Oldham named Greater Manchester Town of Culture 2026-27

Oldham has been named Greater Manchester's Town of Culture for 2026-27, bringing a year-long celebration of arts, heritage and community events to the borough. The award comes with a £50,000 grant from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and will run from spring 2026 through 2027.

The programme, called 'Rising Up', will focus on three themes: Reach (widening participation and skills), Rise (festivals and performances in the town centre), and Soar (new commissions and lasting legacy). It aims to boost arts participation among young people and under-represented groups while attracting visitors and investment to Oldham.

Councillor Arooj Shah called it 'a huge moment of pride' that coincides with over £450 million in town centre regeneration. The announcement came as Oldham opens its new events space and market, with Shah saying these investments are creating 'a vibrant town centre where culture, community and business can thrive'.

The programme will feature work from local venues including the Oldham Coliseum Theatre, which is preparing to reopen with Julie Hesmondhalgh as Guest Curator. Martina Murphy, the Coliseum's CEO, said there's 'a real creative energy building across the borough' and that this recognition signals 'Oldham's future is creative, ambitious and ours to shape'.