FACE Festival 2026
6th - 15th November 2026
9th Edition : Youth Engagement in Promoting International Peace, Security and Prosperity
Youth led meeting place for young creatives, leaders & entrepreneurs.
Face Festival est. 2017 is youth & Global Majority led, Greater Manchester-wide and international festival, for creatives, cultural leaders, and social entrepreneurs. With year round learning culminating in a 10 day festival, with 7 non-traditional pathways into creative industry careers and leadership, platforming output in theatre, film, music, theatre and more.
Join Us. Book Your Tickets Now.
The Festival Opening Ceremony in Rochdale marks the beginning of a powerful 10 days of global creativity, dialogue, and cultural exchange. Bringing together international guests, community leaders, artists, and young change makers, the ceremony celebrates the spirit of unity, creativity, and leadership that defines the Face Festival.
This year’s opening also launches Elevate Young Minds’ vision to establish an activity studio in Rochdale, as part of our commitment to developing Greater Manchester’s creative spaces for Global Majority artists and young people. The initiative aims to incubate and nurture creative excellence and leadership, providing a dedicated platform where ideas, innovation, and collaboration can thrive.
More than just an opening event, the ceremony stands as a symbol of empowerment and connection, setting the tone for a week that reimagines how art, culture, and community can shape a more inclusive and inspired future.
Face Festival est. 2017 is a youth & Global Majority led, Greater Manchester-wide international festival, for creatives, cultural leaders, and social entrepreneurs. With year round learning culminating in a 10 day festival, with 7 non-traditional pathways into creative industry careers and leadership, platforming output in Theatre, Film, Music, Festival development, Model United Nations, Techwell, & RDE Hub teacher training.
Face Festival Itinerary
Face Festival Itinerary
Nov 5th - International Guest Arrival
Nov 6th - Opening Ceremony. (Rochdale) Face International Model of United Nations
Nov 7th - Face Festival International Model of United Nations
Nov 8th - Face Festival International Model of United Nations + Award Ceremony
Nov 9th- - Youth Employment Study Group + MUN Resolution Presentation
Nov 10th - Climate Justice Summit & RDE Global Network Forum
Nov 11th - Creative Employability Schools Forum + Youth Music Concert
Nov 12th - Face Film Screening + Public Youth Forum
Nov 13th - RDE Schools Championship + Creative Employability Forum + Hip Hop Theatre Evening
Nov 14th - Rotation Dance Exchange Day1(at Harpurhey Neighbourhood Project) + Music Concert (Djs,Mc and Live music)
Nov 15th - Rotation Dance Exchange Day2 (at Manchester Arndale) + YCL Award Ceremony
Monday 9th November | 13:00 - 17:00
39 Harris Street, Cheetham Hill, Manchester, M8 8EE
The EYM Employability Forum brings together leading sector experts, innovators, and young people to shape the future of youth employment. Designed to examine Elevate Young Minds' proven best practices, this strategic space explores how we can bridge grassroots talent with real-world careers, remove barriers to opportunity, and build sustainable pathways for the next generation of workforce leaders.
Thursday 12th November | 18:00 - 21:00
50 Red Bank, Cheetham Hill, Manchester, M4 4HF
Hosted at CULTPLEX, a local independent cinema in Cheetham Hill, this year’s edition of Face Film celebrates stories at the margins spotlighting a powerful selection of thought-provoking films from talented young filmmakers, locally and internationally. Filmmakers will participate in Q&As to share their perspectives on film making and the impact of independent cinema, including two new film commissions for the festival.
Tuesday 10th November | 10:00 - 17:00
39 Harris Street, Cheetham Hill, Manchester, M8 8EE
Centred around the question ‘Where do we grow from here?’, our urban gardening club, Harvest is working in collaboration with the Commonwealth Youth Climate Change Network (CYCN) and the Youth for Climate Justice initiative to try and answer this question.
Bringing together local, national and international voices the forum creates a space for climate justice conversations while turning this into practical takeaways through workshops that transform young people into agents of change.
