Christmas lights to be switched on at fire festival

A fire festival is a "unique and exciting" addition to the lights switch-on, the council says

A town's Christmas lights switch-on will take place during an "amazing" fire festival, a council has said.

Rochdale will host more than 25 displays and illuminated installations, including frame arches, fire-throwing and a musical fire tree.

The festival will take place opposite Rochdale Town Hall from Saturday 25 November to 26 November.

The Christmas lights will be switched on after a traditional countdown at 17:30 GMT on the Sunday.

The Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Mike Holly, will push the button to mark the beginning of the festive season.

The fire festival was an "exciting and unique addition" to the lights switch-on, Councillor Janet Emsley said.

"Something we’ve never seen before in Rochdale."

A carved pumpkin is lit up by flames

Ms Emsley, the council’s cabinet member for equity, safety, and reform, said it would provide "amazing family entertainment" and "attract visitors from across the region".

A street theatre and travelling circus group will be performing at the festival, as well as Drum Machine, a 20 strong drumming collective who have performed at festivals across the UK, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Lantern making workshops will also be on offer for younger children.

Nearby Manchester City Council announced last week it would not be holding a Christmas lights switch-on event in the city centre for the second year in row, blaming ongoing development and the absence of a suitable safe location.