Our guide to what you can do in and around the borough this weekend

Grand opening of ‘The Medicine Tap’, Heywood Model Railway Annual Exhibition, St Patrick’s Day live music events, Rochdale Science Extravaganza 2018, Lancashire County Squash Championships, Rochdale Youth Festival of Performing Arts, Community Volunteer Festival and Woolie’s Club Fundraiser - lots to do around the borough.

• Events happening all weekend

Priscilla Queen of the Desert – Heywood Civic Centre, Fri 16 & Sat 17 March, 7.30pm – 9.15pm

A glamorous Sydney-based performing trio agree to take their show to the middle of the Australian outback. They hop aboard a battered old bus (nicknamed Priscilla) searching for love and friendship and end up finding more than they ever could have dreamed of.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/52674/

Heywood Model Railway Group Annual Exhibition – Rochdale Town Hall, Sat 17 & Sun 18 March, 10am – 5pm

Layouts owned by the club and those from club members along with other model railway clubs will be on display. There will also be trade support from several Model Railway suppliers.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/50084/

Rochdale Youth Festival of Performing Arts – St Patrick’s RC Primary School, Sat 17 & Sun 18 March

This weekends competitors will be hosted at St Patrick’s Primary school as they showcase their talents under the theme of ‘Pop’.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/52515/

Lancashire County Squash Championships – Rochdale Sports Club, Fri 16, Sat 17 & Sun 18 March

Anyone wishing to watch top class competitive squash is welcome to come along. Times for the dates can be found on the link.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/53904/

• Friday 16 March

Fire Service Museum Weekly Open Day – Greater Manchester Fire Service Museum, 10am – 4pm

Fire museum attractions will be on show including our collection of historic firefighting artefacts from the 18th century to present day, plus home-made refreshments and souvenirs.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/49779/

Find out more about Healthcare in Rochdale – Number One Riverside, 10.30am – 12.30pm

At this meeting, attendees can expect to hear updates on the Kirkholt development; local health budgets for 2018/19; and quality and safeguarding.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/53824/

Angie’s Angels drop in coffee morning – Petrus Hub, 10am – 12pm

This is a chance to come and chat to the team about household items you may need or to simply sit and chat in a warm, safe environment with a hot brew and biscuit.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/53537/

Grand Opening at Fab Dance Centre – Fab Dance Centre, 5.30pm

Come and have a look around our studio and see what dance and fitness classes we have available.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/53814/

Live performance: Just Turf – Touchstones Rochdale, 7.30pm

This is a play exploring a passion of youth, now lost in a starchy, tuberous crop and the frustration of a traditional dance repeatedly whumped out on a hard kitchen floor.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/51809/

Derek Ryan in concert – Middleton Arena, 7.30pm – 10pm

Derek Ryan has become one of country music’s leading entertainers and makes his highly anticipated return to Manchester for a performance of his self hits and country classics.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/50062/ 

Rochdale Big Ideas Generators Drop In – Number One Riverside, 1.30pm – 3.30pm

Come along to one of our free drop-in sessions to talk through your big idea.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/53732/

Live band: Black Market Clash – Empire Rochdale, 6pm – 4am

This is going to be a very special night, billed as "Two Hours of music by The Clash" - the only band that matters.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/52820/

For a full list of Friday’s events see the Rochdale Online Events Diary

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/search?searchvalue=16-03-2018&searchtype=date

• Saturday 17 March

Grand Opening of The Medicine Tap – Former Post Office building in Rochdale Town Centre, 5.30pm

The former post office building in Rochdale town centre is set to re-open this weekend as a café, restaurant and bar. A public soft launch event will take place at 5.30pm.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/53960/

Community Volunteer Festival - Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre, 10am – 3pm

An event to showcase volunteer opportunities within the Rochdale Borough. Come and find out what the Borough has to offer you.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/53426/

Rochdale-in-Stitches – Spotland Library, 10am – 12pm

A new cross-stitch group at Spotland Library for people who enjoy cross-stitch, embroidery, needlepoint, or who would like to start.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/53746/

St Patrick’s Day at the Flyer! With The Scattering – The Flying Horse Hotel, pub open from 9.30am

Irish and English breakfasts being served as well as Irish stew and other themed specials. Come for a pint of Guinness whilst watching England v Ireland then join the ultimate Celtic rock party with The Scattering at 10pm.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/53940/ 

Bootleg Blondie – Middleton Arena, 8pm – 10pm

Bootleg Blondie is the official Debbie Harry & Blondie tribute band and the only Blondie tribute to play the legendary CBGB’s in New York City before its demise in 2006.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/50063/

Woolie’s Club Fundraiser – Woolworths Sports and Social Club, 7.30pm

We still need to raise funds as well as bring in the bar sales to help save the club so we have taken it upon ourselves to organise a massive fundraising event which hopefully the whole of the community will get involved with.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/53173/

Live Band: Dublin Road for St Patrick’s Day – Empire Rochdale, 6pm – 4am

Live Irish music from the fantasic Dublin Road with high spirits from a very lively 5 piece band. Playing Irish songs, traditional ballads, instrumentals, Dubliner's, Clancy brothers, The Pogues and many more.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/52602/

ABBA Night – Littleborough Coach House, 8pm – late

Duo "Mamma Mia" will be returning to entertain us with a mixture of classic hits from the 1970s/80s Swedish Supergroup, along with a host of other popular 70’s classics.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/52643/ 

Jimmy Tweed and the Roaches – Heywood Cricket Club, 6pm

The Social Committee has worked hard to secure the musical talents of Jimmy Tweed and the Roaches (playing some cracking tunes at Glastonbury in 2015) who are a hugely popular local band. Come down to share the experience.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/53282/

Motown and Northern Soul Night – Littleborough Cricket Clun, 7.30pm

Playing the best from Motown, Club Soul and Northern Soul.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/53377/

Community Film Club – Bamford and Norden United Reformed Church, 6.30pm

Come join us for a screening of the film 'While You Were Sleeping' (1995).

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/53958/

For a full list of Saturday’s events see the Rochdale Online Events Diary

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/search?searchvalue=17-03-2018&searchtype=date

• Sunday 18 March

Rochdale Science Extravaganza 2018 – Wardleworth Community Centre, 11am – 5pm

A day to inspire the young, adults and elderly. You can make rockets, volcanoes, sweets, slime, rainbows and hop into the Deep Space Planetarium or back-flip on a 20ft bouncy castle! Plus many more... See the link to find out what else is happening.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/53465/

Hollingworth Lake Craft Fair – Hollingworth Lake Visitor Centre, 11.30am – 3.30pm

Lots of stalls selling handmade items, plus have-a-go at activities.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/52711/

Live Band: MOJO Rising – Empire Rochdale, 6pm – 2am

Smokin' Blues, Rock & Roll and Classic Covers.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/52821/

Middleton Band Charity Concert – Whitehouse Club, 1pm – 4pm

The White House Club presents an afternoon of entertainment with Middleton Band and Middleton Youth Band. This will be our first fundraising event.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/53501/

For a full list of Sunday’s events see the Rochdale Online Events Diary

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/search?searchvalue=18-03-2018&searchtype=date 

Submit an Event

If your group or organisation would like to publicise an event then you can complete and submit the Event Submission Form 

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/events/submit