Spring Family Festival to showcase bright future for Ashton and Stalybridge

A spectacular Spring Family Festival is set to bring colour, culture and community spirit to Tameside this Easter, offering residents and visitors an exciting preview of the future of Ashton and Stalybridge town centres.

The four-day celebration, running from 8 to 11 April 2026, will highlight the major transformation currently underway across both towns. Ashton Market Square is nearing completion following a £10.8 million redevelopment funded by the Government’s Levelling Up programme, while Stalybridge Victoria Market Hall continues to expand its growing programme of events and activities.

Organised by Tameside Council, the festival promises a packed schedule of free entertainment and family-friendly experiences during the second week of the Easter school holidays. The initiative not only aims to bring communities together but also to boost footfall and support local businesses.

The festivities will begin with a two-day Ashton Spring Preview on Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 April in Ashton Market Square. Visitors can enjoy vintage fairground rides, carnival attractions, live theatre, dance and music performances, alongside free face painting, balloon modelling, arts and crafts, and a variety of street food stalls. While parts of the square remain under development, a central area in front of Ashton Library will be open to host the event.

On Friday 10 April, the festival moves to Stalybridge for the first Street Fest of 2026. The popular monthly event returns with a vibrant mix of food and drink stalls and family entertainment. An artisan market inside Stalybridge Victoria Market Hall will complement the outdoor festivities, offering visitors even more to explore. The hall is also set to host an ambitious programme throughout the year, including live music, a circus weekend, school holiday takeovers, specialist markets and a daytime disco.

The final day, Saturday 11 April, will see the festival return to Ashton for a “Super Saturday” taster event. This food-themed celebration will offer a glimpse of the regular Super Saturday events planned once the market square fully reopens in the summer, with street food, drink and free entertainment for all ages.

Councillor Eleanor Wills, Executive Leader of Tameside Council, said the festival would be a celebration of community and progress.

“The Spring Family Festival is taking place in the school Easter holidays and will be a wonderful opportunity for families, residents and visitors of all ages to take part in free fun activities and watch spectacular performances,” she said. “It will be a celebration of spring, place and community and a chance to showcase the fantastic investment and work that’s going into transforming Ashton and Stalybridge town centres.

“This is just a taste of things to come and only the start of our transformational plans for all of our town centres. We’re working hard to attract further investment so we can preserve and celebrate the unique character of each town while creating vibrant, forward-looking places for everyone.

“Thank you to everyone for their patience while Ashton Market Square has undergone redevelopment. The wait will be worth it, but in the meantime, we encourage everyone to come along, enjoy the events and support our local businesses.”

To make the festival even more accessible, visitors can take advantage of free parking for up to two hours in all Tameside Council-run car parks before 6pm, Monday to Saturday.