Free Family Fun – Summer 2025

With the summer almost upon us, keeping the kids entertained isn’t always easy.

To help ease those worries, we’ve compiled a list of just some of the many FREE activities and places to visit with the family and to keep everyone entertained.

Free Events This Summer:

RomanFest (19 & 20 July) Museum Quarter:
Join the national Festival of Archaeology celebrations with a fun packed weekend of all things Roman. See the Roman army preparing for battle and join in their drills. Meet citizens and Centurions, test your skill at archery or get creative with crafts and pottery inspired by our amazing artefacts.

ZebFest (24 July) Zebedee’s Yard:
Exclusive, FREE event for 11 to 16 year olds. Street Art, Tik Tok/Video Set and Filming, Large Clothes Swap, Silent Disco, Photo Booth, Smoothie Bike, Glitter Bar, Pizza Making , SEND Activities, Live Bands On Stage

Hull Folk & Maritime Festival (11-13 July) Hull Marina:
Celebrate Hull’s Maritime history in music! Events include maritime concerts, singarounds sessions and pop-up buskers’ gigs.

Pride In Hull (26 July) Hull City Centre:
This year Pride in Hull will stretch across the city centre and Zebedee’s Yard, with music performers, street food and family area along with a spectacular parade. This years theme is ‘You’re Welcome’, whether you’re from Hull, have made Hull your home or just visiting – you are welcome here in Hull.

Dino Day (8 August) Queen Victoria Square:
Dinosaurs are coming to Hull! Join us for a fun-filled family friendly day out with a parade of pre-historic favourites, plus interactive activities and stalls. With excitement for all the family it’s a guaranteed to be a totally roar-some day!

Freedom Festival (29-31 August) Hull City Centre:
Freedom Festival is Hull’s award-winning international arts festival. From epic spectaculars unfolding in the city centre to intimate moments where audiences and artists meet – thought-provoking, playful, and powerful performances in public spaces that address the world we live in.

Museums & Galleries:

Learn about our city’s history and heritage in one of Hull’s museums, starting in the Museums Quarter.

Climb aboard at the Streetlife Museum of Transport and enjoy all the sights, sounds and smells of the past, experience 200 years of transport history as you walk down a 1940’s high street, board a tram or enjoy the pleasures of our carriage ride.

At the Hull and East Riding Museum, you can journey through 235 million years of history. From a face-to-face encounter with a woolly mammoth to appreciating the beauty of the stunning mosaics within a Roman bathhouse, the museum displays show what it would have been like to live in the region throughout time.

Celebrate the legacy of Hull’s most famous son William Wilberforce (MP and champion of the abolitionist movement) at his birthplace Wilberforce House. The Grade I listed building has recently re-opened following major conservation work.

Ferens Art Gallery has a magnificent collection of paintings and sculptures, including works by European Old Masters, portraiture, marine painting, and modern and contemporary British art. This summer enjoy Microworld – enter a world filled with digital life forms, vibrant colours and ambient sounds. Microworld is a free family friendly exhibition of immersive digital art. Explore a range of creatures and see how they respond to you and your movements, and to each other. Visit the exhibition until 7 September.

Trails and Walks:

No rods or nets required for the fabulous The Fish Trail, which weaves its way through Hull’s Old Town – simply find the 41 fish in the pavements, from the Warty Doris and Lumpsucker, to the wonderful Brill. New this summer, Sammy’s Fish Trail and Activity Book, collect you’re FREE copy from the Welcome Information Centre, Paragon Interchange.

It’s lights, camera, action as you walk in the steps of the stars on the Hullywood Trail. Explore Hull’s star-studded streets. Visit the sets of the blockbusters, Netflix originals, BBC icons and award-winning TV shows and walk in the footsteps of the stars.

This summer Hull and East Yorkshire plays host to a parade of wonderful, artist decorated giant rat sculptures with the Mischief Of Rats Trail. Pick-up your free trail booklet, and search out all 45 fabulous rats, each standing almost 6ft tall, each one unique, vibrant and colourful.

This isn’t an ordinary walk The Team GB Family Activity Trail – on your route, there are 13 Team GB signposts to find. Each signpost is brightly-coloured and features the Team GB mascot Pride the Lion, so you can’t miss them!

Still can’t decide? Why not pick up a copy of one of our other trails, in person from the Welcome Information Centre at Paragon Interchange including:

If a guided walk’s more your thing, learn about our rich maritime history with a FREE guided tour of the city centre on a Maritime City Guided Walk, a group of dedicated volunteers who are accredited White Badge tours guides are offering guided tours for you to learn more about Hull and how the city has been shaped by its past, present and future. The tours will take place every Thursday and Saturday at 10.30am. Walks also take place on a Sunday at 11.30am and 1.30pm.

Want to discover more? The Museum & Gallery Tours let you can find out more about Hull’s history and heritage. Led by volunteer tour guides volunteers who are Institute of Tourism Guiding Level 2 accredited, these FREE one hour tour of The Streetlife Museum Of Transport, Hull & East Riding Museum Of Archaeology, Wilberforce House and Ferens Art Gallery tell the stories behind some of the fascinating objects in the collections as well as delving into the history of the buildings that are home to the museums. Book here.

Parks and Green Spaces:

Hull has an abundance of beautiful parks and green spaces. Fun galore can be found at all the parks throughout the city, including;

East Park
There is something for everyone in East Park from a children’s water play area to enjoying a game of bowls, banging and bashing with a selection of musical instruments made from reclaimed materials to riding the Splash Boat and Swan Boats. Take a well earned break at the Central Pavillion Café before visiting the free outdoor gym then rounding off your day at the Animal Education Centre.

