With Christmas just around the corner, it’s time to start filling up your calendar with lots of festive events. I’ve compiled a list of events in Oldham this Christmas. There’s lots of local fun to be had. You don’t need to head to the city centre for a fantastic family day or night out when Oldham has it all this year!
The Wrong Reindeer
This year, my daughter will be performing in Oldham Theatre Workshop’s Christmas production ‘The Wrong Reindeer‘. The show will be performed for school children throughout the week and for the general public at the weekend and on selected evenings. Needless to say, we are incredibly proud of her!
Oldham Theatre Workshop put on some fantastic shows and no doubt The Wrong Reindeer will follow on from the resounding success of last year’s show, ‘The Night the Frost Fell’. The synopsis of the show reads:
A town where there’s nothing to look forward to. A donkey that wishes they were a reindeer and a child who can’t wish at all. As the winter sets in, and Christmas draws close, an unlikely friendship is formed, and an adventure begins that will remind everyone the true meaning of kindness.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-wrong-reindeer-tickets-685646887297
The show runs from 5th December 2023 up until Christmas Eve. And each performance is around an hour and a half long. The Wrong Reindeer is suitable for children aged 4 and over and there is a relaxed performance on Saturday 16th December.
The show will be performed in Oldham Library & Lifelong Learning Centre which is located in Oldham Town Centre. It has great transport links (the tram station lies close to the library) and ample parking nearby. The theatre itself is lovely – a great place to bring young children especially.
So, get your tickets for ‘The Wrong Reindeer’ now, tickets are selling fast with some shows already sold out! You can find them here at the great price of only £8 per ticket.
Christmas Lights Switch On
Every year, Oldham puts on a spectacular show at the Christmas Lights Switch On. This year this magnificent event will take place on Saturday 18th November.
From noon, hundreds of performers will join the parade through the street of the town centre. Children will have the opportunity to visit Santa and his elves. The event will see performances from Dobcross Silver Band, Jubacana, and Oldham Scottish Pipe Band.
The culmination of the festival is a snippet performance from of ‘The Wrong Reindeer‘ at 5.30 pm followed by the Christmas lights Switch On and fireworks!
I have been attending the Christmas Lights Switch On in Oldham Town Centre since childhood, they are always magnificent events. I am more excited to attend than ever before given that my daughter will be a big part of the festivities!
SHADES Panto – Sleeping Beauty
Every year the St. Herberts Amateur Dramatic & Entertainment Society, also known as SHADES treat locals to a fabulous panto. This year, the company will perform Sleeping Beauty. Watching the SHADES panto is something of a family tradition for us and we are very much looking forward to this year’s performance!
The Panto is performed at St Herbert’s Parish Centre in Chadderton where the bar will be open as well as the canteen for tea and coffee!
The show runs from Tuesday 5th December – Saturday 9th December and tickets are selling fast!
Queen Elizabeth Hall Panto – Jack and the Beanstalk
Another fantastic family favourite for locals is the Queen Elizabeth Hall panto. This year, the cast will perform Jack and the Beanstalk. The panto always attracts a huge audience and offers a star-studded cast. This year’s headliner is Mark Labbett from ITV’s ‘The Chase’. Not forgetting the return of local legend Jeffrey Longmore as the Dame.
The panto runs from Saturday 16th December 2023 to Monday 1st January 2024. Tickets are available here.
The Queen Elizabeth Hall is located in Oldham town centre. It is next to Oldham Bus station with tram stops nearby. There is also a large pay and display car park in the Queen Elizabeth Hall grounds.
Christmas at Lancaster Farm
Another family favourite of ours is a Christmas visit to Lancaster Farm in Chadderton. Each visit includes a visit to Father Christmas, a story from Mrs Claus and an opportunity for your little ones to write their letters to Santa. There’s also an impressive Christmas grotto and a sleigh for those all-important photo ops!
The price of a ticket also includes a visit to the farm which is always a great way to burn off some energy! We enjoy our visits to Lancaster Farm throughout the year. There are many animals to feed!
Christmas Markets
You don’t need to head to the cities for a Christmas Market! There are plenty of Christmas Markets being held in Oldham this year! Here is a list of all those currently advertised:
St Herbert’s Christmas Fair – St Herbert’s Parish Centre 148 Broadway, Chadderton, Oldham, OL9 0JY – Sunday 26th November from 12 noon.
Corpus Christi Christmas Fair – Corpus Christi School Hall Stanley Road, Chadderton, Oldham, OL9 7HA – Sunday 3rd December 2023 from 10.30 am.
Billington’s Indoor Christmas Market – 3 Ascroft Street, Oldham, OL1 1HY – 24th, 25th & 26th November 10 am – 5 pm.
Shaw German Christmas Market – Shaw – OL2 8AB – Sunday 26th November 10 am – 4 pm.
Greenfield Christmas Market – The King William IV, 134 Chew Valley Road, Oldham, OL3 7DD – 12 noon – 10 pm.
Maggie’s Oldham Christmas Fair 2023 – The Sir Norman Stoller Building, The Royal Oldham Hospital, Rochdale Road, Oldham OL1 2JH – 12 noon – 3 pm.
Denshaw Village Christmas Fair – Denshaw Village Hall, Ripponden Road, Denshaw, Saddleworth, Oldham, OL3 5SY – 12 noon – 4 pm.
The closure of Oldham Coliseum earlier this year shocked locals. It’s more important than ever for us to support local events and at the same time, have a fun time in our local area!
If you know of any events going on in Oldham this Christmas other than those listed, please let us know in the comments below and I will add them to this post.
