Greater Manchester is set for a vibrant start to 2026 with a packed schedule of live music, comedy, and theatre. Headlining the entertainment is the return of the beloved comedy folk band, The Lancashire Hotpots, promising a hilarious night out for locals.
The Lancashire Hotpots Head to Middleton Arena
On Saturday, 24 January 2026, Middleton Arena will host a big night with The Lancashire Hotpots. The band, known for their silly songs and Lancashire humour, will perform favourites like 'Chippy Tea' and 'I Fear Ikea'.
The group originally formed in St Helens in December 2006 and shot to fame with their debut single 'He's Turned Emo'. They have since released 12 studio albums, with their debut, 'Never Mind The Hotpots', hitting number one on the iTunes comedy chart.
Doors open at 6.45pm for the 7.30pm show. Tickets start from £18.90 and can be purchased online.
Stand-Up Comedy Special in Rochdale
For those seeking laughs, Champness Hall in Rochdale presents Ace Lip’s Stand Up Comedy Special on Saturday, 28 February 2026. The line-up features Mark Simmons, winner of 'Dave’s Joke Of The Fringe' 2024, award-winning comedian Danny Ward, and Manchester-based Canadian comic Allyson June Smith.
Allyson June Smith is renowned for her observational wit and intimate performance style. Doors open at 8pm and tickets are available from £18.
Theatre and Romantic Evenings
The cultural offering extends to Bolton and Rochdale with major stage productions. The Memory of Water by Shelagh Stephenson will be performed at the Octagon Theatre in Bolton from Thursday, 29 January to Saturday, 21 February 2026.
This 30th-anniversary revival of the Olivier Award-winning comedy explores family and grief. Ticket prices range from £15 to £40.
Meanwhile, Rochdale Town Hall will host a Valentines by Candlelight concert on Friday, 13 February 2026. The evening features a string quartet performing romantic film soundtracks in a candlelit setting. Tickets start from just £6, with doors opening at 6.30pm.
Weekly Community Events and Activities
A variety of regular, low-cost community events are also scheduled across the borough:
- Toad Lane Concerts: The weekly music series at St Mary in the Baum, Rochdale, continues on 15 January with pianist Tim Kennedy. Admission is £6.
- Fireground Museum: Open Thursday to Saturday, this Rochdale museum showcases firefighting history. Adult tickets cost £8.
- Eliza Says Story Sessions: A free, seven-week British Sign Language story time at Rochdale Central Library for under-fives, starting 15 January.
- Library Activities: Monthly Lego Club at Langley Library, a Reading Group at Middleton Library, and a Kids' Craft Club at Wardle Library, all free to attend on 24 January.
This diverse programme highlights Greater Manchester's thriving local arts scene, offering everything from raucous comedy nights to intimate theatrical productions and family-friendly activities.
