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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A major Manchester attraction is now offering 50% off kids tickets all autumn
Emily Sergeant
A major Manchester attraction is now offering 50% off kids tickets all autumn.
Autumn in Greater Manchester may be a thing of beauty, but if one thing’s for certain, the weather to get out there and appreciate the season it isn’t always the most reliable. That’s why many parents, guardians, and carers are often on the lookout for indoor activities to take the kids to when the heavens open – even better if the don’t break the bank too much.
Luckily, families looking for an affordable day out over the next couple of weeks can make the most of a new offer from a popular attraction, with 50% off child one-day tickets when purchased alongside a full-price adult ticket.
The offer gives families the chance to enjoy an underwater adventure for less at either SEA LIFE Manchester inside Trafford Palazzo, or a tad further afield SEA LIFE Blackpool.
At SEA LIFE Manchester, families can explore more than 30 display tanks and discover over 5,000 sea creatures – from sharks and rays in the immersive Ocean Tunnel, to colourful jellyfish and inquisitive sea turtles at Turtle Beach.
Meanwhile, over at SEA LIFE Blackpool, there’s a newly transformed ocean tank – which reopened early this summer following a £1.4 million refurbishment.
The 500,000-litre Jurassic-themed habitat is home to more than 50 creatures, including blacktip reef sharks, nurse sharks, stingrays, and green sea turtles.
Fancy it then? The half-price offer is currently live and runs up until 15 October 2026, with up to three discounted child tickets per booking.
The offer can only be redeemed when you book tickets online here.
Featured Image – Supplied
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Charli XCX announces massive Manchester arena gig as part of long-awaited UK and European tour
Emily Sergeant
Charli XCX has finally given UK fans the news they’ve been waiting for.
After the genre-bending popstar announced back in June a series of US gigs this autumn to support and celebrate the release of her eighth studio albumMusic, Fashion, Film – which was met with critical acclaim following its release in late July – fans in her home country were wondering when she would announce UK dates to accompany these.
The 34-year-old been had hinting at a UK and European leg of the Music, Fashion, Film Tour on social media over the past couple of months, but nothing was set in stone as of yet.
Then last night, Charli took to Twitter to announce that she ‘finally’ had some information coming today (11 September), and then followed it up with a teaser video – sending fans into a frenzy.
And now, it has been announced this morning that Charli XCX will be taking to the Co-op Live stage early next year.
Support on the UK and European leg of the Music, Fashion, Film Tour will come from US popstar Audrey Hobert.
Hobert has been having somewhat of a star-making year herself in 2026 following the release of her own critically acclaimed debut album, Who’s The Clown?, last year – with her streams racking up daily and drawing in massive crowds on the festival circuit this summer.
Charli XCX – Music, Fashion, Film Tour UK & EU Dates 2027
13 February – 3Arena, Dublin
15 February – OVO Hydro, Glasgow
17 February – Co-op Live, Manchester
19 February – The O2, London
22 February – Ziggo Dome, Amsterdam
24 February – Accor Arena, Paris
Upon release back in July, Music, Fashion, Film the album received acclaim from music critics, who praised its lyrical honesty and experimental production, as Charli took a sonic journey away from the undeniable mega hit that was her 2024 album BRAT, and into ‘Rock Music’ territory.
Music, Fashion, Film topped the charts in the UK and Australia, as well as in Belgium, Hungary, and New Zealand, while reaching the top 10 in countless other countries – including the US.
Charli XCX will be bringing the Music, Fashion, Film Tour to Manchester‘s Co-op Live on Wednesday 17 February 2027, and tickets will go on sale next week.
Emily Sergeant -
15th August 2025 
