Alexandra Park Walk
2026-09-12 11:00 - 12:30 (Europe/London) | Alexandra Park, Oldham, 5 Kings Road, Oldham, England, OL8 2AX, United Kingdom
Join Jeremy Sutcliffe for a guided walk around Oldham’s premier park created in 1865. Starting and finishing at the Boathouse Café, learn about who created the park and come face to face with statues of some of Oldham’s celebrated people.
Booking essential via Eventbrite.
Meet at the Boathouse Café, OL8 2AX
This event is part of Oldham Histories Festival 2026.

Author Talk ‘Bert: Postcards from Labrador’
2026-09-12 14:00 - 16:00 | Oldham Library & Lifelong Learning Centre, Greaves Street, Oldham, OL1 1AL, United Kingdom
Join us for an illustrated talk on the remarkable Bertha Lewis. Known as Bert, she left Oldham for Labrador, Canada, at the age of 23 to work as a teacher. Through the postcards she sent home to Oldham, author Philip Birch has written a novel based on his grandmother’s experiences. Signed copies of the book will be available on the day.
Booking essential via Eventbrite.
This event is part of Oldham Histories Festival 2026.

Open Days at Holy Trinity Church Dobcross
2026-09-13 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-09-14 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-09-15 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-09-16 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-09-17 10:00 - 16:00 | Holy Trinity Church Dobcross, 24 Woods Lane, Oldham, OL3 5AN
Pick up our booklet containing a brief history of the church and tour the building at your own pace. Admire the original three-sided gallery with its box-type pews, small chancel and central West Tower. The tower is flanked by porches with swept coped parapets and ball finials. The top stage of the Tower is in the Italianate style with arcades and clock faces. The Historic Graveyard is open all day.
There is a slight downhill gradient on the stone path to the entrance of the church. Visitors should take care as some of the gravestones adjacent to the church entrance are smooth and can be hazardous in wet weather. Warning notices are posted.
There is street parking on Woods Lane and Nudger Green.
Open Monday to Sunday 10am-4pm throughout the Oldham Histories Festival.

Exploring Daily Working Life Art Exhibition
2026-09-13 10:00 - 16:00 | Saddleworth St Chad Parish Church, Church Lane, Uppermill, OL3 6LW, United Kingdom
Join us at St Chad’s Church Saddleworth for an exhibition by the Parish Centre Art Group. The exhibition offers a creative collection of new and past artworks that explore stories of working life, crafts, traditions, routines, and rituals, drawing on real Saddleworth people and the jobs they did, from familiar trades to the quieter tasks that kept daily life going.
Drop in, no need to book.
This event is part of the Oldham Histories Festival.

Who do you think they were? The people who built St Anne's Royton and other famous locals
2026-09-13 10:00 - 16:00 | St Anne’s Church Royton, 2 St Anne's Avenue, Royton, Oldham, OL2 5AD, United Kingdom
Join us at St Anne’s Royton and get to know the people of the Church and parish who built the beautiful St Anne’s Church and School. Discover what their jobs and roles in the community were and find out about other famous Roytonians. Learn more about the Church’s design by leading architect Temple Moore, the stunning stained glass, our unique Stations of the Cross and contemplate Liverpudlian sculptor Arthur Dooley’s Dachau Crucifixion.
Guided tours and refreshments available with activities for children too!
Drop in, no need to book.
This event is part of the Oldham Histories Festival.

Guided Walk around the Commonwealth War Graves at Royton Cemetery
2026-09-13 11:00 - 12:30 | Royton Cemetery, Cemetery Road, Royton, OL2 5SP, United Kingdom
Join us at Royton Cemetery to find out more about the Royton casualties from the First and Second World Wars who died in the UK. Their resting places are marked by Commonwealth War Graves. The walk will be guided by members of the Royal British Legion Royton Branch.
Drop in, no need to book.
Meet between 10.45 and 11am at the Cemetery.
This event is part of the Oldham Histories Festival.

Greengate Jamia Masjid Mosque Open Day
2026-09-13 12:00 - 17:00 | Greengate Jamia Masjid Mosque, 88 Greengate Street, Oldham, OL4 1DH, United Kingdom
Learn about the history behind the first mosque built in Oldham and gain an insight into the Islamic faith. There will be tours, an exhibition and the chance to ask the imam, with free refreshments served throughout the day.
Drop in, no need to book
This event is part of the Oldham Histories Festival.

The Butcher, The Baker, The Candlestick Maker: Everyday Life in Early 20th Century Royton
2026-09-14 09:00 - 19:00, 2026-09-15 09:00 - 19:00, 2026-09-16 09:00 - 19:00, 2026-09-17 09:00 - 19:00, 2026-09-18 09:00 - 17:00 | Royton Library, 60 Rochdale Road, Royton, England, OL2 6QJ, United Kingdom
Come and have a look at a series of old photographs of Royton, celebrating the businesses and occupations that have fuelled the town’s economy. The slide show will be displayed across two TV monitors in Royton Library.
Drop in, no need to book.
Free parking is available nearby.
This event is part of Oldham Histories Festival 2026.

Royton Memories
2026-09-14 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-09-14 14:00 - 16:00 | Royton Library, 60 Rochdale Road, Royton, England, OL2 6QJ, United Kingdom
Come along to Royton Library and reminisce with us about your life in Royton. Your memories will be recorded and saved in Oldham Archives. Book your place before you call in. If you find it difficult to visit the Library, please leave your details by ringing the number below.
There are two sessions: 10am-12noon and 2-4pm.
Booking essential by ringing 0161 770 8000
Free parking is available nearby.
This event is part of Oldham Histories Festival 2026.