West Park
West Park, next to the MKM Stadium, features a wildlife aviary, a children’s playground, outdoor gym, skatepark and outdoor table tennis as well as wide open green spaces. Other facilities include three bowling greens, a model railway and a paddling pool (open during the summer holidays).

Pickering Park
Come and join the fun at Pickering Park, home to a fishing lake, playgrounds, outdoor gym and a paddling pool (currently undergoing refurbishment). The park also has beautiful ornamental gardens and a wildlife pond. The Aviary is now open and a must see with collections of African birds, small mammals such as meerkats, porcupines and reptiles including tortoises.

Pearson Park
As the first public park in Hull, Pearson Park is a key part of the city’s heritage and still retains many of its historic features including the original perimeter carriage drive, a serpentine lake and seven Grade 2 listed structures. Not only is Pearson Park one of our most beautiful parks in the city, but it is also a great location to get active. With an outdoor gym on the park grounds, as well as the paths and carriage road acting as simple routes for jogging and running, Pearson Park meets all your fitness needs helping you to stay active and stay healthy while enjoying the outdoors.

Noddle Hill Way Nature Reserve
A hidden gem in North Hull. Home to a tranquil nature reserve and walking routes as well as a scenic fishing lake, the site also contains a children’s play area and sports pitches. The nature reserve is perfect for a leisurely family walk all year round where you can view a variety of species of wildlife as the seasons change. The nature reserve and fishing lake are both accessible from Bransholme Road. The children’s play area and sports pitches are accessible from Noddle Hill Way.

Bude Park
On the doorstep of Kingswood and Bransholme, Bude Park is one of the largest parks in Hull.  Bude Park is home to, multi-use games area, outdoor gym, play area, sports pitches and water play area (seasonal) The park can be accessed from Bude Road or Ennerdale.

Alderman Kneeshaw Park
One of the city’s eastern most parks, Alderman Kneeshaw Park can be accessed via Amethyst Road or Valiant Drive. The park is home to, baseball, bowling greens, dog agility area, a children’s play area, water play area (seasonal), trim trail, jogging route taking in the hills on 2 sides of the park and a wildlife area.

Costello and Peter Pan Park
This park is a large open space located in the west of the city located next to Costello Stadium. The park is home to sports pitches on the main field, tennis courts, a children’s play area and a small nature pond.

Oak Road Playing
This 75-acre site, full of wide-open green spaces, sits alongside the western banks of the River Hull. It is home to; fishing lake, numerous paths and walkways, paddling pool (seasonal opening), play area, skate park and trim trail.

Hull KR Parade to celebrate Challenge Cup Final win

Hull KR will celebrate their Betfred Challenge Cup Final 2025 win with a parade on Sunday 8 June, as requested by the club.

Open-top buses will make their way from Sewell Group Craven Park to the city centre, culminating with thousands of fans witnessing their heroes with the famous trophy on the balcony of Hull City Hall.

The players and staff will set off from their home ground at 5pm, arriving at the City Hall approximately an hour later.

The parade route will be:

Sewell Group Craven Park
Preston Road
Marfleet Lane/Maybury Road
Holderness Road
Freetown Way
Ferensway
Carr Lane, finishing on Paragon Street alongside Hull City Hall

The event outside the City Hall in Queen Victoria Square will get underway from 5pm, hosted by Neil Rudd, with the celebrations featuring a range of music and entertainment, ahead of the team appearing on the City Hall balcony at 6:15pm.

A big screen will show highlights of the team’s journey in reaching the final, along with footage of their win over Warrington Wolves.

There will be a host of interviews with the players, coaches and others, while the team will get the chance to thank fans for their amazing support.

The event will finish at 7:30pm, with the crowd joining in with a big sing-song of the ‘Red Red Robin’.

An accessible viewing area for wheelchair users will be available to the front of the stage area. This area will be clearly indicated on the day. No bookings are necessary, though numbers will be limited to 25 people, to include wheelchair users and one helper, which will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

A small number of road closures will be in place on Sunday to allow for the event.

Paragon Street will be closed from 8am to 8pm, while Carr Lane will shut from 4-8pm.

Bus users are advised to check with local operators to find out any changes to routes.

Council pledges long-term support for Hull culture

Hull City Council has set out a strong commitment to the development of the city’s culture, with investment that will transform how it is delivered.

This new funding will ensure the council’s culture and heritage team are well placed to increase external investment, raise the profile of the city and deliver on key strands of its new culture and heritage strategy 2025-2030.

The development of a new community-led festival, rooted in Hull’s people and places, is included in the plans, along with an increase in events in parks across the city.

It will build on the existing work of the Local Visitor Economy Partnership and the HEY Volunteers, maintaining momentum for the legacy of UK City of Culture 2017.

Cllr Rob Pritchard, portfolio holder for culture and leisure, said: “This additional funding recognises the importance of culture and heritage as a driver for regeneration, community pride and cohesion, and its role in raising aspirations and attainment.

“It offers both an economic return and a social value to our residents. Successful places have connected the role of culture into their identity, maximising its contribution to the economy and creating a place that people love to live, work, study and visit.”

As part of the initiative, the council will form two new boards – the Hull Culture & Heritage Partnership Board and Hull Music Board – to guide the development and delivery of the plans of over the next five years. Expressions of interest will soon be invited for membership.

For more information, the full report can be found here.

Hull’s Herd Theatre Celebrates London Success with REPLAY at Southbank Centre

Hull-based family arts charity, The Herd Theatre, has been making joyful noise in the capital this spring, with their critically-acclaimed play installation REPLAY taking centre stage at London’s iconic Southbank Centre.

