Looking ahead to a year of entertainment

Previews, reviews, interviews and recommendations with Steve Cooke

- PREVIEW BY STEVE COOKE

ROCHDALE is set for a spectacular year of festivals, performances, exhibitions and art, entertaining residents and attracting thousands of visitors from across the region.

Its year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture began earlier this month with a Flight of Fancy parade drawing a crowd of more than 2,500 to Rochdale Town Hall Square, while an outdoor gallery featuring 23 new pieces of public art is about to open on Drake Street.

The title, awarded by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), celebrates the town’s rich history, creativity, talent and diverse arts scene.

Rochdale is building on the town’s cultural capital and international reputation as the home of the co-operative movement with more than 35 arts organisations delivering an ambitious programme that runs until the end of March 2026.

‘People power’ will be centre stage throughout the year, with residents helping to plan, develop and deliver much of the line-up of creative activity alongside a number of big events.