News Beat
Put Big Light On returns to Bolton town centre for 2025
Put Big Light On returned to the town centre this evening, November 20, flooding the streets with a myriad of sights and sounds.
The centrepiece of the arts festival is Dan Acher’s ‘Borealis’, illuminating Victoria Square using smoke and lasers to create an experience akin to the Northern Lights, along with an ambient music backdrop.
The square was full of people who came to experience the spectacle, with the magical lights drifting up Newport Street towards Squidsoup’s ‘Submergence’, which has thousands of lights hanging down from a structure that visitors can walk through.
At this installation The Bolton News spoke to Sarah Glasgow and her son, Ralphie, who was enjoying himself playing in the lights.
Sarah said: “We came down for this tonight, my son has been talking about it for weeks, as we came last year and he really enjoyed it then.
“I think it is brilliant, it is lovely. We are coming back again on Saturday as well.”
Suzanne Delaney got into the spirit of things by putting light-up braids in her hair, bought from the Central Library.
She said: “My daughter is going mad, telling me to get them off my head!
“I missed it last year so this is my first time seeing it, but it is absolutely superb. It showcases what Bolton has to offer, which is a lot.
“I loved the Aurora as well, it was stunning. It’s great as it brings people out, even tonight when it’s freezing!”
Hanging bang in the middle of the library is ‘Mars’ by Luke Jerram, a sculpture of the planet six metres in diameter, which features high-resolution NASA imagery of its surface.
Debbie Draycott came from Chorley to see the event. She said: “I’ve been to see some of his other exhibitions in Liverpool and Blackpool but have not been here before.
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“I think it is amazing. This is the closest one (of the artist’s sculptures) you can get to, the rest are quite high.
“When you first see the Aurora you’re not sure, but when it hits you it is everywhere. When you think, it is just this little line of lasers.
“We have never really done much coming to Bolton, but saw this advertised and thought it would be good to see what Bolton has.”
Other installations included ‘Wave’ by Are You Playing Out at the Octagon, ‘The Garden’ by Ant Dickinson projected onto Le Mans Crescent, ‘Beacon of Hope’ by Craig Morrison at Elizabeth Park and ‘Celestial Carousel’ by Eye of Newt at Cheadle Square, just behind Le Mans Crescent.
The Bolton News found the Leader of the Council, Cllr Nick Peel, stood taking in ‘Borealis’ on the square.
He said: “It is back by popular demand. It is very atmospheric with the music, and you notice people talking quietly, almost as though it will spoil the effect of it.
“There is something really wonderful about it.”
Cabinet member for culture, Cllr Nadeem Ayub, said: “It is absolutely amazing. It is great to have it here once again.
“It is open for everybody to come and view. If you have not been here, come, it is here for four days.
“We have not just got the Northern Lights, there is Mars at the library, activities at the Octagon, Elizabeth Park and more, and everybody old and young should come down and enjoy it.”
At the top of the page are 29 photos of the event taken by photographer, Phil Taylor.
