Parents and businesses in Oldham celebrated World Breastfeeding in Public Day at Alexandra Park's new Environment Centre. The event, organised by Home-Start HOST's Infant Feeding Peer Support Team with Oldham Council support, followed last year's successful inaugural celebration in Rochdale. The gathering aimed to boost parents' confidence when breastfeeding and counter stigma surrounding public breastfeeding. Families met local organisations and healthcare professionals, participated in craft activities, and had breastfeeding portraits taken. Breastfeeding rates in Oldham reached a record high of 52% for six-to-eight-week-old babies in 2025.
Oldham singing duo the Two Connors, Callum and Danny Connor, have announced their first 2026 gig at Boundary Park on Saturday, May 9. The brothers, who recently topped both iTunes and UK Singles Downloads charts with 'Familiar Faces', will perform live for the first time at the FSW Bar 1895. This follows their previous Boundary Park appearance in April 2025 and Latics' summer 'Party in the Park' event. Supporting act Sam Hewitt, who appeared on BBC's Let It Shine, will join them. Tickets cost £10 and are available via the Oldham Athletic website.
The Jayne Barnes School of Dance in Oldham is preparing for a trip to Disneyland Paris in June, where 13 of its 60 dancers will perform a 20-minute show inspired by Mary Poppins and Toy Story. Teacher Rachel Riley said the trip is special as most dancers have never been to Disneyland before. The school previously performed at Disneyland in 2018 in front of 6,000 people. The trip is being organised with Perform in the Magic, an official Disney Performing Arts partner, and includes 30 people total including parents and teachers.
Oldham Council hosts the Oldham Works Summit and Future Ready Careers Experience on Thursday, launching the Employment and Skills Plan 2025-2030. The summit brings together partners, employers and education leaders to drive opportunity and skills for residents. The careers event at Queen Elizabeth Hall will welcome over 650 pupils in years 9 to 11 plus young people not in education, employment or training, home-educated pupils and those with SEND. Interactive sessions cover Construction, Green Economy, Creative, Digital, Education, Engineering, Financial Services and Health sectors. Cllr Mohon Ali highlights Oldham's ambition to build a skilled, confident borough through partnership.
Oldham's annual Christmas Lights Switch-On returns Saturday 15 November 2025 from 5.30pm to 6.30pm outside the Old Town Hall. The free event features performances from Fierce Dance, Oldham Coliseum's 'A Christmas Fair', Beauty and the Beast panto cast, Ollie & Millie, Rodney the Reindeer, and Frank Rothwell. Father Christmas will appear alongside Bluey and Bingo in the Market Hall from 2pm. The evening concludes with the official light switch-on and Christmas-themed fireworks. One child can win the chance to press the button by entering at oldham.gov.uk/push_the_button before 12 November. Additional Saturday entertainment runs 22 November to 13 December, 12noon-4pm.
Oldham Council is hosting Festive Saturdays, a series of free family events in Oldham town centre across four weekends from November 22 to December 13, 2025. The events run from 12-4pm each Saturday and include Victorian Christmas on November 22, Festive Feast on November 29, Winter Wonderland on December 6, and Santa's Workshop on December 13. Santa's Grotto will be available at the Market Hall from 12-4pm on all event dates. Dr Kershaw's Hospice will also run Santa's Grotto at Spindles from November 28 to Christmas Eve, with bookings via SantaBooker. Councillor Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council, said the events aim to bring extra magic to the town centre, offer free entertainment, support local businesses, and celebrate the season together.
Chadderton Town Hall will host its first wedding fair on Sunday 25 January 2026, offering couples the chance to win a free wedding. The event marks a new community initiative at the historic venue. Separately, Oldham Council has partnered with local organisations to create a community growing hub at Berries Field Park in Chadderton, which opened in December 2025. The growing hub aims to provide residents with space for community gardening and food production. In May 2025, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Local Government Alex Norris MP visited Chadderton to review the Council's neighbourhood investment plans for the town, demonstrating ongoing government interest in local development projects.
Oldham's Illuminate Light Night festival is returning in 2026, bringing Blackpool Illuminations to the town for a spectacular light display. The event will transform Oldham, inviting residents to see the town in a new light. This follows other recent local events including Katie Price's upcoming panto debut in Oldham this Easter, the 2024 Christmas Lights Switch-On featuring Bluey and Coronation Street star Peter Rush, and a £168,000 boost to Northmoor Library announced in March 2024. The Illuminate Festival represents another major cultural event for Oldham residents to enjoy.
Oldham's Illuminate Festival took place on Saturday, February 21, 2026, bringing 'joy and energy' to the town centre despite cold and rainy weather. The annual event featured street performers, giant puppets, live music, and impressive light installations across multiple locations including the Old Town Hall, Gallery Oldham, Oldham Library, and Oldham Parish Church. A highlight was the transformation of the Old Town Hall with projected artwork based on the story of the Indian Roller Bird and the Queen Honey Bee. Residents praised the event online, with many calling it the best Illuminate parade to date.
Oldham's Illuminate Light Night returns for its ninth year on Saturday 21 February 2026, transforming the town centre with free light art, performances, and installations from 6pm to 9pm. The event features over 15 installations including Sentinel by Studio Vertigo, Illumaphonium's interactive musical sculpture, and The Relic of Mirchwood Forest by Laura Spark. Oldham Council Leader Cllr Arooj Shah encourages residents to attend this free celebration showcasing local creativity. The route is fully accessible and suitable for all ages, with free parking available at council-managed car parks for up to three hours on weekends.
Chadderton Town Hall will host its first wedding fair on Sunday 25 January 2026 from 11am-3pm. Couples attending and completing feedback forms will enter a free draw to win their wedding ceremony at the venue. The fair features over 20 exhibitors including florists, photographers, wedding cars, and cakes. Springhill Hospice will attend with donated wedding attire including bridal wear, suits, and bridesmaids' dresses available to try on and purchase at reduced prices. Registrars will be present to showcase the staircase, Oak Room, and Green Room, and to discuss ceremony bookings and legal requirements. Entry and parking are free, with goody bags for the first 100 couples. To book, email [email protected].
Gallery Oldham launches 'Women Portraits: Trades & Professions' by Charlotte Hodes on January 17, running until May 9. The free exhibition uses papercuts and ceramic vases to celebrate women's contributions to professions historically dominated by men. Inspired by Northern Roots urban farm, the show features imagined portraits identified by tools of trade rather than physical features. It references inspirational women including Dr Olive Clayden, Lydia Becker, and contemporary changemakers like beekeeper Damson Tregaskis.