The Street Eat food and drink festival returned to Rochdale Town Hall Square on Saturday, 28 June 2025 as visitors tucked into a tasty line-up of food, drink, free family fun and live music.
Everyone basked in summer sunshine, with over 3,000 people attending, trying a range of cuisine from around the world.
Visitors tucked into a tasty line-up of food, drink, free family fun and live music.
Business Improvement District (BID) manager Paul Ambrose said:
“It was such a busy day, with Street Eat showcasing Rochdale’s growing food and drink scene on our beautiful town hall square. It was heart-warming to see so many families and friends enjoying time together and the feedback about our traders and performers has been fantastic. Big thanks go to the amazing town centre food and drink businesses and everyone who came along to support the event. The town centre has so much to offer in terms of food and drink. Street Eat is about supporting our local businesses and creating a hub where people can come together to enjoy great food, music and company.”
Rochdale Town Hall Square was busy all day, with over 3,000 visitors at Street Eat.
‘Growing food and drink scene’
The crowds were entertained with fun activities and rides for the children, including entertaining Punch and Judy shows, face painting and even a caricaturist sketching portraits.
Di Lynham hosted the sound stage at Street Eat.
Di Lynham from Happy Radio UK hosted the sound stage introducing country rock band Between The Vines, popular duo Shenanigans, soloist Saskia Starkie, Turners Dance School, ABBA tribute fABBAlous and Rochdale Music Service.
Soloist Saskia Starkie was one of the musical acts taking to the stage during the festival.
The event was organised by Rochdale’s BID and supported by Rochdale Borough Council. Traders included The Flying Horse Hotel, prosecco bar Sip and Sparkle, Punjabi Food Corner – a collaboration between Bombay Brew and Chino’s Kitchen, hot waffles from Brew Box, Cake Loves Cakes, burgers from Bank Top Farm, Mason’s Cookies, food from The Baum, pizzas from Vicolo del Vino, The Treehouse Bar, Our Gracie’s, The Traditional Tuck Shop, Daniela’s Ice Cream and Betty and Co Hot Dogs. New additions included Phat Chows who are soon set to re-open their Chinese restaurant on Yorkshire Street.
Rochdale’s chefs wowed the crowds, including Punjabi Food Corner – a collaboration between Bombay Brew and Chino’s Kitchen.
Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Janet Emsley, and consort Ken Emsley, were among the visitors enjoying the day and the mayor said it was magnificent:
“Rochdale’s chefs have wowed the crowds once again with some amazing food, I know most traders completely sold out and it was a great celebration of the town’s strong food and drink offer which has certainly gained many more fans that I hope will return during our special year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture.”
Many visitors took to social media to praise the event with comments including: “an absolutely cracking day, we all had a fantastic time,” “really enjoyed Street Eat and the dancers were amazing”, “fabulous,” “brilliant day” and “amazing food.”
Guests enjoying the Street Eat food and drink festival.
Street Eat was part of a spectacular line up of festivals, live performances, exhibitions and art during Rochdale’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture 2025-26. The title, awarded by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority celebrates the town’s rich history, creativity, talent and diverse arts scene. Find out more about Rochdale’s year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture
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