With sweeping views of Big Ben and the London Eye as the backdrop, The Herd hosted a special celebration in May that brought together artists, educators, playworkers, venue directors, and supporters from across the UK’s creative industries. It was an evening full of creativity — complete with heartfelt speeches, spontaneous dancing from toddlers, and playful exploration inside the interactive REPLAY installation.

Originally planned to run for a limited season, the exhibition has now been extended to 24 August due to phenomenal demand. Over 30,000 visitors have already experienced REPLAY’s magical world of memory, imagination, and creative freedom — an incredible milestone for a Hull company making national waves.

The work continues to draw attention from far beyond Hull and London — with Time Out London recommended and featured in Positive.News, further testament to the power and resonance of The Herd’s work.

Later this year, REPLAY will head north once again, taking its place in Bradford’s City of Culture 2025 programme this autumn. It’s a proud moment for Hull’s cultural scene, showcasing how local talent is shaping national conversations about childhood, creativity, and the importance of play.

As The Herd’s journey continues, the message is clear: playful, bold, and thoughtful family theatre is not only thriving — it’s being celebrated on the UK’s biggest stages.

Find out more about Herd Theatres work

Trinity Live Returns: Hull’s Favourite Free Music Night is Back!

Get ready to kick off your weekends early—Trinity Live is back and better than ever. Now in its sixth year, this much-loved Hull institution returns to the Trinity Indoor Market on Thursday 5 June, launching another season of incredible live music, great food, and buzzing community spirit.

Running every Thursday evening from 6–9pm until 18 December, Trinity Live transforms the historic market into a vibrant hub of sound and social energy. Whether you’re a seasoned local or new to the city, this free weekly event offers the perfect midweek lift—no ticket required.

Expect top local talent from across the region, performing in an atmospheric setting that’s as iconic as the acts themselves. It’s a relaxed, welcoming space where all ages can come together to discover new music, enjoy amazing food, and soak up the best of Hull’s creative culture.

Each week, independent food stalls inside Trinity Market will stay open late, serving up everything from street food favourites. New for the Summer Season, Crown and Cushion will be a new trader in the market and supporting Trinity Live with craft beers, wines and spirits to perfectly accompany the music.

A Mischief of Rats Sculpture Trail

Hull and East Yorkshire has been transformed into an open-air gallery as A Mischief of Rats sculpture trail went live on Saturday, 3 May 2025. Featuring 45 giant, artist-decorated rat sculptures, this ambitious project celebrates Hull’s cultural heritage, inspired by local music legend Mick Ronson and his band, The Rats.

The first rat sculpture to be installed is Mutiny on the Bounty, by Beverley Artist, Nick Matson and sponsored by ResQ, located in Paragon Square, Hull.

The trail invites the public to explore Hull city centre and beyond, with sculptures spiralling out across East Yorkshire. Each six-foot-tall rat has been uniquely designed by artists, drawing on themes such as Mick Ronson’s musical legacy, health and medical science, rats in popular culture, maritime connections, and imaginative artistic makeovers.

Download the A Mischief of Rats app to scan QR codes for information about all 45 rats and enjoy interactive maps that enhance your exploration of Hull and East Yorkshire. Discover more on the website https://amischiefofrats.co.uk/.

Co-director Clare Huby expressed her enthusiasm for the trail:
“We’re thrilled to launch A Mischief of Rats. The public has been eagerly anticipating this event since it was announced. It’s more than just an art trail – it’s a chance for families and friends to connect outdoors while celebrating the area’s rich history and supporting the Daisy Appeal.

“Thanks to Neill & Brown Logistics and Strata Group, the first giant rat was installed in Hull on Wednesday 30 April, and the team placed all 45 rats in just three days.

“We know these trails attract people to the region from across the UK and beyond. Puffins Galore! was visited by over 250,000 people in Hull and East Yorkshire, and we anticipate this number will increase with A Mischief of Rats. We choose locations based on footfall but also encourage visitors to discover lesser-known places.”

The trail will run until the end of August 2025, culminating in a Grand Charity Auction on 20 September, when the sculptures will be sold to raise funds for The Daisy Appeal. This local charity supports cutting-edge research and facilities for cancer, heart disease, and dementia detection at Castle Hill Hospital. Organisers hope the auction will raise in excess of £150,000.

Following the success of previous trails like Larkin with Toads, A Moth for Amy, and Puffins Galore!, this new initiative promises to boost tourism, enhance community engagement, and bring joy to residents and visitors alike. With interactive maps and a dedicated app enhancing the experience, fans can track down all 45 sculptures while exploring Hull and East Yorkshire in a fresh and exciting way.

Get ready to scurry through the region and discover these stunning works of art! Let the mischief begin!

Creative Voice – a chance for young people to make, connect and share this summer 2025

Creative Voice have just announced their summer youth arts programme for young people and organisations/individuals working with young people. They are all free or low cost. Just search youth arts on the Culture Hull website!

Creative Voice Connections is taking place on Thursday 29 May, 2-3.30pm at MakerspaceHull, Central Library and is a youth arts networking event for organisations, practitioners and young people who want to engage in youth arts strategic development. “What are the issues that young people are talking about?” “How can we respond? “How can we let young people know?”

Young people have raised the issue recently of the need for Creative Spaces as well as better marketing. A consultation at last year’s Zeb Fest highlighted how they also want the Creative Spaces to support their health and wellbeing. Since then, a “What Makes You Happy” banner has been created using individual patches to reflect this message by young people who attended both last year’s Youth Arts Festival and February’s Connections workshop. This included representatives from Route One Youth Centre. There are plans are to exhibit this artwork including at this session before it goes to the Creative Space at Route One Youth Centre.

We will also be working with MakerspaceHull to design and create merchandise for young people’s groups and organisations. The session is ideal for young people who would like help with promoting their creativity whether it is being part of a band, a drama or dance group, youth group or as an artist themselves!

