What's On in Ramsbottom
Events, markets, festivals & things to do this weekend
Events, markets, festivals & things to do this weekend
Ramsbottom is always buzzing. Here's what happens regularly, rain or shine.
A general market at the car park behind Bridge Street. A good excuse to grab a coffee before or after a browse.
Around 40 stalls at Market Place and the Civic Hall. Breads, cheese, honey, preserves, handmade crafts, jewellery and more from local producers.
Street food around the Ramsbottom Urn, live entertainment, a licensed bar, charity stalls and kids' activities. A great way to kick off the weekend.
Handmade crafts, artisan goods and local producers at the Civic Hall, 11am–3:30pm. Remaining 2026 dates: 30th August, 27th September, 25th October, then the Christmas market on 29th November (11am–4pm).
Station Car Park, 8am–3pm. A proper Sunday morning rummage right next to the railway. Grab a coffee from DRINC before or after.
Looking for somewhere special to celebrate? Bring them to DRINC for breakfast, brunch or lunch and make their day.
The kids are off, the sun's out (hopefully), and you deserve a proper breakfast. Bring the family for a Full English, a freakshake and a breather. Dogs welcome too, obviously.
Celebrating a birthday? DRINC is the perfect spot for a relaxed get-together with friends. Great food, cocktails and freakshakes. No booking needed for small groups.
Looking for a gift? DRINC gift vouchers are available in store. Treat someone to coffee, cake and a catch-up whenever they fancy.
A murder mystery evening on the East Lancashire Railway. New for 2026. Dinner and detective work on a moving train. One for a night out with friends.
Thomas returns to the ELR for the summer holidays. Steam train rides, live entertainment, funfair rides and family activities.
Three days of beer, food and live music at the Irwell Works Brewery on Irwell Street. One of the biggest weekends in the Ramsbottom calendar and only a short walk from us.
One of the world's oldest brass bands, formed just down the road in Whitefield, playing the Civic Hall. A proper Lancashire Sunday afternoon.
A K-Pop party on the East Lancashire Railway. Not what you expect from a heritage steam line, which is rather the point.
Wands at the ready for a wacky wizard adventure on the East Lancashire Railway. One for the little ones in the school holidays.
Street food around the Ramsbottom Urn, live entertainment on the main stage, a licensed bar, charity stalls and kids' crafts. The first Friday of the month, right through to October.
A rogues' gallery of vile villains takes over the ELR. Expect mischief on the way to Rawtenstall.
A time travelling safari on the ELR to meet a herd of baby dinosaurs. Always a popular one, so book ahead.
Everyone's favourite cheeky little piggy comes to the East Lancashire Railway for the day. Very much one for the preschool crowd.
A trip down the rabbit hole on the ELR for a wondrous adventure with Alice and friends.
The summer edition at the Civic Hall. Independent stalls with handmade goods, artisan crafts, bespoke gifts and local produce. Bank holiday weekend, so the town will be busy.
The Heeler pups come to the East Lancashire Railway. If you have a toddler, you already know how big this one is.
Ramsbottom's most famous event, held outside The Oaks on Bridge Street. Competitors hurl black puddings at Yorkshire puddings on a 20-foot plinth. Food stalls, live music and plenty of fun. The whole town turns into a festival. It always lands on the second Sunday in September, and we'll confirm the date here as soon as the organisers announce it.
An autumn showcase of heritage diesel locomotives across the East Lancashire Railway, with an intensive diesel timetable all weekend.
The first beer festival to be held at Bury Transport Museum, run with CAMRA, with regional beers from Lancashire and Yorkshire. Runs alongside the Autumn Diesel Gala, so you can make a weekend of both.
A music and community festival at the cricket club by the River Irwell. Back after a sell-out event previously.
Thomas is back at the ELR for October half term. Steam train rides and family fun.
A 90s dance and RnB night at the Civic Hall. Two rooms, one big night out on Market Place.
