About The City Brief Oldham

Your Personal Newsletter For All Local Events in Oldham

Oldham has long been shaped by its industrial past and strong sense of community, where local events connect people across different parts of the borough. At The City Brief, we focus on what’s happening week after week in places like Saddleworth Moor, a green space known for walking trails that draw locals out into open air without needing to travel far. Accessible via the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and part of the broader Pennine Way network, it offers year-round opportunities for hiking and nature observation. The area also hosts informal gatherings during seasonal events such as Backyard Cinema at Depot Mayfield, a summer-long series featuring outdoor screenings with beach-inspired themes, and community-led walks along footpaths that link to Tandle Hill Country Park.

Events such as Oldham Market, held weekly in the town centre, continue to provide a consistent platform for local traders and residents. It operates from early morning through late afternoon, offering fresh produce, clothing, crafts, and small-scale food vendors with free entry. Meanwhile, the annual Peoples’ Carnival, now established since 2011, is held at Alexandra Park near Oldham Lyceum, featuring live music stages, parade performances by local cultural groups, and participation from schools across Greater Manchester.

Civic events like the commemoration of the Peterloo Massacre, organised in collaboration with partners including Oldham Museum and Gallery, attract civic audiences drawn from nearby boroughs. These gatherings are not one-off festivals but enduring threads in Oldham’s social life. They reflect long-standing traditions: from public performances at The Coliseum Theatre to inclusive sessions during World Autism Month, notably those hosted by the Museum of Illusions with sensory-friendly adaptations.

We cover all such events, tracking both recurring happenings and seasonal initiatives across venues including Saddleworth Museum and Gallery, Oldham Library and Lifelong Learning Centre, and even historic sites like Castleshaw Roman Fort Forts. Our aim is to help people stay informed about what’s on, whether it’s a free entry at local galleries or family-friendly sessions, and why they matter locally within the borough’s broader cultural fabric.

What we Cover

Each week The City Brief highlights events happening across Oldham – live music, theatre, food, family activities, markets and more.

Have a look at what's happening this week and this coming weekend.