Bolton named as Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture 2024

Bolton has been crowned as Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture 2024.

The borough will receive the £50,000 reward to support a year-long programme of events and celebrations for all to enjoy around the town.

Bolton Council has said the title will shine a spotlight on the ‘remarkable arts, culture and heritage that exists across Greater Manchester’.

The Town of Culture accolade is handed out every year to different boroughs across the city-region to celebrate Greater Manchester’s culture and heritage.

The award is based on the UK City of Culture concept, which was introduced in 2009 by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham when he was Culture Secretary, built on the success of Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture in 2008.

Bury was Greater Manchester’s inaugural Town of Culture in 2020 and also held the title during 2021 throughout the COVID 19 pandemic.

The town curated and delivered a hybrid programme of live and virtual events, including the Happy Festival and the two-week Burrs Live Festival.

Stalybridge, in Tameside, was the Town of Culture for 2022, which helped bring new opportunities for residents and visitors.

Last year, Stockport won the title and enjoyed a fantastic calendar of festivities and welcomed a brand new modern transport interchange complete with a rooftop green space. As its year of celebration comes to an end, it will work towards building on that legacy as it now passes the baton on to Bolton.

Bolton’s Town of Culture programme will see three parts; with the first will be a packed taster programme of cultural activities delivered in Bolton and its various districts.

It will be followed by a small grants programme designed to help support Bolton’s smaller cultural organisations, freelancers and artists.

This will result in programmes of activity and commissioning of new works with audiences throughout the next 12 months.

Leader of Bolton council, Nick Peel, said: “I’m thrilled that we can announce Bolton as the town of culture for 2024.

“Not only do we have some remarkable cultural venues, but these are strengthened by our fantastic major events programme including Bolton Food and Drink Festival, Ironman, Bolton Film Festival and Put Big Light On.

“Bolton certainly has a promising future and will be a great place to live, work, study, visit and invest.”

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said: “It’s fantastic that Bolton has been announced as the latest Greater Manchester town of culture.

“Bolton already has some outstanding cultural venues and events from the Octagon Theatre and the Bolton Albert Hall to the famous Bolton Food and Drink Festival and the Bolton Film Festival.

“Town of Culture will celebrate these existing venues and events but will also shine a light on the smaller venues and events that are happening across the town.

“I look forward to visiting Bolton to join their cultural celebrations.”