Free light festival brings four nights of art to Bolton
Bolton town centre will become a four-night trail of illuminated artworks and roaming performances when Put Big Light On 2026 opens on Thursday 19 November. The free festival runs from 5pm to 9pm each day until Sunday 22 November, with installations across the town centre for all ages.
Organised by Bolton Council and Things That Go On Things, the festival draws on the town’s textile heritage and fills several locations with large-scale light and sound works. Visitors can explore at their own pace, with Thursday identified as the quietest evening for people with SEND or anyone who prefers a more relaxed visit.
Light installations across Bolton town centre
At Victoria Square, Loom of Light by dbnAudile uses illuminated threads to create a walk-through structure inspired by Bolton’s textile history. The square will also host Celestial Sound Cloud, an interactive work that responds to audience participation.
Bolton Central Library will display Helios, Luke Jerram’s six-metre illuminated sculpture of the sun. At Le Mans Crescent, illuminated puppets DUNDU will roam with live music, while Happy as the Day is Long combines a giant mirrored artwork with a silent disco.
Other stops include Event Horizon, a walk-through light and reflection installation on Newport Street, and Kaleido, an immersive light, laser and sound experience at the Octagon Theatre. Elizabeth Park will host the kinetic light works Flux and The Wishing Dress, an illuminated textile sculpture that visitors can add hopes and wishes to. Street Aquarium brings animated cyanotype fish to Octagon Court.
Roaming performers and places to eat
Street performances include Spark!, an illuminated drumming ensemble; Sashimi, stilt-walking jellyfish; and Show Globes, whose giant spheres roam the festival route. Eye of Newt Theatre brings Billy the Meandering Goat, while Star Bears features a mother bear and cub accompanied by gentle music.
Food vendors will be in Victoria Square. Café Crescent in Bolton Central Library, Bolton Market Food Hall and the Octagon Theatre Café are also listed as places to eat during the event.
Dates, hours and entry
Put Big Light On 2026 takes place across Bolton town centre from Thursday 19 November to Sunday 22 November, 5pm–9pm each day. Entry is free, and the festival is described as suitable for all ages. The source does not give booking, transport or additional access arrangements; Thursday is the stated quieter option for a more relaxed visit.
The festival is curated by Bolton Council and Things That Go On Things. The council says the event is funded by the UK Government.
Source: Bolton Council News
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Event dates, daily hours, free entry, listed locations and programme details were checked against Bolton Council’s published notice.
- Checked the festival dates and daily opening hours.
- Checked that entry is listed as free and the audience as all ages.
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- Checked the quieter-evening guidance and listed food venues.
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- Bolton Council News
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- Bolton
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- 2026-10-19 10:49
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