Popular dumpling event coming to Greater Manchester this weekend with 'real celebration' of food

'There will be something for everyone'

Adam Maidment What's On and LGBTQ+ Writer

10:59, 10 Jun 2025

Dumpling Day has been described as a celebration of world cuisine(Image: Your Trust Rochdale)

A dumpling festival will be taking place in Greater Manchester this weekend featuring international flavours, workshops and creative sessions.

To coincide with the start of Refugee Week, the Ukrainian Centre in Rochdale will be hosting a free, family-friendly event celebrating the universal language of food.

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On Saturday (June 14), the Mere Street venue will host dumpling tastings from cooks representing the likes of Ukraine, Nigeria and Bangladesh, as well as workshops from Heart & Parcel where visitors can try and make their very own food creations.

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In addition, there will be creative activities taking place featuring opportunities to get hands-on with Argentinian weaving and crochet. There will also be a mini museum exploring powerful food stories, special recipes and the ‘connections we build around the table’.

The Dumpling Day event, which has been created by Touchstones, part of Rochdale charity Your Trust, follows on from last summer’s launch event which proved to be popular. This year’s festival will run from 11am to 3pm.

Dumpling Day is returning to the Ukrainian Centre in Rochdale(Image: Your Trust Rochdale)

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As well as being timed with Refugee Week, the date of this year's event also connects to the historical tradition of Wakes Day, an annual holiday for workers in Lancashire's mill towns that saw music and dancing throughout the town. Because of this, there will be live music at Dumpling Day as well as special Lancashire Hotpot-flavoured dumplings to try out.

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Mark Doyle, Director of Arts, Heritage and Wellness at Your Trust, said: “Dumpling Day is a real celebration of everything that makes Rochdale so special – our people, our heritage, and the stories we share around food.

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As well as trying world-inspired dumplings, there will also be the opportunity for visitors to make their own(Image: Your Trust Rochdale)

“Last year’s inaugural event was a huge success, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back this June for another day of discovery, creativity and connection.

“There will be something for everyone, so whether you’re curious about world cuisine, want to get stuck into a hands-on activity, or just fancy a good day out with friends and family, we hope to see as many people there as possible.”

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Dumpling Day will run at the Rochdale Ukrainian Centre, Mere Street, OL11 1HJ from 11am-3pm on Saturday (June 14). More information here.

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