The Cultural Olympiad is the UK’s cultural celebration for London 2012. It's a four year cultural programme, culminating in the London 2012 Festival - the UK’s biggest arts festival.
The Showcasing Arts and Culture pages of this website feature events and activities happening in the North West from March to September 2012 as part of the Cultural Olympiad and London 2012 Festival.
The North West’s regional programme for the Cultural Olympiad is a regionwide celebration of artistic achievement, digital invention and art/sport interactions in outdoor, online, public and social spaces. Featuring new commissions, world premiers, regional firsts and unique collaborations, the programme this year includes ambitious 2012 editions of Abandon Normal Devices, Lakes Alive and Blaze, a regionwide programme of artworks and events, sport-inspired film screenings and not to be missed Opening and Closing celebrations, Looping the Loop and WE PLAY Expo.
Also happening this year as part of the Cultural Olympiad in the North West are UK wide and national projects. They include the Global Threads exhibitions, plus world-class art and events for the London 2012 Festival including Column by Anthony McCall and On the Night Shift, one of the opening events of the London 2012 Festival on 21 June 2012.
Join the journey and share your experiences online by signing up to the WE PLAY Challenge - a fun and social way to interact with London 2012 in the North West.
There are events and activities happening near you as part of the Cultural Olympiad and London 2012 Festival. Visit our What's On section to find out more and be inspired to take an Olmpic inspired journey right here in the North West!
Our programme in 2012 starts with Global Rainbow which launched the WE PLAY Challenge on 8 March. It ends with a celebration of the achievements of everyone who takes part at the WE PLAY Expo in the final weekend of the Paralympic Games, 7 – 9 September 2012.
5 August 2016More Information >
The website for all things London in the North West
Check out the latest news and blog posts about London 2012 in the North West and find out how you can get involved in the celebrations.
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Posted 30 January 2013 in Art & Culture, WE PLAY Challenge
Posted 18 October 2012 in Education, Sport
Posted 18 October 2012 in Community, Education, Sport
Posted 12 September 2012
Posted 19 October 2012 by Jill Rothwell in Volunteering
Posted 18 October 2012 by Catherine Wareing
Posted 3 September 2012 by Tom Russotti in Art & Culture, What's On
Posted 27 August 2012 by Ash Murphy in Art & Culture, WE PLAY Challenge, What's On
An amazing range of London 2012 events are taking place all over the North West. Most of them are free and there’s something for everyone.
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Sign up for the WE PLAY Challenge to take part in an Olympic journey like no other, right here in the North West! Join in, take part and turn up to play your part in London 2012.
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Become part of a living artwork capturing Players’ connections with London 2012 in the North West. Upload your handprint now, watch the artwork grow and earn points in the WE PLAY Challenge!
Describe what the word 'play' means to you for a film out later this year and earn more points in the WE PLAY Challenge!
The modern Games is a fusion of sport and art, and the North West is delivering a cultural programme to celebrate like never before.
London 2012 has inspired people from across the UK to do something amazing in their community. Meet the stars on your street corner...
The Games has brought a wealth of opportunities for businesses in the North West.
With sporting events, Training Camps in the region and fantastic athletes coming from the North West, London 2012 is about far more than the capital!
See how the North Westis playing it's part...
Some great sporting talent from the North West is heading to London to represent Team GB in both the Paralympic and Olympic Games.
Old Trafford is playing host to nine football matches during the Games, including two semi-final games.
Passing through eight North West towns on its tour of the country, a host of celebrations and personalities will blaze through the region.
Nations from all over the globe are making use of our top class facilities to train for victory.
Share your stories and photos online, and leave your mark on London 2012