Young Digitals Festival 2026

YDF 2026 is a free, one-day festival celebrating the creativity, voices, and ideas of young local artists. Taking over Oldham Library on Saturday 28 March 2026, 11am–3pm, the festival will be packed with workshops, performances, talks, and interactive events across theatre, music, writing, visual art, and more.

2026 marks a special year for the festival, celebrating 10 years of YDF, alongside 35 years of Peshkar. Curated by John Thacker and Katie McKeever, YDF 2026 continues Peshkar’s long-standing commitment to championing young people, new ideas, and bold creative voices.

With lots of free activities to drop into throughout the day, all led by young artists working across different creative platforms, the festival creates an open, welcoming space to explore, make, and share work. Whether you’re an artist, a curious creative, or passing through, YDF 2026 is a celebration of what young people are making right now in Greater Manchester.

Where? Oldham Library, Cultural Quarter, Greaves Street, Oldham, OL1 1AL

When? Saturday 28 March 2026, 11am-3pm

Who? FREE & open to all!

Schedule of workshops and performances coming soon!

During the festival, there will be a Symposium taking place in the Performance Space. Artists from the 2025-26 programme will share their practice and process PLUS hear from the latest Global Canvas expedition to South Korea. Featuring extra special keynote presentation from Yoosang Erin Kim.

Getting there

We encourage you to use public transport, when possible, to get to the library. There are frequent buses and trams with regular service across Greater Manchester. The closest tram stop is Oldham King Street, a nine minute walk from the library.

Access

The venue is fully accessible. If you have any specific access requirements, please get in touch with us as soon as possible before the event at [email protected].

• Wheelchair access and lifts to the upper floor
• Induction hearing loops at reception desks and in the performance space.
• 8 accessible parking spaces on Southgate Street car park (next to the library).
• Waterloo Street car park (access to the library across Southgate Street).
• Pay and display car parks close to the library.

Data Gathering

As part of the registration process for this event, we’ll ask a few questions about your age, gender, ethnicity, disability status, and postcode. Collecting this information allows us to report to our funders and gain a clearer understanding of who we’re reaching, helping us make our events accessible to as many people as possible both now and in the future. All responses are provided anonymously.

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Host or Publisher Peshkar