Launched in 2012, the Canal Festival has developed each year, steered by a collaboration of community organisations.  We had to take time out due to the pandemic but we came back in 2022 and had a fabulous festival at the beautifully restored Finsley Gate Wharf.  Over 5,000 visitors joined us.

We will be back on Sunday 27 August 2023. Look out for regular updates on this website and our Facebook page.

We owe a big thank you to all the funders, partners, artists and especially the volunteers who come together to make the Festival possible.

The Festival is currently part of the Super Slow Way arts programme and is managed by Mid Pennine Arts.

Spent a nice 3hrs there, on the first time I’ve ever visited this festival. Plenty going on, all for free, fantastic vibe about the place. Festival attender, 2022

We arrived around 11.15 and stayed until the end. It was a great day. Festival attender 2022