Durham Brass Festival is back this summer and is celebrating 20 years of brass beats and iconic international performances.

First launched in 2006, the festival was inspired by Durham’s longstanding tradition of brass music. Two decades on, it has grown into one of the region's most vibrant and beloved cultural events.  

Running from Sunday 12 to Sunday 19 July, the anniversary edition promises to be bigger and bolder, with an exciting programme of performances, new commissions, free concerts, and much-loved street bands.

Here are just five reasons why music-lovers should mark Durham Brass Festival in their diaries.

1. Elvis x Nirvana x Brass

Durham Brass Festival is renowned for blurring genres through exciting collaborations, and this year is no different.

Opening the festival on Sunday 12 July is ELVANA, a crossover tribute band who perform Nirvana’s music in the style of Elvis Presley. Performing Viva Brass Vegas, the band will play alongside Oompah Brass XXL – the UK’s original rock ‘n’ roll brass band – in a dynamic collaboration.

Celebrating the incredible versatility of brass, Brassed On returns for its third year. Combining the timbre of sax with piano melodies and indie riffs, emerging North East artists Dilettante and Isabel Maria will play alongside Peterlee’s Vice Killer at Gala Durham. 

North Shields group Hector Gannet return to Durham Brass Festival, ready to play their show ‘Talking in the Mother Tongue’ featuring tracks from their upcoming album ‘The Great Shakedown’. Performing in the historic Redhills Durham Miners Hall, Hector Gannet will be accompanied by the Durham Miners’ Association Brass Band.

And in time for the 30th anniversary of the movie Brassed Off, Grimethorpe Colliery Band, who featured in the movie, will be playing at Gala Durham. Winning numerous band championships since then, Grimethorpe Colliery Band have played at the FIFA World Cup, BBC Proms, Eurovision, the 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony and, in 2024, performed with Coldplay as part of their headline set at Glastonbury Festival.

Screenings of Brassed Off will also be shown in Gala Durham across the festival weekend in celebration of the anniversary.

2. New Brass Bash locations

Durham Brass Festival’s famous Brass Bashes are going on tour once again. One of the festival’s staples, these free concerts will be brought to ten locations across the county, with communities invited to party along to some of the finest street bands.

An exciting line up will feature high-energy performances from the likes of Loud Noises, Back Chat Brass, Girlesque, Oompah Brass, Artistas del Gremio, Mr Wilson’s Second Liners, Diddy Sweg, Yorky Pud Street Band, Brazen Brass Band, and She’s Got Brass.

As well as fan favourite locations, including Seaham, Spennymoor and Newton Aycliffe, this year, a handful of new towns will get to experience the energy for the very first time. The bashes will be at Barnard Castle; Bishop Auckland; Coxhoe; Crook; Newton Aycliffe; Quarrington Hill; Seaham; Shildon; Spennymoor; and Willington. 

3. Try ‘Brass-ercise’

In a new feature for this year’s festival, audiences will be encouraged to move and keep active while enjoying the sounds of brass.

As part of the We Move Together campaign, a selection of the festival’s events will include extra activities designed to bring together music, movement and community spirit. This includes walking, moving to music, interactive cycling experiences and live cycling displays.

On Tuesday 14 July, residents are invited to take part in the Big Walk at Riverside Park in Chester-le-Street, accompanied by a lively street band.

Festivalgoers can dance along to iconic 90s hits at Spennymoor’s Brass Bash on Thursday 16 July, combining live brass music with an energetic party atmosphere. Then, on Friday 17 July, Newton Aycliffe Big Brass Bash will host FireRide Cycle’s exciting pop-up - a free, interactive experience designed to inspire people of all ages and abilities to get moving. Bringing fun directly into the heart of the festival, FireRide Cycle combines entertainment, participation and high-energy cycling displays to encourage more people to enjoy being active.

4. Tea dances with a twist

Durham Brass Festival’s ethos is built around taking the traditions of brass and adding a twist and this can surely be said for the festival’s tea dances. 

Following their hugely popular debut at Bishop Auckland Town Hall last year, the Tyne Valley Big Band returns to bring tea dances to Easington Colliery and Bishop Auckland. With an infectious repertoire and modern brass arrangements, the band’s setlist is guaranteed to get people up on the dance floor.

And in an expanded programme, Tyne Valley will be joined at Pelton by The Revolutionaires for an evening of swing and jive. Delivering their signature rhythm and blues exclusively for Durham Brass Festival, the band perform with an eight-piece brass section, bringing their biggest and boldest sound yet.

5. Iconic settings

From the riverbank to the historic streets of Durham City, Durham Brass Festival is renowned for hosting concerts in some of the most iconic settings. 

This year, stories will be brought to life in the heart of Durham Cathedral with the EveryReady Band’s Myth, Magic & More. The band promise an atmospheric concert of the most iconic movie scores including Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Game of Thrones, and much more. 

In the festival’s finale on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July, Durham Brass will take over the streets… and the water too!

Across one unforgettable weekend, residents and visitors to Durham City will be able to enjoy Streets of Brass – a highlight of the festival which brings free live music during the day from some of the world’s greatest street bands.

And the fun doesn’t stop there; the Brass Boat Cruises are also back for 2026, taking the sounds of brass to the River Wear on Saturday and Sunday. As day turns to dusk, Party in the Park will ensure the brassy beats go on, with a free concert at Wharton Park’s amphitheatre from 5pm to 9pm on Saturday 18 July.

To book tickets and to view the full Durham Brass Festival programme, visit brassfestival.co.uk