Your East Midlands weekend starts here.
🌟 Editor’s Choice
Robin Hood Festival, Sherwood Forest A classic Nottinghamshire summer day out. This weekend’s programme celebrates the festival’s 40th anniversary, featuring arena performances, historical re-enactments, storytelling, and family activities in the heart of Sherwood Forest. [visitsherwood.co.uk]
🎪 Festivals & Major Events
Rand Festival, Lincolnshire
7 to 9 August | Rand Farm Park, near Lincoln
A family-friendly festival combining tribute acts, children’s entertainment, character appearances, food vendors, fairground attractions and access to the farm park. Saturday’s headliner is a Queen tribute act with family entertainment throughout the day. [Rand Farm Park]
Gloworm Festival
7 to 9 August | Newark Showground
One of the region’s leading family festivals, bringing together music, entertainment and activities aimed at families with younger children. [Gloworm Festival]
Leicester Food Festival
8-9 August | Abbey Park
Expect a weekend packed with flavour, fun, and unforgettable memories designed for the whole family. Sample some of the region’s favourite foods accompanied by your favourite songs from a range of top tribute acts. [Tickets]
Modified Car Night
August 8 | Great Northern Classics, Derby
Modified night is back at GNC! Open to all cars and bikes, Let’s see your modified machines! It’s a free event, no pre booking required and we have a bar, food and indoor display. [Great Northern Classics]
👨👩👧 Family Days Out
Robin Hood Festival
Children can enjoy costume competitions, medieval displays, archery-themed activities and interactive performances. A fantastic summer-holiday option. [visitsherwood.co.uk]
Nottingham Beach: City by the Sea
Old Market Square, Nottingham
The city centre beach remains open throughout the summer with sand, rides, family attractions and holiday vibes without leaving the county.
Rand Farm Park Festival Activities
Character meet-and-greets, children’s raves, inflatables and stage shows make this a strong choice for families looking for a full-day outing.
🌳 Outdoors & Adventure
Sherwood Forest Walks
Combine the Robin Hood Festival with a walk through one of England’s most famous ancient woodlands. Early morning and late afternoon are ideal for avoiding the busiest periods. [visitsherwood.co.uk]
Clumber Park
Summer conditions should make for excellent cycling, walking and lakeside picnics. National Trust members may wish to combine a visit with nearby Sherwood Forest.
Lincolnshire Coast
For anyone looking further afield, Sutton-on-Sea, Mablethorpe and Skegness remain excellent options for a traditional seaside weekend.
🎵 Music & Entertainment
Stiff Little Fingers
Friday | Rock City, Nottingham
One of the UK’s iconic punk bands performs at Rock City. [Tickets]
Love the 90s Fest
Saturday | Binks Yard, Nottingham
Featuring classic dance and club anthems, including appearances from well-known 90s artists and DJs.
Mr Traumatik
Saturday | Quarter 25, Leicester
The controversial Cardiff drum and bass artist is set to light up Quarter 25 with his unforgettable sound and style this Saturday night. Expect high energy and high vibrations [Tickets]
Tribute Performances at Rand Festival
From Bruno Mars and Olivia Rodrigo to Queen and Katy Perry tributes, there’s a broad programme of mainstream music across the weekend.
🏰 Heritage & Culture
Sherwood Forest Heritage Experience
The Robin Hood Festival remains one of the UK’s premier celebrations of the legendary outlaw and provides a fascinating mix of local history, folklore and live performance.
Outdoor Theatre: The Three Musketeers
Sunday | Norwood Park, Nottinghamshire
An open-air theatre performance set in the grounds of Norwood Park. A great cultural option for a summer evening. [visit-nott…hire.co.uk]
🍴 Food & Drink
Local Pub Gardens
The forecast looks ideal for making the most of Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire’s village pubs.
📅 Quick Picks
Friday
- Stiff Little Fingers at Rock City
- Opening day of Rand Festival
- Gloworm Festival begins
Saturday
- Robin Hood Festival at Sherwood Forest
- Love the 90s Fest at Binks Yard
- Rand Festival main programme
Sunday
- Robin Hood Festival second day
- Outdoor Theatre: The Three Musketeers
- Final day of Rand Festival
