More than 1,500 people attended Rochdale’s first FAB Youth Arts Festival, celebrating creativity led by young people across the town.
The festival, named FAB which stands for freedom art and belonging, brought together theatre, music, dance, poetry, exhibitions and digital arts as part of the closing weekend of Rochdale’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture 2025 to 2026.
Events took place across the town centre and venues, with work created and performed by local children and young people. A large scale mural was unveiled on the side of the Regal Moon building, designed by mural artist Hayley Garner, also known as Aylo. The artwork was shaped by ideas gathered from more than 100 local children.
A carnival parade moved through the town centre led by performers from Global Grooves and the Nigeria Community Association. M6 Theatre staged a performance for younger audiences at Number One Riverside, while an outdoor exhibition in front of Rochdale Town Hall showcased work by students from Hopwood Hall College developed with PLACED and Rochdale Development Agency.
A special Teenage Market inside Rochdale Town Hall featured stalls run by young creatives selling handmade goods, artwork and music. New murals were also created on Yorkshire Street with young artists supported by Aylo and delivered by The Butterfly Effected.
Poetry workshops and an exhibition were held at Number One Riverside led by poets in residence Alende Amisi and Sasha Mostafa. Rochdale Music Service hosted performances and workshops, giving young musicians the chance to showcase their work and try instruments.
An exhibition titled Good Shout brought together young creatives and professional artists, while films produced by students from PINC College and Touchstones Rochdale projects were screened at Reel Cinema.
The programme also included a performance of Ward 76, a play exploring disability and growing up, alongside circus skills sessions, dance performances and hands on workshops at Hopwood Hall College.
Young people were involved in organising and delivering the festival, including media students who managed social media coverage during the event.
Pete Courtie, head of culture and placemaking at Rochdale Development Agency, said: “A big thank you to all the young people who helped produce and deliver this festival, supported by the council’s youth service and Create Rochdale, they have all worked so hard. FAB provided our young people with an inspiring platform to showcase and celebrate their amazing creativity and was a perfect way end to our year in the cultural spotlight. Do go and take a look at the artwork on display at The Square Gallery in front of Rochdale Town Hall and the inspiring new murals.”
Julia Heap, principal and chief executive of Hopwood Hall College, said: “We were very pleased to support the first FAB Youth Arts Festival, during the closing weekend of Rochdale’s magnificent year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture. It was great to see so much cultural and artistic talent and we were proud to help bring the celebration to life.”
The festival was supported by government funding, Hopwood Hall College, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Arts Council England and Rochdale Town Hall.
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