A busy and varied programme of events, ranging from an internationally-renowned art installation, street theatre and exhibitions to film screenings and community events, is planned to mark Goole’s 200th birthday.

Further details can be found on a new Goole 200 website that has been developed using a UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) grant. Part of the wider programme of activities for Goole 2026, the new website brings details of the bicentenary events and activities planned by East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s Arts Development and Museums teams together on one platform, alongside information about the many celebratory events being planned by community and voluntary sector groups across Goole. 

A variety of events will be taking place throughout the year, with an exhibition called Goole-Built: The Story of Goole Shipyard, which launches on 10 January, kicking off a series of exhibitions at Goole Museum during 2026. Other events planned for January include community art sessions led by local artist Janet Porter to create a large wall hanging inspired by Goole’s coat of arms and Goole On Film, a Goole Civic Society event showcasing a series of films featuring Goole from the 1920s through to the 1980s. Further details about these events can be found in the ‘what’s on’ guide on the new Goole 200 website.

Looking further ahead, multiple partner organisations are planning an action-packed weekend of celebratory events on 18 and 19 July to coincide with Goole’s 200th anniversary weekend. Further details will be announced nearer the time.

Other highlights of the year will include the visit to Goole in September of Helios, a touring art installation by the highly renowned UK artist Luke Jerram. Measuring seven metres in diameter, it features detailed imagery of the sun’s surface. At an approximate scale of 1:200 million, each centimetre of the internally-lit spherical sculpture represents 2000 kilometres of the sun’s surface. Helios provides a safe opportunity for the public to get up close to the sun and inspect its extraordinarily detailed surface, including sunspots, spicules and filaments. The installation is a fusion of solar imagery, animated lighting and a specially created surround sound composition by Duncan Speakman and Sarah Anderson.

Other special events planned for 2026 include a colourful Lantern Parade to coincide with the town’s annual Bonfire Night celebrations; Goole 200: A History of Goole in 200 Objects, an exhibition that opens at Goole Museum in May; and Sync or Swim, a vibrant, inter-generational dance theatre piece co-created with professional and community dancers. They will take place alongside hugely popular annual events, such as Goole Museum’s Open Art Exhibition; Goole RSPCA’s Dog Show; and the Friends of West Park’s Vintage In The Park and Music In The Park events, which are sure to have a Goole 2026 twist this year.

Ryan Madin, Programme Co-ordinator for Goole 2026, explained: “The Arts Development team at East Riding of Yorkshire Council submitted a successful funding bid to Arts Council England called ‘Our Town, Our Time’, which has been match-funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. This is being used to help support, promote and showcase the wealth of exciting events, activities and celebrations planned in Goole during 2026, with the aim of bringing them to the attention of a wider audience by encouraging visitors to come to Goole, boosting footfall in the town centre and the local economy, and, of course, ensuring that there are plenty of opportunities for local people of all ages and interests to get involved in the Goole 2026 celebrations.

“Known as the Goole 200 project, this strand of work is led by East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s Arts Development team and just one element of the wider Goole 2026 programme. The council’s Arts Development team is proud to be part of Goole 2026 and working in partnership with the Goole 2026 Bicentennial Group. 

“As well as planning a series of arts events throughout the year, such as the visit by Helios, the Lantern Parade and much more besides, we’ve used some of the grant funding we’ve managed to secure to create dedicated online platforms where we can showcase the events and attractions that teams within the council have planned alongside the many community-led events and activities taking place throughout the year.

“With the £25 million Goole Town Deal regeneration programme now in its final stages and so many community partners coming together to mark the bicentenary, 2026 promises to be a very exiting year for the town.”

Information about some of the events planned is already available on the new Goole 200 website, but more will be added on a regular basis during the weeks and months ahead, as further details are confirmed. Local people are encouraged to visit the website and follow the Goole 200 Facebook and Instagram pages to stay update with all the latest news updates.

Any groups or individuals currently planning bicentenary events and activities that they would like to see featured on the new Goole 200 website are welcome to email details to the Arts Development team.

People can also find out more about the work of the Goole 2026 Bicentennial Group, a voluntary, non-profit, inclusive organisation that seeks to commemorate the history, heritage and achievements of Goole. The group’s main objective is to support plans to commemorate Goole’s bicentenary. To find out how you can get involved, click here.