Durham BRASS Festival Unveils 20th Anniversary Lineup for 2026
Durham BRASS Festival celebrating two decades of brass music.
The festival, which recently won ‘Performance of the Year’ at the North East Culture Awards, returns from 12–19 July. Organized by Durham County Council, the 20th-anniversary edition promises a blend of world-class traditional ensembles, contemporary indie collaborations, and high-energy "mash-up" performances.
The 2026 lineup spans the county’s most historic locations, from the Durham Cathedral to the "Pitman’s Parliament" at Redhills. Key performances include:
ELVANA & Oompah Brass XXL (12 July): A genre-bending opening at the Durham Gala Theatre, merging the catalogue of Nirvana with Elvis Presley, backed by an expanded rock ‘n’ roll brass ensemble.
EverReady Band (18 July): Performing Myth, Magic & More inside Durham Cathedral, featuring iconic scores from Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and Star Wars.
Grimethorpe Colliery Band (19 July): The world-renowned ensemble closes the festival, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the hit film Brassed Off.
Hector Gannet (17 July): The North Shields outfit teams up with the Durham Miners’ Association Brass Band at Redhills for a special performance titled Talking In The Mother Tongue.
The festival continues to push the boundaries of the medium with Brassed On (18 July), featuring art-pop multi-instrumentalist Dilettante, "pensive popstar" Isabel Maria, and Peterlee indie four-piece Vice Killer.
Beyond the ticketed events, the popular Streets of Brass weekend takeover will return, alongside a full week of free community concerts, school workshops, and care home performances, ensuring the celebrations reach every corner of the county.
"This year’s line-up reflects the incredible breadth and energy of brass music today," says Artistic Director Sue Collier. "We can’t wait to celebrate the 20th anniversary with you all."
Tickets for all headline events are on general sale now. For the full schedule and to book, visit the official festival website.