FAB - Youth Arts Festival

FAB Youth Arts Festival Programme

You can now explore the full FAB Festival programme taking place in Rochdale Town Centre on Saturday 28 March 2026.

Created with young people and for young people, FAB (which stands for freedom, art and belonging) will feature theatre, live music, dance, poetry, circus, exhibitions, e‑gaming, murals, a carnival parade and much more, showcasing work by local children and young people.

The list below provides a snapshot of the programme. Use this digital map to find out more about each activity and where it is taking place. All activities are free. Some events have limited capacity and require booking.

• All Day, Square Gallery Exhibition by Hopwood Hall College and PLACED
• All Day, new mural by AYLO, inspired by local children and young people
• 10:00 - 10:20 Film Screenings (Pinc College and Side by Side), Rochdale Town Hall
• 10:00 - 15:00 Poetry Exhibition in Rochdale Central Library.
• 10:00 - 15:00 Good Shout Exhibition, Unit 13 Riverside Shopping Centre
• 10:00 - 16:00 Culture Awards Exhibition in Rochdale Town Hall.
• 10:00 - 16:00 Broadfield Slopes Heritage Scavenger Hunt
• 10:30 - 11:30 Family Circus Workshop at Skylight Circus Arts. Booking required.
• 10:30 - 12:30 Poetry Workshop at Rochdale Library. Booking required. Ages 13+
• 11:00 - 11:50 Rochdale Music Service, Morning Showcase
• 11:00 - 12:00 M6 Performance, The Street Where I Live, Booking Required. Suitable for ages 3+.
• 11:00 - 15:00 Teenage Market, in Rochdale Town Hall.
• 11:00 - 15:30 Activities with Rochdale Youth Services, Rochdale Town Hall
• 12:00 - 12:15 Dance performance, Amaranthine by Company Chameleon
• 12:00 - 12:20 Have a Go Music Workshop, Rochdale Town Hall
• 12:00 - 14:00 Exhibition, Creative Activities and E Gaming at Hopwood Hall College
• 12:00 - 14:00 Ward 76 Theatre Performance and workshop - booking required

·                     12:30 - 13:30 SEND Friendly Circus Workshop at Skylight Circus Arts

·                     12:45 - 13:30 Global Grooves Carnival Parade Workshop

• 13:30 - 13:50 Film Screenings (Pinc College and Side by Side), Town Hall.
• 14:00 - 14:55 Rochdale Music Service, Afternoon Showcase
• 14:00 - 15:00 M6 Performance, The Street Where I live Booking required. Suitable for ages 3+.

·                     14:00 - 15:00 Teens Circus Workshop at Skylight Circus Arts, booking required

• 14:30 - 16:00 Express Yourself, drop in creative activities with Rochdale Young Producers
• 14:45 - 15:00 Dance performance, Amaranthine by Company Chameleon
• 15:20 - 16:10 Film Screenings (Pinc College and Side by Side), Town Hall.

·   15:30 - 16:00 Global Grooves Carinval Parade, Rochdale Town Centre

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

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.