On the back of winning the Greater Manchester Town of Culture 2024, the town is launching a jam-packed summer programme of free children’s activities to celebrate.
From 20 July to 31 August, libraries, parks, and youth community centres will host a range of workshops, crafts, performances, and arty activities to entertain youngsters across the borough.
Expect dance workshops, musical games, 3D art, bag printing, clay sculpting, pop-up theatres, art in the park sessions – including the use of the new Elizabeth Park - and much more.
Kicking off the full programme on Saturday 20 July will be the Hapa Zome activity taking place at Bromley Cross Library (10:30am to 12pm) and Harwood Library (1:30pm to 3pm) – both drop-in sessions – where you can explore a Japanese technique that uses flowers on fabric to create patterns and images.
On the same day, an African Caribbean Dance will be hosted at Little Lever Library (11am to 12:30pm) and Farnworth Library (2pm to 3:30pm) – also both drop-in sessions.
The full programme can be viewed and downloaded on the Bolton Library and Museum website, or you can pick up the booklet at Bolton Central Library.
Having officially launched in May at the Octagon Theatre with performances from the theatre’s production of Little Shop of Horrors, the Bolton Town of Culture award was won by an impressive bid put forward.
Bolton’s winning bid focused on emphasising how culture is the heartbeat of the town, building on the recently launched Cultural Strategy which ties into the Bolton Vision of 2030.
Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Culture, Cllr Nadeem Ayub, said:
“The opportunity to bid for the Greater Manchester Town of Culture came at a perfect time that tied into our new Cultural Strategy.
“The strategy sets out to further solidify Bolton as a cultural hotspot, where we continue to host and build on our famous events, like the Bolton Food and Drink Festival and the Bolton Film Festival.
“Bolton has a powerful community and voluntary sector, with excellent cultural partnerships.
“Together, we’ve been able to provide an ambitious vision for developing creativity in the borough to complement our new Bolton Brand and Visitor Economy Strategy.
“This has all played a big part in winning this year’s Town of Culture grant, and we’re delighted to use this to help further build up our local arts, heritage, history, and film offer.
“Bolton also has a great reputation as a family-friendly town, and so a summer programme of free children’s events was a perfect way to celebrate and contribute further to the family offering.”
Bolton is the fourth place to be named Greater Manchester Town of Culture, following successful programmes in Bury, Stalybridge and Stockport.
Every year, towns across Greater Manchester are invited to bid to become Town of Culture, which comes with a £50,000 grant to support local projects.
You can follow Bolton Town of Culture on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated on all events:
Bolton Town of Culture on Facebook
On Instagram: @BoltonTownOfCulture