BOLTON – THIS IS YOUR MOMENT!
Stars for a Night is BACK for 2026!
Do you sing, dance, perform comedy, poetry, magic or have a talent that deserves the spotlight? If you’re 14 or over and have a connection to Bolton, we want to see you shine
Submit a performance video (up to 5 minutes)
£250 cash prize
Perform live at Bolton Town Hall
Grand Finale: Sunday 22 March 2026
FREE to enter
Video entry deadline: Sunday 22 February 2026
Apply and submit your audition at backup-charity.org.uk
Show everyone that Bolton’s got talent
Questions? Email stars@backup-charity.org.uk
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. ALL INDIVIDUAL ENTRANTS MUST BE AGED 14 OR OVER*
2. THEY CANNOT BE PROFESSIONAL OR SEMI PROFESSIONAL ACTS
3. THEY MUST HAVE A CONNECTION TO BOLTON
4. THEY MUST BE FREE TO ATTEND THE FINALE SUNDAY 22ND MARCH 2026.
5. NO ACTS CONTAINING OFFENSIVE MATERIAL / INFERENCES WILL BE SELECTED
6. THIS IS AN INCLUSIVE EVENT
7. AT THE FACE TO FACE AUDITIONS ID WILL BE REQUIRED TO BE SHOWN
8. ALL JUDGES ARE INDEPENDENT TO BACKUP NORTH WEST
9. WE WILL NOT PROVIDE ANY EQUIPMENT EXCEPT SOUND AND LIGHTING AT THE FINALE
10. NO MORE THAN ONE ENTRY PER PERSON/ACT/PERFORMER
11. ENTRANTS AGED 12 YEARS OLD MAY ENTER AS PART OF A GROUP THAT HAVE MEMBERS AGED 14 AND ABOVE WITH PARENTS CONSENT
PROCESS AND TIMESCALES
ENTRIES WILL BE VIA VIDEO.
SHORTLIST CONTESTANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED AND ANNOUNCED
ACTS SHORTLISTED FOR THE NEXT STAGE WILL BE INVITED TO A FACE TO FACE AUDITION ON 26th February 2026 ( VENUE TO BE CONFIRMED)
NO PERSONAL FEEDBACK WILL BE GIVEN TO THOSE THAT DO NOT MAKE THE SHORTLIST
TICKETS FOR THE FINALE ARE ON SALE AND ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
FINALISTS ANNOUNCED WILL BE INVITED TO THE FINALE TO PERFORM LIVE ON STAGE IN FRONT OF THE JUDGES AND AUDIENCE
WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN ON THE NIGHT BY AN INDEPENDENT PANEL OF JUDGES PRESENT.
HOW TO APPLY?
Go to the Backup “Stars” website page and submit an application
Submit a Video of your performance no longer than 5 minutes. This needs to be sent via We Transfer (it’s free) to stars@backup-charity.org.uk.
WeTransfer - Send Large Files & Share Photos Online - Up to 2GB Free
Other required information
• Finalists, once announced will be included in the promotion of the event and invited to go on the radio or take part in a press release. This is not essential.
• All profits from the event will go to Backup North West
CATEGORIES.
1. SINGER/MUSICIAN SOLO ARTIST
2. DUET/TRIO/BAND SINGERS/MUSICIANS
3. STAND UP COMEDY
4. POETRY
5. DANCE
6. OTHER
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUERIES PLEASE EMAIL THE ORGANISERS AT stars@backup-charity.org.uk
