Festival Oldham

Saturday 30 May 2026 12noon – 4pm

Oldham’s annual outdoor arts festival celebrating Creativity, culture and community in Oldham Town Centre.

Festival Oldham returns to Oldham town centre on Saturday 30 May 2026, bringing a spectacular celebration of creativity, culture and community to kick-start the summer season.

This year’s free outdoor arts festival will also officially launch Oldham’s Greater Manchester Town of Culture programme, Rising Up, marking the beginning of an exciting year of arts, culture and creativity across the borough.

The 2026 programme promises a blooming wonderful day of entertainment, inspired by all things green, floral and full of summer energy. Visitors can enjoy an incredible line-up of local, regional and national outdoor arts, street theatre, music, dance and visual arts across a variety of spaces throughout Oldham town centre.

With free activities and entertainment for all ages, Festival Oldham 2026 is set to be a vibrant celebration of creativity, community and culture in the heart of the town centre.

What’s on when…

Festival Main Stage – Parliament Square

12noon – 12:45 Untold Orchestra 

The Untold Orchestra is an ensemble of musicians that aims to redefine orchestral music through memorable performances that build social relevance and accessibility in the 21st century.

1pm – 1:45pm Taste of Sabrina

Taste of Sabrina don’t miss this high energy tribute celebrating the music, style and undeniable star power of Sabrina Carpenter. A live show packed with powerhouse vocals, sharp dance moves, and stunning costume changes inspired by Sabrina’s iconic looks.

2pm – 2.45pm Baked A La Ska

Baked A La Ska are the “heavy heavy sound” of Manchester, a super charged 11-headed ska monster on a rampage through the dance floors of the UK leaving a trail of skanked out bodies in their wake

3pm – 3:45pm Snow In August

This soulful feminist duo shaped by friendship, heritage, and a shared devotion to storytelling through music. Bringing together rich Celtic roots, an effortless blend, and unmistakable powerhouse vocals. Their sound nods to tradition while staying firmly rooted in modern artistry, creating a style that feels both familiar and refreshingly current.

Parliament Square

Grow Your Own – Fairly Famous Family

These comedy gardeners bring you skillful, wholesome, fresh, 5-a-day fun. Grow Your Own is a show packed full of tasty fruit and vegetable themed juggling and comedy cookery. Even Peter Rabbit himself makes a thrilling appearance!

Old Town Hall

Go Grandad Go – Company DHW

A heart-warming Caribbean welcome awaits at this inter-generational story told through Hip-Hop, street arts and audience participation. 

A heart-warming Caribbean welcome awaits at this inter-generational story told through hip-hop, street arts, audience participation and integrated British Sign Language. Led by Dani Harris-Walters, Company DHW is a new and exciting hip-hop theatre company which puts community, relatability and inclusivity at the forefront of its work. 

Go Grandad, Go! is co-commissioned by FESTIVAL.ORG for GDIF, Without Walls and Brighton Festival. Supported by Royal Parks, Royal Greenwich Festivals, The Royal Borough of Greenwich, Without Walls and Arts Council England

Jubacana

Jubacana is a Oldham based youth-led, fusion music and dance project based in Oldham for 8-18s, inspired by the music of Brazil and beyond with a UK twist. They make a massive sound with Brazilian percussion instruments, creating original music with melodic guitars, bass, drum kit and flute thrown into the mix, all combined with vibrant dance choreographies

Strolling Performances – Parliament Square, Market Place, High Street and The Library Gardens

Bee-yond the Garden Gate – Limelight Circus

Welcome to the spectacular world of “Bee-yond the Garden Gate”, where the magic of friendship buzzes to life. From hilarious clown antics to mesmerising juggling and breath-taking acrobatics, every moment is a whirlwind of fun and excitement for all the family.

Great Garden Carnival – Cabasa Carnival Arts and Global Grooves

The Great Garden Carnival is a fun, colourful celebration of nature with flora and forna inspired costumes they are guaranteed to fill Oldham with vibrant summer Carnival vibes.

Easy Lay Eggs – Fair Play

It’s spring time, the farmers’ absolute favourite time of the year. And why? Because it’s the season that they can show off their prize possession… Henrietta, the chicken.

First, you need to win her over. Can you convince her that you are another chicken, beat her in a staring competition, find her favourite food or just give her some gentle petting? If so then be prepared to receive your special prize.

