Brass Bands England is bringing its national celebration of all things brass back for a second year. From 5 to 13 July 2025, more than 100 bands are expected to take part in Brass Band Week, a UK-wide programme of performances designed to put the country’s vibrant brass tradition centre stage.
Brass Band Week is staking a claim for grassroots music-making as something essential, not optional
The week follows on from last year’s inaugural event, which saw 168 registered performances. In 2025, the initiative returns with a packed line-up that stretches from Cornwall to Glasgow. Each event shares a common mission: to amplify the role of brass bands in building community, inspiring creativity and connecting generations.
In the lead-up to the main week, Brass Bands England will present Youth Fest at artsdepot in North London on 4 July. The non-competitive gathering will see around 200 children aged five to eleven from seven local bands take part in workshops and two public performances. The focus is on collaboration rather than competition, offering a low-pressure entry point into brass music and the social experience that comes with playing it.
Running alongside both events is Proms in the Playground, an initiative now in its fourth year that links local bands with nearby schools. From 30 June to 18 July, young audiences across the country will be treated to performances in their school playgrounds, supported by free Key Stage 2 resources. The programme not only introduces children to brass music but also encourages longer-term involvement by making the connection to local ensembles explicit.
Participants in Brass Band Week can sign up to host any event that features brass playing. According to the release, organisers will have access to learning materials, promotional support and the opportunity to win awards for community impact, innovation and artistic excellence.
Among this year’s confirmed highlights are Brassed On! in Barnsley, which features the Grimethorpe Colliery Band, the Scottish International Tuba Festival in Glasgow, and a free open-air concert from Callington Town Band in Cornwall. There are also events planned at Llandudno North Shore Bandstand in Wales and a series of concerts from Southampton Youth Concert, coinciding with its 60th anniversary.
Brass Bands England, which began life as the British Federation of Brass Bands in 1968, continues to act as a national support organisation for brass music. Backed by Arts Council England, BBE is one of the council’s Investment Principles Support Organisations. It supports bands with resources and advocacy, while working with partners across the sector to grow participation and strengthen community ties.
“Imagine a UK-wide festival of exciting brass band events for people of different ages, backgrounds and interests,” said BBE chair Michael Kilroy, describing the ambition behind the initiative. Darren Henley, Chief Executive of Arts Council England, added that brass bands continue to play a vital role in national musical life, praising both the joy and the musicianship they bring to audiences.
While the week is framed as a celebration, its underlying aim is serious: to ensure brass music remains accessible and alive in schools, parks and town squares across the country. In an age of shrinking arts budgets and cultural consolidation, Brass Band Week is staking a claim for grassroots music-making as something essential, not optional.
