WHAT'S ON AT THE OCTAGON THEATRE, BOLTON
What's On at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Octagon Theatre Bolton is an award-winning venue in the heart of Bolton that opened in 1967. The Octagon Theatre makes, shares, produces, and welcomes an array of popular theatre shows and experiences from classic plays, musicals, comedy, new work, reimagining’s, and premier events. The capacity in the main theatre is up to 390.
The Octagon Theatre Bolton was the first professional flexible theatre in the UK. It proudly works in partnership with the local community to provide numerous opportunities to get involved. With local business woman and CBE Sue Hodgkiss as a Patron and University Of Bolton as their Principal sponsor, the Octagon Theatre truly embodies all aspects of Bolton.
The Octagon has played a pivotal role in many careers, such as Danny Boyle, Vanessa Kirby, Fiona Shaw, Kwame Kwei-Armah, Es Devlin and Maxine Peake. Productions, shows and events coming up include The Memory Of Water, Macbeth, Waiting For Godot, Teechers and the Christmas production for 2026/27, Cinderella. See what’s on at the Octagon Theatre Bolton below and book tickets online.
Octagon Theatre Bolton is an award-winning venue in the heart of Bolton that opened in 1967. The Octagon Theatre makes, shares, produces, and welcomes an array of popular theatre shows and experiences from classic plays, musicals, comedy, new work, reimagining’s, and premier events. The capacity in the main theatre is up to 390.
The Octagon Theatre Bolton was the first professional flexible theatre in the UK. It proudly works in partnership with the local community to provide numerous opportunities to get involved. With local business woman and CBE Sue Hodgkiss as a Patron and University Of Bolton as their Principal sponsor, the Octagon Theatre truly embodies all aspects of Bolton.
The Octagon has played a pivotal role in many careers, such as Danny Boyle, Vanessa Kirby, Fiona Shaw, Kwame Kwei-Armah, Es Devlin and Maxine Peake. Productions, shows and events coming up include The Memory Of Water, Macbeth, Waiting For Godot, Teechers and the Christmas production for 2026/27, Cinderella. See what’s on at the Octagon Theatre Bolton below and book tickets online.
Most Popular Shows and Events at Octagon Theatre, Bolton
What's On at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Murder, She Didn't Write
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Monday 20 - Tuesday 21 July 2026
Don your deerstalker, grab your magnifying glass and get your 'finger of suspicion' at the ready because Edinburgh Fringe favourites, Degrees of Error, are bringing back their multiple sell-out show for your sleuthing pleasure. They'll cre...James Phelan
The Theatre
Wednesday 22 July 2026
Dare to believe in magic and step into a world where the impossible comes alive! Star of The Greatest Magician, and the BBC's most broadcast magician of the last decade - the award-winning James Phelan - is back with a completely new breat...The Jeweller's Daughter
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Wednesday 22 July 2026
The Jeweller's Daughter is full of celebration, culture and engagement. It tells the story of a little island in the Indian Ocean called Zanzibar; of a Sri-Lankan girl whose family were forced to leave, and the welcoming community they the...Family Festival 2026
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Saturday 25 - Sunday 26 July 2026
Check out what we got up to at previous festivals:...Summer School 2026
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Monday 27 July 2026
SUPPORTED PLACES?As a charity, we strive to keep our fees at an affordable cost so as many people as possible can take part. We also offer installment payment options to help participants spread the cost of fees. We are sometimes able to o...The Trials
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Thursday 20 - Saturday 22 August 2026
Set in the near future, The Trials explores a world where the climate emergency has reached a tipping point - and an entire generation is being held to account. In this imagined courtroom, the jurors are teenagers, tasked with deciding res...Guided Alpaca Walk
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Friday 28 - Monday 31 August 2026
Join us for a 5 minute guided alpaca walk through specially designated areas, where you can:Stroll side by side with our friendly, gentle alpacasCapture amazing photos and selfiesEnjoy a calm, feel-good moment in the heart of the festivalE...Lunch with Marco Pierre White and Michael Caines
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Saturday 29 August 2026
A very special lunch with renowned chef and restaurateur Marco Pierre White and acclaimed TV chef and hotelier Michael Caines. Having both previously been awarded Michelin stars, the talented chefs will be in the room, sharing their ins...Faulty Towers The Dining Experience
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Saturday 29 August 2026