DJ Booth and the Wheels of Steel – Bread and Butter Theatre

Presenting DJ Booth, Vince Vinyl and the “Wheels of Steel” mobile disco and cabaret. Experience Saturday Night Fever and Sunday Night at the Palladium rolled in to one big glitzy ball of music, mullets and bingo-calling.

Garden Wonder Gadgets – Fairly Famous Family

After being laughed out of Dragon’s Den, Bob and Ronnie are now on the move to market their garden gadgets directly to the public, with their mobile booth to help them glide effortlessly through the crowds they will bring the products direct to you along with a fully interactive comedy demonstration.

The Pigeons – Circii

Eternally curious, Mr & Mrs Pigeon investigate everything they come across by pecking and scratching. They also express their love for each other in true pigeon style with much strutting and feather ruffling.

Capturing the comedy of our most common city birds in wonderful detail.  Watch out though, the Pigeons have been known to leave a little ‘gift’ behind them. 

The Summer Lion – Creature Encounters

Accompanied by her faithful faun, the maiden will beckon forth those who wish to meet the very spirit of abundance, new life and celebration. Witness the mystery and majesty of the largest lion to walk the earth, and step forward to meet these magical characters and take home a memory of an eternal summer.

Ollie & Millie the Oldham Owls – Oldham Theatre Workshop

12noon, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm

Meet Oldham’s most famous feathered friends!

Ollie and Millie are our resident owls and the biggest fans of everything Oldham. When they aren’t nesting in the town centre, you’ll find them out and about spreading joy, high-fives, and plenty of “hoot-tastic” energy.

Blossom

12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm, 3.30pm

Joining the fun for Festival Oldham is beautiful Blossom, who is in full bloom and ready to bring a burst of summer sunshine to our festivities!

Keep your eyes peeled, they love a good photo op and can’t wait to meet you!

Creativity Stations – Oldham Play Action Group

12noon – 4pm
Join the Garden Carnival and create with Oldham Play Action Group FREE fun craft activity for this years theme of Bloom.

Spindles and The Market

Spindles Kids Club
12noon – 4pm

Spindles Town Square and Shopping Centre have added an extra Kids Club date to join the Festival Oldham Fun! Inside you will find our mascot, face painting, crafts and the Retro Arcade.

Dancing Town – Market Place

REACH – Dancing Town

Celebrating dance in all its forms and the incredible talent found across the borough. From street styles to classical, contemporary to cultural traditions, the festival will showcase local dance outfits, schools and community groups, placing home‑grown creativity front and centre.

The Library Gardens

Oldham Wakes! – Sophie Tyrell

23 May – 5 September 2026

Taking inspiration from the seasonal traditions Old Lancashire holiday festivals, rush carts and processions, Oldham based artist Sophie Tyrrell populates the gallery with a fabulously colourful and deeply political handmade carnival installation. Sophie’s giant festival-bright endangered species artworks are poised between ecological grief and hopeful imagination.

Murmuration – The Library Gardens

Come and celebrate the opening of Oldham Wakes! by Sophie Tyrrell with live music from members of ‘Brown Wimpenny’ and a starling inspired performance created by children from Burnley Brow Primary School.

Once Upon A Time

21 March – 5 September 2026

Once Upon a Time there was an amazing exhibition filled with beautiful art by five incredible illustrators:  Gillian Flint, Gillian Hibbs, Holly Sterling, Jarvis, and Sharon Davey. Together, they created a magical world to spark imaginations and celebrate the joy of storytelling.

Once Upon a Time is a family-focused, fun-filled space where everyone can enjoy brilliant books and special stories. With cosy corners for reading, colourful artwork to explore, and hands-on activities to dive into, it’s a place where creativity comes to life.

All Around The World–Linda Edwards

21 March – 30 May

This exhibition is a vivid journey through colour and culture — from Brazil’s warmth to Arctic stillness, crowned by Northern Lights over Saddleworth. Immersive paintings and suspended globes invite wonder, designed to stir the senses and awaken a longing to explore.

Festival Oldham is Oldham’s annual outdoor arts festival celebrating culture, creativity and community since 1998. Each year the festival showcases the very best local, regional and national outdoor artists through a packed programme of street theatre, music, dance and visual arts.

Festival Oldham is part of Without Walls, a network of organisations bringing innovative outdoor arts to towns and cities across England. Find out more on withoutwalls.uk.com.

Festival Oldham is funded and delivered in partnership with: