The Den Festival FAQs

The Den Festival is a festival that is taking place over four weekends, launching on the 9 May and running until 1 June 2025.

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

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

Here you can also read our What to Expect Guide.

Download the Brochure here.

The Den Festival will be in Stalybridge Civic Hall, Trinity St, Stalybridge SK15 2BN

The Den Festival is open during the following dates and times 

Friday 9 May 5pm – 7pm 

Saturday 10 May 10am – 9pm 

Sunday 11 May 10am – 7:30pm 

Saturday 17 May 10am – 9pm 

Sunday 18 May 10am – 9pm 

Saturday 24 May 10am – 8pm 

Sunay 25 May 10am – 10pm 

Saturday 31 May 10am – 9:30pm 

Sunday 1 June 10am – 8pm 

The festival is not open to the public during the week. 

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.

You are welcome to come to the Den 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.

More information coming soon.

Between 10:30am – 12:30pm every Saturday and Sunday will be Family Morning at the festival.  

Family Mornings are aimed at families with children aged 12 and under. 

The activity for each Family Morning changes, but on Saturdays you can expect a calmer & quieter morning, whilst on Sundays you can expect things to get noisier and more energetic.   

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 
Stalybridge Bus Station is a five-minute walk to Stalybridge Civic Hall. From here, buses run to Ashton-under-Lyne, Mossley, Carrbrook, Ridge Hill, Hyde and Oldham.
There is also Armentieres Square (Stop B) bus stop (what3words: forks.drain.track) which is a two minute walk from Stalybridge Civic Hall and has services from Dukinfield and Longdendale.

Train 
Stalybridge train station (Stalybridge station, Rassbottom Street, Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, SK15 1RF) is a ten-minute walk to Stalybridge Civic Hall.

Car 
There are a few spaces at each side of the Civic Hall which allow for 1-2 hours free parking.

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 and soft drinks and snacks.

Yes you can bring your own food and drink in into the festival. Alcohol cannot be brought in. Please note that drinks cannot be brought inside the Den.

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, 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.

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

You can also book by phone at 0161 833 9833.   

All tickets for the Den Festival are either Pay What You Can (PWYC) or free. 

The options for PWYC range from £1 – £10.

Everyone is welcome at The Den 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 production, it may be possible for you to take your dog into the performance.