Woolwich Works is celebrating its fifth birthday in suitably loud and joyful style as Brassworks 2026 returns on Saturday 5 September 2026.
The free Festival of Horns promises nine hours of live music, street performance, workshops and family-friendly activities. Expect everything from traditional brass and New Orleans-inspired street music to Balkan beats, jazz, funk and Congolese Afro-fusion.
Brassworks takes place across Woolwich and the outdoor Workers’ Yard at Woolwich Works, with the festivities running from 10:30am until 9pm. The community parade begins at 12pm in General Gordon Square, travelling through Woolwich and the Royal Arsenal before arriving at the venue.
Best of all, the festival is completely free to attend.
What is Brassworks?
Brassworks is Woolwich Works’ annual celebration of brass music and the many ways it continues to develop across cultures and genres.
Woolwich has a long connection with brass through the historic Royal Arsenal artillery bands. Today, the area remains home to musicians and creative organisations including the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, making it a fitting setting for a festival that brings brass traditions together with exciting contemporary sounds.
The 2026 event also forms part of Woolwich Works’ fifth-birthday celebrations. Visitors can enjoy live performances, pop-up entertainment, garden games, food and drink, and free workshops including hula hooping and opportunities to try instruments such as the tuba.
Quiet-zone facilities and access resources will also be available during the day.
Who is performing at Brassworks 2026?
This year’s festival is headlined by Kongo Dia Ntotila, a London-based Congolese Afro-fusion collective combining dance rhythms, jazz, soaring horns, polyrhythmic guitars and powerful vocals.
- Crystal Palace Band
- DJ BobaFatt
- National Youth Jazz Orchestra’s Miles Davis 100 programme
- NYJO Second Line
- Ramshacklicious – Mr Burn
- Brass Funkeys
- Balkanatics
- MC Brian Hargreaves
Brassworks 2026 schedule
12pm – Brassworks Parade
The free community parade gathers in General Gordon Square before making its way through Woolwich and the Royal Arsenal to Woolwich Works. Everyone is invited to join the procession.
1pm–1:45pm – Crystal Palace Band
One of London’s oldest traditional brass bands opens the Workers’ Yard programme.
1:45pm–9pm – DJ BobaFatt
Soho Radio host and former BBC 6 Music resident DJ BobaFatt provides music between the live performances throughout the afternoon and evening.
2:30pm–3:30pm – NYJO Miles Davis 100
The National Youth Jazz Orchestra marks the centenary of Miles Davis’ birth with a nine-piece band performing music inspired by Birth of the Cool alongside new arrangements of his repertoire.
4pm–4:30pm – NYJO Second Line
Inspired by New Orleans street-music traditions, NYJO Second Line brings horns, trombones, saxophones and percussion to a vibrant performance.
4:30pm–5pm – Ramshacklicious: Mr Burn
Mr Burn combines live-looped trombones, tubas and electronic drums with clowning, puppetry, comedy and pyrotechnics.
5pm–5:45pm – Brass Funkeys
The nine-piece Brass Funkeys blend their New Orleans roots with the personalities and influences of a new generation of UK brass musicians.
6:15pm–7pm – Balkanatics
Balkanatics bring fast, rhythmically driven Balkan brass to the Workers’ Yard.
7:45pm–8:45pm – Kongo Dia Ntotila
The headline set closes the live programme with a fusion of Congolese guitars, jazz, Afro-dance rhythms, bass grooves, horns and vocals.
Is Brassworks suitable for families?
Yes. Brassworks is promoted as a family-friendly event with free activities and workshops alongside the live programme. The parade offers an especially colourful way to begin the day, while the outdoor setting gives families the freedom to enjoy as much of the festival as suits them.
As this is an outdoor event, it is worth checking the weather forecast and bringing suitable clothing. Programme details may change, so consult the official schedule before travelling.
Brassworks 2026: essential information
Date: Saturday 5 September 2026
Festival hours: 10:30am–9pm
Parade: 12pm from General Gordon Square
Live-music location: Workers’ Yard, Woolwich Works
Venue: Woolwich Works, The Fireworks Factory, 11 No. 1 Street, Royal Arsenal, London SE18 6HD
Price: Free
Visit the official Brassworks page at Woolwich Works
View the official Brassworks schedule
Will you be joining the parade?
Brassworks looks set to be one of Woolwich’s most energetic free events of the year. Whether you love traditional brass, jazz, Afrobeat and Balkan music or simply want a fun day out close to home, the festival offers plenty to explore from the opening parade to the final headline set.
I’m particularly looking forward to seeing Woolwich filled with music and experiencing Kongo Dia Ntotila’s closing performance.
