More Khushi in Oldham

Sonia Sabri Company performing Roshni

Oldham Coliseum and Women’s CHAI Project have published the programme for this year's 2025 Khushi Festival on August 2-3, for South Asian Heritage Month.

The Khushi ("happiness") Festival is a female-led collaboration between the Coliseum and the local Women’s CHAI Project, supported by Oldham Council. Now in its fourth year, the festival brings together artists and community groups across the town to showcase South Asian talent.

The weekend features everything from outdoor performances to family-friendly workshops, and is mostly free. The main locations are Oldham Library (August 2) and Northern Roots on August 3 - and if you don't know where that is, it's the woodland area stretching south of Alexandra Park to Park Bridge Heritage Centre.

Highlights across both days include:

::South Asian dance and music company Sonia Sabri Company, performing Roshni - an intimate mix of dance and live music, and Mughal Miniatures: Animal Paradise - a vibrant outdoor family show.

::Chand Ali Khan Qawwal & Party, the UK’s leading qawwali group, in a popular set of sacred music and crowd-pleasing classics.

::Award-winning network Without Walls in Choogh Choogh by Beeja, an engaging exploration of how much we see and can imagine, inspired by travelling through India by train.

::Families can enjoy storytelling from actor and comedian Zoe Iqbal and live drumming demonstrations by bhangra beatmakers Dhol Drillerz.

These sit alongside an exhibition by Maryam Hussain, henna painting, face painting, arts and crafts.

This year’s festival will also feature a series of co-commissions uniting talented artists with local community groups.

Najma Khalid MBE, founder and director of Women’s CHAI Project, said: “We’re looking forward to meeting people from all walks of life to enjoy amazing activities and performances.

Martina Murphy, who is CEO of Oldham Coliseum added, “The festival aims to bring joy, positivity and happiness to all, and this year we’ve been thrilled to work with our partners Women’s CHAI Project, Northern Roots and Oldham Council to ensure we create a fantastic weekend for everyone."

More info and tickets here