FAB - Youth Arts Festival

Rochdale's Young Creatives Are Taking Over… and It's Absolutely FAB 

A brand-new youth arts festival is set to bring a burst of creativity to Rochdale: FAB, a festival celebrating Freedom, Art and Belonging, will take over the town centre on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 March, placing young people firmly at the heart of a packed programme of events. 

Created with young people for young people, FAB (freedom, art and belonging) will include theatre, live music, dance, poetry, circus, exhibitions, murals, a carnival parade and lots more, showcasing work by local children and young people.   

The festival is taking over Rochdale Town Centre - cehck out our Festival Map for locations & listings: VIEW FAB FESTIVAL MAP 

All events are free to attend.

FULL PROGRAMME

For more information on each event click on the links or check out our 'What's On' section at the bottom of this page

Friday, 27 March 

Friday's programme is focused on schools - please get in touch with admin@rochdalecreates.co.uk for more information

Saturday, 28 March

For travel information please look: here

Elements of the Youth Arts Festival will be shaped by a group of young people from across the borough, managed by Rochdale Youth Services and the Local Education Partnership ‘Create Rochdale’. All elements of the event - including its name and colourful logo - have been designed by over 100 local young people.

Highlights on the line-up include the creation of a huge new mural on the side of the Regal Moon building in Rochdale town centre by leading mural artist Hayley Garner (aka Aylo), curator of last year’s Common Walls International Mural Festival. 

The festival will also feature a lively carnival parade by Global Grooves and the Nigeria Community Association, live performances by M6 Theatre, and a striking outdoor art exhibition at the Square Gallery in front of Rochdale Town Hall -  making it an unmissable celebration of creativity in the heart of the town. 

There are also new murals being created on Yorkshire Street, with young artists mentored by Aylo and a Teenage Market will be held.   

The festival’s main sponsor is Hopwood Hall College, which hosts several exhibitions and workshops on the Saturday, and Skylight Circus Arts Youth Circus will also be performing shows for the whole family to enjoy , with opportunities to join in too. All elements of the event have been designed by over 100  local young people, even its name and colourful logo.   

Part of something bigger  

The Youth Arts Festival is part of a spectacular line-up of festivals, live performances, exhibitions and art during Rochdale’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture 2025-26. The title, awarded by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, celebrates the town’s rich history, creativity, talent and diverse arts scene. Find out more at www.rochdale.gov.uk/TownOfCulture     

The FAB Youth Arts Festival is supported by the government’s Flexible Funds, Hopwood Hall College, Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Arts Council England.   

Business Hours

• Monday: Closed
• Tuesday: Closed
• Wednesday: Closed
• Thursday: Closed
• Friday: Closed
• Saturday: 10am - 4pm
• Sunday: Closed