Rochdale will be promoted as a welcoming and inclusive place this weekend when the borough’s third annual Pride festival takes place at Rochdale Town Hall. The community-led event brings together charities, voluntary groups, businesses, schools and public services to celebrate diversity and to create opportunities for conversation and support.
Parade, stalls and partnerships
The festival opens with activities from 12.30pm followed by a parade at 1pm. Throughout the afternoon a range of organisations will run stalls, share information about services, recruit volunteers and showcase community projects. Rochdale Pride organisers say the event aims to counter discrimination, support wellbeing and strengthen local connections.
“Rochdale Pride is about far more than one day of celebration. It brings together charities, community groups, businesses, public services, schools, sports clubs and local organisations, all working side by side with one shared goal, creating a borough where everyone feels welcome, respected and able to be themselves.”
Organisers emphasise the festival’s role as a long-term community initiative rather than a single annual occasion. They say the event is designed to encourage sustained collaboration between voluntary groups, statutory services and local businesses so residents can access help and become involved in local life.
Who will be there and what to expect
Those attending can expect a mixture of community stalls, information stands, performances and opportunities to meet representatives from emergency services, the local authority and LGBTQ+ support organisations. Event organisers highlight the festival as a chance for groups to forge new links and strengthen existing partnerships.
- Start: 12.30pm – activities begin
- Parade: 1.00pm
- Venue: Rochdale Town Hall
- Focus: inclusion, equality, community support
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 12:30pm | Event opens — stalls and activities |
| 1:00pm | Parade |
Community leaders and local partners have been invited to take part. The presence of a wide cross-section of organisations is intended to ensure residents from different backgrounds, ages and identities feel represented and supported.
Local impact and longer-term aims
Beyond the day itself, organisers say Rochdale Pride seeks to foster better year-round connections between residents and services, promote volunteer recruitment and give community groups a visible platform. For Rochdale, a borough with a varied demographic profile, the event is positioned as a practical way to promote mutual understanding and tackle discrimination at neighbourhood level.
Residents planning to attend are advised to check the Rochdale Pride website for the latest information on stalls and the parade route. Weather and other operational considerations can affect timings on the day.
