The festival returns to celebrate the cultural diversity of Cheetham Hill, one of the UK’s most diverse neighbourhoods, from Thursday 16 to Sunday 19 October.
Every autumn the people of Cheetham Hill and Crumpsall get together to celebrate the diverse cultures and communities of the area.
Local venues and charities throw open their doors to provide free food, music, events and activities to bring people together and spark connections.
The festival has been running for twenty years, originally founded as a way of bringing different faith organisations together. It is now a celebration of wider cultural diversity with representatives from across the community sitting on its steering group. This year, the festival is celebrating its 21st anniversary with a rich programme of free events and activities and invites everyone to join in.
Gemma Meek, the Interim Chief Executive at Manchester Jewish Museum, who is chairing this year’s festival has got together with 150 other community members, charities and organisations to plan this year’s festival in Cheetham Hill. Shesays:
“I’m beyond excited, on behalf of the Cheetham Cultural Festival Committee, to welcome you to Cheetham Fest 2025. Can you believe this is the festival’s 21st edition? This year’s beautifully diverse programme celebrates“Togetherness”, something Cheetham and Crumpsall do best.
The recent weeks have seen tragic events which deeply touched our wider Manchester family. In times like these, the importance of unity, compassion, and community shines even brighter. Cheetham Cultural Festival has always been about celebrating what connects us – our shared stories, our resilience, and our care for one another.
This year we’re proud to showcase the vibrant cultures, creativity, and community spirit that make our neighbourhoods so special. From music and art to food and family fun, the festival’s programme offers something for everyone. A heartfelt thank you to the incredible team at Manchester City Council, our Cheetham andCrumpsall Councillors, and all our community partners. We couldn’t deliver this festival each year without your support. And a special thanks to Manchester Fort for generously donating the prizes for this year’s artcompetition. Here’s to another year of coming together,celebrating our shared stories, and making newmemories.”
CEO of Wai Yin Welcome Centre Circle Steele said, “In a world where we often see division and conflict, Cheetham Festival shows the power of unity.”
Poppy Soldatos, Community Development Field Worker at Winning Hearts and Minds and one of the organisers of the Cheetham Fest added: “It showcases that although we’re different, how much together we are.”
This year’s festival opening ceremony will be held at Oasis Academy Primary with performances from schools across Cheetham. Just a few of the programme highlights include Celebration Day at the Wai Yin Welcome Centre on Thursday,a Family Fun Day at Abraham Moss Library & Leisure Centre on Saturday, performances by MaD Theatre Company on Sunday, and a Gospel Evening at New Testament Church of God, accompanied by delicious, homemade food from The Caribbean and Africa.
Visitors can also enjoy open days at theCentral Gurdwara Temple, Khizra Mosque and Manchester Jewish Museum.
The festival will culminate in a celebration of family-friendly performances at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in Cheetham Hill, followed by a free food festival.
LISTINGS INFORMATION
Cheetham Cultural Festival
Thursday 16 – Sunday 19 October
Free events, food, music and activities across Cheetham Hill
Visit https://www.facebook.com/CheethamFest for full programme and information
@CheethamFest #CheethamFest
