Bolton will soon resemble the streets of Norway, as full details are revealed for a stunning light festival coming to the town centre.
This winter, visitors will get to experience the mysterious Northern Lights over Victoria Square, see the moon up close and immerse themselves in a world of colourful and interactive artwork.
The free art trail has been created by artists from around the world. Displays, street entertainment and activities will dazzle for six magical nights - November 30, December 1 and December 2, followed by December 7, 8 and 9.
Put Big Light On spectacular coming to Bolton
Borealis by Dan Acher brings the magical mystery of the Northern Lights to towns and cities, using layers of light and particle clouds to create the illusion. Borealis will be on display from 4pm until 10pm, from November 30 to December 2.
Museum of the Moon measures six metres in diameter and features detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface. Created by Luke Jerram, each centimetre of the internally lit spherical sculpture represents 5km of the moon’s surface at an approximate scale of 1:500,000. On display from 4pm until 10pm across the six nights, then 2pm until 8pm December 10 to 21.
Evanescent, by Atelier Sisu, is a multi-award winning artwork that has been exhibited in 24 cities in 18 countries. It is said to bridge the gap between art and architecture, existing within the realm coined ‘art-chitecture’. On display from 4pm until 10pm, December 7 to 9.
Lee Fallows, Bolton Council’s director of corporate resources, said: “I’m thrilled that we have managed to deliver such a fantastic light festival for our residents and visitors.
“It’s a great way to celebrate Christmas and provide free and accessible activities for families in Bolton throughout December.
“This forms part of our long-term cultural strategy where we are committed to breathing life back into the town centre and making Bolton an attractive place to live, work, study, visit and invest.”
Interactive projector bikes will illuminate the town centre streets during this year’s festival. These electric trikes travel along projecting colourful animations with accompanying soundscapes. The project, Sound Intervention, is created by Dan Fox Sound.
Internationally acclaimed artist Liz West brings a major work from her back catalogue to The Vaults. Our Spectral Vision creates a vivid immersive environment that mixes luminous colour and radiant light using a mixture of LED lamps and glass in the form of seven prisms. The work explores our individual relationship with colour and our understanding of how we see it.
Aqualux will bring an eye-opening art installation with an educational twist to Bolton.
The 8m by 3m creative lighting installation composes of 48 unfilled water containers, which typically hold 1,000 litres of water each, specially adapted to create a stunning, transportable and eco-friendly light feature to raise the importance of water.
There will also be street entertainment and activities on offer, with November 30 to December 2 presenting a more chilled, calm and uplifting experience. December 7 to 9 will feature a more vibrant and celebratory vibe. No need to book.
In the lead up to the light festival creative workshops with artist, Hannah Fox, will be taking place at Bolton Museum.
Come and create a colourful cast of characters then see the fun creations light up on the night as they take a walk around the town as part of the festival.
Join the free half term activities on Saturday, November 4 from 11am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm. No need to book, just turn up.
From November 30 to December 2 and December 7 to 9, round off your day with some live Christmas music featuring singers, musicians and choirs and grab a bite to eat in the Albert Bar in the Albert Halls complex – this year's festival bar.
Look out for more announcements of activities including Octagon Theatre storytelling shows, yoga sessions, sound baths and talks by the Astronomical Society (some may be chargeable).
Visit www.visitbolton.com/lightfestival for more information, dates and times.
Follow socials @putbiglightonfestival2023 to keep up to date with announcements.
Put Big Light On is curated by Things That Go On Things.
The project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Thursday 30 November – Saturday 2 December will present a more chilled, calm and uplifting experience featuring:
Installations
Borealis
Victoria Square
4-10pm
Museum of the Moon
Library & Museum
4-10pm
Our Spectral Vision
Market Place Shopping Centre
4-10pm
Street entertainment
Ebublio
Roaming
6-9pm
Ghost Caribou
Roaming
6-9pm
Snow globe
Roaming
6-9pm
Mystic Mirror Globe
Roaming
6-9pm
Activities
Lantern making
Museum
4-8pm
Thursday 7 December – Saturday 9 December will feature a more vibrant and celebratory vibe with:
Installations
Evanescent
Victoria Square
4-10pm
Museum of the Moon
Library & Museum
4-10pm
Our Spectral Vision
Market Place Shopping Centre
4-10pm
Peep Hole Wall
Deansgate
4-10pm
Projector Bikes
Roaming
4-10pm
Aqualux
Newport Street
4-10pm
Street entertainment
Ebublio
Roaming
6-9pm
The Lumens
Roaming
6-9pm
Jacks of Frost
Roaming
6-9pm
Spark
Roaming
6-9pm
King Brass Band
Roaming
Friday
Activities
Light up balloons
Museum
4-8pm
Disco Dave
Museum
4-8pm
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