Local Exchange Festival FAQs

Local Exchange Festival is a festival that is taking place inside the Royal Exchange’s mobile theatre, The Den.

The festival launches on the 7 August and runs until 17 August 2025.

You can expect music, workshops, shows, comedy, dance, drama, family activities and much, much more.

This festival is for everyone in Leigh, Atherton and Tyldesley programmed by local people who have been working with the Royal Exchange Theatre in volunteer roles as Ambassadors and Champions.

Local Exchange Festival will be inside The Den at Fred Longworth High School, Printshop Lane, Tyldesley, Manchester M29 8JN.

Local Exchange Festival is open during the following dates and times:

Thursday 7 August, 11.00am – 9.30pm
Friday 8 August, 11.30am – 9.30pm
Saturday 10 August, 10.30am – 9.30pm
Sunday 11 August, 10.30am – 8:30pm

Thursday 14 August, 1.00pm – 8.30pm
Friday 15 August, 10.30am – 9.00pm
Saturday 16 August, 11.30am – 8.30pm
Sunday 17 August, 3.30pm – 9.00pm

The Den is the Royal Exchange Theatre’s mobile in-the-round theatre and is where the shows and most of the activity in the festival will take place.

Local Exchange is the Royal Exchange’s ambitious, long-term programme that sees the theatre take up residency in communities across Greater Manchester.

Local Exchange is for you, for your friends, your family, your neighbours and for anyone who is curious about the work of the Royal Exchange Theatre and wants to find out more about what we do or how to get involved.

This aspiring programme has been developed for and with communities across the region, it builds upon existing partnerships, develops new connections and brings together people, places and artists to cement long-lasting relationships with the communities on our doorstep.

You are welcome to come to Local Exchange Festival at any point and you can check out the daily opening times either in the brochure or on our website.

For our drop-in style activities, you can turn up and join in whenever you wish.

For performances and workshops, please arrive ahead of the start time. We recommend arriving 30 minutes before, giving you time to get settled, find your seat, and check out some of our exhibitions.

Please note, if an event is showing as sold out online, please feel free to come along as we have several walk-up tickets available on the day.

More information coming soon.

Performance – this is something you sit in the Den to watch. Some performances allow the audience to interact.

Workshop – arrive at the start time to join in this activity

Drop-in – arrive at any point during the time stated and stay for as long or little as you want.

Visit Transport for Greater Manchester, this is the official public transport website for Greater Manchester – travel and accessibility information, service maps and journey planner.

Bus
Sacred Heart Church bus stop is a five-minute walk from Fred Longworth High School and has services to and from Atherton and Tyldesley.

Cooling Lane bus stop on the Guided Busway is a 10-minute walk away from Fred Longworth High school and has services to and from Leigh.

Train
Atherton train station is a 25 minute walk from Fred Longworth High School.

Car
Parking is available in the school car park.

Google Maps may also help with directions

There is an accessible toilet and baby change facilities.

There will be free tea and coffee available.

When we have performances on, there will be a bar where you can purchase alcoholic drinks, soft drinks and snacks.

Yes you can bring your own food and drink into the festival.

Alcohol cannot be brought in.

Please note that drinks cannot be brought inside the Den theatre.

You can purchase tickets online our website. To book, please visit the What’s On and select the event you’d like to book for.

If you wish to buy your tickets in person at the Festival, then check each weekend page for our opening times and our box office team will be able to help you.

When your booking is complete, whether online or in person, you will receive two emails:

– The first email will be your Order Confirmation.

– The second email will contain your e-tickets.

If you don’t receive this email, you can check your online account and once logged in, scroll down to the option ‘E-Tickets’ and all your current and past e-tickets will be here. If your tickets aren’t here or there is a problem downloading them, please contact our Visitor Experience Team.

All tickets for Local Exchange Festival are either Pay What You Can or free.

If you wish to buy your tickets in person at the festival, then check each weekend page for our opening times at Fred Longworth High School and our box office team there will be able to help you.

You can also book by phone at 0161 833 9833.

Everyone is welcome at Local Exchange Festival.

Our venue is wheelchair accessible and has an accessible toilet.

We also have a calm space, a prayer room, and a selection of adapted shows.

Ear defenders will also be available.

Assistance dogs are welcome within the building. 

If you wish to attend a performance, a member of staff can care for your dog. 

Alternatively, depending upon the event, it may be possible for you to take your dog into the performance.