Following a successful launch last year with hundreds of bands taking part, including 168 registered events, Brass Bands Week returns from 5th – 13th July 2025. Celebrating brass bands and their ability to engage communities, exercise minds and creativity, and bring people together from all walks of life, the week is championed by Brass Bands England (BBE). They are also hosting Youth Fest in North London, where over 200 children will come together in a non-competitive, joyful sharing of music and learning. Finally, from 30 June and running throughout Brass Band Week, Proms in the Playground partners bands with their local schools with the aims of introducing children to brass music and the possibility of joining their local band.
Any event featuring brass bands or brass playing can sign up for Brass Band Week. As well as support from BBE, including free learning resources and paid advertising, prizes will be awarded for excellence in areas such as community impact, artistic programming, innovation or inspiring the younger generation. Events are running all across the UK, including Brassed On! in Barnsley – featuring Grimethorpe Colliery Band made famous by the film Brassed Off – as well as Scottish International Tuba Festival in Glasgow, Llandudno North Shore Bandstand in Wales, a free outdoor concert from Callington Town Band in Cornwall, and several events from Southampton Youth Concert on their 60th anniversary.
Youth Fest will be at artsdepot in North London on 4th July, a joyful day of music-making, celebration, and inspiration. This event is all about encouraging young people to express themselves through music, connect with others, and have fun performing together. Seven local bands of around 200 children aged 5 – 11, will be taking part in workshops before opening up to the public with two hour-long performances. The event offers young players a taster of the great British tradition of brass band competitions, but in a friendly, non-competitive environment.
Proms in the Playground, now in its fourth year, will take place from 30th June – 18th July, encouraging community bands to connect with their local schools by offering a performance in their playground. As well as getting young people excited about brass banding and the possibility of taking up an instrument or joining up, this initiative helps bands forge and strengthen relationships with organisations around them. Brass Bands England help to facilitate the links between bands and schools, and provides free learning resources, focused around Key Stage 2.
Michael Kilroy, BBE Chair, commented, “Imagine a UK-wide festival of exciting brass band events for people of different ages, backgrounds and interests, offering the opportunity for new audiences to discover the joy of a brass band through hundreds of events in parks, concert halls and on local high streets. Now that’s something I’d love to be a part of!
Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England, said “Brass Bands occupy a really important role in our national musical life. I’m always struck by the huge amount of shared joy on show from brass band performers and audiences alike due to the consistently excellent musicianship on display on stage. Last year’s Brass Band Week has been such a success and I know it will continue to grow in future years thanks to the work of Brass Bands England, one of the many music organisations we’re proud to have increased our investment in over recent years”.
Brass Bands England started life as the British Federation of Brass Bands in 1968 with the aim to support brass bands throughout the UK. BBE is a voice for the country’s bands and players, and shout about the life-enhancing benefits of this vital part of British culture. They are one of Arts Council England’s Investment Principles Support Organisations. As part of this role, BBE provides support to brass bands and the wider music and arts sector, helping them excel in music-making, increase participation, and connect with communities. The organisation works with a wide range of partners, both strategically and informally, to help share the fun, challenges, and rewards of being involved in a brass band.
