BE AMAZED: Rochdale's year as Greater Manchester's cultural hot spot

Rochdale is set for a spectacular year of festivals, performances, exhibitions and art making fantastic opportunities for lots of amazing days out. Its year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture began in April with a magical nature themed parade drawing over 2,500 people to Rochdale Town Hall Square and an outdoor gallery featuring 24 new pieces of public art has just opened.

TALENT: Farah Nisa next to her poem 'Creatively Me', part of the Town of Culture Outdoor Gallery.

The title, awarded by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, celebrates the town’s rich history, creativity, talent and diverse arts scene. Rochdale is building on the town’s cultural capital and international reputation as the home of the co-operative movement with an ambitious programme that runs until March 2026. ‘People power’ will be centre stage, with residents helping to plan, develop and deliver much of the line-up of creative activity alongside a number of big events.

PIONEERS: Rochdale is building on the town’s international reputation as the home of the co-operative movement. Learn how it all started by visiting Rochdale Pioneers Museum.

On Friday 4 July THE HERDS a major new work of public art and climate action by the team behind Little Amal comes to Heywood, with 139 puppeteers bringing more than 70 life-sized animal puppets to the streets around Mutual Mills and into Queen’s Park, as the worlds of culture and climate crisis collide as part of Manchester International Festival. Also as part of the festival from 4-20 July, Rochdale hosts an exciting new work by world renowned Shilpa Gupta. The Mumbai-based artist is working with residents on ‘You Are the Place’ a multilingual sound installation taking in different perspectives in a thought-provoking piece about waiting, persistence and hope.

THE HERDS, shown here in Spain during its epic journey that began in April. On Friday 4 July this major new work of public art and climate action by the team behind Little Amal comes to Heywood.

Whilst work is under way restoring Touchstones Rochdale, the town’s art gallery and museum, the team is working on a new event and will be staging ‘Side by Side’ a seven day festival on Rochdale Town Hall Square from 20 to 27 August. In September, ‘Common Walls’ a new urban arts festival, curated by the Butterfly Effected will happen across Rochdale town centre, giving visitors a chance to see murals being created by some of the UK’s most exciting urban artists who will be in town for over a week.

As part of Refugee Week, a Crafting Heritage Exhibition was staged at Rochdale Town Hall showcasing the incredible work of crafting heritage trainees alongside talented students from local primary schools. Organised by Cartwheel Arts, the trainees who have experienced forced migration, taught children skills including Ukrainian Petrykivka, Argentinian loom weaving, Pakistani block printing, Indian Diwali tea light making, and Congolese doll making.

Street Eat, the food and drink festival that attracts thousands of visitors every year is returning to Rochdale Town Hall Square on Saturday 28 June, organised by Rochdale Business Improvement District for another serving of food, drink, free entertainment and live music. Visitors will have their taste buds tickled and thirsts quenched as well as enjoying lots of free live music.

STREET FOOD: Always a great day out, the Street Eat food and drink festival takes over the town hall square on 28 June.

The popular Feel Good Family Picnic returns this summer, sponsored by automotive dealer Premier Kia. Organised by the council team behind the Feel Good Festival it promises four days of fun activities, performances, music, sports and shows for children of all ages. The Feel Good Family Picnic will be staged at Rochdale Town Hall Square on Tues 29 July, Limefield Playing Fields in Middleton on Weds 30 July, Littleborough's Hare Hill Park on Thurs 31 July and Queen's Park Heywood on Fri 1 August.

FAMILY FUN: Got children to entertain during the holidays? The Feel Good Family Picnic delivers 4 days of free fun for children of all ages.

The Merhaba Halal Food Festival takes place in August, a celebration of food, live music and artisan crafts from the Islamic world. There's also a regular Teenage Market, the exciting Ignite Fire Festival in November and much more over the coming months.

COMMUNITY SPIRIT: The Merhaba Halal Food Festival returns in August with great food, art and music.

FIRE: The Ignite Fire Festival thrilled thousands last year and is back bigger and better in November.

From September 26 to October 5 Rochdale Comedy Festival will be held for the first time in venues across the borough, organised by Ace Lips. Acts are still being added to a line-up which already include familiar names from television and radio including Robin Ince, Tez Ilyas, Lou Conran, Alex Mitchell, Brennan Reece, Jonny Awsum, Patrick Monahan, Rob Mulholland and more.

COMEDY: Rochdale's Comedy Festival promises a host of familiar faces. (ABOVE: Comedian Alex Mitchell)

There will be plenty of opportunities for children and teenagers, with a young producer's scheme, staging a Youth Arts Festival in spring 2026.

Cllr Sue Smith, cabinet member for communities and co-operation at Rochdale Borough Council said:

"There’s so much to be excited about and a real buzz around Rochdale. We’ve already got a diverse programme with lots more to come and I’m looking forward to working with residents, artists and community organisations to deliver a really fun and creative year."

Find out more about what’s on and get the latest news at www.rochdale.gov.uk/TownOfCulture, www.rochdalecreates.co.uk and follow @rochdale.creates on Instagram.

Rochdale’s year is supported by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Arts Council England, Rochdale Borough Council and Rochdale Development Agency.