
About the Feel Good Family Picnic
A free event for families in July and August 2025 organised by the team behind Rochdale Feel Good Festival and sponsored by automotive dealer Premier Kia. Fun activities, performances, music, sports and shows for children of all ages.
The Feel Good Family Picnic will be staged in local parks during the school holidays and visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic. Fantastic days of free-to-attend fun and culture for families, magical days out in beautiful settings, with an exciting line-up.
The theme for this year’s Feel Good Family Picnic will be around the borough’s arts, culture and heritage in recognition of Rochdale’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture.
The Feel Good Family Picnic is staged by the council in partnership with Without Walls, a consortium of festivals and arts organisations bringing fantastic outdoor arts to people in towns and cities across England. It has received funding from UK Government through the Shared Prosperity Fund and Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
If you'd like to contact the event team or send feedback, please email FamilyPicnic@rochdale.gov.uk
Programme of events across 4-days
Details of the activities at each event will be confirmed in June 2025.
Each event is open from 12pm-4pm.
- Tuesday, 29 July 2025 – Rochdale Town Hall Square, Rochdale
- Wednesday, 30 July 2025 – Limefield Playing Fields, Middleton
- Thursday, 31 July 2025 – Hare Hill Park, Littleborough
- Friday, 1 August 2025 – Queen's Park, Heywood
Be inspired in Rochdale
Scrumptious
Tuesday, 29 July 2025
Pocket Loop
Tuesday, 29 July 2025
Sports Zone
Tuesday, 29 July 2025
Be inspired in Middleton
Now I Am Become D/Deaf
Wednesday, 30 July 2025
Carnival and parade
Wednesday, 30 July 2025
Flat Cap Brass
Wednesday, 30 July 2025
Be inspired in Littleborough
A Knight Away
Thursday, 31 July 2025
The Story of the Scary Noise
Thursday, 31 July 2025
Damocles
Thursday, 31 July 2025
Be inspired in Heywood
The Alchemist
Friday, 1 August 2025
The Magic Samovar
Friday, 1 August 2025
The Street Where I Live
Friday, 1 August 2025
Food and drink
You are welcome to bring your own food and drink and enjoy a picnic during the event. Free water refills will be available all day so please bring a bottle with you.
Good value family friendly food and drink will also be on sale at the event. There are on-site cafés and mobile catering at certain venues.
Get involved
Be part of an incredible carnival: internationally acclaimed carnival artists Global Grooves are developing a procession for each date with beautiful giant puppets, costumes, funky drumbeats, flags and high-energy dance, animated by the local community. You can be part of it and no experience is necessary.
Local artists or organisations: if you're interested in being involved in the event, email FamilyPicnic@rochdale.gov.uk
Contact
Event organiser
Rochdale Borough Council in partnership with Without Walls
Feel Good Family Picnic photo gallery




Get event updates on social media
Sponsors and partners
Automotive dealer Premier Kia is the main sponsor for the Feel Good Family Picnic 2025.
Disclaimer
Events and activities are not organised by Rochdale Borough Council unless stated otherwise. Neither is Rochdale Borough Council responsible for the accuracy of the information provided. If you are under 18, ask your parent or guardian before taking part in any event or activity.