The last big steam event of the year at the ELR. An intensive all-steam timetable with guest locomotives.
The autumn edition at the Civic Hall. Handmade goods, artisan crafts and local produce, right in the middle of half term.
The wizards return to the ELR for half term, just in time for Halloween.
A community Halloween event in Nuttall Park with lantern making, face painting, traditional games, a pumpkin carving competition and a parade at dusk.
Ramsbottom Cricket Club's annual bonfire night. Gates open late afternoon, bonfire lit early evening, fireworks to follow. DJ, funfair, food stalls and bars.
Heritage diesel railcars take the spotlight at the East Lancashire Railway for a two day autumn event.
The big festive one at the Civic Hall, and an hour longer than usual. Handmade gifts and local produce to get the Christmas shopping done properly.
The first Santa trains of the year depart the East Lancashire Railway. More dates right through December.
Bridge Street closes to traffic for stalls, festive food, mulled wine, carol singing, a brass band and Father Christmas. The Civic Hall hosts a festive food and craft market. The whole town joins in.
The East Lancashire Railway's magical Santa trains, running most December weekends and then daily in the run up to Christmas Eve. Always sells out fast, so book early.
See the new year in at the Civic Hall. Tickets on sale now and this one tends to go early.
One of Ramsbottom's best-loved annual events. Artisan chocolatiers and cheesemongers take over the town for a weekend of tastings, demos and street food. The 2026 edition has been and gone — we'll update here as soon as 2027 dates are confirmed. Pop in to DRINC before or after for a coffee and a slice of something homemade.
Events aside, Ramsbottom is surrounded by walks, landmarks and history. These are here all year round.
The landmark you can see for miles. Built in 1852 to honour Sir Robert Peel, born in nearby Bury, who founded the modern police force, served as Home Secretary, Chancellor of the Exchequer and twice as Prime Minister. The walk up rewards you with views across Greater Manchester, the Pennines and beyond.
A brutal 1-in-5 climb that featured in Stage 2 of the 2014 Tour de France. Cyclists come from all over to test themselves on it. Walkers use it as the quickest route up to Peel Tower.
A preserved steam and diesel railway running from Heywood to Rawtenstall, with Ramsbottom right in the middle. Regular timetabled services run throughout the year, not just for special events.
A 30-mile trail of public art following the River Irwell from Salford to Rossendale. The Ramsbottom Urn in the town centre is one of its most recognisable pieces.
A riverside park with a playground, bowling green, skatepark and open green space. A favourite with families and dog walkers any day of the week.
Head up beside Edenfield Cricket Club and follow the path to a stone drinking fountain dedicated to Lancashire dialect poet Edwin Waugh. Peaceful paths through fields with views over the valley.
A circular walk around a modern reservoir just a short drive away. Flat, scenic and popular with walkers, runners and families.
Ancient woodland tucked away near Stubbins. Bluebells in spring, shade in summer, and a peaceful escape from the high street any time of year.
One of England's largest onshore wind farms sits on open moorland above Ramsbottom. You either love them or you hate them, but the big skies, wild terrain and proper sense of space up on the tops are hard to argue with.
A hidden gorge near Rochdale with a Victorian viaduct, waterfalls and wooded riverside paths. Known locally as the "hidden bridge" walk. Worth the short drive.
Ramsbottom's high street is packed with independent shops, galleries, delis and boutiques. No chains, no identikit town centre. Just proper local businesses doing their own thing. A great place for a mooch.
For a small Lancashire town, Ramsbottom has attracted some big names. Liam Neeson, Sigourney Weaver and Billy Connolly have all visited. Not bad for a place most people can't spell.
We're right on Bridge Street, a stone's throw from the station and in the heart of the action. Pop in for a coffee, brunch or breakfast or a cheeky cocktail before, during or after. We're a dog friendly cafe, so furry friends are always welcome too!