A NUMBER of illuminating experiences can be enjoyed this week thanks to Bolton's first Light Festival.

Communities will come together for a series of unique and enjoyable events in the inaugural event, which was inspired by a hugely popular lantern parade at last year's Christmas lights switch-on.

Bolton at Home Town Centre Light Project is set to mark the 21st anniversary of Bolton at Home’s Percent for Art initiative which has championed arts and creativity in the borough.

It can be enjoyed from at Victoria Square, from 5pm on November 16 and 17.

Also on November 16 (6pm to 8pm), in Victoria Hall, ‘light’ will be the motif in a multicultural evening of music and singing by diverse community groups to celebrate Bolton’s Interfaith Week.

On Saturday, between 2pm and 5pm in the The Market Place Shopping Centre,you can make a willow lantern

There’s a rare opportunity for an after-hours visit to Bolton Museum Library and Museum on November 14 and 17 (6pm) where you can try to solve a series of puzzles using light, imagination and codebreaking skills to find the answers.

A poetry evening inspired by the theme of light can be enjoyed at Bolton Socialist Club on Sunday (7.30pm).

Poets are invited to perform their work at the Wood Street venue, and poetry lovers are also welcome to go along and listen to their work.

And don’t forget Bolton’s big Christmas Light Switch On on November 22 (5pm-7pm) where there will be fantastic musical entertainment, a magical light parade and a spectacular firework finale