Oldham town centre’s annual outdoor arts festival is set to return at the start of June, with dozens of performances set to take place.
Festival Oldham will showcase local, regional and national outdoor arts, street theatre, music, dance and visual arts, with this year celebrating the 175 anniversary of Oldham.
The event will be held between noon and 4pm on Saturday, June 1, with visitors set to have the choice of more than 50 performances and activities from the likes of The Album: Skool Edition, Bob the Butterfly & Gerry the Gerbera, Cloud Travellers and the musical bar with Serving Sounds.
The Working Boys Club will be serving drinks (Image: Oldham Council)
Visitors will be able to take a light-hearted look around Oldham with Cultural Comedy tours and join in on activities from Oldham Play Action Group and much more!
The festival is free so those looking for something to do with the kids during the half term are encouraged to visit.
This year will see the addition of Oldham’s Local Music stage, situated at the Old Town Hall which will see live performances throughout the day from the likes of Mercy Kelly, Millie Milner & the Deadnames, Global Grooves, and Heavy Salad.
Heavy Salad are set to perform (Image: Oldham Council)
Gallery Oldham will host Fabric Feathers, a giant owl installation in the Gallery Garden’s where visitors can add to its feathers throughout the day and give live artist Hammo a hand with a 175-celebration mural.
Whilst there, those attending can check out the performances and crafts inside the Gallery and head on upstairs to Gallery Oldham’s newest exhibit Ocean Drifters and be amazed by the inflatable giant jellyfish.
The full list of performers can be found here.
Mercy Kelly will also be performing at Oldham's Local Music stage (Image: Oldham Council)
The Mayor of Oldham, Cllr Zahid Chauhan, said: “It’s great to have Festival Oldham back and this year it’s even more special, as we gear up to celebrate the 175 anniversary of Oldham becoming a borough.
“I encourage you to bring your families and friends into the town centre to watch and take part in high-quality cultural experiences in a fun and safe environment – and it’s all free.
The festival falls during half term (Image: Oldham Council)
“There is a great line up of performances that will provide a lively programme of family friendly entertainment and activities designed to bring our community together and celebrate being part of the borough.”
Brochures will be available on the day from Oldham Council staff which will provide more information about the locations and times of each activity.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here