MENUStarterRoasted tomato soupMain Course (choose at the time of booking)Sirloin of beeforThyme pan-roasted chicken breastorPressed & glazed veg terrine (v)DessertChocolate delice, black cherry & Kirsch coulis...James Martin Cookery Demo with Q&A
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Saturday 29 August 2026
James Martin is back for Bolton Food and Drink Festival 2026!On Saturday 29th August, James will be helping us to celebrate our 21st birthday in style by serving up 3 live cookery demos and sharing some of his best recipes and cooking tips...Cake Create and Celebrate
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Sunday 30 August 2026
Baking fanatics ? this one?s for you!As part of our 21st birthday celebrations, a brand-new event is coming to Bolton Food and Drink Festival: Cake, Create and Celebrate. Join baking experts Baking Nana and Gill Howard for a hands-on cupca...Pasties Pints and Punchlines
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Sunday 30 August 2026
Join us for an afternoon of pasties, pints and punchlines, as you enjoy a delicious, guided tasting experience alongside a live comedy show. Tuck into six freshly made Carrs Pasties tasters, perfectly paired with six beer tasters from Bank...Marco Pierre White Cookery Demo
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Monday 31 August 2026
Renowned chef and restaurateur Marco Pierre White returns to Bolton Food and Drink Festival 2026 following his success at the festival last year. Join us for an exclusive live cookery demonstration where Marco will showcase his signature c...Nisha Katona Cookery Demo with Q&A
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Monday 31 August 2026
Get ready for a flavour-packed experience as renowned chef, broadcaster and Mowgli Street Food founder Nisha Katona takes to the stage at BFDF 2026 for an unmissable live cookery demonstration. Celebrated for bringing the vibrant tastes of...East is East
The Theatre
Friday 4 September - Saturday 3 October 2026
The 30th anniversary production of Ayub Khan Din's modern classic, a story about identity, generational conflict, and the messy, unbreakable bonds of family. Salford, 1971. The Khan family are living above a chip shop and on the fault line...
Youth Theatre Taster Session
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Tuesday 22 - Saturday 26 September 2026
 Aged between 7 and 17 and want to find out more about the Octagon's Youth Theatre sessions? Then try this FREE taster session ahead of the next term. The weekly youth theatre sessions support young people to develop drama skills, work w...Bridges Company Wednesday
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Wednesday 23 September 2026
If you're new to the group, please speak to a member of the team before completing your booking so that we can ensure you're fully supported during the sessions. You can email us via participation@octagonbolton. co. uk or call us on 01204 ...Bridges Youth Theatre
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Wednesday 23 September 2026
SUPPORTED PLACES?As a charity, we strive to keep our fees at an affordable cost so as many people as possible can take part. We also offer installment payment options to help participants spread the cost of fees. We are sometimes able to o...Social Theatre
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Wednesday 23 September 2026
SUPPORTED PLACESAs a charity, we strive to keep our fees at an affordable cost so as many people as possible can take part. We also offer installment payment options to help participants spread the cost of fees. We are sometimes able to of...Bridges Company Thursday
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Thursday 24 September 2026
If you're new to the group, please speak to a member of the team before completing your booking so that we can ensure you're fully supported during the sessions. You can email us via participation@octagonbolton. co. uk or call us on 01204 ...Family Saturdays: Ages 3-5
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Saturday 26 September - Saturday 5 December 2026
This is one of two Family Saturdays groups. The second runs at a later time and is for children ages 5 to 7 - you can find more information here....Family Saturdays: Ages 5-7
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Saturday 26 September - Saturday 5 December 2026
This is one of two Family Saturdays groups. The second runs at an earlier time and is for children ages 3 to 5 - you can find more information here....Calendar Girls The Musical
The Theatre
Thursday 8 - Saturday 31 October 2026
Based on the play Calendar Girls, written by Tim Firth and on the motion picture written by Tim Firth and Juliette Towhidi, Paul Robinson directs Tim Firth and Gary Barlow's musical in a new production. The death of a much loved husband p...All The Single Ladies
The Studio
Friday 16 October 2026
"All The Single Ladies" is the latest comedy from MaD Theatre Company which explores the modern phenomenon of the 'Sandwich Generation' where people find themselves looking after their adult children as well as their ailing parents. Cath...
