Illuminate festival to return to Oldham for its 7th year

Illuminate, the town's popular light night, returns for its seventh year next weekend (February 24 and 25) and will celebrate Oldham and its northern roots through this year's theme - 'Colour in Nature'.

From 6pm on the Saturday, the annual illuminated parade from the Oldham Civic Centre to the Old Town Hall will kick off the festivities.

Residents will be able to see hundreds community-made lanterns, galloping horses, flying birds and a giant illuminated octopus that will light up the high street.

Illuminated puppets, dancers and drummers from Global Grooves, alongside groups from across Oldham will also feature.

Illuminate returns to Oldham for its 17th year (Image: Oldham Council)

From 6pm until 9pm, visitors can explore the 10 light artworks at various locations across the town centre - all they need to do is grab a brochure and follow the trail.

Cllr Arooh Shah, leader of Oldham Council, said: "I am delighted to bring back this spectacular event to our beloved borough.

“The festival has become a highlight on our ever-growing cultural calendar, and I’m so pleased it's so well received by residents and visitors.

"This year promises to be even more enchanting for families and individuals of all ages."

She continued: "Plus, those who haven’t yet seen the space at Northern Roots can experience it for the first time.

Illuminate returns to Oldham for its 17th year (Image: Oldham Council)

“I encourage everyone to get their friends and family together for what is certain to be a magical weekend of light, celebrating art and community."

This year's light artworks include a specially commissioned projection on the Old Town Hall Colour In Nature by Illuminos.

End Over End the playful giant rainbow slinky at Gallery Oldham, And Then I Slipped by idontloveyouanymore who bring their playful interactive waterfall to Oldham Library, The World Has Gone Pear Shaped by Tine Beck at Oldham Parish Church Gardens and also the Luminosi Trees at Market Place by Sound Intervention.

There will be special performances of Oldham Theatre Workshop's candlelight showcase of Strike at Oldham Parish Church, their new musical about the Victorian matchstick girls.

While Jubacana, Oldham’s youth percussion band, will be bring some groove to the parade.

Oldham Play Action Group is creating light-up crafts with visitors at Gallery Oldham and Greater Manchester-based light artists Axolotyl bring their new artwork Polyrhythms - which was co-commissioned by the Light Up The North Shine programme for emerging light artists which is not to be missed on High Street.

The fun continues at Northern Roots on Sunday, February 25, 5.30pm to 8pm for ‘By the Light of the Moon’, a free family event that celebrates the magical world of moths.