Put Big Light On Festival 2026

Curated in partnership by Bolton Council and Things That Go On Things, Put Big Light On Festival will run from Thursday 19 November to Sunday 22 November across Bolton town centre, between 5pm and 9pm every day.

With illuminated installations, roaming performers, and larger-than-life creations, the festival will showcase a mix of contemporary outdoor arts and family-friendly performances designed to surprise and delight audiences.

Artwork

• The Loom of Light by dbnAudile

The Loom Of Light takes inspiration from Bolton’s textile heritage to transform Victoria Square into a mesmerising and striking walk-through artwork.

• Helios by Luke Jerram

A six-metre illuminated sculpture of the sun, captured using detailed imagery through solar observation of our nearest star.

Located at Bolton Central Library

• DUNDU

Towering, illuminated puppets will roam Le Mans Crescent, accompanied by live music to create a captivating outdoor performance.

Located at Le Mans Crescent

• Event Horizon by Circus Lumineszenz

A mesmerising walk-through installation that combines light and reflection to create shifting visual perspectives.

Located at Newport Street

• Kaleido by Paul Alty

An immersive experience where light, lasers, and sound combine to create a constantly changing sensory environment.

Located at Octagon Theatre

• Flux and Hula Hoop by Collectif Scale

Two kinetic light installations that use movement and glowing geometric forms to create hypnotic patterns and visual illusions.

Flux is located at Elizabeth Park; Hula Hoop is located at Newport Street

• Happy as the Day is Long by Stellar Creates

A giant mirrored artwork takes over Le Mans Crescent, accompanied by a silent disco experience celebrating joy, music, and togetherness.

Located at Le Mans Crescent

• The Wishing Dress by Cabasa Carnival Arts

Festivalgoers are invited to contribute their hopes and wishes to this illuminated textile sculpture, which will grow and evolve throughout the four-day event.

Located at Elizabeth Park

• Celestial Sound Cloud by Pif Paf

An interactive artwork inspired by the cosmos that responds to audience participation, encouraging people to create sound, movement, and light together.

Located at Victoria Square

• Street Aquarium by Marge Bradshaw, commissioned by Light Up Lancaster and Put Big Light On, Bolton

Transforms familiar architecture into a magical underwater world. Made from hundreds of hand-printed cyanotypes, this playful animation invites visitors to pause and watch as ghostly fish shimmer and drift by.

Located at Octagon Court

Alongside the illuminated artworks, visitors can enjoy a programme of captivating street performances and interactive experiences throughout the festival, including:

• Eye of Newt Theatre

In a whimsical world of delicious magical porridge and joyous dancing with bells, meet Billy, the Meandering Goat. Billy is always eager to make new friends in new places. Will you join him and offer a hand of friendship to this gentle illuminated beast?

• Spark!
  An electrifying ensemble of illuminated drummers bringing energy, rhythm, and audience interaction to the streets of Bolton.
• Sashimi
  Graceful stilt-walking jellyfish drift through the festival, their glowing tentacles swaying and pulsing with light as they move.
• The Show Globe
  Giant shimmering spheres roam the festival route, including the Mystic Mirror Globe and Sea Sphere, creating magical encounters around every corner.
• Star Bears
  Ursa Mama and her cub, Little Bear, arrive under the stars with gentle music, inviting visitors to stop, interact, and share in moments of wonder.

There will be a small selection of food vendors in Victoria Square, plus Café Crescent in Bolton Central Library, Bolton Market Food Hall, and Octagon Theatre Café will all be open.

Visitors should note that Thursday is the festival’s quietest evening, making it ideal for people with SEND or those who prefer a more relaxed visit.

Indoor Venues

Please note: Bolton Central Library and the Octagon Theatre will be operating strict one-way systems throughout their buildings each night of the festival. 

Festival Map

Map to be released soon. 

Food at the Put Big light On Festival

We are delighted that a selection of food vendors will be present at this year's festival, making it the perfect opportunity for a delicious treat while you explore! Vendors will include: Carrs Pasties Ltd, Chipstix, Continental Catering, Dessert Magic Box Ltd, Happy Dumpling 365, Jason Jamie's BBQ St Fd, and La Petite Café.

Also grab something at Cafe Crescent in Bolton Central Library and the Octagon Theatre Cafe.

Parking 

Blue badge parking is available on the Octagon Surface Level Carpark. 

Car parks – Bolton Council

Other carparks inlcude the NCP Topp Way carpark, and the Octagon Multistory carpark. 

Toilets

Toilets available in Bolton Central Library, Octagon Theatre, Bolton Market Food Hall and portaloos on Victoria Square (accessible toilet available) and Ashburner Street

Changing Places are available at the Bolton Interchange, Market Place, Bolton Central Library, and the Octagon Theatre.

Please note, for Changing Places at the Library and Octagon, you will need to join the full visitor queue.  

Follow the latest updates on social media:

• Facebook: Put Big Light On Festival
• Instagram: @PutBigLightOnBolton

You can also add the event to an online itinerary from visitbolton.com/event-listing/put-big-light-on. 

The festival has been funded by the UK Government.