Tameside tunes up for the annual Whit Friday Brass Band Contests

Tameside is set to come alive with the unmistakable sound of live brass music as residents and visitors are invited to enjoy a spectacular afternoon and evening at this year’s Whit Friday Brass Band Contests.

On Friday 29 May, towns and villages across the borough will echo with music as bands from across the country and beyond come together in Tameside to take part in this much‑loved annual tradition.

In total, 11 contests will be hosted across the area, each organised by dedicated volunteer teams and offering a warm, welcoming community atmosphere.

The popular event is described as ‘the greatest free show on earth’ and is a long‑standing tradition dating back over 100 years, continuing the area’s cultural history and heritage.

Tameside Council supports the contests and organisers as well as offering the Tameside “overall prizes” which are open to any bands that compete at 6 or more venues.

The contests showcase incredible musical talent and are free to attend, bringing communities together for a fantastic evening.

The events are made possible by passionate volunteers working together under the banner of the Friends of Tameside Whit Friday Brass Band Contest, whose commitment keeps this historic tradition alive year after year.

Tameside Council’s Strategic Director of Housing, Environment & Estates, Julian Jackson said: “Whit Friday is an evening that means so much to Tameside, and we’re so proud to welcome the contests back. It’s a celebration of history, music and community, made possible by the passion of our volunteers and the fantastic bands who travel far and wide to take part.

Thank you to everyone involved in making this much‑loved event happen. It’s always a memorable night across the borough – we hope everyone can come along and be part of it.”

See contests local to you:

• Broadoak Contest – 4:30pm-11pm
• Ashton-under-Lyne, St Albans Avenue, Gambrel Bank, OL6 8TU
• Carrbrook Contest – 4pm-10:30pm
• Castle Clough Car Park, Carr Rose, Stalybridge, SK15 3NY
• Denton Contest – 4pm-11:15pm
• Denton Cricket Club, Egerton Street, M34 3PB
• Droylsden Contest – 4pm-11pm
• The Bush Inn, 120 Moorside Street, M43 7HL
• Dukinfield Tame Valley Contest – 4pm-11pm
• The Tame Valley Hotel, Park Road, SK16 5LX
• Heyrod Contest - 4:30pm-11pm
• Village Hall, John Street, SK15 3BW
• Hurst Village Contest – 4:15pm-10pm
• Ashton United FC, Surrey Street, OL6 8DY
• Hyde Central Contest - 4pm-11pm
• Hyde Market Ground, Market St, SK14 1HL
• Top Mossley Contest – 4:30pm-11:30pm
• Mossley AFC, Seel Park, OL5 0ES
• Stalybridge Celtic Contest – 4pm-11pm
• Stalybridge Celtic FC, Mottram Road, SK15 2RT
• Stalybridge New Labour Club Contest – 4:15pm-10:30pm
• The New Stalybridge Labour Club, Acres Lane, SK15 2EG