Oldham championed its youth at Festival Oldham on Saturday, showcasing everything from bands to plays created by primary school children.
Jubacana, a youth-led Brazilian percussion band, drew crowds in with their original music accompanied by energetic dance, whilst children from Burnley Brow Community School brought Sophie Tyrrell’s exhibition Oldham Wakes to life through theatre.
With the borough facing rising demand and costs for children’s services, the festival highlighted the importance of investing in creative opportunities for young people.
The Mayor of Oldham, Councillor Eddie Moores, said: “We have great music services, brass bands and actors.
“We have got marvellous talent and such marvellous ways of developing our young people, and we should celebrate that.”
The Mayor took to the stage to officially launch Oldham’s Rising Up programme, aimed at supporting creative skills development and funded by a £50,000 grant, after the borough won the title of Greater Manchester Town of Culture with the project.
He said the 12-month programme will showcase theatre, music and art from across the borough, adding that sport will also play a key role.
Oldham’s Saddleworth Cricket, Bowling and Tennis Club, set against a backdrop of rolling hills, provides young people with a place to play sport and spend time outdoors.
The Mayor added: “We are a fantastic borough with wonderful people, talent and organisations, and we should be celebrating that by rising up and making Oldham great.”
The borough has begun implementing a Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sport Strategy and Action Plan aimed at developing outdoor sports spaces, further cementing sport’s place in the borough’s cultural calendar.
Alongside celebrating Oldham’s young people, the festival also featured Oldham’s answer to Sabrina Carpenter, a mystical lion and dancing pigeons.
Featured image: Jubacana performing in Market Place / Georgina Garness Copyright 2026
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