Dates for events in 2025 in Erewash
Bold as Brass Summer Concerts
The dates for the council's Bold as Brass free summer concerts have been confirmed.
Sunday 1 June, 2 – 4pm
Victoria Park, Ilkeston DE7 5HB
Ilkeston Brass Band
Sunday 8 June, 2 – 4pm
West Park, Long Eaton NG10 3NL
Silver Prize Band
Sunday 27 July, 6 – 8pm
Victoria Park, Ilkeston DE7 5HB
Ilkeston Brass Band
Sunday 10 August, 2 – 4pm
West Park, Long Eaton NG10 3NL
Beeston Big Band
Saturday 16 August, 1 – 3pm
Erewash Museum, Ilkeston DE7 5JA
Beeston Big Band
Ilkeston Charter Fair
Ilkeston Charter Fair will be held between Wednesday 15 and Saturday 18 October 2025.
For virtually an entire week in October, Ilkeston Town Centre is transformed into a vast fairground filled with colour, lights and action for this popular event.
Thousands of visitors come to enjoy the exciting and spectacular white-knuckle rides together with the more traditional side-shows.
The Charter was granted by King Henry III in 1252, making the fair older than Nottingham’s famous Goose Fair, and it remains one of the largest street fairs in Europe.
The King’s Charter begins: ‘Know ye that we have granted and by this our charter confirmed to our beloved and faithful Hugh son of Ralph, that he and his heirs for ever shall have free warren in all their demesne lands of Elkesdon.’
Dated the 10th of April 1252, the Charter was granted by the King to Hugh de Muskham and gives the lord of the manor and the townsfolk of Ilkeston – written back then as Elkesdon – the right to hold a market on Thursdays and an annual fair on the Assumption of the blessed Virgin Mary in August.
Initially, the fair would have been mainly a trading event but amusements and festivities were also associated with fairs on holy days. The start of hiring fairs dates back to the 14th Century with the passing of the Statute of Labourers in 1351 by Edward III.
Famous show families haven been a part of the fair’s history, including Samuel Taylor, the famous Ilkeston Giant, and John Albert Proctor. A strong relationship developed between the showmen and the local authorities and the event’s first civic opening was given in 1931. Following local government reorganisation in 1974, Erewash Borough Council has continued to develop the friendship and expand the fair.
Fireworks Night
Wednesday 5 November.
Long Eaton Christmas Lights
Thursday 27 November.
Ilkeston Christmas Lights
Friday 28 November.