About this event
Friday–Sunday, 22–24 November 2024. Ignite Fire Festival will be transforming the gardens opposite Rochdale Town Hall for 3 evenings, with more dazzling displays and activities for all the family.
- Who is this event suitable for? For all ages.
- Do I need to book? No, you can just turn up.
- Contact: admin@rochdalecreates.co.uk
- Directions: Get directions to this event on Google Maps
- Event organiser: Rochdale Borough Council in partnership with Walk the Plank and Culture Co-op.
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, with the Christmas lights switch-on taking place on Sunday, 24 November 2024.
Fiery displays, blazing sculptures and illuminated installations will be lighting the way at Ignite Fire Festival. (Photograph courtesy Walk the Plank)
A free immersive experience for all ages, 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. Walking through the gardens visitors will also get to see a fire bird with blazing eyes, 2 smaller birds gently circling a flaming nest and other delights. Look out for ‘In the Balance’ - a seemingly impossible counter-balance of steel and fire, with rotating globes of flame, one of the highlights of this year’s event.
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 including:
Flame Oz
Explosive fire dancing at its finest. FlameOz’s multi-award winning performers bring their favourite fire-toys to Rochdale. With flaming hula hoops, fire juggling and spinning sticks plus trademark special effects, this will be a pyrotechnic party not to miss
Performance dates and times
Friday, 22 November 2024:
- 5.15pm–5.45pm
- 6.15pm–6.45pm
- 7.15pm–7.45pm
Sunday, 24 November 2024:
- 5pm–5.30pm
- 6.15pm–6.45pm
- 7.15pm–7.45pm
Flame Oz: a multi award-winning circus entertainment show bursting with energy.
Bring the Fire Project
A collective of fire dancers and circus skills teachers, founded in 2012 by passionate fire artist Szymon Mamys. You’re guaranteed jaw dropping entertainment. A mind blowing performance incorporating fire and dance, harnessing the beauty of the dangerous element, into symmetry of patterns.
Friday, 22 November 2024:
- 5.45pm–6.15pm
- 6.45pm–7.15pm
- 7.30pm–8pm
Saturday, 23 November 2024:
- 5.15pm–5.45pm
- 6.30pm–7pm
- 7.30pm–8pm
Sunday, 24 November 2024:
- 5pm–5.30pm
- 6.45pm–7.15pm
- 7.30pm–8pm
Bring the Fire Project: a mind blowing performance incorporating fire and dance, harnessing the beauty of dangerous into symmetry of patterns.
Travelling Light Circus
Returning to Ignite for the second time with an amazing new fire show and awesome street entertainment featuring jugglers, torch spinning and dance. A multi-sensory mesmerising experience.
Performance dates and times
Saturday, 23 November 2024:
- 5pm–5.30pm
- 6pm–6.30pm
- 7.15pm–7.45pm
Sunday, 24 November 2024:
- 5pm–5.30pm
- 6pm–6.30pm
- 7pm–7.30pm
Travelling Light Circus: returning to Ignite for the second time with an amazing new fire show.
Astro Aliens
A trio of quirky cosmic beings, Astro Aliens are presently visiting the earth and orbiting new spaces and places, with their unique sense of enquiry, discovery and physicality. They’ll be landing at Ignite to discover and respond to fire.
Performance dates and times
Friday, 22 November 2024:
- 5pm–5.30pm
- 6pm–6.30pm
- 7pm–7.30pm
Saturday, 23 November 2024:
- 5pm–5.30pm
- 6.15pm–6.45pm
- 7.15pm–7.45pm
Sunday, 24 November 2024:
- 5pm–5.30pm
- 6.30pm–7pm
- 7.30pm–8pm
Astro Aliens: a trio of quirky cosmic beings presently visiting the earth and orbiting new spaces and places. (Image credit: Nathan Towers)
The Fire Man Dave
A versatile juggler, circus performer and entertainer, this is a freestyle show set to music, with a unique combination of fire equipment. Watch your children’s faces light up as they enjoy this amazingly unique artist.
Performance dates and times
Friday, 22 November 2024:
- 5.15pm–5.45pm
- 6.15pm–6.45pm
- 7.30pm–8pm
The Fire Man Dave: A versatile juggler, circus performer and entertainer.
Drum Machine
Back for 2024 is this 20-strong drumming collective, a festival favourite across the UK, bringing their techno-infused beats to the event. An audio and visual experience not to be missed.
Performance dates and times
Saturday, 23 November 2024:
- 5.45pm–6.15pm
- 6.45pm–7.15pm
Sunday, 24 November 2024:
- 6pm–6.30pm
- 7.15pm–7.45pm
Drum Machine: a festival favourite across the UK, bringing their techno-infused beats to the event.
Skylight Circus Arts
This popular Rochdale group of awe inspiring performers will be appearing with some of their adult and youth members. Their first act each evening features ‘Fireflies,’ their new community fire spinning group, made up of 12 adult beginners trained by Travelling Light Circus. Their second performance will showcase some of their Teen Youth Circus, performing their newly acquired fire spinning circus skills. This project has been supported by Rochdale's Culture Co-Op.
Performance dates and times
Saturday, 23 November 2024:
- 5.45pm–6pm
- 7pm–7.15pm
Sunday, 24 November 2024:
- 6.30pm–6.45pm
- 7.30pm–7.45pm
There will also be hot food, mulled wine and other seasonal drinks available to buy.
The countdown to Christmas begins in Rochdale in November 2024 with the return of an extended version of the spectacular Ignite Fire Festival leading up to the festive lights switch-on.
Christmas lights switch-on – Sunday, 24 November 2024
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, 24 November 2024 in front of the town hall after the traditional countdown, whilst the Ignite Fire Festival continues in the gardens opposite until 8pm.
Ignite is organised by Rochdale Borough Council in partnership with Walk the Plank and Culture Co-op, a ‘Creative People and Places’ programme, funded by Arts Council England.
Getting to the Ignite Fire Festival
Event sponsor
Ignite - Fire Festival and Rochdale Christmas Lights Switch-On is sponsored by The Trade Centre UK, the region’s largest car supermarket.
Disclaimer
Events and activities are not organised by Rochdale Borough Council unless stated otherwise. Neither is Rochdale Borough Council responsible for the accuracy of the information provided. If you are under 18, ask your parent/guardian before taking part in any event or activity.
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