The Illuminate festival returned to Oldham on Saturday evening for its fifth year and did not disappoint.

Residents who attended the event were treated to lit-up performers, large puppets and a projected light show as part of the entertainment.

The parade, which takes place every February, lights up the town centre by treating spectators to a bright spectacle through costumed performers and projections on the surrounding buildings.

Included among the performers were musicians who wore bright white costumes and played drums decorated with colour-changing lights.

There were also performers wearing eye-catching costumes on stilts, dancing to the vibrant music being played.

The Oldham Times: One of the many eye-catching performers (Image: Oldham Council).One of the many eye-catching performers (Image: Oldham Council).

There were also people controlling large puppets of animals and giant floating masks, which looked down on the crowds.

Other parts of the parade included a group of mirrored pillars that were lit up at the sides, creating a maze of bright mirrors. 

The Oldham Times: A maze of mirrors (Image: Oldham Council).A maze of mirrors (Image: Oldham Council).

A stunning lights display was projected onto the Old Town Hall, with lights spinning around the pillars as a deer-like animal skipped along the front of the building.

Also part of Illuminate was Gaia, the stunning, floating artwork depicting the Earth which was recently shown to delegates at COP26.

The Oldham Times: Gaia at Queen Elizabeth Hall (Image: Oldham Council).Gaia at Queen Elizabeth Hall (Image: Oldham Council).

The art display, created by Luke Jerram, is a detailed NASA artwork of the Earth's surface, which is seven metres in diameter and provides the chance to see the planet floating in three dimensions.

Gaia will be at Queen Elizabeth Hall until tomorrow.