A packed schedule of street theatre, circus acts, music and creative workshops will bring four days of free summer fun to parks in Rochdale, Middleton, Littleborough and Heywood this July and August.
The Feel Good Family Picnic is back for 2025, promising an expanded line-up of over 20 free attractions each day from Tuesday 29 July to Friday 1 August. Sponsored by Premier Kia and staged by Rochdale Borough Council, the events will rotate between four parks across the borough.
New highlights for this year include ‘Scrumptious!’, a light-hearted play about friendship and ice cream from Beggars Belief Collective, and ‘The Alchemist’ by Frolicked Outdoor Theatre, a puppet-led story filled with magic and slapstick. Thingumajig Theatre will perform two shows from their mobile stage: The Story of the Scary Noise and The Magic Samovar.
Other notable acts include ‘Stop Toi’, a surreal musical juggling show combining jazz, garage rock and physical theatre, and Cirque Inextremiste’s Damoclès, a participatory performance that explores themes of trust and co-operation.
The event will also feature Tit for Tatt Circus, presenting two contrasting shows each day. Now I become D/Deaf reflects on hearing loss through clowning and visual storytelling, while A Knight Away follows a pair of comic medieval characters enjoying their day off.
A daily carnival parade at 2pm, led by internationally recognised group Global Grooves, will bring together local dancers, musicians and community groups. Themed around co-operation, the parade will feature costumes, giant puppets, flags and high-energy drumming.
Flat Cap Brass will return with their brassy takes on classic pop songs, and Rochdale’s own M6 Theatre will perform The Street Where I Live, a family play exploring neighbourhood stories. Every child attending the show will receive a free book to take home.
A new ‘Youth Zone’ is being introduced for 2025, including a special edition of the Teenage Market where young traders and performers aged 13 to 25 can showcase their talents. Craft sessions led by Cartwheel Arts and circus workshops from Skylight Circus are also on the programme.
Children and families can take part in sports activities run by Your Trust, and visitors will be encouraged to engage with environmental stalls and demonstrations on sustainable living, upcycling and water-saving.
Councillor Sue Smith, cabinet member for communities and co-operation, said: “We have another fantastic line-up this year with lots of exciting new attractions as well as a few favourites from last time. The Feel Good Family Picnic will be four magical days out in beautiful settings, all free and it’s the perfect opportunity to entertain and educate your children or grandchildren during the holidays.”
Food and drink will be on sale at each venue, though picnics are welcome. The event promotes eco-conscious behaviour and asks attendees to bring reusable bottles and take waste home.
The schedule is as follows:
- Tuesday 29 July – Rochdale Town Hall Square
- Wednesday 30 July – Limefield Playing Fields, Middleton
- Thursday 31 July – Hare Hill Park, Littleborough
- Friday 1 August – Queen’s Park, Heywood
Organised in partnership with Without Walls and supported by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, the Feel Good Family Picnic is designed to celebrate community, creativity and sustainability.
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