Hemlock Happening

The Hemlock Happening is a much-loved annual family event packed with entertainment, activities, and community spirit.

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

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.

Hemlock Happening 2024, groups sitting on the grass in front of the main stage

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:

 

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!

The Environment Team at Hemlock Happening 2024

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.

Time

Act

Info

1:25pm

Nottingham Military Wives Choir

The Military Wives Choirs Foundation is a network of choirs set up to bring women in the military community closer together through singing.  The Nottingham choir is based in Chilwell and practice at Chetwynd Barracks.

Making their Hemlock Happening debut, the 16 piece choir will be kicking off the day's live music action.

2:15pm

Official Opening

 

2:45pm

Shell’s Belles with jazz singer Jeanie Barton

Get in the swing of things with 10 piece all-girl swing band, Shell's Belles, and Beeston based jazz singer, Jeanie Barton.

3:50pm

Slow Train

Forming in 2022, Slow Train consists of 5 friends - each having success in a variety of bands throughout the years. Prepare to hear a mixture of covers and original songs across a wide variety of genres, including pop, rock, folk and jazz.

4:50pm

Acoustic Soda

4 piece cover band Acoustic Soda will be playing a wide variety of popular classics - perfect for a sing-a-long in the sunshine!

5:55pm

Anteloup

Fan favourites from Friday 18, there will be something for everyone in Anteloup's set. Performing original songs across many genres, this is isn't one you want to miss!

7:00pm

Beggar’s Belief

Beggars Belief have crafted a signature sound that's uniquely their own. Their renditions of classics are infused with a high-energy rocky edge, giving each song a fresh, exhileratingtwist that keeps listeners on their feet.

Expect classics from the catalogues of The Rolling Stones, The Beatles and Led Zeppelin, to the Britpop anthems of Pulp and Oasis.

8.15pm

Televised

Led by eccentric frontman Sam Cutting, Televised's music has been heard across the country in major cities such as
Manchester, Sheffield, Birmingham, and more. The blend of euphoric feeling from Catfish and the Bottlemen, the high energy of early Arctic Monkeys, and a touch of a heavier side from Nirvana and Wunderhorse make Televised a new take on what an indie rock band can be. Although their songs are a huge selling point of the band, the true spectacle is their live performances.

9.25pm

The Jaxx

Headlining Hemlock Happening 2025, The Jaxx will bring an infectious energy fit for the headline slot. This 4 piece party band will be performing the top hits from the last 50 years - the perfect soundtrack to dance into the night.

10.25pm

Speech & Countdown to Fireworks

 

10.30pm

Finale Fireworks

Don't miss the spectacular firework finale to round off Hemlock Happening 2025! 

 

 


Contact
Culture and Events
tel: 0115 917 3745