Creative Voice Spaces

Also in response, Creative Voice Spaces are being identified and promoted and currently can be found in youth centres with music rooms at Astra and Route One Youth Centres, art rooms at Kingston and Astra Youth Centres. There is also a quiet sensory room at Andrew Marvell Youth Centre. The research will continue into the development of these spaces.

Also catch Creative Voice @ youth centres across Hull with drama and dance at Route One Youth Centre, dance at Ainthorpe Youth Centre, drama at Andrew Marvell Youth Centre and the opportunity to create music podcasts at Astra Youth Centre with Bransholme Community Arts Enterprise.

All workshops are designed to build self-esteem and team building skills, with young people able to create artwork that reflects their views and opinions. They can also learn the crafts of acting, dancing and music at the same time!

No experience is necessary and all sessions are delivered by professionally trained artists with some also youth workers.

The dance workshops are part of an inclusive framework called Hull Dance Move Together where young people can be supported to progress in dance which can include a chance to perform at Hull New Theatre every February. Feedback from last year’s platform included that it was inspiring, fun, creative and amazing! Find out the other dance workshops available across Hull via Hull Dance’s website.

Young people can also get involved later in Creative Voice Festival by taking part in these activities. It takes place October half term and offers the chance to exhibit and share creative work as well as take part in workshops.

Creative Voice is a strategic youth arts partnership led by Arts Development and Youth Service with Hull Dance and Artlink.

Creative Voice aims to supports young people’s voice and influence in their youth arts offer as well as support skills development and pathways to bridge gaps and support inclusion. There is also a focus on creative health and wellbeing.

Ferens wins global museums award

An exhibition at the Ferens Art Gallery has won a Museum and Heritage Award. The global awards celebrate the very best in the world of museums, galleries, and cultural and heritage visitor attractions.

Jason Wilsher-Mills: Are We there Yet exhibition won the Temporary or Touring Exhibition of the Year – budget less than £80k following its time at the Ferens in 2024.
51,623 people visited the exhibition, where visitors were taken on a colourful journey into the imagination and experiences of disabled artist Jason Wilsher-Mills through theatrical portraits and sculptures reflecting aspects of his personality, memory, and disability.

Jason’s work details his life as a disabled person. He uses iPads and Wacom tablets to create paintings that are transformed into large interactive sculptures, using augmented reality technology to interact with the viewer.

Though the exhibition has now ended, Jason’s work can still be found in the gallery. Huge inflatable sculpture ‘The Withernsea 2’ is currently the first thing visitors can see when they enter. A lasting legacy of the exhibition, the sculpture was inspired by Jason’s childhood memories of holidays in Withernsea and the Roos Carr figures in Hull Museums collection, and was commissioned to become part of the Ferens permanent collection.

Artist Jason Wilsher-Mills said: “I am so proud and thrilled that my exhibition ‘Are We There Yet?’ has won this most prestigious award, and I am pleased that the wonderful team at Ferens are getting some well-deserved recognition for all of their hard work.

“They showed their faith in me, and I was able to repay this by creating new work, which the public in Hull truly engaged with, to the tune of over 51,000 people visiting the exhibition throughout the exhibitions run.

“This was a group effort, which enabled me to work with and support disabled artists in Hull. I hope that I am able to work with my friends at Ferens in the future, because we seem to bring the best out of each other. For me Ferens is one of the best galleries in the country.”

Cllr Rob Pritchard, portfolio holder for culture and leisure said: “I would like to extend huge congratulations to Jason and the Ferens team on this significant award. To be recognised at this level is a real testament to the quality of Jason’s work.

“‘Are We There Yet?’ proved incredibly popular during its time at the Ferens and our permanent collection sculpture ‘The Withernsea 2’ continues to draw as much interest now.

“I know the Ferens team learnt so much about making the gallery’s exhibitions and programme accessible, improving access for everyone.”

Ferens Art Gallery is open 10am-4.30pm Monday to Saturday and 11am-4pm on Sunday. Find out more at www.ferensartgallery.co.uk.

VE Day 80 celebrations come to Hull

Families in Hull will have the opportunity to come together and pay tribute to the Second World War generation from Saturday 3 to Thursday 8 May.

A number of celebration events will take place across Hull to commemorate VE Day’s 80^th year.

On Monday 5 May a street party will be set up in East Park, with picnic tables, VE Day themed tableware and flags, as well as themed entertainment.

People will be encouraged to come along and bring a picnic to enjoy at the tables, celebrating the historic day together.

The set up will be directly in front of the Pavilion Café which will be open throughout serving food and drink.

Any WWII veterans in attendance will also receive a commemorative pin badge to thank and mark this national date of remembrance.

Chris Jackson, director of regeneration at Hull City Council, said: “The 80^th anniversary of VE Day is a poignant time for the country to come together, remember those who gave their lives and celebrate this historic date.”

On Thursday 8 May, local charity Hull 4 Heroes will host a free entry street party in the lower deck of Princes Quay, which will include food and live music and is open to all. The event will take place 11am – 2pm.

A memorial event will also be held at the Cenotaph on Paragon Square, led by the Royal British Legion at 11am and is open to attend.

Over in Bransholme, Back to Ours will hold a free street party in their Bransholme Chat shop at North Point shopping centre, where guests will be welcomed by a 1940’s character and enjoy food and drink with entertainment. Places can be booked at the Chat shop.

Louise Yates, CEO & AD at Back to Ours, said: “A lady brought in a lovely photo of her and her brother celebrating victory day in 1945 and our steering group have been planning a week of celebrations ever since.

“We’ll have activities throughout the week with time to reflect and share stories and a street party on Thursday 8 May – it’s a great opportunity to people together.”

