Rochdale unveils ambitious programme for Greater Manchester Town of Culture year

Tuesday, 13 May 2025 11:12

By David Murphy

The town hall preview event featured Tabla performers from Aymen Arts

Rochdale has revealed more details of its plans for a cultural year in the spotlight, following a visit by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham visited Rochdale on Friday as the borough unveiled a packed programme for its year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture.

The mayor toured the recently refurbished Rochdale Town Hall before visiting Voltalab Studios, where he met acclaimed Indian artist Shilpa Gupta and a Ukrainian community choir preparing for Gupta’s sound installation, which will premiere in the town this July as part of the Manchester International Festival.

He also viewed the new Outdoor Gallery on Drake Street, which features 24 newly commissioned pieces of public art.

“There is so much happening here over the next few months,” said Mr Burnham. “Rochdale has the most magnificent town hall, such a rich cultural heritage. We’re going to celebrate this and all the history during the year. Rochdale will surprise you, it’s got so much to offer.”

A preview event later that evening at the town hall brought together artists, creatives, businesses and local leaders, including Rochdale MP Paul Waugh. The event featured a performance from Rochdale’s poet laureate Sammy Weaver and introduced two new poets in residence, Alende Amisi and Sasha Mostafa.

Shilpa Gupta also announced the title of her upcoming work: You Are The Place, a multilingual installation about waiting, persistence and hope, shaped with input from local residents.

Heywood will host another major cultural moment in July when The Herds, a climate-themed street performance involving 139 puppeteers and over 70 life-sized animal puppets, arrives. The piece is created by the team behind the internationally renowned Little Amal.

Kee Hong Low, creative director at Factory International, said: “It’s very exciting to see the festival breaking boundaries and creating work in Rochdale and Heywood.”

Rochdale Council leader Neil Emmott said: “We are at the start of an exciting journey that will attract audiences from across Greater Manchester and beyond. It’s a programme that celebrates Rochdale’s culture, heritage and future.”

The Town of Culture year will also include the Co-op Congress on 4 and 5 July at the town hall, drawing delegates from across the UK.

A busy schedule of public events is planned, including:

Street Eat food and drink festival in June
Feel Good Family Picnic days in July and August
Merhaba Halal Food Festival in August
Side by Side festival on Town Hall Square in August
Rochdale Comedy Festival debut in September
Common Walls urban arts event in September

Community initiatives will also play a central role. Cartwheel Arts will run a Young Producers project in Heywood, and the Darnhill Festival will return in July. M6 Theatre will present Little Gift in October, and Rochdale-based Breaking Barriers is developing an interactive sound and projection piece for early 2026.

Children and teenagers will be invited to participate in planning a Youth Arts Festival for spring 2026.

Musical performances at the preview event included tabla players from Aymen Arts, guitarist Becky Langan, and a closing set from indie-rock band PoolEra.

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

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something happening in our Borough?

Let us know by emailing newsdesk@rochvalleyradio.com

All contact will be treated in confidence.

More from Local News

Feel Good Family Picnic returns with fun-filled summer dates across Rochdale

Free family events will take place in late July and early August across Heywood, Middleton, Rochdale and Littleborough, with each location hosting a full day of activities, performances and entertainment as part of this year’s Feel Good Family Picnic.
Ofcom investigates IX Wireless over controversial broadband mast in Rochdale

The regulator, Ofcom has launched a probe into whether IX Wireless failed to consider visual impact when erecting a 15 metre mast in a residential area.
Final sign off for new housing estate and golf club scheme

A huge plan for a new housing estate and a revamped golf club in Middleton has been given the final sign off.
Tony Cunningham returns to Bury as new club secretary

Bury Football Club has appointed Tony Cunningham as its new club secretary, following a competitive recruitment process involving over 20 applicants.
Moorland fire breaks out near Peel Tower in Ramsbottom

A fire has broken out on the moorland near Peel Tower in Ramsbottom, with residents urged to avoid the area.
Rochdale school wins backing to build essential skills for pupils and teachers

Students at Great Howarth School in Rochdale are developing key skills for life and work thanks to new funding support from The Guinness Partnership.
Mayor’s Green Spaces Fund reopens with £40,000 grants for local groups

Community organisations across Greater Manchester are being invited to apply for up to £40,000 in funding to help improve their neighbourhoods with green projects, as the sixth round of the Mayor’s Green Spaces Fund opens for applications.
James Frith MP urges government to place new veterans' centre in Bury North

Labour MP James Frith has called on the government to establish one of its new VALOUR Centres in Bury North, arguing the area’s rich military heritage makes it an ideal location to serve the Armed Forces community.
New town centre apartment block approved

A new apartment block in the heart of Heywood will be built.
Rochdale Scout honoured for saving grandad during countryside walk

A young girl from Rochdale has been honoured by the UK’s Chief Scout for her bravery after saving her injured grandad during a countryside walk.
All Rochdale GP surgeries now have patient groups in place

Every GP practice in Rochdale now has an active Patient Participation Group, thanks to support from Healthwatch Rochdale.
School uniform shop now open at The Rock Shopping Centre

A SCHOOL uniform shop has officially opened its doors at The Rock Shopping Centre in Bury.