The Highwayman
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Tuesday 3 - Saturday 7 November 2026
The Highwayman is waiting, and there is no escape. It's 1769 and Yorkshire's population has exploded, the races at York are packed, the new theatre in Hull is thriving, and the Spa towns are full. Everyone is flocking north, every ale hou...Cinderella
The Theatre
Friday 20 November 2026 - Saturday 9 January 2027
Cinderella: A Fairytale brings this well-loved classic tale bang up to date with a funny, high-energy show that will be a real crowd pleaser for the whole family. When Ella's father remarries, her world turns upside down. She escapes from ...Sammy the Snowman's Christmas Surprise
The Studio
Wednesday 9 - Thursday 24 December 2026
Sammy the Snowman is bored of the freezing North Pole. He dreams of sunshine, sand, and a holiday in the sun! But when a snowman heads somewhere hot, things might get a little... melty! Will Sammy's big adventure end in disaster, or will C...An Evening with Jeff Stelling
The Theatre
Thursday 21 January 2027
An Evening With The MAN OF FOOTBALL - Jeff Stelling. Live and in person, coming to us for an exclusive night of sports stories, banter, no-holds-barred insights and charity work updates. From the kind of football commentary straight to you...
Money For Nothing - Dire Straits Tribute Show
The Theatre
Friday 22 January 2027
Money For Nothing is a tribute to the Dire Straits like no other before. Prepare to be captivated by the authentic sounds of one of the most successful rock bands of all time. A show of the highest quality, meticulous attention is paid t...Romeo and Juliet
The Theatre
Thursday 4 - Saturday 27 February 2027
Don't miss this moving and unforgettable production of William Shakespeare's iconic tragedy, revealing the beauty of young love and the devastating cost of endless conflict. Two families at war. Two lovers caught in the crossfire. One stor...How to get to the Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Octagon Theatre Frequently Asked Questions
Howell Croft South, Bolton, BL1 1SB
The nearest car park is the NCP Octagon located on Great Moor Street, BL1 1SN.
The nearest train station to the Octagon Theatre, Bolton is Bolton Station. It is approximately a 7 minute walk. Click here to view.
The capacity of the Octagon Theatre, Bolton is up to 390. Seating plans can be viewed upon booking tickets.
If you have lost your ticket for a show at The Octagon Theatre, please contact the Octagon Theatre directly so their team can assist you.
If you would like to buy a ticket in person from the Octagon Theatre Box Office, they are open Tues - Fri 11am - 5pm and Saturdays 11am - 3.30pm. On performance days, the box office stays open until the performance starts. Alternatively, you can see what's on and book online here.
When we know of a duration of a show, we add it to the description of the show on our event pages. For example, on our Wicked event page, after the description of the show we have added the duration of the show in large capital letters. If the time isn't listed, we do not have the information yet. We update our pages daily so it maybe a case of knowing closer to the performance itself, so keep checking.
Please click here for further information on Access at the Octagon Theatre, including contact details.
Whether you have positive or negative feedback you would like to feedback to the Octagon Theatre, please click here for ways to get in touch.
If you have lost an item during a visit to the Octagon Theatre, click here for ways to get in touch with the team, who will do their best to assist you.
There are plenty of great places to eat in Bolton, including the Octagon Kitchen & Bar situated in the Octagon venue for pre theatre dining.
Bolton has many bars, and the Octagon theatre has it's own pre theatre bars, so why not make a night of it there. Click here for further information.
Either use the map at the side of the FAQ section as it has all types of accomodation or click here for hotels in Bolton
If you need the Octagon Theatre team for more support, click here for ways to get in touch.
Please note that ManchesterTheatres.com isn't the venue itself. We promote what's on at the Octagon Theatre and all other venues in Manchester and the local region. Feel free to contact us if you need more help though and we'll do our best to support you.
Most Popular Shows and Events at Octagon Theatre, Bolton
