The Oldham Histories Festival and Heritage Open Days 2026 brochure is out, the events are listed on the Heritage Libraries and Arts What’s On calendar, and bookable events are on our Eventbrite Oldham Histories Festival 2026 Collection page. This year, the festival runs from Friday 11 September to Sunday 20 September.
The programme this year is bigger than previous years, with 44 events happening across the borough, supported by 26 partner organisations. As ever, you can join us for walks, talks, open days and behind the scenes tours. If you are curious about the history around you, this is your chance to find out more about the people, places, buildings and stories across the borough.
Our expanded offer includes a wonderful opportunity to find out more about the work of the Oldham Registrars at Chadderton Town Hall, learn about the jobs people did in the past in Oldham, reminisce about famous Oldhamers we’ve known and loved, and meet members of the Chadderton Historical Society who will be on site to talk about the history of the Town Hall and Chadderton as a township. We’re also joined by Greengate Jamia Masjid Mosque this year, who are running two open days on Sunday 13 September and Sunday 20 September, and we have a Town Of Culture event on Saturday 19 September that explores the history of Tommyfield Market.
In Royton, St Paul’s Church invites you to tours of this beautiful place of worship which has listed building status on Tuesday 15 September at 10am and 2pm. Lots more of the parish churches around Oldham are also opening their doors for the festival, whether for open days, art exhibitions or talks. Make sure to take a look at their listings on the Heritage Libraries and Arts What’s On calendar and in the print brochure available from your local branch library.
Also in Royton, the local branch of the Royal British Legion are offering tours of the Commonwealth War Graves in Royton Cemetery on Sunday 13 September and Saturday 19 September.
Returning to the festival is the North West Film Archive, who will present a specially curated selection of films from their collection that reflects the hidden stories and diverse experiences of disabled people in the North West. The films provide insight into what life has looked like for disabled and/or neurodivergent people in the region and celebrate disabled people in the workforce, learning new skills, and enjoying leisure time together. This is sure to be an emotional and inspiring event, so don’t miss out on free tickets.
Another event that will stir your emotions and inspire you is our Author Event with Philip Birch, who will be talking to our Archivist about his novel based on his grandmother’s experiences of moving to Labrador as a missionary in the 1930s. Jan has read the book, and came away filled with admiration for Bertha Lewis, a plucky 23 year old with ten years’ experience as a cotton piecer who upped sticks to teach children from the families of Hudson’s Bay Company settlers and Inuit communities in Labrador. Philip will be sharing the images and documents he based his book on.
Among our regular events, Oldham Theatre Workshop’s popular Town Centre Ghost Walks make a welcome return on Friday 11 September and Friday 18 September. The walks are already getting close to being fully booked, so don’t miss your chance for a spine-tingling experience. Royton Local History Society are also back, with two guided walks around Royton Town Centre on Saturday 12 September and Sunday 20 September. The stunning Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Temple will also be open for its annual open day on Saturday 19 September, and Jeremy Sutcliffe will be guiding people around two of Oldham’s majestic parks: Werneth Park and Alexandra Park.
We’ve started referring to the last Saturday of the Oldham Histories Festival as Super Saturday, because it’s also Nostalgic Oldham day with events around Oldham town centre from 11am to 4pm.
This is just a snap shot of what’s on offer during the Oldham Histories Festival this year. Some of our events are already fully booked, including the Northern Roots Guided Heritage Walk, the first of the Making History behind-the-scenes tours at Oldham Archives (there are plenty of spaces on the second tour), and the Gallery Oldham Art Store Guided Tour. Two of the events included in the print brochure have unfortunately had to be cancelled due to essential maintenance work at Royton Library – Royton Memories and The Butcher, The Baker, The Candlestick Maker: Everyday Life in Early 20th Century Royton. We hope that Royton Historical Society will be able to run these events next year instead.
Whatever you choose to go to this year – enjoy yourselves!