Saturday 14th November | 21:30 - 01:00
Mcr Lounge, 31 Withy Grove, Manchester, M4 2BJ, United Kingdom
Bringing together genres from grime to funk, hip hop to drill, the Youth Music Event is an Rotation Dance Exchange experience you will not soon forget. Trust us, you don’t want to miss it.
Sat 14th November | 10:00-20:00 | RDE Day 2
Conran St, Harpurhey, Manchester M9 5PR
Grab your tickets now for Rotation Dance Exchange Finals coming to Manchester, Experience Hip Hop and dance battle culture, witness the crowning of new champions, and enjoy our culture of positive dance battles. RDE thrives in the community by spotlighting dancers from all backgrounds, bringing together dancers, live music, DJ's, street art, and more!
Expect, showcases from multiple
TIMETABLE
Day 2 - Qualifiers across all battles, workshops and After Party
Harpurhey Neighbourhood Project, Conran St, Manchester, M9 5PR and Dance Studio Manchester
A community event, bringing together dancers to celebrate a culture and heritage in extensive exchange. Whatever your age or level, young or old, beginner or advanced, test your flavour. RDE ensures a regular coming together of different Hip Hop & affiliated movement dance styles, that embrace exchange culture : Breaking, Popping, Hip Hop, Waacking etc.
Date & Time : Saturday 14th November 2026
Judges : Ynot (USA), Foggy (UK) +
Music by : Godzi (Portugal) + Jamfu (UK)
Host : Flowrex
(*) Payment made via Paypal or direct bank transfer.
Participants will be interviewed as part of our ongoing series on Rotation Dance Exchange TV. You can also enjoy our lead up series on YouTube, at Rotation Dance Exchange TV :
https://www.youtube.com/@rotationdanceexchangetv
Inquiry : admin@elevateyoungminds.uk
Sat 14th November | 10:00-20:00 | RDE Day 2
Conran St, Harpurhey, Manchester M9 5PR
Grab your tickets now for Rotation Dance Exchange Finals coming to Manchester, Experience Hip Hop and dance battle culture, witness the crowning of new champions, and enjoy our culture of positive dance battles. RDE thrives in the community by spotlighting dancers from all backgrounds, bringing together dancers, live music, DJ's, street art, and more!
Expect, showcases from multiple
TIMETABLE
Day 2 - Qualifiers across all battles, workshops and After Party
Harpurhey Neighbourhood Project, Conran St, Manchester, M9 5PR and Dance Studio Manchester
A community event, bringing together dancers to celebrate a culture and heritage in extensive exchange. Whatever your age or level, young or old, beginner or advanced, test your flavour. RDE ensures a regular coming together of different Hip Hop & affiliated movement dance styles, that embrace exchange culture : Breaking, Popping, Hip Hop, Waacking etc.
Date & Time : Saturday 14th November 2026
Judges : Ynot (USA), Foggy (UK)
Music by : Godzi (Portugal) + Jamfu (UK)
Host : Flowrex
(*) Payment made via Paypal or direct bank transfer.
Participants will be interviewed as part of our ongoing series on Rotation Dance Exchange TV. You can also enjoy our lead up series on YouTube, at Rotation Dance Exchange TV :
https://www.youtube.com/@rotationdanceexchangetv
Inquiry : admin@elevateyoungminds.uk
Contact Theater Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6JA
Join us for our second edition of an electrifying evening celebrating hip hop and theatre through movement, music, and storytelling. Face Theatre ‘Hip Hop Magic Live on Stage’ showcases community, youth, and professional artists creating new and original works that blend breaking, performance, and creativity.
Sunday 15th November | 19:00 - 21:00
The only way to conclude the festival, and the year, is with The Young Creative Leaders (YCL) Awards Ceremony hosted at Cross Street Chapel in the heart of the Manchester. Here we celebrate the best and the brightest in our network. From dance teachers, to artists, to changemakers, entrepreneurs and leaders, we take a moment to appreciate all the hard work from across the year, and the incredible people that make the organisation what it is and to appreciate the incredible contributions by our network of talented leaders.
Apply Now.
Face Festival 2025. Recap.
