Explore Bolton

There are many reasons why you would come to Visit Bolton, so where to start! 

Firstly, you can enjoy Bolton’s culture and there is lots of it! They have a staggering six theatres including the Octagon, a highly regarded producing theatre across the country, the amazing Bolton Albert Halls which has been a key part of cultural enjoyment for over 100 years and the historic Victoria Halls and Bolton Little Theatre. 

Culture is knitted into the town’s urban environment with the stunning architecture of Le Mans Crescent providing a backdrop to popular film and TV productions like Peaky Blinders, The Ipcress File, Passenger and A Gentleman in Moscow, giving us the nickname the ‘Hollywood of the North’. 

The centre is also home to the museum with one of the largest collections of Egyptology outside London as well as the ever-popular aquarium. 

They have a range of public spaces like Victoria Square and Queens Park which play host to national events such as the annual Bolton Food and Drink Festival which attracts over 500,000 each year, IRONMAN weekend and the Right to Roam festival. 

Enjoy a fantastic range of shopping destinations, including Market Place Shopping Centre with a host of high street shops and independent brands. They are also proud to have the Middlebrook Retail Park which is one of the largest leisure, sports, and retail venues in the country. 

Of course, you may just want to get in touch with nature in their great outdoors walking, cycling or just relaxing on the West Pennine Moors or Rivington Pike. 

Things to do in Bolton

What's on in Bolton

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A Night At The Musicals - The Dinner Show 14 Nov 2026 -

A Night At The Musicals - The Dinner Show

Be wowed with West End worthy performances with this dazzling and glamorous evening of theatrical…

Put Big Light On Festival Bolton 2026 19 Nov 2026 - 22 Nov 2026

Put Big Light On Festival Bolton 2026

Experience Bolton’s FREE winter light art festival and enjoy four unforgettable nights of…

Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs Panto 2026 01 Dec 2026 - 31 Dec 2026

Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs Panto 2026

This Christmas, audiences are invited to experience Bolton’s biggest ever pantomime, Snow…

An Evening Celebrating the Life of Francis Lee CBE 02 Dec 2026 -

An Evening Celebrating the Life of Francis Lee CBE

Football legend. Entrepreneur. Racehorse trainer. Manchester City chairman. Bolton boy. Join BLGC…

Breakfast with Santa 12 Dec 2026 -

Breakfast with Santa

Looking for a family Christmas event in Bolton? Families are invited to join Bolton Lads & Girls…

Santa Live! 2026 12 Dec 2026 - 24 Dec 2026

Santa Live! 2026

Santa LIVE! returns to The Albert Halls Bolton for its third year this Christmas, bringing a…

ADULTS ONLY (18+) Snow white & The Seven Dwarfs Panto 2026 28 Dec 2026 -

ADULTS ONLY (18+) Snow white & The Seven Dwarfs Panto 2026

Audiences are invited to enjoy a special adults-only performance of Snow White & The Seven…

Epic Movie Musicals 31 Jan 2027 -

Epic Movie Musicals

A show with an Epic soundtrack – join us as we celebrate the very best in award winning movie…

In The Air Tonight 05 Feb 2027 -

In The Air Tonight

Get ready for a Night to Remember – as we bring the unforgettable sound of Phil Collins to…

Northern Live 19 Feb 2027 -

Northern Live

Keeping the Faith to the original sounds of the underground movement that started on the dance…

Clinton Baptiste: Spectral Intercourse 20 Feb 2027 -

Clinton Baptiste: Spectral Intercourse

Hot on the heels of his fourth sell-out UK tour, the nation's favourite clairvoyant medium, from…

Dom Joly - Trigger Happy TV, the 25th Anniversary Tour 10 Mar 2027 -

Dom Joly - Trigger Happy TV, the 25th Anniversary Tour

It's been twenty-five years since Trigger Happy TV burst onto our screens, transforming the…

Lost In Music 20 Mar 2027 -

Lost In Music

LOST IN MUSIC – One Night at the Disco! Returns for 2026! Step back into the era of glitter…

Murder Trial Tonight V - Death In The Family 25 Mar 2027 -

Murder Trial Tonight V - Death In The Family

Murder Trial Tonight returns after four previous sold-out seasons with its most gripping case yet…

