Festival Oldham is back with a day of free family fun this weekend

Festival Oldham has announced a packed programme ahead of its return this Saturday.

This year’s festivities include more than 60 performances and activities across key locations, including the High Street, Parliament Square, Gallery Oldham, Oldham Library, Hilton Square, Oldham Parish Church and the Old Town Hall for a full day of free music and family fun between 10am – 7pm.

This year’s theme – Global Threads – invites visitors to explore a rich tapestry of global cultures through a fusion of music, dance, fashion and art, ranging from colourful street theatre and interactive installations to spectacular performances and hands-on creative activities.

At Hilton Square, there’ll be incredible dance performances from Sonia Sabri Company’s Mughal Miniatures: The Awakening, transporting audiences back in time to the richness of the Mughal Empire with a surprising contemporary twist, while Chad Taylor’s Closer to my Dreams tells the story of two young brothers from the inner city of Manchester that have dreams of becoming professional dancers.

Elsewhere, four dancers will be going head-to-head in a dance, fashion and lip sync competition where the audience decides the winner with Ghetto Fabulous’ Family Catwalk Extravaganza.

Scott Walker will also be at the event with his Doodle Jam and Art Trail, characters such as Turbo & Dai, Bling’n’Ting, and Slo:Rida will be roaming around the town centre, and Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre will host various Kids Club activities.

Brand new for 2025, Oldham Music Centre’s Summer Music Festival will also join the celebrations. With 30 music ensembles performing throughout the day, there’ll be plenty of chances to enjoy an incredible mix of sounds and styles – from classical orchestras and brass bands to choirs, rock groups, and musical theatre favourites.

Cllr Peter Dean, Cabinet Member for Culture & Leisure at Oldham Council, said: “Festival Oldham is one of the standout moments in our events calendar, and this year’s celebration promises to be the biggest yet. Festival Oldham is all about bringing people together through creativity, culture, and shared experiences.

“It’s a brilliant opportunity to enjoy world-class performances from local and national performers right on your doorstep and to celebrate the incredible diversity and talent we have here in Oldham.”