Darnhill Festival 2023: Celebrating Community and Seaside Delights

The award-winning Darnhill Festival is back!

Mark your calendars for Saturday 1st July and get ready for a seaside-themed extravaganza like no other. This year's festival promises an unforgettable day filled with carnival energy, vibrant arts activities and family-friendly fun that will leave you with lasting memories.

Organised by the Darnhill Festival Association and Cartwheel Arts in collaboration with local residents, schools, youth services, and community groups, Darnhill Festival 2023 is set to bring the magic of the seaside right into the heart of Heywood. From a captivating carnival parade to the myriad attractions at the festival site, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

The festival kicks off with a seaside-themed carnival parade, featuring the artistic creations of local primary schools, the youth service, Rochdale Connections Trust and a number of community groups. Join us as we march through the local streets, spreading joy and celebrating Darnhill’s community spirit.

This culminates in the parade arriving at the festival site and the fun beginning. Here are just a few of the attractions awaiting you:

Skylight Circus: Experience the thrill of the circus with have-a-go circus skill workshops that will leave you in awe of your newfound talents.

Art Activity Tent: Unleash your creativity and explore the connection between art and wellbeing in a welcoming and inspiring space.

Live Music: Tap your feet and sway to the rhythm of live music performances that will create a festive atmosphere throughout the day.

Silent Disco: Turn up the volume with top tunes bringing some positive disco vibes.

Climbing Wall: Reach new heights on our the climbing wall, perfect for adrenaline enthusiasts.

Bouncy Castle: It wouldn’t be a day out without somewhere for the little ones to bounce and play!

Drumming Workshop: Discover your rhythm at the drumming workshops, where you can learn to create music and join in the vibrant energy of the festival.

Storytelling: Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of storytelling, where captivating tales will ignite your imagination.

Dancing: Get your groove on and join us for some lively dance sessions that will have you moving and grooving in no time.

Skateboarding: Show off your skills at our pop-up skateboarding area, where both beginners and experienced riders can have a blast.

You’ll find all of this and more - everyone is welcome and all of it is completely free.

Darnhill Festival 2023 celebrates the strength of our community and provides a platform for people of all ages to have fun and experience what it means to come together as a community. This year's festival is made possible through the dedicated efforts of the Darnhill Festival Association, in collaboration with our valued partners and the support of our generous funders.

Join us on Saturday 1st July from 12pm at the festival site near Darnhill Library. Admission to Darnhill Festival 2023 is free, ensuring that absolutely everyone can experience this wonderful community event.

For more information please contact Vicki Greer, Cartwheel Arts, at vicki@cartwheelarts.org.uk