter have not tried a new creative pursuit in five years or more.

Free pints and live craft experiences are coming to a Manchester pub for one night only / Credit: Supplied

The study also found that adults have an average of just 90 minutes of genuine personal time each day, with 58% spending that time watching television and 35% scrolling through social media.

Exhaustion and financial constraints came out as the main barriers preventing people from trying new things. 

The Uncommon Inn has been designed to offer an alternative, bringing together a collective of specialist makers to showcase their skills in a familiar pub setting.

Visitors to the Manchester event can watch Giulio Miglietta embroidering personalised beer mats, using a vintage Singer sewing machine dating back to the early 1900s, alongside live hand-engraving and bespoke jewellery-style crafting using recycled silver.

The Uncommon Inn is being operated by premium Italian lager brand Poretti / Credit: Supplied

Other demonstrations include 3D body-casting by sculptor Ami of Angelcasts and personalised, hand-engraved glassware from Leigh Calligraphy. Sabira of Sken Studios will also demonstrate how recycled silver can be turned into bespoke bottle openers.

Guests will be able to enjoy complimentary pints of Poretti while watching the makers at work.

Caitlin Maley, Senior Brand Manager at Poretti, said: “Modern life moves at an overwhelming pace, and it’s all too easy to fall into autopilot mode where routine replaces curiosity. 

“We believe in celebrating intentional craft, rare skills, and authentic human connection – values that are at the core of our brewing heritage.

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“We created The Uncommon Inn to turn an ordinary pub visit into an inspiring journey. By bringing together our Masters of Crafts, from chainstitch embroiderers to live engravers and musicians, we’re inviting pubgoers to slow down, pick up a new skill, and enjoy a pint crafted with genuine passion.”

The Uncommon Inn is at Matt & Phreds in Manchester on Thursday 22 October, from 4pm until 8pm.

Featured Image – Supplied

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Festive food village announced at magical Manchester light trail

Lydia Mastrolonardo Lydia Mastrolonardo Festive food village announced at magical Manchester light trail

There’s just one month to go until Manchester’s most spectacular festive light trail returns – and they’ve just announced details of the Christmas Village and six new food traders. 

Heaton Park will soon light up for Northern Lights Manchester, and the list of foodies making up this year’s Christmas Village has just been revealed.

With everything from chargrilled souvlaki to handmade pies and hot fruit crumble on the menu, there’s bound to be something for everyone.

Brand new for 2026 is Chicken Hut, serving up the crispiest chicken tenders you’ve ever had, plus Greek Traditional Souvlaki bringing all of those delicious mediterranean flavours, The Lids & Co supplying mouthwatering customisable pies, and The Otley Burger Company, which was recently crowned the UK’s best food truck.

The above savoury offerings will be joined by the returning well-known and loved, The Sausage Factory, serving festive bratwurst, currywurst, and proper local Bury Black Pudding sausage.

If you’re after a sweet treat, they have enlisted Crumble & Custard to supply a range of warming fruit crumbles with creamy custard, while Crepes & Coffee will be providing all of the desserts you could desire, along with gorgeous hot chocolates providing the final nail in the food coma coffin.

If after all that you need a sit down, a pint or a mulled wine, the Bees Knees Tavern is the place to go.

Emma St. Croix, Senior Marketing Manager at From The Fields, said: “There’s something very festive about finishing a trip through Christmases past with a hot crumble and custard. 

The linup for Northern Lights' festive food village has been announced
The linup for Northern Lights’ festive food village has been announced
The Bees Knees pub will return
The Bees Knees pub will return
You can warm up here after your walk around the Heaton Park light trail
You can warm up here after your walk around the Heaton Park light trail

“Food is a big part of the night out at Northern Lights, and we’re excited to welcome six new traders plus The Sausage Factory and the Bees Knees Tavern from last year.With the Ferris wheel in the Christmas Village and a whole new trail across Heaton Park, there’s plenty to explore this year. We’re just over a month from opening and can’t wait to see everyone back.”

As for the trail itself – Heaton Park is to be transformed into a toy box of memories, with 15 brand-new installations, inspired by the toys and traditions that would have topped Christmas wish lists in the past.

Whether you fancy a trip down memory lane or you just fancy a wintery trip out, one thing is for certain, this is one Christmas experience you don’t want to miss out on.

First, visitors will have the opportunity to wander along the colourful path, as part of the Walkway of Wonder, where bright stained-glass panels glow like windows in an old fairytale. Then back to the sixties you go, down Lava Lamp Lane, where glowing blobs of colour mesmerisingly float across the ground and into the trees – which may even be enough to inspire you to dig out that old lava lamp you once had collecting dust on your shelf.

If you once considered yourself a pro at Scalextric, the Retro Racers installation may bring back some memories, where visitors will be able to send lights shooting around a giant racetrack.

Northern Lights Manchester will return next month
Northern Lights Manchester will return next month
Northern Lights Manchester is taking over Heaton Park
Northern Lights Manchester is taking over Heaton Park

By this point you may need a bit of warming up – head on past the giant nutcrackers and get cosy by the fire pits beneath the festoon lights, for some marshmallow toasting.

Don’t be alarmed if you see giant candy canes marching along Candy Cane Crossing, like Manchester’s biggest peppermint dream, before you reach O Christmas Tree which would make the perfect spot for a photo.

I’m sure we all remember THE Christmas catalogue – the one many of us spent hours flicking thorough and circling our desired gifts? Well, this year pupils from a local primary school have filled its pages with their own fantastic drawings of classic toys.

Finally, you will find that the Lakehouse winds itself into cuckoo-clock as the trail comes to a close.

It is important to note the route is fully accessible, with dedicated neuro-inclusive evenings when visitor numbers are reduced by 75% and audio levels are lowered throughout.

Event information

  • Dates: 19 November – 31 December 2026
  • Location: Heaton Park, Manchester
  • Opening times:
    • 4:30pm – 8:15pm (19–26 November)
    • 4:15pm – 8:15pm (27 November – 31 December)

Northern Lights Manchester tickets

Unsurprisingly, tickets are selling quickly, with over 100,000 of you expected to attend this year – don’t hang about.

  • Under 2s go free
  • Child tickets (3-16 years) from £13.50
  • Adult tickets from £19.50
  • Family tickets from £60

Click HERE to book your tickets. Use the code LIGHTS20 for 20% off until 31 October 2026

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Follow @northernlightsmanchester on social media.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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