2025 was one of our busiest, and most rewarding years yet. Across beloved parks, town-centre and coastal spaces – and in intimate indoor venues – we welcomed thousands of people to enjoy and experience events that they told us brought joy, connection, community, and something new to the area.
From large-scale outdoor festivals to imaginative creative workshops and from talent development sessions supporting our local creative sector to accessible local history sessions for kids, the Culture House programme included events and activities that, we hope, brought uplifting experiences, alongside real economic and ‘social value’ for our communities.
This year’s outdoor programme was a particular highlight. Starting with Our Future Starts Here in May, we hosted some breathtaking outdoor shows from national touring companies, in different spaces in Cleethorpes, providing “something I’ve never seen before” for local people.
Another audience member told us:
Absolutely loved the events I saw. It made the bank holiday Monday a day to remember. I (and I think the local community) want more of this alternative outdoor entertainment to lift the resort into a better future, bring people together and put smiles on people’s faces. I am sure it helps local businesses too. ALL GOOD!
We were then delighted to present the second outing of the Everybody Loves the Sunshine music festival, which brought jazz, funk, soul and another burst of energy to Cleethorpes, with amazing feedback from those who came and took a risk, mostly on musicians and bands they’d never heard before. Our aim with this event was to bring something new, in the form of access to leading musicians from diverse genres who play at leading UK festivals. But why not here in Cleethorpes? Also promoting it outside of the area as a ‘cool’ place to visit (which we all know it is!).
Feedback on this included:
“Came with friends, we had a fabulous time…such a nice, chilled vibe and great music”
“Superb music all day – perfect venue on a sunny summer’s day. Great for Cleethorpes/Lincolnshire to be able to experience some contemporary soul-jazz”
This one day festival event showing six bands and five DJs, hosted 41 artists, also provided 39 days of paid work for local freelance staff and crew.
Then Picnic in the Park returned for another year, with five free family-friendly events drawing 2,500 audiences across the summer. This popular series of music events brought the bandstand to life while offering other engaging activities such as nature and circus workshops for children. We had a great mix of music that went down really well, hosting 87 musicians (24 being local) and 11 hands-on workshops. We’d also teamed up with eight community partners and sponsors, to make the 2025 edition the best yet.
Picnic in the Park also generated 58 days of paid freelance work for local staff and crew (sound engineering, stewards, medical, security provision) supporting our local economy through the delivery of a programme that means so much for the community.
One visitor told us:
“Great for all to experience free music and arts in a wonderful location”
While another expressed:
“Makes you feel proud to live here”
Alongside all of this, we were proud to support the popular Grub Fest, when at least 1000 people enjoyed the street performers we had programmed. This two-day celebration of local food and creativity brought more culture and people to Cleethorpes and we love being involved.
Then came Freedom on Tour, a brand-new partnership with Hull’s Freedom Festival, when we hosted spellbinding international artists from Spain, Italy and Japan, boosting footfall to the Meridian Craft Units area and bringing it to life while connecting local people to amazing global talent.
Creating an engaging programme for children and young people together with Unseen Arts was also central to our work, in the form of Landmarks and Legends – this project being designed to help local young people explore their own heritage through creative expression.
Through delivery of 19 workshops with 548 participants, ourselves and Unseen Arts have received an abundance of positive feedback from participants, who have seemed captivated by the history of North East Lincolnshire’s most iconic spots.
Hot on the heels, we hosted our first Play Day in St James’ Square, attended by 300 people (children and families) and offering participation in vibrant circus skills and storytelling. It was warmly received by families looking for more cultural opportunities in the town centre.
The Culture House’s commitment to nurturing homegrown talent continued through our ‘Grown in Grimsby’ programme. This came in the form of ‘Music Meet Ups’ when we hosted two artist development workshops from Jazz North and Diplomats of Sound, benefitting 26 emerging musicians.
As part of ‘Grown in Grimsby’, we were also delighted to host a summer intern from Franklin College, Georgia, who summed up her experience with: “I’ve loved it.”
As for shouting about Grimsby, Cleethorpes and “culture”, we’re always at it – and raised the profile of our area by securing coverage in The Guardian and on BBC Look North.
As we look forward to 2026, we’re so grateful to all of the artists and performers who bring the magic – as well as all of the local crew, events staff and suppliers, who help to make it all happen for our communities – and we’re proud of the creativity, opportunities and togetherness it all brings.
