Illuminate Arts Festival – Oldham

Gemma Gibb, Associate Editor
Courtesy Oldham Council

Illuminate Arts Festival – Oldham at Gallery Oldham, Manchester 22 — 23 February 2025 Entrance is free

Oldham’s late-night arts festival is back in February 2025, for its seventh year. Expect as music, performances, events, lanterns and installations take over the town centre across Gallery Oldham, Oldham Parish Church, Parliament Square and Old Town Hall Cinema.

You’ll get to experience Light Art in the Dark inspired by this edition’s theme: ‘Illuminating the everyday’. The festival may only take place across two nights, but they will be packed with activities, from installations and exhibitions to performances from local and international light artists.

Spark! drummers

 

There will be more details closer to the time, but for now, mark the dates in your diary – Illuminate Festival is sure to light up those short, winter days.

Illuminate Arts Festival – Oldham at Gallery Oldham, Manchester 22 — 23 February 2025 Entrance is free

Where to go near Illuminate Arts Festival – Oldham

Oldham
Event venue
Hack Oldham

Hack Oldham is an event space that also offers co-working, community groups and crafting in the heart of Oldham.

Manchester
Theatre
Oldham Coliseum

Oldham Coliseum is a repertory theatre in Greater Manchester which dates back to 1885 which welcomes touring shows in a vaired programme.

The Yoga Seed Oldham
Manchester
The Yoga Seed Oldham

The Yoga Seed is an intimate studio just outside of Oldham town centre. Run by Sharon it offers small classes including a men only class.

Liverpool
Hotel
Epic Apart Hotel

The Epic Apart Hotel offers 14 serviced apartments – and right righin the middle of the Ropewalks district, right behind FACT.

Theatre
Middleton Arena

The Arena has a regular programme of arts and entertainment including live music, concerts, comedy and dances with stage shows and national tours. With two licensed bars this is the perfect location for a great night out.

What's on: Families

Two young visitors looking up at a banner in a case, holding pencils and an activity sheet.
Until
ActivityManchester
2025 Banner Bingo at PHM

Explore the People’s History Museum with your banner bingo card in hand as you navigate their galleries through the lens of craftivism.

free entry

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

DaDaFest’s 40th anniversary line-up, contemporary reimaginings and outlandish fringe, check out our top theatre picks for spring onwards.

We shelter here sometimes promo image. Featuring My Dog Sighs inside and abandoned building.
Cinema in the North

David Lynch, International Women's Day and Manchester Film Festival are amongst our cinematic highlights this March.

Mohair Man, 1991, by Dave Swindells
Exhibitions in the North

Cinematic sets, 90s nightclub photography and even new gallery - we have a great mix of exhibitions for you this month.

Poet Imtiaz Dharker. Photo by Ayesha Dharker
Literature Events in the North

Some of our favourite leftfield live literature regulars are back with their first events of the year – we’ve picked a weird and wonderful heap we think you’ll love.

GROVE
Music in the North

We’re championing all things underground this month, with a selection of gigs and festivals that embrace the strange.

Classical Music in the North

Read our latest highlights from the live classical music offer in Manchester and the North, taking in a number of the region's most cherished orchestral forces and venues.