Alongside the street party, a number of other events will take place throughout the week at the Chat room including a teddy bear’s picnic, live music and a themed quiz. Find out more here.

Hull History Centre will also get involved in celebrations, hosting a free event on Saturday 3 May.

There will be screenings of archival footage showing the people of Hull celebrating VE Day in May 1945 and a display of original historical documents selected from the History Centre collections.

Screenings will take place at 10am, 12noon and 2pm. More details can be found here.

As part of the commemorations, key city centre buildings will be lit in the evenings from Tuesday 6 – Thursday 8 May.

For more details on the various VE Day events taking place, check out our What’s On section!

Chiedu mid performance on a dark stage, backlit with red light.

Hull City Council supports local music talent at The Great Escape Festival

Hull City Council is supporting four local acts at the highly anticipated The Great Escape Festival in Brighton this May, where a vibrant showcase of Hull’s freshest musical talent will take centre stage.

Four exciting local acts will be performing at the festival, 16 and 17 May, joining a lineup of some of the most promising new music acts from across the UK and beyond.

The Great Escape Festival, an annual event renowned for its dedication to discovering and celebrating emerging talent, will feature a Hull takeover at the WaterBear Venue on Friday 16 May. Local music industry representatives will be on hand to support the selected acts, further solidifying Hull’s growing reputation as a hub for innovative musical talent.

This pilot will explore how Hull can connect its talent with the national music industry and audience. It also a key part of Hull City Council’s ongoing efforts to nurture and promote local music and builds on the success of the city’s Music Plan, which was published to support the development and visibility of the music scene in Hull. The city’s commitment to providing opportunities for emerging artists and creating a sustainable music ecosystem is clearer than ever with this collaboration.

The four Hull acts which were selected through a collaboration through The Sesh and the Great Escape Team and representing the city at The Great Escape Festival are:

Chiedu Oraka
Hailing from North Hull estate, Chiedu Oraka’s unique sound blends grime, rap, and street culture. Recently awarded Newcomer of the Year at the Northern Music Awards, Oraka is quickly making a name for himself as one of the most exciting talents on the scene. Discover Chiedu Oraka

Fiona-Lee
With her distinctive guitar-driven anthems, Fiona-Lee crafts songs that captivate through remarkable storytelling, weaving gritty indie sensibilities with powerful emotional depth. Discover Fiona-Lee

Jodie Langford
Known for her electrifying blend of electro party punk, Jodie Langford delivers energetic performances that fuse captivating rhythms with an edge of raw rebellion, drawing listeners into her vibrant musical world. Discover Jodie Langford

O’Phantom
With a sound that blends atmospheric electronics with ethereal vocals, O’Phantom’s performances promise to deliver a distinctive experience at the festival, adding an innovative twist to Hull’s representation at The Great Escape. Discover O’Phantom

They will then go on to play across the festival stages on Saturday 17 May.

The showcase is a proud moment for Hull, which continues to make strides in establishing itself as a key player on the national and international music scene. The event will provide a unique opportunity for the city’s most exciting musical acts to gain exposure and connect with industry leaders, while also demonstrating the value of supporting homegrown talent.

Kath Wynne-Hague, Head of Culture, Place and City Centre at Hull City Council, said: “As we grow the city’s reputation as a music city with ambitions of UNESCO Music City status, this pilot is first of many partnerships where we explore how we can support the city’s talent and build sustainable music links with festivals and events across the UK and further afield.

“The Great Escape Festival is an incredible platform for our local talent to shine on a global stage.”

Mark Page, local venue owner and Humber Street Festival Director will be accompanying the acts and representing the city’s musical talent, said: “The Great Escape Festival is renowned for connecting artists and musicians to industry leaders which could bring new opportunities to these local artists and the wider music community in Hull.”

After the festival, there will be a review to under understand its impact and success and plans put in place to explore how Hull City Council can develop sector and business partnerships to sustain a Hull presence and stage every year.

Hull Music Net, a platform to help grow Hull’s music industry run by Stewart Baxter and Jenni Harrison, launched the Northern Partner’s Network, a powerhouse collective of Northern-based partners coming together to form a united voice to support the music sector in the North of England, at The Great Escape festival last year, and will also be part of the group attending to support the artists from the city.

The Great Escape Festival takes place this May to experience Hull’s finest talent live and discover the next big thing in the music industry.

Victory! Watch how Hull celebrated VE Day with free archive screenings at the Hull History Centre

Hull History Centre are hosting screenings of Hull’s Victory in Europe (VE) Day celebrations next month.

Thursday 8 May marks the 80^th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe.

To celebrate this momentous anniversary, Hull History Centre will be hosting a free event on Saturday 3 May.

There will be screenings of archival footage showing the people of Hull celebrating VE Day in May 1945, and a display of original historical documents selected from the History Centre collections.

It’s taking place at the Hull History Centre on Saturday 3 May 2025, with screenings at 10.00am, 12.00pm and 2.00pm.

The city’s experience during the Second World War is the defining episode in Hull’s history in the 20^th century and remains a popular research topic for the people of Hull.

This is an important anniversary provides an important opportunity to encourage understanding of Hull’s experience during the Second World War, with the help of visual and documentary resources.

The film Hull Victory Celebrations was acquired from the Yorkshire Film Archive.

Martin Taylor, the City Archivist at Hull History Centre, said: “Hull’s experiences in the Second World War transformed the city physically but also the way it is viewed by its citizens. The commentary on the film says that Hull was the heaviest bombed city in the British Empire after Malta. VE Day came as a huge relief, an opportunity for celebration but also reflection and mourning, The film of Hull’s victory celebrations gives a brilliant insight into what it was like in the city on that memorable day.”

The screenings are free with no booking required. People of all ages are welcome.

