Put Big Light On winter festival to return with headline artist revealed

Details of this year’s ‘Put Big Light On’ winter illumination festival which attracted thousands of visitors to Bolton town centre have emerged. Last year saw spectacular displays over two weekends with Victoria Square taken over by Borealis, a northern lights recreation above the town hall.

The festival also showed light art works from both local and international artists in other town centre venues.The festival is set to return from December 5-8 after money was once again secured by the council from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to pay for it.

Documents published by the council this week reveal the headline light artists who will provide a bespoke light installation to tell ‘The Story of Bolton’.

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It will be displayed on Victoria Square during the festival. A report to the council’s cabinet member for culture, Coun Nadeem Ayub, requests the release of £90,000 to fund the project. It states: “It is proposed that Novak are the headline artist of Put Big Light On, 2024.

“Novak are an innovative creative studio specialising in digital media, design and production tailored for immersive and expansive experiences. “They are in the unique position to respond to our request to deliver the interpretative, design and production element of the artwork as one organisation.

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“They have vast experience of working with heritage organisations to access and research their archival records and artefacts which they reinterpret and take inspiration from when creating the artwork. This, coupled with their high-quality design, digital and production skills makes them unique.” At a meeting next Monday, Coun Ayub is expected to approve a waiver to the council’s standing orders relating to contracts to procure the headline light artist for
Put Big Light On 2024 and to make a direct award of the contract to them.

Speaking after last year’s festival Bolton Council leader Nick Peel said the festival ‘exceeded expectations’ of many visitors and showed why Bolton had a track record of hosting large events such as the food and drink festival and the annual Ironman event.