An exciting programme of events is being delivered by Rochdale Borough Council to provide a boost to residents and businesses as well as attracting thousands of visitors from across the region.
The events include Rochdale Feel Good Festival, Street Eat, Rochdale Digital Festival and more – meaning 2019 is shaping up to be another cracker.
This month sees The Gin Society Festival return to Rochdale Town Hall on Friday 22 and Saturday 23 February. Promising pure gin delight, 120 listed gins, plus new and local gins to enhance your experience and live entertainment. There are still tickets available for Friday evening and Saturday afternoon.
On Wednesday 27 February top comedian and master of the one-liner Tim Vine brings his ‘Sunset Milk Idiot’ show to Middleton Arena.
On Sunday 3 March Rochdale Wedding Show returns, with hundreds of couples planning to tie the knot heading to the town hall alongside over 35 of the borough’s stylish and inspiring suppliers plus breath-taking catwalk shows. Outside there’ll be a beautiful collection of wedding cars as well as a few surprises.
Rochdale Food & Drink Festival is staged on Saturday 16 March with a packed menu of mouth-watering fare, star chefs including Masterchef finalist Dean Edwards from ITV1’s ‘Lorraine’, family entertainment including Mr Bloom from CBeebies, live music and bars.
The second RochdALE Trail is back from 18 to 22 April across Rochdale’s best town centre bars and pubs. Organisers will be hoping to pull in pint lovers once again with over 100 real ales, ciders, locally-brewed ales and unique craft beers.
Greater Manchester cycle sportive Tour de Manc sets off from Bowlee Park in Middleton again on Sunday 5 May, with the choice of a 100 mile or 100 kilometre ride.
On Saturday and Sunday 25 and 26 May the popular Street Eat food event will be tickling tastebuds again in Rochdale Town Hall Square over the Bank Holiday weekend, celebrating the best local restaurants and the town’s growing food scene. Organised by Rochdale Town Centre Management and supported by the council, the event will feature artisan food vans, music, suppliers and producers – as well as pop-up bars.
On 7 and 8 June Rochdale Digital Festival is extended to two days for the first time, bringing together people and technology, allowing everyone the opportunity to explore the digital scene in the borough and get hands on experience with the latest initiatives.
On Saturday 22 June the streets will be taken over for Heywood 1940’s Day in the town centre. As always, a fun day for all the family is promised, with military vehicles, music, a parade, children’s rides and lots more.
After striking gold in the RHS Britain in Bloom competition last year, throughout July the borough will again be bursting with dazzling colour as Rochdale, Heywood, Middleton and the Pennines take part in North West In Bloom. Ahead of the world famous Dippy the Dinosaur visiting Rochdale next year as part of a UK tour there will also be dino themed planting and environmental projects boroughwide.
Always a highlight on the calendar - Rochdale Feel Good Festival is back on Saturday 10 August for its 12th edition - another showcase of top class entertainment, food and culture. There will be live music across indoor venues, a main stage against the backdrop of the town hall, a quality food and drink court, Family Zone and other entertainment.
Williams BMW Rochdale Half Marathon, 10K and Fun Run will be staged on Sunday 6 October. Since 2015 over 4,500 people have taken part in the event, which sets out on routes taking in town and some of the north west’s most picturesque countryside scenes.
That will be followed by a week of arts and culture thanks to Rochdale Literature & Ideas Festival, when another chapter in the festival’s history is written from 14 to 21 October. Expect shows and events for all ages, covering drama, comedy, poetry, spoken word, visual arts and children’s shows.
Remembrance Sunday Services and Parades will be held boroughwide on Sunday 10 November.
There’s also another instalment of the RochdALE Trail planned between 11 – 17 November.
Councillor Janet Emsley, Cabinet Member for neighbourhoods, community and culture said:
“There’s lots to see and do in the borough this year, giving residents and visitors lots of reasons to come into town, supporting our shops, businesses and attractions as well as all the positive publicity which these events generate. As always we try to make improvements and integrate new ideas based on visitor feedback. Once again the council will also be supporting numerous other events organised by community groups and individuals. Our calendar is always being updated.”
To discover more about events in the borough, visit www.rochdale.gov.uk/events and follow Rochdale Borough Council on Facebook.
13 Feb 2019