Visit www.hullhistorycentre.org.uk to find out more about the Hull History Centre and their upcoming events.

Conference Champions gathered in Hull Truck Theatre to celebrate launch. There is a mix of ages and genders. Everyone is smiling and in the centre a delegate is holding a white board with "VHEY Conference Champions" branded in blue.

Help Hull and East Yorkshire shine – become a ‘Conference Champion’

A new campaign has been launched inviting business professionals and industry experts to become ‘Conference Champions’ and help bring more events to the region.

Visit Hull and East Yorkshire (VHEY) is urging individuals from a wide range of sectors to play their part in attracting major conferences and other events.

Professionals, academics and association members who have influence are being asked to help bring conferences they attend elsewhere back to Hull and Yorkshire.

The Conference Champions will have a key role to play as a driving force in attracting national and international events, raising Hull and East Yorkshire’s profile as a premier destination.

Chris Blacksell, Chair of VHEY, said: “Supporting the visitor economy isn’t just about leisure visitors – bringing conferences to the area is also a vital part of the work we do to increase visitor numbers, which will in turn help support local businesses.

“We have fantastic conference facilities in the area, from very large venues used to hosting thousands of attendees, to smaller, quirky venues that can offer a unique conference experience for everyone.

“What we really need is people who are in positions to help us influence conference organisers to choose us a place to come.

“If you’re a professional, an academic, a member of an association, or in any role and you think you might be able to encourage someone to do that, we’d really appreciate it if you would give a little back to the area and join us as a Conference Champion.

“We’re doing a huge amount of work already but you might be able to give us a little help to push some conferences over the line, and help the area benefit from the increased income that they bring.”

The call to recruit Conference Champions coincides with English Tourism Week – national tourist board VisitEngland’s annual campaign to raise awareness of the importance of the sector – which is running from March 14-23.

Conference delegates are commonly high yield visitors, providing a significant economic boost to the host area.

The new Conference Champions programme aims to build on the region’s success in hosting major events, which recently included the Cultural Tides conference at Hull Truck Theatre with keynote speaker Galyna Grygorenko, Ukraine’s First Deputy Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications.

The city will also host the UK Pride Organisers’ Network Conference 2025 in October.

Andy Train, Chair of Pride in Hull, was instrumental in securing the event.

He said: “Hosting the UK Pride Organisers’ Network Conference 2025 in Hull is a fantastic achievement, and a testament to the city’s commitment to supporting and celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community.

“The collaboration with VHEY has clearly been instrumental in making this bid successful, showcasing the region’s dedication to creating welcoming spaces and events for everyone.

“This conference will be an excellent opportunity to bring Pride organisers together, share experiences and celebrate the progress made in promoting diversity and inclusion.

“It also reinforces Hull’s position as a leading destination for LGBTQIA+ events and tourism. Congratulations to everyone involved in making this happen – it’s a proud moment for Hull and the wider community.”

Individuals from numerous organisations have already committed to being Conference Champions to help attract similarly large-scale events, with the support of the VHEY conference team.

VHEY will host regular gatherings of the network of Conference Champions, to share updates and news of upcoming events.

Hugh Jones, Managing Director of AV, stage and lighting equipment company HPSS, said: “As a company that provides event support services across the UK, we’ve seen how much Hull and East Yorkshire now has to offer with a wide range of venues.

“When we’ve suggested to clients that they use a venue here, they’ve often started out sceptical but have been delighted by the quality of the venues and the affordability of accommodation and restaurants.

“Conference Champions is such a great initiative. We’ve found that many people aren’t aware of the facilities this region has to offer, and it often just takes a simple suggestion. Once they visit, they tend to come back.

“More conferences and events can only increase employment opportunities for event technicians and other venue staff.”

Ryan Shaw, Revenue Manager at Hull Trains, said: “I’m delighted to be part of the VHEY Conference Champions programme.

“Hull Trains is proud to be an active member of the local community, and we’re always looking for ways that we can champion what our area has to offer and help our local businesses grow.

“We’ve worked with VHEY on a number of exciting projects over the past year, including sending over 100 volunteers to London for Yorkshire Day to spread the word about how brilliant our part of the world is.

“It’s great to be continuing the partnership by supporting this latest initiative.”

Janthi Mills-Ward, Joint CEO of Hull Truck Theatre, said: “It’s always fantastic when conferences, whether large or small, come to Hull and the East Riding.

“It’s a wonderful chance to highlight all that the region has to offer, and who better to advocate for why this area is the perfect choice for a national conference than those who live and work here, experiencing its benefits every day.

“I’d encourage people to become a Conference Champion, and proudly promote the region’s accessibility, diverse venues, rich culture and exceptional hospitality.”

Samatha Dunion, General Manager of DoubleTree by Hilton Hull, said: “At DoubleTree by Hilton Hull, we are proud to support the Conference Champions programme in showcasing the region’s affordability and diverse offering.

“As a leading city centre venue, we’ve successfully attracted regional conferences to Hull, thanks to our competitive pricing and exceptional facilities – including a 1,000-capacity ballroom – delivering a seamless, all-in-one event experience.

“With excellent transport links, delegates can travel with ease, and our strong partnerships with local attractions allow us to curate engaging, cost-effective itineraries that enhance their visit.”

Alex Crutchley, Head of Destinations at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “East Yorkshire presents an outstanding opportunity for conference providers seeking a distinctive and versatile destination.

“Bridlington, a charming historic seaside town, offers a stunning coastal setting with excellent conference facilities. The iconic Bridlington Spa boasts state-of-the-art event spaces, breathtaking sea views and a grand ballroom – ideal for large-scale conferences, exhibitions, and gala dinners.

