‘Tis the season to wrap up warm, grab your family and friends and head out to admire the glimmering festive lights. Bringing plenty of sparkle (and occasionally some very special guests) to towns across Greater Manchester are the annual Christmas light switch-on events to provide entertainment, joy and a sign that the festive season is on its way. We’ve rounded up some of the most dazzling Christmas light switch-on events happening in Greater Manchester this winter to leave you all aglow and in the festive mood.
1. Rochdale
The Greater Manchester town of Rochdale is set to host a Christmas light switch-on alongside a number of glowing events that are part of the Ignite Fire Festival. The gardens opposite Rochdale Town Hall will be transformed for three evenings (November 22, 23 and 24), featuring a free immersive experience complete with dazzling displays and family activities.
Fiery displays, blazing sculptures and illuminated installations created by artists and pyro technicians from multi-award winning outdoor arts specialists, Walk the Plank, will be open to walk through from 5pm to 8pm each evening. Ignite will feature bubbling goblets of fire and a daisy chain of flaming flowers, alongside sculptures that twist, flap or erupt with balls of fire. Each evening, a fire drawing designed and made by local residents will be ignited alongside flaming hot performances from some of the north’s top talent.
Father Christmas and his special guests, including the Mayor of Rochdale Councillor Shakil Ahmed, will officially switch-on the lights at 5.30pm on Sunday 24th November in front of the town hall after the traditional countdown, whilst the Ignite Fire Festival continues in the gardens opposite until 8pm.
đź“… Sunday 24th November
2. Oldham
The Oldham Christmas Lights Switch-On returns to the town centre on Saturday 16th November, from 12pm to 7pm. Expect festive crafts and face painting at Spindles Shopping Centre, classic rides at Market Place and the High Street and The Magical Glow Bus parked outside Positive Steps on Union Street from 9am, showcasing local artwork and celebrating Oldham’s vibrant creativity.
Plus hear classic Christmas carols from the Mencap Choir between 12pm and 1pm then at 4pm, you can watch stunning light projections illuminate the Lyceum Theatre. Following an afternoon of fun and shopping, visitors are invited to watch the Light Switch-On Show in Parliament Square from 4.45pm, featuring Bluey, Father Christmas, Oldham Roughyeds stars and other local sporting figures, and characters from this year’s Oldham Panto including Peter Ash from Coronation Street (as Abanazar), Oldham Panto legend Jeffrey Longmore as (Widow Twankey), plus Alexander Jude and Michael Alan-Bailey.
The excitement will build to the magical moment when Oldham’s Christmas lights are turned on at 6pm, followed by a spectacular firework and laser show to light up the night sky. To make the event more accessible to everyone, live screens will be set up at the top of Greaves Street (near the taxi rank) and the High Street (close to Subway), so everyone can enjoy the show.
đź“… Saturday 16th November
3. Wigan and Leigh
The council’s annual Frost Festival will bring an exciting run of low cost and free family-friendly events to the borough. Both Frost Festival Wigan (Sunday 24th November) and Frost Festival Leigh (Sunday 17th November) will feature stages of outdoor entertainment, funfairs and Christmas light switch-on events in both Greater Manchester town centres.
In addition, Leigh will host the Light Up Leigh dazzling Christmas lantern parade and Frost Feast independent trader pop-up food market, whilst Wigan will welcome the ever-popular Santa Parade, featuring local community groups and performers.
Both Wigan and Leigh will host Christmas Markets; Wigan on November 23, 24 and 30 and December 7, 14 and 21, and Leigh on November 16 and 17 and December 21. And The Grand Arcade in Wigan will host a Santa’s Grotto, on selected days between November 24 and December 24, with tickets available to pre-book online.
đź“… Wigan – Sunday 24th November, Leigh – Sunday 17th November
4. Manchester Printworks
Printworks is now ready to light up Manchester this festive season by hosting its first-ever Christmas lights switch-on event. Showcasing brand new screen content on Europe’s largest digital ceiling, the celebration kicks off with a festive street party and will feature a special guest, former ITV I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here star and TV personality, Jake Quickenden.
From 6pm to 8pm on November 29, Manchester’s Printworks is set to come alive with festive entertainment for all ages, featuring a thrilling drummer show, live DJ, percussion and sax sets, and high-energy stage dancers spreading excitement to visitors at every turn. Guests can also immerse themselves in captivating digital entertainment, including a dazzling laser show synchronised with the ceiling screens, creating a 360-degree experience.
đź“… Friday 29th November
5. Hyde
This year’s spectacular Tameside Christmas Lantern Parade is being held in Hyde town centre on Saturday 16th November and the local community are gearing up for a fantastic event which will kick start the festive season across the Greater Manchester borough. The spectacular free lantern parade, which starts at 5pm, will wind its way along the streets bringing festive cheer while it lights up the route to Hyde Town Hall square for everyone to see.
Everyone is invited to join in and be part of the Lantern Parade, which brings joy, excitement and a guaranteed electric atmosphere every year. There will be a fantastic and magical parade of puppets, bands, dancers, and a fun-packed stage of performers leading up to Father Christmas switching on the town’s lights live on the night.
đź“… Saturday 16th November