Entertainment in Grimsby

One of the largest professional theatres in the East of England, Grimsby Auditorium was built in 1995 and run on behalf of North East Lincolnshire Council. It can seat audiences of up to 1,200 and hosts a wide variety of live events including music concerts and theatre as well as conferences and social functions.

The venue has staged everything from touring international opera and ballet companies, comedy stars such as Chris Ramsey and Alan Carr, musicals and children's theatre. As it’s a modern building, there’s also very easy access to the auditorium and free car parking.

For a more intimate evening of theatre, head for the Caxton Theatre, which celebrated its 75h anniversary in 2018. Taking the name Caxton from its connection with the printing industry, the original theatre company first started during the Second World War to try to raise morale.

The Caxtons, as they're known, are the only drama group in North East Lincolnshire with their own theatre, which can house 184 people. They put on eight main week-long productions per year plus several smaller ones in the bar area, the Novartis Suite. There's also a youth theatre, and if acting's not your thing, there are opportunities to get involved in other ways, such as backstage, making teas and selling programmes.

Technically, Grimsby Town FC aren’t even based in Grimsby. Their Blundell Park ground is just over the boundary in adjoining Cleethorpes – so that’s a nugget of information worth remembering for a pub quiz trivia question!

Although they’ve never quite hit the heights of English football, Grimsby have had many memorable moments in their history and enjoyed several seasons in the top flight. Nicknamed The Mariners, they’ve also enjoyed plenty of brushes with fame, notably when their fans started taking inflatable fish called Harry Haddock to games, briefly sparking a craze for inflatable toys which spread to other clubs.

Grimsby Town’s most unforgettable season was in 1997-98 when they played twice at Wembley Stadium, first beating Bournemouth to win the Football League Trophy and then returning a few weeks later to win the Division Two Play-Off Final against Northampton.

If you prefer the homelier charms of non-league football, then head for Grimsby Borough FC, a community club based on the outskirts of the town at Bradley Football Development Centre. The current club were founded only in 2003, and since then they've risen to the Northern Counties East League and won three trophies.

Lincolnshire isn't really a hotbed for rugby union, but Grimsby Rugby Club has a proud history dating back to 1885. The club jointly hold the record for most titles in Midlands 3 East (North) and have a thriving junior section. Grimsby RFC have had several grounds in their history before settling in 1961 at their current home at Springfield Road.

The impressive Grimsby Auditorium is not only the leading theatre in North East Lincolnshire, it’s also the biggest music venue. While its seated capacity is 1,200, its design means it can also hold audiences of up to 2,000 standing. Conveniently located to the west of the town, it’s easy to get to from our Grimsby hotel. Performers include veterans such as The Drifters as well as numerous tributes acts playing music by the likes of Pink Floyd, The Eagles, Adele, Take That and David Bowie.

Tucked away slightly off the beaten track is Grimsby Central Hall, a venue with quite a rich musical heritage. It's been around for the best part of a century and the main auditorium, which seats nearly 700, has played host to some major rock acts including Gary Moore, Iron Maiden and Def Leppard. These days, concerts at the central hall tend to be mostly choral and classical music, with the likes of the Grimsby Philharmonic and local choirs among the regular performers. There are also jazz evenings and the occasional big name from the world of rock and pop, such as Chris Gifford, who co-wrote most of the hits for chart-toppers Squeeze.

There’s also occasional live music including jazz, rhythm and blues, reggae and ska at other Grimsby venues including the Old Clee Social Club, the Casablanca and the Linden Club.