Festivals

Visitors to Oldham will find a varied Summer festival program for the whole family, celebrating the area’s past and present:-

Festival Oldham is our annual celebration of art and entertainment in Oldham town centre. We take to the streets every May Bank Holiday weekend with shows, street theatre, children’s events and arts activities for all the family.

Visit the Flower Festival, celebrating 240 years of the original St Margaret’s Church.

Oldham MELA in Alexandra Park is a family day out with lots of fun activities.

The Saddleworth Folk Festival is one of the country’s finest festivals, taking place in Uppermill on the edge of the Pennines.  There’s something for everyone with concerts, workshops and sessions with some of the top names in folk music, craft fairs, camping facilities and great places to eat out. 

The Festival of Diversity celebrates and promotes the diversity of Oldham’s communities and encourages the exchange of ideas between people from similar or different backgrounds.

The Saddleworth Rushcart Festival in Uppermill involves around 100 Morris Dancers from all over England pulling around a wooden cart ladened with rushes stacked five metres high and decorated with banners.  Definitely a sight worth seeing!

The Saddleworth Beer Festival at Saddleworth Museum and boasts a wide variety of beers and traditional real ales from the region’s breweries.  Feather Pluckers Mild, Thirsty Moon, Bill O' Jacks Bitter and Brewer's Gold are but a few amongst the selection for sampling!  During the two day festival bands play their music and set the mood for the event.