Local Entertainment

More than 1.6 million people took part in Your Trust’s community programmes last year, marking a record high for the Rochdale-based charity.

One of Britain’s most iconic steam locomotives is making a highly anticipated return to the East Lancashire Railway (ELR) next summer, with the Flying Scotsman confirmed for a special run of events in June 2026.

Teletubbies, blind mice, and Top Gun pilots brought festive chaos to the streets of Edgworth on Sunday as the village’s annual charity three-legged race returned, raising thousands for Cancer Research UK.

Heywood Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society and its youth section Heykids have been recognised with a total of 19 nominations at the National Operatic and Dramatic Association District 7 awards.

A major upgrade to Peine Square in Heywood town centre has been completed, delivering new performance spaces, greenery and public seating as part of a £1 million investment.

Rochdale will host a major public art installation this winter, as the town’s streets become the stage for a free, after-dark audio-visual experience led by local voices.

Synth-pop pioneers to return to their roots with all-star line-up as part of Greater Manchester Town of Culture.

Debbie Rush, best known for her role as Anna Windass in Coronation Street, has confirmed the death of her son William Rush at the age of 31.

Ramsbottom’s Theatre Royal has launched its first ever live music event, welcoming Manchester swing artist Dominic Halpin and the Honey B’s to a packed and appreciative audience.

A teenage racing driver from Rochdale has claimed his first motorsport championship in cars, finishing a standout season by lifting the Clubman Class A title in the 2025 Supersport Endurance Cup.

Jason Manford and Ben Nickless return for a fourth year running at the Manchester Opera House, headlining this year’s pantomime Robin Hood with a familiar mix of slapstick, songs and silliness.

A 23-year-old pub worker from Alkrington has taken the next step towards her dream of running her own pub, graduating from a pioneering training scheme at the very venue that shares her surname.

An acclaimed photojournalism exhibition commemorating 25 years since the NATO-led KFOR mission in Kosova is coming to Rochdale next month.

A prominent former pub and nightclub building is up for sale for £725,000.

Thousands of music lovers descended on Bury during Bank Holiday Monday, 25 August 2025, for Glaston-Bury, the annual one day music festival in aid of Bury Hospice and other local causes. Since it began in 2008, the event has raised over £300,000 and has become one of the town’s biggest highlights of the year.

Day One at Parklife 2025 is done, and what a day it was. Over 50,000 people packed into Heaton Park for a massive Saturday, with sets from FLO, Rudimental and a huge headline performance by 50 Cent.

Tens of thousands of music fans are pouring into Parklife, as the day one of the festival gets underway.