“Just minutes away, historic Sewerby Hall and Gardens provides an elegant and unique venue for more intimate gatherings, set within beautifully landscaped grounds overlooking the coast.

“For team-building experiences, The Edge Aerial Adventure delivers a thrilling challenge with high ropes and zip lines – perfect for fostering teamwork and leadership.

“With a diverse selection of boutique hotels and rural retreats, as well as the natural beauty of the East Riding’s coast and countryside, our region delivers an inspiring and memorable setting for conferences and corporate retreats.”

and to register your interest email conference.bureau@vhey.co.uk

Humber Street Sesh Festival Announces 2025 Headliners

The award-winning Humber Street Sesh Festival is thrilled to announce anthemic alternative/indie band The Howl & The Hum will headline the 2025 event, set to take place on Saturday, August 2nd, 2025, on Hull Marina, East Yorkshire. The annual day music festival is renowned for showcasing over 100 acts and providing a platform for regional emerging artists alongside national critically acclaimed bands, promising an unforgettable experience for music enthusiasts.

The Howl & The Hum, hailing from York, have garnered acclaim for their raw, vulnerable storytelling, combined with music that artfully traverses everything from finger-picking folk to indie, country and electronica. The lyrical vulnerability and exploration of sound on their 2020 debut album, ‘Human Contact’, earned international radio airplay and established them as one of Yorkshire’s most treasured talents. The 2024 sophomore record ‘Same Mistake Twice’ marks a new guise for The Howl & The Hum, with their performance on the Main Stage at Humber Street Sesh 2025 a significant highlight in the festival’s lineup.

Joining them on the bill as headliners across other stages are notable national and regional acts including Nottingham’s Alt/Country 4-piece Divorce, Yorkshire’s latest alt-pop truth-teller Fiona-Lee, Liverpool’s soulful rock ‘n’ roll sensations Casino, and the ferocious electro party punk of Hull’s own Jodie Langford, each bringing their unique sound to the festival. This diverse lineup underscores Humber Street Sesh’s commitment to celebrating a wide array of musical talent.

Mark Page, Festival Artistic Director said, “We’re delighted to have The Howl & The Hum confirmed as this year’s festival headliners. They’re a band that we’ve had the pleasure of watching grow over the years, and a huge favourite at our weekly The Sesh night at The Polar Bear Music Club every Tuesday. They’re an act that grabs the soul of an audience. with sublime vocals and arrangements, and one that will undoubtedly stun the crowds at this year’s event. Alongside our other headliners announced today, we’re hugely excited for our 13th edition of Humber Street Sesh.”

Early Bird tickets are available now at £15 for a limited time only, offering festival-goers an affordable opportunity to secure their spot at this year’s event. Early Bird sales close on Monday, March 31^st, 2025.

Humber Street Sesh continues its tradition of fostering community spirit and musical discovery, making it a must-attend event in Hull’s cultural calendar.

Humber Street Sesh 2025, Hull Marina, Saturday, August 2^nd, midday-11 pm

Tickets can be purchased via humberstreetsesh.co.uk & seetickets.com

Early Bird advance tickets are £15 (+booking fees) until March 31^st, then General Admission advance tickets are £20 (+booking fees) until August 1^st.

Free entrance for children 12yrs and under, when accompanied by an 18yrs+ fee-paying adult. Wristband exchange locations TBC

Honey Box & The Sesh announce acts for a live music and TV experience

Hull’s live music scene is set to light up on March 27th, as Honey Box Live teams up with The Sesh for a one-night-only event at Hull Truck Theatre. This special showcase will feature performances from some of the most exciting emerging talents:

SugarFüt – Hull’s own alt-rock sensation, known for their electrifying performances and fresh, original sound.

Jessie James – A dynamic artist blending soulful melodies with raw energy, captivating audiences across the UK.

Rowland – showcasing many different influences in his music, blending styles such as Folk, Funk, Soul, Rock, Pop, Reggae, Ska & elements of Hip Hop.

With a history of championing grassroots talent, The Sesh has long been a cornerstone of Hull’s independent music scene, while Honey Box Live continues to create high-quality live-streamed
music experiences. This partnership marks a thrilling moment for music lovers, celebrating local talent on a bigger stage.

What is Honey Box? Honey Box Live is an innovative music platform dedicated to showcasing the UK’s most exciting emerging artists. It delivers a unique experience where live music meets live TV. Each show is performed in front of a live studio audience while also being professionally streamed and broadcast live, capturing the raw energy of a gig with the immersive feel of a live TV show. Honey Box is passionate about providing a platform for up-andcoming musicians, ensuring that their performances reach both in-venue crowds and online
audiences across the world.

Luke Dankoff, Producer/Programmer at Hull Truck Theatre, said:

“We are delighted to host Honey Box and The Sesh, showcasing local talent and enriching Hull’s cultural scene. This partnership is an exciting opportunity to bring the energy of live music to a
wider audience, and working with local organisations like The Sesh is essential to Hull Truck’s mission of supporting and celebrating our city’s vibrant creative community.”

Daniel Mawer, The Sesh, said:
“We’ve been championing grassroots music in Hull since 2002, but working with Honey Box and Hull Truck allows us to platform artists in a whole new way—giving them the chance to perform
with full broadcast production and reach audiences far beyond the city,”

Honey Box Live’s Peter Herbert reflected on his personal connection to the venue, stating:

“Starting my career as a theatre tech at Hull Truck Theatre on Spring Street was foundational. Having worked in theatre and events production all over the world, it’s amazing to come full circle
and bring Honey Box Live to this iconic venue.”

This unique live music experience promises a night of electric performances, passionate artistry, and an unmissable atmosphere. Tickets are available now via Hull Truck Theatre’s website.

