13,000 Turn Out for Hull's First 'Our City' Celebration

Hull proved once again that it knows how to put on a show, as an estimated 13,000 people filled the city centre on Saturday 14 March for the inaugural "Our City" celebration — a free day-long event that saw more than 1,500 local residents take to the streets in two spectacular processions.

Led by local arts charity Back to Ours and funded by Hull City Council, the event was months in the making and involved contributions from community groups, schools, charities and individual residents from every corner of the city. The result was a joyful, moving and at times breathtaking celebration of what makes Hull special.

A city on parade

The daytime procession wound through the city centre streets, with participants carrying handmade banners, costumes and artworks that reflected themes of community, maritime heritage and sporting milestones. The atmosphere was electric, with onlookers lining the route to cheer on friends, family members and neighbours.

As darkness fell, the event took on a magical quality. An illuminated evening procession filled the streets with light, colour and music, creating a spectacle that drew gasps from the thousands watching. The evening culminated in a dramatic finale in Queen Victoria Square, written by Hull author Russ Litten and performed by a professional cast, which wove together the stories and themes of the day into a powerful celebration of the city's identity.

Community at the heart

What made "Our City" truly special was the depth of community involvement. Over 1,000 residents had helped shape the event during months of workshops and planning sessions, ensuring that the celebration genuinely reflected the people of Hull rather than being imposed from above.

Participating groups included RSPCA Hull and East Yorkshire, NAPA College, Hull and East Yorkshire MIND, Sirius Academy West, and dozens more organisations from across the city. Their contributions ranged from choreographed dance routines and musical performances to handcrafted art installations and storytelling.

"This wasn't a show put on for Hull — it was a show put on by Hull," said Back to Ours artistic director Louise Yates. "Every single element of today came from the community. The creativity, the passion, the pride — that's all Hull."

A new tradition?

Hull City Council, which funded the event, described the turnout as "beyond our expectations" and hinted that "Our City" could become an annual fixture in the city's cultural calendar.

"The response has been overwhelming," said a council spokesperson. "When you see 13,000 people coming together to celebrate their city — not for a football match or a concert, but just to celebrate being from Hull — it tells you something about the spirit of this place. We're already talking about how we can build on this for next year."

The event also showcased Hull's growing reputation as a city that punches above its weight culturally. Since its transformative year as UK City of Culture in 2017, Hull has continued to invest in arts and community projects, and "Our City" represented a natural evolution of that commitment.

What the people said

Reactions from attendees were overwhelmingly positive. "I've lived in Hull all my life and I've never seen anything like it," said Sandra Collins from Anlaby. "The evening procession was absolutely stunning. My grandchildren were mesmerised."

Paul Thompson, who took part in the daytime procession with his community group from east Hull, added: "It felt like the whole city came together. Everyone was smiling, everyone was proud. That's what Hull is all about."

For a city that has sometimes struggled with its image, "Our City" was a powerful reminder of what happens when communities are given the resources and support to celebrate themselves. Hull shone on Saturday — and the rest of Yorkshire was watching.