We Are Bolton

We Are Bolton Bolton is experiencing an urban, cultural and economic renaissance where a proud history of innovation is informing a bright future.

A fantastic place to live, work, study, invest and visit.

🚀 Build Your Future in Bolton — Job & Skills Fair This SaturdayBolton is a place full of opportunity — and the Bolton Di...
09/09/2026

🚀 Build Your Future in Bolton — Job & Skills Fair This Saturday

Bolton is a place full of opportunity — and the Bolton Digital, Employment and Skills Team & The Employment Hub are bringing those opportunities together in one event to help our residents grow, learn and thrive.

Join us at the Bolton Job & Skills Fair on Saturday 12 September, 10am–2pm, in Victoria Square, and discover what’s possible for your future in a borough that means business.

What you’ll find:
👉Employers recruiting now
👉Learning and skills providers
👉Apprenticeships
👉Career support and guidance
👉Digital skills help

There will also be some fun family‑friendly extras on offer on the day, including face painting, competitions, prizes and free crafts — making it a great day out in the heart of our town centre.

đź“… Saturday 12 September
⏰ 10am–2pm
đź“Ť Victoria Square, Bolton town centre

Free to attend. No booking required.

Bolton is a place where success is in our DNA. Bolton is a place where everyone can thrive.





Bolton Digital, Employment & Skills
Bolton Employment Hub

🎬 Bolton International Film Festival returns for its landmark tenth edition!From 30 September to 4 October, Bolton welco...
08/09/2026

🎬 Bolton International Film Festival returns for its landmark tenth edition!

From 30 September to 4 October, Bolton welcomes one of the world’s leading short film festivals back to The Light Cinema — showcasing 305 films from 120+ countries, including major premieres and work from emerging and internationally recognised directors.

This milestone year brings an outstanding line‑up of talent on screen and more than 25 industry events, masterclasses and networking opportunities. New funding opportunities include the £10,000 Slick Films Short Film Fund Pitch and the Northern Doc Pitch, supporting filmmakers across the North with £16,000 available.

The festival continues to champion early‑career filmmakers and strengthen Bolton’s growing screen sector — supported by the North West Producers Forum and a close partnership with Bolton Film Office. It reflects a town where films aren’t just screened, but developed and made.

📅 Wed 30 Sept – Sun 4 Oct
đź“Ť The Light Cinema, Market Place, Bolton
🎟️ Programme & tickets: www.boltonfilmfestival.com

We are Bolton, and we are born to perform.

Bolton Film Office
Bolton Film Festival



🌟 Put Big Light On is back for 2026!Bolton’s winter light art festival returns this November — four dazzling nights of c...
07/09/2026

🌟 Put Big Light On is back for 2026!
Bolton’s winter light art festival returns this November — four dazzling nights of colour, creativity and illuminated artwork across the town centre.

📅 Thursday 19 – Sunday 22 November
🕔 5–9pm
đź“Ť Bolton Town Centre

This amazing family‑friendly experience is curated by Things That Go On Things and Culture Bolton and funded by the UK Government.

Bolton is a place with no limits. Bolton is born to perform.

Put Big Light On Festival



Bolton is transforming — and a recent cabinet decision marks another major step forward in shaping a town centre with no...
07/09/2026

Bolton is transforming — and a recent cabinet decision marks another major step forward in shaping a town centre with no limits.

With demolition now underway at Crompton Place, the council has approved plans to expand the flagship redevelopment by acquiring the HSBC building at 1–3 Victoria Square. This strategic move unlocks the site’s full potential and strengthens the foundations for a bold, mixed‑use scheme that will redefine the heart of Bolton.

This is the kind of ambition that shows success is in our DNA. We’re building a town centre designed for the future — a place where people, businesses and investors can thrive.

Alongside regeneration, cabinet also backed proposals to bring the town centre CCTV network in‑house, ensuring greater control over day‑to‑day operations and keeping money and jobs here in Bolton. It’s another step in creating a safe, welcoming environment where everyone can feel confident and supported.

From major redevelopment to strengthened safety infrastructure, Bolton continues to prove that we are born to perform — delivering transformation that puts our community first and builds a town centre ready for the next generation.

We are Bolton, and we have a bright future.

👉Find out more: https://investinbolton.com/news/cabinet-approves-bolton-town-centre-plans/




Have you managed to get your new insider’s handbook yet? 👀The guide is packed with local recommendations on attractions,...
05/09/2026

Have you managed to get your new insider’s handbook yet? 👀

The guide is packed with local recommendations on attractions, events, places to eat, drink, shop and stay. 🤩

If you haven't got yours, you can pick up a free copy from Bolton libraries and visitor information points! đź“Ť

Visit Bolton



05/09/2026

Let Bolton’s great outdoors do you the world of good.

