Durham Brass Festival

22 June 2026
What's on

One of the region’s liveliest music festivals is bringing the party to the streets once again this summer, and everyone is invited. Durham Brass Festival returns for 2026, from Sunday 12 to Sunday 19 July, with an unforgettable week of live music, street performances and exciting collabs.

Celebrating a whopping 20 years, this year’s festival features some of the best talent in the region and from across the globe, from traditional brass to boat cruises and tea dances.

Highlights include the ever popular, Streets of Brass and Brass Bash events. Coming to ten towns across County Durham, with new locations as well as firm fan favourites, they’re all free to attend and you don’t need to book – just turn up and be ready to party!

This year the Brass Bashes will feature the likes of Girlesque, Artistas Del Grimo, and Mr Wilson’s Second Liners.

This year’s Brass Bashes will be at:

Quarrington Hill – Monday 13 July, 6pm to 8pm, Quarrington Hill Community Centre.
Shildon – Monday 13 July, 6pm to 9pm, Locomotion (in collaboration with Durham Music Service’s Momentum project.
Barnard Castle – Tuesday 14 July, 6pm to 8pm, The Witham.
Crook – Tuesday 14 July, 6pm to 8pm, Crook Community Leisure.
Willington – Wednesday 15 July, 6pm to 9pm, Town Park.
Bishop Auckland – Wednesday 15 July, 6pm to 8pm, Auckland Palace Courtyard.
Coxhoe – Thursday 16 July, 6pm to 8pm, The Pit Wheel.
Spennymoor – Thursday 16 July, 6pm to 9pm, Jubilee Park.
Seaham – Friday 17 July, 6pm 9pm, Terrace Green.
Newton Aycliffe – Friday 17 July, 6pm to 9pm, Town Park.

The festival will culminate with Streets of Brass in Durham City and the iconic Party in the Park at Wharton Park, on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July.

The street bands attending this year include Diddy Sweg, Loud Noises, Mr Wilson’s Second Liners, Yorky Pud Street Band., Girlesque. Back Chat Brass, Artistas del Gremio, Brazen Brass Band, Oompah Brass and She’s Got Brass.

Tickets are also on sale for the full programme of concerts and performances.

Highlights include Viva Brass Vegas, a dynamic collaboration between Oompah Brass XXL – the UK’s original rock ’n’ roll brass band – and ELVANA, a crossover tribute band who perform the music of American grunge band Nirvana in the style of Elvis Presley.

At Durham Cathedral, epic stories will be brought to life as the EverReady Band brings its new programme, Myth, Magic & More. Celebrating some of the most iconic scores from film and television, the band will play unforgettable music from Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, The Mandalorian, Star Wars and more.

Brassed On is back for its third year, with emerging North East artists Dilettante and Isabel Maria playing alongside Peterlee’s Vice Killer at Gala Durham.

Other highlights include Grimethorpe Colliery Band, which featured in the hit film Brassed Off, and an Evening of Swing with The Revolutionaires and Tyne Valley Big Band.

Go to https://brassfestival.co.uk/ to find out more.