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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You can line dance to Lily Allen’s West End Girl in full right here in Manchester
Thomas Melia
After a fun way to kickstart the New Year? Some people might suggest hobbies like ‘Tennis’, but how about a line dancing class playing Lily Allen’s new album in its entirety – we know which we’d rather do.
Grab your nearest ‘Nonmonogamummy’ or take ‘Madeline’, if you know one, because there’s a line dance class where you get to line dance to Lily Allen’s West End Girl in full right here in Manchester.
Hosted by Red Rodeo Club, a queer line dancing group based in Manchester, who have hosted monthly artist-inspired events city wide including Chappell Roan, Beyoncé, Charli XCX and more.
This troupe even managed to line dance all the way to one of Manchester’s most reputable LGBTQIA+ nights of the year, performing on the Archive stage at Homobloc just last month.
Now, Red Rodeo is returning with another special night that is sure to interest all the West Endand North West girls across Manchester, as it prepares a Lily Allen line dance spectacular later this month.
If you’re ‘Ruminating’ about attending this event, there’s absolutely no pressure or dance experience needed as the group prides itself on providing ‘classic boot-scootin tutorials with a party vibe’.
You’ll definitely be in good company regardless of your dance partners, as hosting the event is Violet Blonde, known for their extraordinary outfits and love of Country icon Dolly Parton.
We’re already onto a winner…
Your dance instructor for the night is the remarkable Shanika Sunrise, a rapper and producer, who boasts a seriously impressive roster of acts they’ve opened for, including Chappell Roan, Cupcakke and Moonchild Sanelly.
Opportunities like this aren’t always feasible for everyone, which is something this line dance group is aware of as they’re offering a ‘Red Rodeo Club Low Income Ticket’, suited for students, unwaged and disabled attendees.
Red Rodeo Club is bringing the ‘Lily Allen edition’ line dance class to Fairfield Social Club in Manchester on Thursday, 29 January 2026, from 7-10:30pm.
If you’re interested in grapevine stepping or electric shuffling your way to the Lily Allen West End Girl line dance event in Manchester, you can find tickets HERE.
A ‘Bubble Planet Experience’ with giant ball pits and an infinity room is coming to Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Manchester will soon welcome a ‘dreamlike world’ filled with giant, colourful bubbles, when Bubble Planet Experience makes its Manchester debut.
Expect giant ball pits, giant balloons, floating soap bubbles, and an infinity room in this brand-new-for-us immersive experience.
Bubble Planet Experience has already been visited by more than four million people in cities across the globe, including New York, Los Angeles, and London – now it’s time for its first trip to Manchester, where it’ll pop up inside Depot Mayfield.
Visitors will be able to explore 10 themed rooms, each one offering a different surreal landscape that will ‘blur the boundaries between dream and reality’.
Highlights include the Bubble Ocean, a vast expanse of bubbles designed to evoke calm and serenity, and the Infinity Room, where mirrors and shifting lights create the illusion of endless space.
Underwater Bubbles will transport visitors into a hypnotic aquatic world, recreating the magic and mystery of deep-sea exploration.
An infinity room at Bubble Planet Experience
There’s also a Bubble Dome, where younger visitors can unleash their creativity in a play area, plus the chance to go on a virtual reality adventure.
Expect dazzling light displays, interactive installations, and unexpected textures.
Bubble Planet Experience is co-produced by family entertainment producer Exhibition Hub and Fever.
Hamza El Azhar, CEO of Exhibition Hub, said: “We are delighted to be bringing Bubble Planet to Manchester for the very first time alongside the team at Fever, and to be part of a city with such a strong and celebrated cultural identity.
“We look forward to welcoming everyone to experience a joyful, immersive adventure that sparks curiosity and wonder for all ages.”
The waitlist for early access to tickets is available HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
15th August 2025 
