Skylight’s Fireflies Project is officially back for 2026 and over the coming weeks performers new and old will be getting ready to light up Rochdale at Ignite Fire Festival.
Thanks to the ongoing support of Culture Co-op the project once again brings local people together to learn fire skills, build confidence and create something to perform right in the heart of their town.
This year beginners are joining returning Fireflies performers from last year, working with Dan and Shona from Travelling Light Circus to develop their skills and create a brand new performance for Ignite.
Our Spotlight Youth Circus group will also be taking to the festival. They are developing their own performance with Skylight fire teaching staff member Mick Chapman and freelance circus teacher and choreographer Gil Burns.
It’s not just our participants getting involved. Members of the Skylight team are getting the fire props out too and creating performances of their own for the festival.
“Fireflies gives people the chance to try something they may never have imagined doing, develop new skills together and then perform in their home town of Rochdale. It’s always brilliant to see the group grow in confidence as we get closer to the festival and to see that sense of pride and belonging grow across the whole group, from our young people through to the adults.”
– Charma Force, Skylight Circus Arts
A huge thank you to Culture Co-op for their continued support of our incredible Fireflies project and for helping us create more opportunities for local people to take part in Rochdale’s cultural events.
Ignite Fire Festival is organised by Rochdale Borough Council and Rochdale Development Agency in partnership with Walk the Plank and Culture Co-op, bringing together artists, performers and communities for three nights of fire, light and live performance in Rochdale town centre.
Ignite Fire Festival
The festival takes place from Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd November 2026 from 5pm to 8pm around Rochdale Town Hall and Memorial Gardens.
Come down and see Fireflies, Spotlight Youth Circus and the Skylight team in action. Wrap up warm and join us for three nights of fire, performance and creativity in the heart of Rochdale.