A new arts festival is coming to Rochdale this month, bringing a week of performances, exhibitions, and hands-on activities ‘shaped by local people’.
Developed with community input and led by local voices, Side-by-Side – which has been organised by Touchstones Rochdale – will showcase Rochdale’s talent, imagination, and creativity in a bid to bring people together, strengthen community spirit, and share the stories, cultures and activities that make the borough unique.
Across the week of the festival, visitors can enjoy a packed programme of fantastic events led by local community groups.
These range from performances and exhibitions, to baby yoga, creative workshops, and more.
One of the festival’s stand-out events is set to be a funny and thought-provoking performance set in a children’s hospital called Ward 76.
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The show blends comedy with real-life themes, and explores growing up, disability myths, and the everyday humour that connects us, and then after the performance has finished, audiences can join in a wheelchair obstacle course to bring the show’s themes to life.
The Friday of the festival brings the chance to relax and build confidence, as there’ll be a ‘Pizza Party’ where professional artists from Rochdale’s Side-by-Side: ‘Set A’ youth group will set out picnic blankets and serve free pizza in a relaxed community setting, before the afternoon then shifts its spotlight onto Rochdale’s Youth Takeover where young people from across the borough have curated a full line-up of activities.
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From meditation sessions to hands-on creative workshops, the afternoon will be packed with opportunities for young voices to be heard and celebrated.
A new community arts festival with dozens of free events takes over Rochdale this summer / Credit: Alan Hamer (Supplied)
Some of the other events on the lineup include a relaxed drop-in workshop featuring mindful drawing, beading and more, and more plays and productions presented by local drama groups set up to support Rochdale residents.
“Side-by-Side is a new arts festival for the borough of Rochdale that is about bringing together, working together and being together,” commented Harry Meadley, who is the festival’s Creative Lead.
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“It’s a chance to experience and celebrate artworks, performances, events, workshops and activities created by people from across the borough. But more than that, it’s an invitation to get involved – not just now, but in shaping the festivals to come.
“So whether as a visitor, spectator, participant or future collaborator, we look forward to welcoming you in, and sitting or standing side by side with you.”
Side-by-Side is taking over Rochdale Town Hall Square from Wednesday 20 to Wednesday 27 August.
All events are either free to attend or offered on a ‘pay what you can’ basis – with options to pay £2.50, £5, or £7.50, as any income generated will be reinvested in supporting further community-led work through Touchstones.
Featured Image – Alan Hamer (Supplied)
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Popular street food market GRUB is back and taking over MediaCity docks this Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s award-winning street food market GRUB has returned for a festive takeover with a lineup of tasty vendors.
GRUB, Manchester’s leading independent street food and events collective – which recently said goodbye to its former home over at the Red Bank Project in the Green Quarter – is teaming up with MediaCity to bring a brand-new festive feasting hub to the waterfront this winter.
GRUB On The Docks: Christmas Takeover will transform the On The Docks site into a cosy, seasonal hub for residents, workers, and visitors.
Taking place now across three long weekends from Wednesday to Saturday right up until 13 December, you can expect great food, winter drinks, festive entertainment, a selection of community-led experiences curated in true GRUB style, and even a mini Christmas market.
The MediaCity site is set to ‘come alive’ with a rotating street food lineup, Christmas specials, and festive moments throughout the takeover.
The core trader lineup includes CAFF, Above and Beyond, Baby Mayhem, and Wholesome Junkies.
Baby Mayhem will launch a brand-new dessert exclusive to MediaCity, while Wholesome Junkies bring the award-winning vegan cooking that has been featured on Netflix and on BBC’s Million Pound Menu, alongside plenty of other things to look forward to.
On top of that, the festive GRUB bar will serve a bespoke seasonal drinks menu throughout the full three-week run.
Wholesome JunkiesBaby Mayhem
“Partnering with GRUB is an exciting step as we continue to evolve the experiences on offer at MediaCity,” explained Joshua McAllister, who is the Senior Events Manager at MediaCity.
“With a focus on independent talent, great Manchester food tenants, seasonal drinks and relaxed festive moments, this collaboration reflects our aim to create vibrant, inclusive spaces. We are confident GRUB will bring a warm and enjoyable addition for everyone to discover this winter.”
GRUB’s takeover of the On The Docks site is set to be ‘just the start’ of a developing long-term partnership with MediaCity that will bring even more food, drink, and cultural experiences to the waterfront.
In 2026, GRUB will expand its programme with a refreshed calendar of events and activations, with more details coming soon.
Featured Image – MediaCity (Supplied)
What's On
Manchester’s firework displays are ‘back with a bang’ as they return from 2026
Emily Sergeant
Council-organised firework displays in Manchester’s parks are set to return from next year, it has been confirmed.
You may remember that these once-popular events have not been held since 2019, as the COVID-19 pandemic initially prevented them from taking place from 2020 onwards, and then following that, they remained paused on a trial basis while the Manchester City Council sought to ‘reprioritise funding’ to support a wider range of free community events across the city.
But now, as it seems, the door was never shut on their potential return.
An ‘improved financial position’ now means that the Council is in a position to bring firework events back, while also still continuing to support other community events.
Papers setting out the Council’s financial position show that fairer funding being introduced by the Government next year will leave the Council better off than previously anticipated, he the reason firework displays have been brought back into the mix.
The Council has admitted that ‘pressures remain’ after so many years of financial cuts, but this new funding creates the opportunity to invest in the things residents have said matter the most to them.
“Manchester prides itself on free community events and we know many people have missed Bonfire night firework spectaculars,” commented Cllr Bev Craig, who is the Leader of Manchester City Council.
“That’s why we are pleased to confirm they’ll be back by popular demand in 2026.
“We know that generations of Mancunians have enjoyed Council-organised displays and that free family events are a great way to bring people together… [and] now that this Government is actually investing in Councils like ours rather than the cuts we had since 2010, we can bring back Bonfire events.”
Emily Sergeant -
15th August 2025 
