Shazia Mirza and Satnam Galsian join Oldham's Khushi Festival this August

Khushi, a one-day festival of happiness celebrating South Asian culture, returns on Saturday, August 1, with a variety of events at different venues in Oldham.

This year’s lineup includes award-winning comedian and broadcaster Shazia Mirza, bringing her distinctive take on the state of the world, and how different things are to when she was growing up and when she was teaching, with humorous observations about family, love, relationships, the internet and celebrity. 

Love or Sacrifice features new music from pioneering British Asian singer-songwriter Satnam Galsian (pictured below), who blends the rich tradition of Punjabi folk with contemporary feminist storytelling. Her new performance explores themes of gender roles and the expectations of women in South Asian culture. An artist who is redefining what it means to carry forward Punjabi folk music, Satnam Galsian is breaking boundaries, amplifying voices that are often not heard. Love or Sacrifice is commissioned by Oldham Coliseum Theatre, Women’s CHAI Project – Care, Help & Inspire CIC, Manchester Jazz Festival, and The Old Courts Wigan. 

With The Whirling Dervish Experience, Khushi audiences will discover the history and symbolism behind a centuries-old tradition, presented by a practising dervish of the Melvelvi Order, based on the teachings of the 13th-century poet and Sufi mystic Rumi. 

The popular CHAI Stories is also returning, presented by artist, singer, songwriter and storyteller Kauser Muhktar (creator of Khooghi for Bradford UK City of Culture 2025) and West Oldham CHAI Project. A family-friendly theatre piece responding to Khushi themes such as joy, memory, cultural heritage, community cohesion, collaboration and female empowerment. The audience is invited into a world of performance, puppetry, bilingual storytelling, movement, and music. 

For younger audiences, Move Manchester presents Lilo Lost It! An interactive dance theatre experience for children and families, who are invited to join her in her bedroom as she navigates her magical map and embarks on her greatest journey yet. From tuk-tuk rides in India, canoeing across Wales, crossing the sea by herself, cooking chapatis at her grandma's house, to reaching the top of mountains, Lilo learns to celebrate all parts of her heritage that make her who she is. A joyful celebration of mixed heritage identity, belonging and self-discovery, audiences can expect vibrant movement, playful storytelling and a world shaped by curiosity. Bright, bold and bursting with imagination, Lilo Lost It! speaks to children who have wondered where they fit, and families building a story of their own. 

Following sell out shows across the country, the multidisciplinary artist, performer and DJ Amina Aaliya Beg brings her one-woman comedy drama My Mum Told Me Not to Marry A [] to Oldham. It tells the story of Dadi, a sharp-tongued Pakistani radio host and DJ who navigates love, marriage, and a lifetime of intergenerational troublemaking with her granddaughter Kamal. When Kamal sends her "friend" - known only as The Boy - to Pakistan to impress Dadi by pretending to be "the perfect girl", chaos ensues. Through jokes, jingles, and relentless interrogations, Dadi begins to uncover what's truly at stake: her relationship with Kamal, the secrecy that has grown between them, and the simple truth that perfection is impossible. 

For family audiences and people of all ages, Actual Reality Arcade is a life-sized interactive game zone inspired by classic arcade games where the player brings them to life.  

Another world premiere is Khushi Festival's interpretation of Waterfall of Kites (pictured below), an exhibition inspired by the hundreds of kite festivals that take place across South Asia (and around the world) every spring. Alongside award-winning artist Sue Walpole's monumental kite structure are three specially commissioned artworks by Oldham artists Samaya Javed, Iqra Khadiza and Dada Zubeda, plus an array of kites from Oldham community groups - Yuvanis Foundation, The Indian Association – Saheli Group and Greenhill CHAI Project. Another free highlight, the joyful installations can be seen inside Oldham Library and Gallery Oldham will be on display for eight weeks from 27 June. Waterfall of Kites was originally created by Supriya Nagaraian, Artistic Director of Manasamitra, for 'Culturedale', Calderdale’s Year of Culture 2025. 

Mushaira: Poetry Symposium is a welcoming and inclusive spoken word gathering inspired by the traditional South Asian art of sharing poetry in community. The session creates a relaxed and supportive space where participants can listen, reflect and share poetry, thoughts, stories and creative writing in different languages and styles. Previous Mushairas have brought together women, families, community members and emerging creatives, helping build confidence, connection, cultural celebration and a sense of belonging through poetry and shared experiences. 

Khushi Festival also has a pop-up market, crafts, street food and communal dining, plus a host of free and family-friendly events including a photobooth, a DJ class, dressing up, henna, kite making, Kinza the Master Bubbleologist, the Mughal Miniatures story The Princess and the Peacock by the award-winning Sonia Sabri Company, and more. 

Oldham's Khushi Festival is organised in partnership with Oldham Coliseum Theatre, and the CHAI Women’s Project, with support from Oldham Borough Council and thanks to Oldham Theatre Workshop. 

Martina Murphy, CEO of Oldham Coliseum Theatre, said: "We're incredibly proud to be part of bringing Khushi to Oldham once again. It captures the kind of cultural experience we want Oldham Coliseum Theatre to champion – joyful, welcoming, multigenerational and deeply connected to community. 

"This is a festival where audiences of all ages and backgrounds can laugh together, dance together, reflect together and discover something new together. From world-class artists to family activities and local voices, the programme celebrates the richness and diversity of South Asian culture while creating moments of genuine connection across the borough." 

Najma Khalid MBE DL, Founder & Artistic Engagement Director of Khushi Festival and Founder & Director of Women’s CHAI Project, Care Help and Inspire CIC, added: "Khushi is a vibrant celebration of culture, creativity, joy and togetherness, bringing people from across Oldham and beyond together through music, performance, storytelling, food, art and shared cultural experiences. What makes it so special is seeing artists, families, grassroots organisations and local communities come together to share stories, traditions, music, performance and joy in a way that feels truly inclusive and uplifting. We are incredibly proud to see Khushi continue to grow through the partnership between Women’s CHAI Project, Oldham Coliseum Theatre and the support of Oldham Council, creating a festival full of colour, creativity, connection and community spirit. We hope people of all ages and backgrounds will come along, take part and experience the excitement, warmth and magic of Khushi for themselves." 

For more details about this year's programme, including venues and timings, head to the Oldham Coliseum Theatre website.