Khushi
Festival
2026
Khushi Festival is a one day festival of happiness, celebrating family, South Asian culture and community spirit.
If you're looking for live music, dance, theatre for all ages, crafts, workshops, a food market, stalls, face-painting and bubbles...come join the party!
Taking place in Oldham’s Cultural Quarter, outside the library there’ll be a huge tent with a DJ booth, alongside market stalls and crafts. In the library you can go old-skool with arcade games like Tetris and Invadors, get involved in crafts, fancy dress and a photo-booth or settle in for story-time in the Khushi Corner. Outside there’ll be puppetry, giant lego, face-painting and badge-making and much, much more.
Khushi showcases the rich diversity and talent of Oldham’s communities in a joyful, inclusive and family-friendly way. Created in partnership with the Women’s CHAI Project and local cultural organisations, the festival is a space where creativity, heritage and togetherness come alive in the heart of Oldham.
Join us from 10am for a full day of fun. There’ll be loads to do, from free activities including arcade games, sari block printing, and kite making to ticketed performances too. Take a look below for an idea of what to expect.
Free events - all day
Get involved with activities including henna, mandala making and fancy dress in the Oldham Library foyer.
An interactive drawing workshop to energise and kick-start your day in Studio 2, Oldham Theatre Workshop
Wake Up & Draw
10am Free event
More info
This free exhibition runs from 27 June until 29 August
Waterfall of Kites Exhibition
and kite making activities in Oldham library
A lively, family-friendly performance with theatre, live music, puppetry and bilingual storytelling in Oldham Library Theatre
CHAI Stories
11am Ticketed event
Book now
Free events
Get ready for BIG bubbles and even BIGGER smiles!
At 11.15am, 1.30pm, 4.30pm and 6pm, join the incredible Kinza, master bubbleologist, in the Cultural Quarter for spectacular bubbles and fun.
Free events
There'll be music from DJ aminabonthebeat at 11.30am.
Also, take a wander round the food stalls and makers market in the Cultural Quarter.
Presented by a practicing dervish of the Melvelvi Order in Studio 1, Oldham Theatre Workshop
Whirling Dervish Experience
12pm Ticketed event
Book now
Bright, bold and bursting with imagination, a show for children and families in Oldham Library Theatre
Lilo Lost It!
1.45pm Ticketed event
Book now
New music, reimagining women’s roles in Punjabi folklore in Studio 1, Oldham Theatre Workshop
Satnam Galsian: Love or Sacrifice
2.45pm Ticketed event
Book now
The Headline Event ... have a good laugh about the state of the world now, in Studio 1, Oldham Theatre Workshop
Khushi Comedy: Shazia Mirza
5.15pm Ticketed event
Book now
"Whether you’re watching, making, moving, or simply soaking up the atmosphere, Khushi Festival is an uplifting, welcoming celebration of happiness, togetherness, and community - and everyone is invited to take part"
Najma Khalid MBE
Founder and Director of Khushi and the Women’s CHAI Project-Care, Help and Inspire CIC.
Khushi Festival is produced by Oldham Coliseum Theatre in partnership with the Women’s CHAI Project. Supported by Oldham Council and with thanks to Oldham Theatre Workshop.
Every year, Khushi Festival works with community groups within Oldham. In 2026, these include the Indian Association- Saheli Group, Yuvani’s Foundation, WestOldham CHAI Project, Greenhill CHAI Project and Freehold CHAI Project.