Gallery Talk: Everyday Histories at Gallery Oldham
2026-09-14 14:00 - 15:00 | Gallery Oldham, 35 Greaves Street, Oldham, England, OL1 1AL, United Kingdom
Join Social History curator Karen Heatley as she shares fascinating stories featured in Gallery Oldham’s displays, all connected to this year’s Heritage Open Day theme, Everyday Histories. Discover the lives and experiences of workers from Platt Brothers & Co Ltd, Ferranti, and Oldham’s cotton mills, and explore how their stories shaped the town’s industrial past.
Free, no need to book.
Meet in the Gallery Oldham foyer
This event is part of Oldham Histories Festival 2026.

Oldham’s Asian Women in Business
2026-09-14 18:00 - 19:30 | Oldham Library & Lifelong Learning Centre, Greaves Street, Oldham, OL1 1AL, United Kingdom
Oldham has a thriving and vibrant business community, and Asian Women play a big part in its success. Over the last 50 years, they have made a positive economic impact in Oldham. Come along to hear from some of those women talking about their businesses, entrepreneurship and place in the Oldham community.
Booking essential via Eventbrite.
This event is part of Oldham Histories Festival 2026.

Life on the Moors: A Fire Ranger’s Story
2026-09-14 19:00 - 20:00 | Saddleworth St Chad Parish Church, Church Lane, Uppermill, OL3 6LW, United Kingdom
Join Dave from the RSPB for a fascinating talk about his work as a fire ranger at Dovestones. Through personal stories and video blogs from this summer, Dave will share what it’s like to care for and protect our historic upland landscape.
Drop in, no need to book
This event is part of the Oldham Histories Festival.

Tours of St Paul’s Church, Royton
2026-09-15 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-09-15 14:00 - 15:00 | St Paul’s Church, Church Street, Royton, OL2 5QH, United Kingdom
Join us at St Paul’s Royton for a tour of the church, exploring the history of this listed building and the people who have worshipped here. The first tour is at 10am and the second is at 2pm.
Visitors are welcome to return on Wednesday 16 September at 10am to experience morning mass and gain an insight into this aspect of the Christian faith.
Drop in, no need to book.
This event is part of Oldham Histories Festival 2026.

Making History at Oldham Archives
2026-09-15 14:00 - 15:00 | Oldham Archives, Ascroft Street, Oldham, Greater Manchester, OL1 1XF, United Kingdom
Pop into Oldham Archives to find out more about the work we do. There will be a chance to look behind the scenes in the archives store, see some of our treasures and hear from our archivist about how she cares for the collections.
Booking essential via Eventbrite.
This event is part of Oldham Histories Festival.
Header image by Joel Fildes.

Readers Group
2026-09-16 08:00 - 17:00 | Lees Library Community Hub, Thomas Street, Lees, Oldham, Greater Manchester, OL4 5DA, United Kingdom
Whether you’re an avid reader or someone who dips in and out of books when time allows – we love to welcome new members.

Join us on the third Wednesday of every month .

Gallery Talk: Art Store Guided Tour
2026-09-16 11:00 - 12:00 | Gallery Oldham, 35 Greaves Street, Oldham, England, OL1 1AL, United Kingdom
Join Collections Assistant Louisa Krzyz for a rare glimpse behind the scenes at Gallery Oldham with a guided tour of our art store. Discover how we store, manage and care for artworks not currently on display and explore highlights from the collection.
Booking essential via Eventbrite
Meet in the Gallery Oldham foyer
This event is part of Oldham Histories Festival 2026.

Gallery Talk: Our Beautiful Oldham
2026-09-16 14:00 - 15:00 | Gallery Oldham, 35 Greaves Street, Oldham, England, OL1 1AL, United Kingdom
Join our Natural History Curator, Patricia Francis, in a tour of our recently opened nature gallery, Our Beautiful Oldham. Discover some of the plants and animals that live in Oldham’s diverse habitats, including the town centre and the countryside surrounding our town.
Free, no need to book.
Meet on the landing outside the Our Beautiful Oldham Gallery
This event is part of Oldham Histories Festival 2026.

Readers group
2026-09-16 14:30 - 15:30 | Crompton Library, 7 Farrow Street, Shaw, Oldham, England, OL2 8QY, United Kingdom
Whether you’re an avid reader or someone who dips in and out of books when time allows- we love to welcome new members. Join us on the 3rd Wednesday of the month to chat about all things books.

From Cotton Mill to Green Workspace
2026-09-16 17:30 - 19:00 | Ultimate Products, Manor Mill Victoria Street, Chadderton, OL9 0DD, United Kingdom
Join us at Manor Mill in Chadderton and find out how Oldham’s historic cotton mills have been transformed into modern, environmentally efficient workspaces. This event is an opportunity to learn about how these mills contribute to Oldham’s green ambitions.
Booking essential via Eventbrite.
This event is part of Oldham Histories Festival 2026.

Step back in time at Chadderton Town Hall
2026-09-17 11:00 - 15:00 | Chadderton Town Hall, Middleton Road, Chadderton, OL9 6PP, United Kingdom
Discover Chadderton’s past at our Town Hall Open Day. Join Oldham Registrars for a fascinating day of local history and behind‑the‑scenes insights. Chadderton Historical Society will present the history of Chadderton focusing on the town hall’s heritage and the former Chadderton Urban District Council. Explore displays showcasing jobs through the decades and famous faces born in Oldham. Registrars will also be on hand to talk about the services they provide.
A warm welcome awaits — come along, learn something new, and celebrate the local area.
Drop in, no need to book.
This event is part of Oldham Histories Festival 2026.
