The heart of Rochdale has been transformed into a vast open-air gallery this week as local and international artists came together for the Common Walls International Mural Festival.
The event builds on the success of the 2019 Uprising Mural Festival and is part of Rochdale’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture 2025–26. Organised by The Big Heart Projects and curated by Rochdale-born artist Hayley Garner, also known as AYLO, the festival has seen ten buildings across the town centre turned into giant canvases.
Despite bursts of rain, crowds gathered to watch the colourful works unfold. Visitors travelled from across the country and even further afield to take part in the celebration of urban art.
One striking project, led by Cabasa Carnival Arts Organisation in partnership with Soul Sisters and Seriously Crafty Production, focused on women’s resilience and wellbeing. Designed by Emily Wood with artist Rhian Kempadoo-Millar, the mural shows a woman embracing the sun. “Women feel like they are swallowed in the depths of pain and struggle,” said Emily. “But there is hope and sunshine when pain subsides.”
Tributes to local icons also feature. Jamie, who has been painting for four years, created a mural inspired by singer Lisa Stansfield’s hit People Hold On as a homage to the Rochdale-born star.
Spectators Lorena and Oran Hodkinson, visiting with their grandmother Anna Bradley, took in the murals across the town. Anna described the initiative as “a good thing for our town”, adding: “The murals are absolutely beautiful.”
- BMX Town Hall
- Adam Illes at South Parade Squaare
- Common Walls Artwork in Rochdale 2025
- Common Walls Artwork in Rochdale 2025
- Common Walls Artwork in Rochdale 2025
- Common Walls Artwork in Rochdale 2025
- Common Walls Artwork in Rochdale 2025
- Common Walls Artwork in Rochdale 2025
- Common Walls Artwork in Rochdale 2025
- Jamie's Lisa Stansfield
- Kids having a go
- Lorena & Oran Hodkinson
- South Parade Square (2)
- South Parade Square
South Parade hosted a live graffiti “paint-off” organised by Mike from Spray Days, who brought together nine artists to compete over the weekend. Among them was Adam Illes, originally from Hungary and now based in Stafford. His work explored the tension between outward smiles and hidden struggles. “A smile on someone’s face often masks how they truly feel,” he explained. He planned to finish the piece with a painted crumpled sticker across the face to underline his message.
The festival also brought energy beyond the walls, with BMX, scooter and skateboard displays entertaining the crowds in the town square.
The murals will remain as a lasting reminder of Rochdale’s creativity, with some works displayed in new locations to be revealed after the event.
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