Rochdale named as Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture for 2025/26

Rochdale has been awarded the title of Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture for 2025/26.

Town of Culture, the annual award by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) highlights the creativity and diversity of one of Greater Manchester’s towns, putting a spotlight on remarkable art, culture and heritage across the region.

Rochdale is the latest town to be awarded the title, following Bury, Stalybridge, Stockport and most recently Bolton.

Councillor Susan Smith, cabinet member for communities and co-operation at Rochdale Borough Council confirmed that Rochdale’s bid had been successful at the Rochdale Borough Culture Network Conference held at Rochdale Town Hall on 27 February.

Rochdale’s year begins in April 2025 and will build on the town’s rich cultural history and international reputation as the home of the co-operative movement with more than 35 arts organisations bringing together an ambitious programme of festivals, exhibitions, events and performances.

In addition to the title, a £50,000 grant from the GMCA Culture Fund will enable organisers to develop a programme of cultural events and activities celebrating the town's heritage.

 

 

Showcasing the very best local talent, Rochdale’s year is promising to put ‘people power’ centre stage, with residents helping to plan, develop and deliver a line-up of creative activity alongside a number of major events including the popular free days out for families - the Feel Good Family Picnic, an exciting new urban arts festival, the Street Eat food and drink festival, a lantern parade, Ignite Fire Festival, live music, a new people’s gallery, the Merhaba Halal food festival, Pride parade and many more to be revealed including major international collaborations. A Poet Laureate and Young Poet Laureate will be commissioned to capture the spirit of Rochdale and celebrate the year.

There will be plenty of opportunities for children and teenagers, with a young producer's scheme, staging Rochdale’s first ever Youth Arts Festival in spring 2026.

 

 

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham said: “Rochdale is a place with a rich cultural history so it is great to name it Greater Manchester’s town of culture as it’s town hall and town centre enter a new era. Rochdale submitted a fantastic bid for this which was incredibly exciting and ambitious while being firmly rooted in its local talent and deep history. We are definitely going to see the very best of what Rochdale has to offer over the next 12 months and people will come from far and wide to see it.”

Paul Waugh, MP for Rochdale said: “It’s fantastic that Rochdale has been awarded Town of Culture this year. Culture brings communities together, drives economic growth and is part of what makes life worth living. Rochdale's arts scene is more vibrant than ever, with creative entrepreneurs in video, painting, photography, music, film and many more areas, making us the place to be in Greater Manchester. I look forward to all the events and activities which will showcase the brilliant creativity of Rochdale.”

Councillor Neil Emmott, leader of Rochdale Borough Council said: “I’m thrilled Rochdale will be Town of Culture for 2025/2026. We’ll be drawing audiences from across Greater Manchester and beyond to enjoy a fabulous programme of new events and activities as well as amplifying our existing offer and recently transformed town hall square and centre.

“We have an amazing community spirit here, with exciting and varied attractions and an array of local talent to help us produce something very special. We’re well connected and have iconic cultural venues that will provide a stunning backdrop to the wonderful year ahead. This grant from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority culture fund will help to develop an inspiring line-up of events and activities celebrating Rochdale’s culture, history and future.”

Rochdale’s Town of Culture programme will run from 1 April 2025 until 31 March 2026 and further details about Rochdale’s year will be announced in the coming weeks as the programme is finalised.