The Bubble Spectacular 07 Apr 2027 -

The Bubble Spectacular

Enter the bubbly-brilliant world of Dr Hubble, as he presents The Bubble Spectacular – a…

Roy Chubby Brown 17 Apr 2027 -

Roy Chubby Brown

50 plus years In Entertainment/ comedy, Roy Chubby Brown is still going strong, entertaining…

The Unspoken Adventures of Peter Pan (Adults Only) 01 May 2027 -

The Unspoken Adventures of Peter Pan (Adults Only)

Second star to the right… and hook right off! The Adult Pantomime is back for its 9th…

Barry Steele's Roy Orbison Story 08 May 2027 -

Barry Steele's Roy Orbison Story

Experience the magic of one of the greatest voices in music history as Barry Steele brings his…

Man In The Mirror 25 Jun 2027 -

Man In The Mirror

Join Bolton Albert Halls for a Thriller of an evening, as we celebrate the legendary music…

Summer Adventures in Bolton 20 Jul 2027 - 06 Sep 2027

Summer Adventures in Bolton

Looking for a great family day out this summer? Visit Bolton and discover a destination packed with…

Bolton Food and Drink Festival 2026 28 Aug 2027 - 31 Aug 2027

Bolton Food and Drink Festival 2026

Celebrate the good times Bolton Food and Drink Festival turns 21! Bolton’s biggest and…

Ghost & History Tours at Smithills Hall 23 Oct 2027 - 13 Nov 2027

Ghost & History Tours at Smithills Hall

One of Bolton's original family homes dating back to medieval times,Smithills Hall, will host…

Russell Watson, The Majestic Voice 12 Nov 2027 -

Russell Watson, The Majestic Voice

Russell Watson returns to the UK’s best-loved stages for 2027 concert tour The UK's most…

Where to eat and drink in Bolton

Achari

Achari Restaurant Bolton is a contemporary Indian restaurant and takeaway providing an…

Ciao Napoli

Located right at the heart of Bolton, Ciao Napoli serve classic Mediterranean cuisine in a relaxed…

Harvester

Family friendly pub with easy access off the M61. A large menu available, something for all the…

La Scala

Superb Italian restaurant and previous winner of the Bolton News Restaurant of the Year.

Nam Ploy

Nam Ploy is an enchanting Thai restaurant in Bolton which offers an unforgettable dining experience…

Odessa

Join Odessa for something to eat and drink, or a chat. You can eat in or take away. Wide…

The Brewhouse

The Brewhouse is everything desired from a local inn and restaurant - superb freshly prepared food…

Shopping

Where to stay in Bolton

The Brewhouse

Welcome to the Brewhouse! Formerly the Cheetham Arms, the property was extensively refurbished in…

The Mercury

Superbly located on the outskirts of Bolton, the Mercury is just 300 metres from the M61, Junction…

Bolton articles

Jumbles Reservoir and Bradshaw Brook, Bolton

This reservoir and valley walk from Bromley Cross Station explores picturesque Jumbles Country Park and Bradshaw Brook. This is part of a series of guest blogs by Andrew Read, who shares his insider tips on Greater Manchester’s incredibly varied green spaces and heritage. Andrew demonstrated his…

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Your Ultimate Guide to Summer Events in Greater Manchester

Summer's here - and so is a packed calendar of events across Greater Manchester's ten boroughs. From food festivals and free family fun to live gigs and cultural celebrations, there's something going on in every corner of the city-region. Whether you're planning a weekend visit, a day out with the…

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Bolton Food and Drink Festival 2024: Festival Lineup

With less than a month until the UK’s biggest Food and Drink Festival begins, take a look at the lineup to make sure you don’t miss out on the fantastic events and entertainment on offer. This year’s festival is bigger and better than ever with a mix of celebrity and regional chef cookery demos, two…

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Guide to Arts and Culture in Greater Manchester

Galleries, theatres and museums are a big reason to visit Manchester. Permanent collections, temporary exhibitions, famous names, well-loved plays and local or global artefacts offer a window to the world. But wouldn’t it be nice to do more than just look out of a window? Even Da Vinci needed…

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Where is Bolton