Saturday 21 February 2026
6–9pm
Oldham Town Centre
Free entry
See Oldham in a New Light
Illuminate Light Night returns to Oldham for its ninth spectacular year, inviting you to experience the town centre transformed after dark by art, light and community celebration.
Inspired by the 2026 theme Ensemble of Light, the festival brings together installations, exhibitions and performances by local, national and international light artists. Explore an illuminated townscape filled with creativity, colour and unexpected moments as Oldham shines like never before.
Illuminate Light Night has become a much-loved annual event. Visitors are invited to follow a trail of striking light artworks, immersive exhibitions and live performances across multiple town centre venues.
The Illuminate Parade
A highlight of the evening, the Illuminate Parade begins at 6pm, opening the festival in spectacular style. The parade will wind its way through Oldham town centre from Oldham Civic Centre to the Old Town Hall featuring hundreds of vibrant, community-made lanterns alongside illuminated performers.
Residents who would like to take part can create their own lantern by booking onto free lantern-making sessions at Gallery Oldham.Book your place HERE
Happy as the Day is Long
One of the standout moments of Illuminate Light Night 2026 will be Happy as the Day is Long – a bold, larger-than-life mirrorball installation transforming Library Gardens into an immersive world of light and reflection.
The installation hosts a pop-up silent disco, inviting visitors to grab a pair of headphones and step into a joyful, feel-good atmosphere beneath the glow of a giant mirrorball.
Become a Virtual DJ
Oldham residents are invited to help shape the soundtrack by nominating songs that bring them joy. Selected tracks will form a community-created Happy Playlist, played throughout the silent disco during the event. Nominate your song HERE
Would you like to take part in Illuminate 2027?
We’re always happy to talk to light artists and potential festival partners. If you would like to discuss a project for Illuminate, please get in touch with Culture.team@oldham.gov.uk
