Turner Sims Summer Festival 2025
Following the success of our first Summer Festival in 2024, the relaxed summer weekend event returns!
There’s performances in and around Turner Sims, including free entertainment and activities.
Join us for main auditorium performances across the three days, including folk, a classical mix-tape programme, and jazz, plus free Vibe Lounge events in the foyer. On Sunday, there’s tons for small people, with family shows throughout the day, as well as workshops, crafts and face painting.
Spend time with friends and family in the garden, as our outdoor stage plays host to some of the best local bands. Our outside bar and food stalls will keep you going!
We’re looking forward to seeing you there.
The Vibe Lounge
Friday 27 June / 7pm
Ahead of the Shovel Dance Collective in the main auditorium, join us for the Vibe Lounge, a 40-minute free performance in our intimate foyer space.
Programmed by The Vibe Collective, a group of music producers aged 18-25, Vibe Lounge events welcome an amazing mix of artists and showcase up and coming talent.
This event is free.
The Shovel Dance Collective + Lucy Kitchen
Friday 27 June / 8pm
The nine-piece folk band bring music from their latest album ‘The Shovel Dance’ to kick off our Summer Festival 2025.
Following in the footsteps of groups like Lankum, Shovel Dance Collective are driven by a passion for the traditional music of the British Isles, Ireland and beyond.
With instruments such as harp, harmonium, banjo, strings, and flute, and their unpolished voices, the Collective bring a radical new lens to historical narratives.
+ Lucy Kitchen
Following a stunning duo set at the 2024 Summer Festival, singer-songwriter Lucy Kitchen returns as the recipient of this year’s Turner Sims Turn It Up award.
Lucy and her five-piece band perform songs from her forthcoming album, ‘In the Low Light’. Lucy’s original songs explore concepts of grief and loss. Her exquisite vocals are supported by guitars, double bass and drums plus pedal steel, piano and Hammond.
Community Stage
Saturday 28 June / 2pm – 6.30pm
Spend time with friends and family in the garden, as our outdoor stage plays host to some of the best local bands.
The Vibe Lounge
Saturday 28 June / 7pm
Ahead of the Shovel Dance Collective in the main auditorium, join us for the Vibe Lounge, a 40-minute free performance in our intimate foyer space.
Programmed by The Vibe Collective, a group of music producers aged 18-25, Vibe Lounge events welcome an amazing mix of artists and showcase up and coming talent.
This event is free.
Entranced By Candlelight
Saturday 28 June / 8pm
Orchestra of the Swan return after an astounding performance at last year’s Summer Festival.
This year, they bring their captivating concert, ‘Entranced by Candlelight’.
‘Entranced’ features breath-taking orchestral soundscapes curated from a variety of genres. This will be a mesmerising live event, all enhanced by the warmth and beauty of candlelight.
Summer Family Day 2025
Sunday 29 June / 11am – 4pm
Join us this summer for a day of magical musical activities and events for children and grown-ups of all ages.
Get the whole family involved with performances, workshops, music, dance, craft – and of course the chance to make LOTS of noise. Bring your picnic lunch to enjoy in the gardens, get your face painted – a perfect day out!
Yazz Ahmed
Sunday 29 June / 7.30pm
Jazz FM Award Winner and one of the most influential trumpeters of her generation, Yazz Ahmed closes our Summer Festival.
With her fourth studio album, ‘A Paradise in the Hold’, the British-Bahrani musician dives even deeper into her dual heritage. She emerges with a treasure trove that draws on traditional music and stories from her childhood home.
Yazz is joined by her five-piece band, which includes Tim Garland on bass clarinet. Join us for an evening of intoxicating, compelling Arabic jazz.
