Bolton Council invites the town to celebrate Bolton’s reign as Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture in an exciting, community-led finale event: Bolton Gala 2025.
Set to take place on Saturday 15 March, the event will mark the culmination of an extraordinary year of the Bolton Town of Culture award.
This gala event will be a vibrant finale to a year filled with cultural richness, amazing events, and community spirit.
In honour of being awarded Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture, Bolton has had a jam-packed summer and winter filled with creative workshops, performances, music sessions, film tours and events, including the entertaining light art festival: Put Big Light On.
With family-friendly, diverse, and artistic activities, the Bolton Gala promises to be a day of celebration, reflection, and community pride; here’s what to expect:
Highlights of the Gala
- Exhibitions:
- Documenting Your Community – A collaborative exhibition with the British Culture Archive, featuring works by local photographer Don Tonge and contributions from the public.
- Falcon Mill Open Art exhibition – Showcasing local talents in various art forms.
- Beacons of Bolton at P5 Gallery – A tribute to the landmarks and people that light up Bolton.
- Social Fabric at Creatives Now Gallery (Market Place) – Exploring the tapestry of Bolton's cultural history.
- Performances: Enjoy an array of entertainment at Victoria Hall with performances by local singers, musicians, dancers, and comedians throughout the day.
- Family Art Sessions: Engage in creative fun with Be Wild Creative, offering unique art experiences for families.
- Storytelling Magic: Experience the enchanting world of stories at the magical story palace in Bolton Central Library.
Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Culture, Cllr Nadeem Ayub said:
"We’re looking forward to rounding off an incredible year as Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture 2024, with more welcoming, family-friendly activities around the town that celebrates our artistic talents and collaborative, community spirit.
“We've seen Bolton shine like never before, and we're excited to celebrate every artist, participant, and visitor who made this year unforgettable.
"Winning this award has been a bonus for our town events team who work hard every year to make Bolton a fantastic, welcoming place that attracts so many visitors, and we can’t wait to continue making Bolton a place representing creative culture and talent.”
For more details on the event, follow Bolton Town of Culture on social media: www.facebook.com/boltontownofculture and www.instagram.com/boltontownofculture