Hull’s first ‘Our City’ celebration draws thousands to city centre

More than 1,500 local residents participated in processions and performances celebrating Hull communities, culture and heritage

Hull’s first Our City celebration, led by Back to Ours and funded by Hull City Council, brought an estimated 13,000 people to Hull city centre on Saturday 14th March, with over 1,500 local residents participating in processions and performances throughout the day.

One of the city’s largest recent community-led cultural events, the free, day-long celebration featured two processions through Hull’s streets – one during the daytime and an illuminated evening procession – involving over 1,000 participants from local community groups, families, and organisations, including RSPCA Hull & East Yorkshire, NAPA College, Hull & East Yorkshire MIND, Sirius Academy West and many more.

The event culminated in an evening finale in Queen Victoria Square, written by Hull writer Russ Litten and performed by a local professional cast. Telling stories of Hull through the last six decades, the show featured choirs Freedom Chorus and All For One, live music from Soniq Empires and classical singers Leroy and Emily, and a surprise appearance by local rap artist Chiedu Oraka, with a low-noise firework display to close the show.

Louise Yates, CEO and artistic director of Back to Ours, said: “Seeing thousands of Hull residents come together on Saturday was everything we’d hoped for and more.

“Our City was made in Hull, by Hull people, for Hull people – from Russ Litten’s script to our local cast, choirs, and musicians, and going further back with the planning, when we spoke to over 1,000 people about the event towards the end of last year.

“Saturday proved what’s possible when a city comes together around a shared vision, and we’re already thinking about 2027. We can’t wait for even more Hull residents to get involved.”

Councillor Rob Pritchard, Hull City Council’s portfolio holder for culture and leisure, said: “Our City showcased the very best of Hull’s community spirit and creativity. This is exactly the kind of cultural experience the council is committed to supporting in Hull – accessible, community-led, and proudly celebrating what makes our city special. A huge thanks and congratulations to Back to Ours for delivering this fantastic event for us.”

Both of the Our City processions featured four large-scale Show Globes – Enchanted Flower, Living Snow, Mystic Mirror, and Sea Sphere – each accompanied by participants in themed costumes and props created through community workshops.

BBC Look North presenter Peter Levy, who attended Our City’s evening show, praised it as “the best of the lot… fantastic, absolutely fantastic. A wonderful show of unity.”

Throughout the day, performances took place across Hull city centre, in Queen Victoria Square, Princes Quay and Hull Minster. Hull Minster also showcased two light-based art installations – The Relic of Mirchwood Forest by Laura Spark and Eternal Ensemble by Onyva – commissioned by Hull City Council in partnership with Light up The North through the Shine programme. In addition, Trinity Square featured a mini skateboarding park run by Hull Girls Skate and Active Sports.

Anyone wishing to register interest in participating in Our City 2027 can sign up: https://backtoours.co.uk/thank-you-hull/