Hemlock Happening

The Hemlock Happening is back for 2025 with a special celebration to mark the 80^th anniversary of VE Day, including a performance from the British Army's world famous Parachute Display Team, the Red Devils!

Held in the beautiful setting of Bramcote Hills Park, this free-entry event promises a fantastic day out for all ages. Attracting approximately 9,000 visitors, the Hemlock Happening is one of the most popular events in the area.

Enjoy the fairground and dance into the night with live music at the United Living Main Stage, or cool off, relax and browse the selection of stalls with a drink from Gladstonian Mobile Bar and Events.

Last year’s event saw 9,000 flock to the scenic Bramcote Hills Park for a day filled with family fun, entertainment, and community spirit.

Taking place on Saturday 7 June 2025, the event will feature community stalls, charities, arts and crafts traders, an interactive Army experience, classic vintage cars, dance performances and field activities from 1pm – 6pm, and food, fairground rides and live music from 1pm – 10:30pm, rounded off with a spectacular firework finale.

With thanks to our headline sponsor United Living (opens in a new window).

Parking and Transport

Parking is available on site for Blue Badge holders only. Free event parking is available at Ilkeston Road Recreation Ground, Stapleford NG9 8JL. Residents are also encouraged to walk, cycle, or use public transport to our events.

The following bus routes are available in the area:

• 18/18 x – stop at Ilkeston Road/ Bembridge Court (3 mins walk to the park) view timetable (opens in a new window).
• i4 – stop at Bembridge Court (3 mins walk to the park) view timetable (opens in a new window).
• My 15 - stop at Trowell Road (19 mins walk to the park) view timetable (opens in a new window).

Green Zone

Celebrate sustainability and get inspired in our Green Zone at Hemlock Happening. Reconnect with nature in the beautiful Bramcote Hills Park and take home some green ideas too!

1. Broxtowe Borough Council's Environment Team:

• • Chat with the Parks and Green Spaces Team about the work they do all year round and pick up some free wildflower seeds (on completion of a short activity). 
  • Visit the Neighborhood Wardens and take part in their fun interactive activity. 
  • Take home an item (or two) from the free preloved stall (clothes, shoes, books, toys) helping to reuse unwanted items that would otherwise have been thrown away.  

2. Mary Broddle’s embroidery for wellbeing - Learn to mend clothes so you  don’t have to throw them away in FREE mending workshops from 1-6pm. 

3. Nottinghamshire Beekeepers Association - Meet your local beekeepers try on a beekeeping suit, learn why bees are so important, buy some local honey and look into the world of honeybees in the observation hive. 

4. Canopy 2050 - Find out more about Canopy 2050’s mission to help our local councils to increase the urban tree canopy through establishing mini nurseries, free trees, workshops, talks and educational videos. 

5. Dig in Community Allotment, Stapleford - Dig In’s aim is to create a sustainable Community Allotment where people from different ages and backgrounds come together to share skills, knowledge and experience of food growing. Come and meet the team to find out more. 

6. Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust - Meet the Wilder Nottinghamshire Network Team and learn how you can get involved and make a difference for nature supporting the 60 years of work that has protected and enhanced some of the most important places for nature in Nottinghamshire.

7. Nottingham Energy Partnership - A climate change and fuel poverty charity providing home improvement measures to improve the energy efficiency of homes throughout Nottinghamshire.  Speak with our local experts about all things retrofit and home energy improvements as well as advice on available funding to help you.

8. Ridewise - Meet the Nottingham based charity that is dedicated to education and support for the environmental benefits of green forms of transport, helping thousands of people each year to gain travel independence, reduce reliance on fossil fuel vehicles whilst helping to break the barriers of isolation, inactivity, mental health and transport poverty by supporting people through active travel.

9. Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Project Team - Meet the team from Nottinghamshire County Council to talk all about the plans for electric vehicle charge points across the County.

United Living Main Stage programme

With DJ Expression keeping everyone entertained in-between performances.