The Illume 2015 Winter Festival of Lights will be brightening up the night skies of Coromandel Town next month.

Now into its second year, Illume is a free, family-friendly and fun two-day festival which celebrates the heritage and flavours of the Coromandel during the first weekend of July.

Back for its second year the Illume 2015 Winter Festival of Lights will be held on the main street of Coromandel Town on July3-4. Photo: TCDC

A huge crowd is expected for the Friday opening night to see the lights switched on and the main street of Coromandel Town lit up with lanterns, colour, projections and fun installations.

Organising committee member Karen McMillan says this year they've included a night market with great local food, produce and crafts and local bands performing under the Illume marquee.

'The bands include The Jan and Ezy Spectacular, and Johnny Voltage and the Luminaires, a.k.a. JV and the rockers,” says Karen. 'While Nate the Blacksmith will be showcasing traditional blacksmithing, hot and raw.”

Saturday night the Illume Festival of Light Night Parade will see a whole range of colourful, cleverly lit-up floats proceed down the main street from 5.30pm to 10.30pm.

There'll also be the awesome sounds of The Rocking Roller Coasters in the Illume Marquee on the night.

This is on top of a abundance of lanterns, lasers, projections, lights and shadows, clowns, balloons, frozen zone, face painting, street performers including a Robot Man, and wishing balloons.

'A major fireworks display is also planned for the Saturday night with the release of Illume wishing lanterns.”

'We have lantern making workshops with Andrea Gaia where you can make a lantern to show off on the night.”

The main street will be closed to traffic on both evenings and please ensure any pets and stock are safe and secure with the fireworks on the Saturday night.

Karen says if you are interested in having a stall in the festival, you have until June 20 to apply.

'We are also seeking interesting 'light themed' performers to join the festival so if you would like to be considered then please get in touch.”

The Illume 2015 Winter Festival of Lights takes place in Coromandel Town over Friday, July 3, and Saturday July 4.

For more information and details on how to get involved visit: www.illumefest.co.nz