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Bolton is throwing a party to celebrate an 'incredible year' in which it was crowned Greater Manchester's Town of Culture. Bolton Gala 2025 will take place on Saturday, March 15 as a vibrant finale to the year, which say Town Hall chiefs, was filled with cultural richness, amazing events and community spirit. 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.
Local photographer, Don Tonge's 1970s picture for "Documenting Your Community" exhibition. “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.
” The award not only put the focus on Bolton's rich arts and culture offering, but enhanced it with a year filled with creative workshops, performances, music sessions, film tours and events, not least the entertaining light art festival, Put Big Light One. READ MORE: Bolton named as Greater Manchester Town of Culture 2024 Questions of legacy of Bolton Town of Culture programme Live from Worktown to create anthology to celebrate Bolton A £50,000 grant was handed down from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority culture fund after it was announced in March this year that Bolton had been chosen for the Town of Culture . The Town of Culture programme was first set up in 2019, with Bury, Stalybridge and Stockport having previously been awarded the accolade.
The year-long programme in Bolton was officially launched in May with an event at the Octagon Theatre, with a grand finale event is set to be held next March. The money has been used to support all kinds of events celebrating Bolton’s heritage, while there has also been a small grants programme. 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 include • Exhibitions: o Documenting Your Community – A collaborative exhibition with the British Culture Archive, featuring works by local photographer Don Tonge and contributions from the public.
o Falcon Mill Open Art exhibition – Showcasing local talents in various art forms. o Beacons of Bolton at P5 Gallery – A tribute to the landmarks and people that light up Bolton. o 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.
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