One of Rochdale’s most-loved community events is back for a free, family-friendly day of performance, creativity, and community spirit in the heart of Darnhill.
The Darnhill Festival - winner of Cultural Event of the Year at the 2026 Rochdale Culture Awards - returns on Saturday, July 4. Founded by the Darnhill Festival Association and produced by Cartwheel Arts, the festival runs from 10am to 4pm in and around Darnhill’s Argyle Square. In these times of tightened purse strings, it will not cost a penny to attend.
One People, One Planet
This year's festival theme of 'One People, One Planet' takes inspiration from this summer’s Commonwealth Games and its values of 'Humanity, Equality and Destiny'. The festival will celebrate a shared responsibility to care for each other and for the planet.
The event aims to leave as light a carbon footprint as possible. Costumes and props are made from recycled materials and there are sustainability-focused family-friendly arts and crafts workshops.
What’s on
The day will feature performances from Manchester School of Samba with the legendary dancer and drummer Danny Henry, circus skills with Skylight Circus Arts, and strolling musicians the Flat Cap 3.
Heywood’s Got Talent
The Heywood's Got Talent marquee will be hosted by Alende Amisi, who was Rochdale's young poet in residence during Rochdale Town of Culture 2025/26. Audiences can enjoy performances from DIY Theatre Company, Miss Joanne's Dance School, Wild Things Performing Arts, and local young poets and singers.
Explore the world
The Young Producers are a group of young people from the area who have built skills in event production and event management through a partnership project between Cartwheel Arts and Rochdale Youth Service. Now in Year 4 of their festival takeover, the Young Producers invite visitors to The Yard youth centre, where they will take audiences on a world tour through Japan, France, Nigeria and Brazil, exploring food, fashion, music and flags. No passport required.
New for 2026: Messages of Hope
A brand-new community visual art exhibition will see artwork from local people of all ages - carrying messages of 'Hope, Community, Kindness and Connection' - displayed in windows across the Darnhill area.
And proudly on display in Darnhill’s Community Cafe will be the 'Unity Is Strength Banner', created through a project with women in Rochdale, inspired by the town’s heritage as the birthplace of the Co-operative movement.
Family friendly arts and crafts workshops
Creative workshops will include artist-led hands-on cardboard arts workshops, supported by Rochdale Borough Council's environmental management team, in the Creative Cardboard Marquee. There will also be craftivism and workshops in kokedama - the Japanese art of moss-ball planting - from Creative in Nature.
Families can also enjoy a bouncy castle, a climbing wall, face painting, and activities with sports coaches from Your Trust.
In the weeks leading up to the event, Cartwheel Arts works with local primary schools and community groups through creative workshops - building connections, supporting wellbeing, and ensuring the festival truly belongs to the people of Darnhill.
Steve Beal, stronger communities programme co-ordinator at Cartwheel Arts, said: "What unites us is far greater than what divides us. The festival unites the local community in a fantastic celebration of Darnhill, and the people who live here - connecting different generations and communities. We are very proud to play our part in such a well-loved community event."
About the festival
Founded in 2000 by the Darnhill Festival Association, the festival is co-produced with the local community and delivered by Cartwheel Arts on behalf of the association.
Darnhill Festival 2026 is funded by Heywood Township, the Common Ground Resilience Fund (MHCLG), Heywood Culture Fund (Festival Fund Programme), and the Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund.
Event details
- Date: Saturday, July 4
- Time: 10am to 4pm
- Location: Argyle Square, Darnhill, Heywood, Rochdale, OL10 3RY
- Admission: Free
Location: Rochdale, Greater Manchester
