Bolton‘s much-loved free light art festival Put Big Light On returns this November, transforming the town centre into a glowing canvas of creativity and wonder. This year, visitors can expect dazzling light displays, immersive installations, and vibrant street entertainment popping up across the town centre.
See the Northern Lights right here in Greater Manchester
Back by popular demand – and for the final time – Dan Acher’s Borealis will illuminate Victoria Square, creating an immersive Northern Lights experience. This world-class artwork featured in the first Put Big Light On Festival in 2023 and attracted over 50,000 visitors.
Borealis recreates one of Planet Earth’s most incredible natural phenomena, the Northern Lights – as beams of light travel through particle clouds, visitors can look up to see the show above their heads. The particle clouds are moved by wind, over which there is no control, meaning visitors will never see the same pattern twice.
Put Big Light On 2025 artworks include:
Mars by Luke Jerram
A six-metre diameter sculpture featuring high-resolution NASA imagery of the Martian surface.
Location: Bolton Central Library
Submergence by Squidsoup
A walkthrough experience with thousands of suspended lights creating an immersive sense of movement.
Location: Newport Street
Wave by Are You Playing Out
A newly commissioned piece for Bolton combining painting, sculpture, projection mapping, and soundscapes inspired by Bolton’s urban and natural textures.
Location: Octagon Theatre
The Garden by Ant Dickinson
An interactive projection where visitors use their mobile devices to control insects and butterflies across the architecture of Le Mans Crescent.
Celestial Carousel by Eye of Newt
Choose your enchanted creature and explore a starlit garden guided by a magical pony.
Location: Cheadle Square
Beacon of Hope by Craig Morrison
A timber dome and vertical beam of light create a radiant call across the night sky. This installation becomes a hopeful public space through shared making.
For its Bolton debut, Folk Dance Remixed joins forces with Craig Morrison to animate Beacon of Hope through a fusion of Folk and Hip-Hop dance.
The performance will reflect Bolton’s rich cultural heritage and feature:
- Up-and-coming rap artist B-Shaf
- Composer/producer Shamschi
- Local folk and street dance groups
Together, they’ll weave a message of unity and hope around the Beacon, culminating in a joyful Ceilidh Jam – a social dance experience that invites everyone to celebrate together.
Location: Elizabeth Park
Street entertainment and activities at Put Big Light On 2025 include:
Barn Owl
Spot the giant owl and its wood spirit companion soaring over Victoria Square.
Lumens
Find the unusual and exotic alien duo inside Bolton Central Library.
The Astronaut
A four-metre-high astronaut floats just above the audience sparking awe, joy, and imagination.
Light and Music Trail
Explore the museum bathed in colour and UV light, accompanied by a specially curated playlist.
Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Culture, Cllr Nadeem Ayub, said: “Put Big Light On is more than just a festival, it’s a celebration of Bolton’s creativity, resilience, and community spirit.
“We’re proud to welcome world-class artists and local talent to light up our town and bring people together in a truly magical way. Visitors can expect a family-friendly event packed full of entertainment and moving light art displays designed to inspire wonder.”
When is Put Big Light On?
Put Big Light On 2025 is on from 20th-23rd November 2025, between 5pm and 9pm each evening.