Looking for something to do in Stoke-on-Trent this weekend? Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September 2026 bring together local history, family activities, live music and hands-on pottery.
Five verified events are listed below, including three that can be combined into a heritage-focused Saturday around Hanley. Details were checked against the organiser listings on 18 September, but availability and last-minute arrangements can still change.
Hanley Park Heritage Open Day
Saturday 19 September, 11am–2pm
Hanley Park, Cleveland Road, ST1 4DX
Friends of Hanley Park are holding a free community day celebrating the park’s history and the ordinary lives that have shaped it. The programme mixes heritage with accessible family entertainment, making this the broadest all-ages option in the weekend guide.
Rode Hall Silver Band is scheduled to provide live music, with clay-making crafts, face painting, lawn games and a bouncy castle among the children’s activities. There will also be a self-guided walk and a visit from There & Back Light Railways.
The park is large, so families may want to allow time beyond the advertised activities for a walk or picnic. Outdoor elements may be affected by the weather; sensible footwear and a quick check of any organiser updates are advisable.
Check the official Hanley Park event listing.
Bethesda Chapel Open Day
Saturday 19 September, 12pm–2pm
Bethesda Chapel, Albion Street, ST1 1QF
Free entry; no advance booking required
Bethesda Chapel is one of Hanley’s most significant historic buildings. The Grade II*-listed chapel was once known as the Cathedral of the Potteries and could seat as many as 2,500 people during its heyday.
Guides from Re-Form Heritage and Friends of Bethesda will be present to discuss the building’s story, current repair work and plans for its future. This is a valuable opportunity to see inside a landmark that is not open like a conventional visitor attraction every day.
The chapel is close to The Potteries Museum & Art Gallery and other city-centre landmarks, so the visit can be incorporated into a longer afternoon in Hanley. Anyone with particular access requirements should confirm arrangements before travelling because historic buildings can present practical limitations.
Check the official Bethesda Chapel listing.
Walking Tour: Exploring Hanley’s Monuments and Stories
Saturday 19 September, 2pm–3pm
Meet at Hanley Park Bandstand
Free; advance booking required
This guided walk links Hanley Park with Hanley Cemetery and examines the people and stories behind historic local sites. Figures covered include George Howson, John Birchall and Edwin John Hammersley.
The route is due to finish at Hanley Cemetery War Memorial, which is connected to a Centenary Restoration Fund project. The event therefore offers more than a general park walk: it gives local monuments a human and civic context.
Booking is essential. The official tourism page contains a confusing general venue field, but its event description specifically states that the walk begins at Hanley Park Bandstand. Confirm your booking instructions and meeting point before setting off.
Check availability and booking details.
Organ Proms at Victoria Hall
Saturday 19 September, 12 noon
Victoria Hall, Bagnall Street, Hanley, ST1 3AD
Listed price: £12.10
Victoria Hall’s 1888 Grand Four-Manual Concert Organ takes centre stage for this instalment of the 2026 Organ Proms. The instrument belongs to the original character of one of Stoke-on-Trent’s best-known performance venues and offers a very different experience from the hall’s larger touring shows.
This event overlaps with the Bethesda Chapel and Hanley Park activities, so it is better treated as an alternative rather than trying to rush between everything. Check the ticket page for remaining seats, performance duration and any booking fees.
Check the official Organ Proms listing.
Ceramic Pumpkin-Making Workshop at LoveClay
Sunday 20 September, 10:30am–12 noon
LoveClay, Valentine Way, ST4 2FJ
Advance booking advised
Sunday’s featured activity reflects the city’s best-known creative tradition. Participants will hand-build a ceramic pumpkin, learning how to shape the clay before adding an individual decorative design. No previous pottery experience is required.
The organiser states that finished pieces will be glazed and kiln-fired for later collection, so visitors should not expect to take the pumpkin home immediately. A pumpkin-spiced latte is also included as part of the advertised workshop experience.
Confirm the current price, age guidance, remaining spaces and collection arrangements directly when booking. Clay workshops can sell out and completed work normally needs time for drying, glazing and firing.
Check the official LoveClay workshop listing.
A simple Saturday itinerary
For a free heritage day, begin at Hanley Park shortly after 11am, then travel into the city centre for the Bethesda Chapel opening between noon and 2pm. If you have secured a place on the guided walk, return to Hanley Park Bandstand before its 2pm start. Build in enough time for parking or walking between locations rather than relying on the events running to the minute.
Before you travel
- Book the walking tour and pottery workshop in advance.
- Check the organiser’s page on the morning of the event.
- Confirm accessibility directly if step-free access or suitable toilets are essential.
- Allow extra time for city-centre parking and movement between venues.
- For outdoor activities, check the forecast and wear appropriate footwear.
Know about a forthcoming local event that should be considered for a future guide? Use our contact form and send the event name, date, location, price and a link to the organiser’s official information.
Editorial note: listings are selected for their usefulness to local readers and are not presented as paid endorsements. Event information was checked on 18 September 2026; organisers remain responsible for tickets, changes and cancellations.