Discover Dance – balletLORENT Brings Dance and Creativity to Hull

balletLORENT has once again brought its magical storytelling and dynamic movement to Hull, engaging with around 230 children, young people, and adults through an inspiring dance programme. Collaborating with Hull Dance and Hull & East Yorkshire Children’s University, the company has fostered creativity in four primary schools, two Hull Dance Move Together youth dance groups at Bridges and Ainthorpe Youth Centres and an adult dance group, all drawing inspiration from their latest production, Snow White.

As part of this initiative, a special session at Hull Dance saw Caroline, Keyna, and Camilla join a Flourish Movement & Dance for Wellbeing workshop—an enriching experience that celebrated the power of creativity, movement, and human connection.

balletLORENT has a rich history of working within the Hull community, with its first visit dating back to 2004. Over the years, the company has performed at multiple venues across the city, including Hull Truck, Hull New Theatre, Hull City Hall and the Hull Freedom Festival to name a few. Supplementing their shows with interactive workshops that bring dance directly to the people of Hull.

This April, balletLORENT returns to Hull New Theatre with a captivating family-friendly production of Snow White. This reimagining of the Brothers Grimm classic will not only feature the company’s talented professional dancers but will also spotlight ten young performers from Years 1 and 2 at Oldfleet Primary School. Selected from workshop sessions, these young dancers are thrilled to take part in a professional stage production.

Oldfleet Primary School teacher Kerry Garner shared her excitement:

“The children all really enjoyed the workshops. None of them had previously attended any dance, drama or gymnastics clubs, and we’re so proud of all of them for taking part, embracing the opportunity to be creative and using their imaginations. We’re all very excited to see them perform on stage in Snow White with the rest of the cast. The memories will stay with them for a very long time.”

At every tour stop, balletLORENT’s Young Cast Initiative selects children from local primary schools to participate in immersive two-day dance workshops, culminating in the chance to perform alongside the company’s professional dancers. For many of these children, this marks their first time on a professional stage, offering them an invaluable artistic experience.

James MacGillivray, balletLORENT’s Education & Projects Manager, emphasizes the significance of this opportunity:

“For many children, this is a unique and transformative experience. It not only builds their confidence and creativity but also enhances their ability to collaborate, communicate, and express themselves in new ways. Schools benefit immensely too, as these workshops enrich their arts provision and inspire both students and teachers alike.”

These recent initiatives have been made possible through support from The Sir James Reckitt Charity and the Hull and East Riding Charitable Fund, ensuring that young people in Hull continue to have access to enriching artistic opportunities.

Bringing to life the magic of the original tale, balletLORENT’s Snow White promises to be a visually stunning and emotionally powerful production, perfect for audiences aged 5 and above.

Friday, April 4, 2025 (6:30 PM)
Saturday, April 5, 2025 (2:00 PM)
Venue: Hull New Theatre, Kingston Square, HU1 3HF
Tickets: £20-£24 | Under 16s: £11-£13
Box Office: 01482 300306
Booking: www.hulltheatres.co.uk/theatre-events/balletlorent-snow-white

Don’t miss this spellbinding performance that merges dance and storytelling, offering an unforgettable experience for all ages.

Hull Dance Move Together is an inclusive and accessible city-wide programme with three strands of opportunities for young people to dance, create and perform.

Discover Dance is a partnership between Hull City Council, Hull Dance, Hull Culture and Leisure, Hull Truck Theatre, Back to Ours and Freedom Festival. They work collaboratively to support Hull City Council’s strategic dance development promoting dance across venues to build a dance audience.

Meet Hull’s home of the independents: Trinity Square

It’s been described as “the best of Hull”. Hull’s Trinity Square, including Trinity Market and Hepworth Arcade, offers a truly diverse mix of food and drink, shopping, activities and other unique experiences. It’s the wide range of its independent businesses that sets this city centre location apart.

Hearth, on King Street, is one of the standout places to dine in the area. It comprises both a restaurant and bakery, with a focus on sourcing the best possible local ingredients and cooking them to an incredibly high standard.

Ryan Telford, co-owner and head chef, says: “We do really high-quality food, and a lot of cooking over fire. The menus have really developed over the last couple of years. “It’s a casual, relaxed and happy atmosphere, which is what you generally get around here. “For me, this part of Hull is an example of how important independent businesses are. You don’t see any chains around here, and that makes it special. It’s the best of Hull.

Fellow co-owner and baker Caitlin Ogden adds: “We keep the bakery very relaxed, and people can just pop in. There’s a big focus on our breads and our pastries, and everything is made in-house. “It’s a really nice community here, with a lot of independents, and we all know each other and support each other.”

Trinity Market offers something for everyone, including record shop Mr Spin It Records, which has been in business for over 31 years. It’s believed to be the oldest vinyl-only shop in the country.

Owner Steve Mathie says: “I made my first deal in a school yard when I was aged 12 – after that, I knew there was a business to be had! “I have nearly 20,000 LPs here, dating from the 50s up to modern day. “I would say around 80 per cent of my customers come from outside of Hull. They come from all over the country – Peterborough, Bristol, London. Word of mouth is a big thing for us because we’re a collectors’ shop. People will make a special journey because they know they’ll get what they want.”

Linked to Trinity Market is Hepworth Arcade, where Graham Williams has been ‘custodian’ of family-owned Dinsdales since 1978. The joke and trick shop has been in business for 95 years, with famous visitors over that time including Tommy Cooper, Derren Brown and Reece Shearsmith. “We get people coming here from all over the country because we’re very niche,” says Graham. “Grandmas are our best customers, bringing their grandchildren in! “It’s very important for Hull to have such a mix of independent businesses. People are attracted here because it’s unique, and it’s the independent businesses they want.”