Free rides take centre stage at Spring Family Festival

Families across Tameside are being invited to enjoy a packed programme of free entertainment as the borough’s Spring Family Festival returns this April, complete with classic fairground rides at no cost.

The four-day event gets underway on Wednesday 8 April, bringing a traditional carousel and helter-skelter to life as part of a wider celebration designed to entertain families during the Easter school holidays.

Ashton Spring Preview

The festival begins with a two-day Ashton Spring Preview on Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 April, running from 10am to 4pm in Ashton Market Square.

Visitors can expect a lively mix of attractions including vintage fairground rides, carnival-style entertainment, theatre, dance and live music performances. Free activities such as face painting, balloon modelling, and arts and crafts will also be available, alongside a selection of street food stalls.

Although parts of the square remain under redevelopment, a central area in front of Ashton Library will be open to host the event.

Stalybridge Street Fest

On Friday 10 April, the festival moves to Stalybridge for the first Street Fest of 2026, taking place from 5pm to 9pm.

The popular monthly event, held on the second Friday of each month, will feature a wide range of food and drink stalls, family entertainment, and an artisan market inside Stalybridge Victoria Market Hall.

Super Saturday taster

The festival concludes back in Ashton on Saturday 11 April with a Super Saturday taster event, running from 10am to 4pm in Ashton Market Square.

This food-themed family day will offer a preview of larger events planned once the square fully reopens in the summer. Visitors can enjoy street food and drink stalls alongside free entertainment including live music, roaming performers, face painting and craft activities.

Looking ahead

Julian Jackson, Strategic Director of Housing, Environment and Estates at Tameside Council, said the festival marks the beginning of wider plans for the borough’s town centres.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming families, residents and visitors of all ages into Ashton and Stalybridge to see the transformation work taking place and get a taste of our fantastic cultural events programme for the towns,” he said.

“This is only the start of our transformational plans for all of our town centres to help them meet the needs of residents, visitors and businesses and move with current shopping, leisure and cultural trends.

“Thank you to everyone – businesses, shoppers and visitors - for your patience while Ashton Market Square is undergoing redevelopment. The square will be fully back open in the early summer but, in the meantime, come along and enjoy these events during the Easter school holidays and support our towns and local businesses.”

Visitors can also take advantage of free parking for up to two hours in all council-run car parks before 6pm, Monday to Saturday.