The popular event was due to start last night, Thursday, but was rearranged due to high winds and heavy rain.
The free, family-friendly cultural exhibition drew crowds of all ages, with its magical performances and exhibitions created by world-renowned artists to celebrate Bolton’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture.
Hundreds of people flocked to the town centre to see the displays despite the heavy rain and enjoyed food from vendors and the market hall.
@theboltonnews Bolton’s Put Big Light On festival 2024 is officially underway! Full story on The Bolton News website. #lightfestival #freeevent #greatermanchester #familydaysout #Bolton #cityofculture#putbiglighton ♬ FEEL THE GROOVE – Queens Road, Fabian Graetz
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The town hall was lit up with an impressive installation by creative studio NOVAK, transforming the building into a series of scenes filled with colour, motion and sound to honour Bolton’s rich history and landmarks.
The festival is now in its second year and includes an art trail across the town centre; a dancing water fountain at Howell Croft Yard; a ‘sky full of stars’ at Octagon Theatre; ten-foot tall ‘living lamp posts’ and much more.
One particular highlight for visitors is being hosted in the Bolton Museum. GAIA is a stunning display with shows planet Earth in all its glory using large-scale NASA imagery.
Hayley Crossley from Bolton visited with her two young sons. She said: “We came last year and enjoyed it. My eldest son loved the giant Earth display in the library.”
There is also a recreation of the iconic Ritzy nightclub’s pink neon sign, which was a popular Bolton hangout in the 80s and 90s and was brought back to life by Neon Creations as part of their Bright Ideas exhibition.
Gemma Donnell from Bolton and her three year-old daughter enjoyed taking part in the free arts and crafts sessions in the library.
She said: “I came to show my daughter the lights, especially the snow globes. Children love lights, don’t they?”
The festival will go ahead as planned from 5 – 9pm on Sunday, December 8, however, it will not take place on Saturday, December 9 due to further adverse weather being forecast.
Put Big Light On is funded by UK Shared Prosperity Fund and curated by Things That Go On Things.
There is a full list of the events, activities and locations available on the Visit Bolton website.
