Our guide to what you can do in and around the borough this weekend

Pantomimes, Rochdale Festive Vegan Market, The Rotary Club of Heywood Christmas Sleigh, Whitworth Santa Express, Christmas Fair at Lodge Mill, Sail with Santa, Middleton's Big Sing Festival of Carols and Songs, Rochdale AFC v Newport County, Gaia Exhibition and Live Music - lots to do in and around the borough this weekend.

• Events happening all weekend

Covid-19 Vaccine Clinics

There are more than 20 walk-in vaccination clinics running at various locations across the borough in December. No appointment is needed for any of the clinics, but people that are booked in elsewhere should stick to their existing appointments.

Full list of local vaccine clinics…

Gaia Exhibition - Number One Riverside every day until Christmas Eve
Open 9am – 5pm Friday, 10am – 5pm Saturday & 1pm – 5pm Sunday

Measuring seven metres in diameter and created from detailed NASA imagery, 'Gaia' is a huge work of art depicting planet Earth.

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/67090/

Christmas at Lodge Mill, Middleton – Friday 17 - Sunday 19 December, 12noon – 8pm

Fair selling locally made crafts and foods, free Santa's grotto and a memory tree.

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/67900/

Sail with Santa – Hollingworth Lake, various times from 9am – 2pm from Friday 17 to Sunday 19 December

Hop aboard Santa’s floating grotto, take a trip across the lake and post your Christmas list in the elf post box.

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/67839/

Pantomime: Finding Mickey 3 – Bo-Jangles Theatre, Friday 17 Decmber at 7pm & Saturday 18 December at 2pm

Tickets are still available for this festive panto with Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/67831/

Santa's Grotto – Touchstones Rochdale, every 45 minutes from 10am - 4pm on Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 December

Festive storytime session, craft activity, share your Christmas list with Santa and receive a gift to take home.

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/67843/

Christmas Pantomime: Cinderella – Heywood Sports Village, various times on Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 December

Follow the rags to riches tale where dreams come true with a special invitation to the Ball.

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/67407/

Christmas Pantomime: Treasure Island – Middleton Arena, various times on Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 December

An unforgettable experience for children and adults alike with songs, dance and amazing special effects.

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/67380/

 

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• Friday 17 December

HMR Circle Lunch Club-Club (Kirkholt) – The Strand Community Hub, 12noon

A fabulous 2 course meal, games and raffles.

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/67866/

Middleton's Big Sing Festival of Carols and Songs – Middleton Gardens, 7pm – 9pm

Around the Christmas tree in Middleton Gardens with free mulled wine and hot Vimto. 

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/67964/

Dolly Parton Tribute - Christmas Party Night – Berni Inn Function Rooms, 7.30pm

Grand festive buffet featuring Katie Marie as Dolly.

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/67832/

Live Music: These Smiths - Empire Rochdale, open 6pm - 4am, live music from 10pm

Tribute to The Smiths and Morrissey.

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/67803/

For a full list of Friday’s events see the Rochdale Online Events Diary:

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/search?searchvalue=17-12-2021&searchtype=date

 

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• Saturday 18 December

Rochdale Festive Vegan Market – Riverside Retail & Leisure Complex, 10.30am – 4pm

Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, dairy or egg-free, the market has something for everyone.

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/67917/

Giant Inflatable Snow Globe – Riverside Retail & Leisure Complex, 11am – 3pm

Large enough to fit up to 8 adults for a festive photo.

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/67915/

Rochdale AFC v Newport County – Crown Oil Arena, 3pm kick off

Sky Bet League Two match at Rochdale’s home ground.

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/67224/

Messy Church – Moorhouse Methodist Church, 4pm – 6pm

Craft, singing, stories, worship and food.

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/67897/

The Rotary Club of Heywood Christmas Sleigh – The sleigh will begin its journey at 4pm from the Tree House Café Car Park at Hopwood Park

All proceeds will go to local charities.

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/67940/

Whitworth Santa Express – route from Tesco Express at 5pm, ending at Facit Fold at 6.45pm

Travel along Market Street past Tesco Express, Basils Restaurant, Orama layby, Cowm Reservoir, Halfway House, Barley View care home, Leavengreave Court / Valley View, Knowsley Crescent, Britannia (as far as New Line) and Facit Fold.

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/67597/

Live Music: The Marley Experience - Empire Rochdale, open 6pm – 4am, live music from 10pm

The number one sound and look alike to Bob Marley.

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/67804/

For a full list of Saturday’s events see the Rochdale Online Events Diary:

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/search?searchvalue=18-12-2021&searchtype=date

 

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• Sunday 19 December

Family Carol Service and Christingle – Saint Andrew Church, Dearnley, 3pm

With children's favourites among the carols.

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/67959/

The Rotary Club of Heywood Christmas Sleigh – The sleigh will begin its journey at 4pm from Iceland Car Park at Bridge Street

All proceeds will go to local charities.

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/67941/

Candlelit Carol Service – Rochdale Parish Church of St Chad, 5pm

With the church choir, full peel of bells and historic pipe organ.

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/67899/

Whitworth Santa Express – route from the Red Lion at 5pm, ending at Whitworth Cricket Club at 6.45pm

Covering the Red Lion, Waingap View, Coppice Drive, Tonacliffe Way, The Oxford, Riddiough / Masseycroft, Wallbank and Whitworth Cricket Club.

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/67598/

ABBA Duo Tribute – Mercure Norton Grange Hotel & Spa, 6pm – 1am

Sing and dance the night away to ABBA hits.

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/67953/

For a full list of Sunday’s events see the Rochdale Online Events Diary:

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/search?searchvalue=19-12-2021&searchtype=date

 

Submit an Event

You can advertise an event for free on Rochdale Online, just submit the details to us via our website:

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/submit

Search our Events section

Search through all the events being held across the Rochdale borough (Rochdale, Littleborough, Middleton & Heywood) on our local event listings: www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/