Find over 30 great outdoor activities with Visit Bolton

www.visitbolton.com/adventure



🎉Bolton Young Chef of the Year 2026🎉After five months of hands‑on cookery workshops, Bolton’s brand‑new Young Chef progr...
04/09/2026

🎉Bolton Young Chef of the Year 2026🎉

After five months of hands‑on cookery workshops, Bolton’s brand‑new Young Chef programme reached a brilliant finale with a special presentation from celebrity chef James Martin at Bolton Food & Drink Festival.

For the first time, the festival introduced Bolton Young Chef of the Year, proudly supported by Step Places — giving young people aged 11 to 17 a unique chance to develop their skills, work in a commercial kitchen, and discover what they can achieve in the world of food and hospitality.

Twelve talented young people took part in professional culinary sessions led by chef Mike Harrison and chef lecturer Jackie McKnight, learning new techniques and experiencing the fast‑paced reality of a commercial service. Their final challenge was a luxury three‑course lunch prepared and served entirely by the group — a standout moment that showed just how far they’ve come.

The cohort then joined James Martin’s live cookery demonstration at the festival before stepping into the spotlight for a well‑deserved celebration of their achievements. After an inspiring pep talk, Tabitha Glenholme and Thomas Parkinson were crowned Bolton Young Chef of the Year 2026 in their respective age groups.

Backstage, the group enjoyed a private meet‑and‑greet with James, each receiving a signed cookery book and a moment they’ll never forget.

This programme was created to spark passion, build confidence and open doors. Their talent, drive and creativity show that success is in our DNA, and their performance in the kitchen demonstrated that Bolton’s young people are truly born to perform.

Step Places
Bolton Food and Drink Festival




🚍 Bolton: Better connected. Bolton has taken another big step towards a better connected borough this bank holiday, as p...
03/09/2026

🚍 Bolton: Better connected.

Bolton has taken another big step towards a better connected borough this bank holiday, as passengers became the first to ride on brand‑new bus routes.

From 30 August, several routes have been upgraded to make everyday travel easier, faster and more reliable:

575, 576 and 615 — improved access to Middlebrook, with more frequent services and direct links into the town centre.

507 and 511 — updated timetables designed around shift patterns at Logistics North, supporting one of Bolton’s major employment hubs.

471 — more buses connecting Rochdale, Bury and Bolton on weekdays and extended Sunday services running from 7am to midnight.

36 — late‑night buses between Bolton and Manchester continuing on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with extra mid‑week trips added.

These changes mark real progress on one of Bolton’s three major commitments in the GM Strategy — strengthening transport connections so people can get to work, education, shopping and leisure more easily.

This is Bolton’s ambition in action — practical improvements that help people move confidently and easily around the borough, support local businesses, and show what it means to be a place that’s Born to Perform.



01/09/2026

🎉 21 years of Bolton Food & Drink Festival — and what a milestone year it’s been! 🎉

This year’s festival once again filled Bolton town centre with thousands of visitors, incredible food, brilliant entertainment and four days of family fun — reinforcing why it’s the biggest food and drink festival of its kind in the UK.

Over 200 traders, celebrity chefs, live music and free activities created a vibrant atmosphere from start to finish, showcasing Bolton’s bold spirit and our growing reputation for world‑class events.

Festival favourite James Martin returned for his 18th year, joining an impressive programme featuring Marco Pierre White, Nisha Katona, Justin Moorhouse, the Faulty Towers Dining Experience, and some of the region’s most talented chefs delivering free demos in Victoria Square.

Families enjoyed budget‑friendly activities across the Festival Garden, the Octagon Theatre and Elizabeth Park, while two stages of live music — including chart‑toppers Liberty X and The Real Thing — kept crowds entertained well into the evening.

A new addition this year was the Visit Bolton area, where visitors picked up the latest Insider’s Handbook — a curated guide celebrating the very best of our borough. And the brand new MONOPOLY Bolton edition was unveiled, much to the excitement of visitors, with the opportunity to pre-order a copy ready for Christmas!

The festival continues to be a major boost for Bolton’s visitor economy, supporting local businesses, attracting tourists and shining a spotlight on the community spirit that makes our town so special.

A huge thank you to our chefs, performers, traders, council teams, partners and sponsors — including headline sponsor Peel Land — and to everyone who joined us for this unforgettable 21st year.

Bolton showed exactly what it does best: big, brilliant experiences powered by community pride.

We are Bolton, and we are definitely born to perform!

Visit Bolton




Come and see us in the Visit Bolton area of the Bolton Food & Drink Festival and pre-order your very own for collectio...
31/08/2026

Come and see us in the Visit Bolton area of the Bolton Food & Drink Festival and pre-order your very own for collection in time for Christmas!



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