Experience Bolton’s FREE winter light art festival and enjoy four unforgettable nights of spectacular illuminated installations, captivating performances, and immersive experiences for all ages.
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.
At the heart of this year’s festival, the Loom of Light by dbnAudile will take inspiration from Bolton’s textile heritage to transform Victoria Square into a mesmerising and striking walk-through artwork.
Using illuminated threads of light and colour to create an evolving structure that visitors can explore from within, this showstopping and interactive feature offers a contemporary interpretation of the weaving traditions that helped shape the town’s textile history.
Stretching across the square, the installation promises a memorable visual experience, with glowing strands of light creating a dramatic backdrop for photographs, exploration, and discovery throughout the festival.
Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Culture, Cllr Debbie Newall said:
“Put Big Light On shows Bolton at its very best, celebrating our culture and creativity whilst bringing people from across the borough together.
“This year’s event celebrates Bolton’s heritage and uniqueness, with spectacular installations, captivating performances, and immersive experiences that will transform the town centre into something spectacular.
“We’re delighted to welcome residents and visitors alike to four unforgettable nights, packed full of entertainment and art displays designed to inspire wonder.”
This year’s artwork line-up also includes:
- 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. - Show Globes
Giant shimmering spheres roam the festival route, including the Mystic Mirror Ball 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.
Follow the latest updates on social media:
- Facebook: Put Big Light On Festival
- Instagram: @PutBigLightOnBolton
You can also add this event to an online itinerary on visitbolton.com, where you can plan days and weekends around events, adding places to dine, shop, and stay.
The festival has been funded by the UK Government.