OK, Bank Holiday weekend we hear you — you’re calling and the East Midlands is answering.
Whether you’re planning a big one or keeping things chilled, there’s plenty going on. Here are the top things to do across the region this weekend, from can’t‑miss events to easy wins.
As always in our guide to things to do in the East Midlands this weekend, both free things and those that’ll set you back a few pennies are featured.
Walk of Joe Orton’s Leicester – Leicester city centre
Explore sites associated with this Leicester-born writer whose irreverent black comedies have scandalised theatregoers since the 1960s.
Meet at the Orton pavement plaque on Orton Square in the city centre, near Curve theatre.
The National Theatre named Joe Orton (1933-1967) one of the most important playwrights of the Twentieth Century. Explore sites in the city associated with this Leicester-born writer whose irreverent black comedies have scandalised theatregoers since the 1960s and discover how growing up in Leicester shaped his work.
The tour is led by Dr Emma Parker, a leading Orton scholar, and ends with a chance to delve into Orton’s archive at the University of Leicester. Everyone who completes the tour will receive a limited-edition Joe Orton tote bag.
This 1.8 mile walk starts on Orton Square in the city centre (near Curve theatre) and finishes on the University of Leicester campus, off University Road. This walk lasts 1.5 hours, followed by 30 minutes inside the university library to see items from the Orton collection. Please arrive 5 minutes early for registration.
This short walk is free to attend, but numbers are limited so please book via Eventbrite to secure your place or phone 0116 454 2860.
WHERE: Orton pavement plaque, Orton Square, Leicester
WHEN: Friday, May 22, 11am
Dot to Dot Festival – Various, Nottingham City Centre
The chance to hear live music from over 30 artists over the Bank Holiday weekend. What more could you ask for?
The festival’s genre-defiant 200-strong line-up is being headlined by Mandy,Indiana, Lambrini Girls, Fcukers, and NewDad in the city centre on May 24 and is being hosted by a number of venues across the city centre – including Rock City and Rough Trade.
You can still buy tickets HERE – but they are going fast
WHERE: Various – Nottingham city centre
WHEN: Sunday, May 24 12pm – 11pm
True Order and Echoes of the Bunnymen – Drill Hall, Lincoln
True Order give a big set of the classics and the rare tracks from the studio albums of New Order and have been recognised by the Manchester band themselves as the leading tribute to the band.
They are joined by Echo and the Bunnymen tribute Echoes of the Bunnymen. A must-see for both 80s and indie pop enthusiasts
Tickets are on sale HERE
WHERE: Lincoln Drill Hall, Lincoln
WHEN: Saturday, May 23, 7pm (D/O)
Derby Book Festival – Various, Derby city centre
The festival, which will be held from Friday 22 May to Sunday 31 May, includes over 70 book-related events for all ages and interests in venues across the city including QUAD, Derby College, Derby Theatre and Museum of Making.
Tickets are available from the Festival website: https://www.derbybookfestival.co.uk/whats-on/events, which also contains full details of all the events. You can book tickets for all events online and, for events at QUAD and Derby Theatre, also in person from their box offices.
Topics range from fashion to football and from space to spying – you’ll find plenty to interest you.
An expanded children and families’ programme is on offer, including the popular Bookworms: The Kids Takeover at Electric Daisy (in partnership with Down to Earth Derby) sponsored by Smith Partnership plus Making Science Fun! with Roma Agrawal, learn to create comics with illustrator Laura Howell and an Introduction to Dungeons and Dragons Workshop.
The Festival will once again take over Derby College on Sunday, May 24 with seven events held across the day, with a Takeover Day Pass available for £40 for all seven events. The Day will also include a series of Writing Workshops and the annual Festival Book Quiz.
For people who are unable to attend in person, 29 Festival events will be filmed and recorded and made available after the Festival ends as both individual recordings or as a Digital Pass offering access to all 29 events for £60 for six weeks after the Festival ends.
Individual recordings are also available from £5 each.
WHERE: Various, Derby city centre
WHEN:
Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trail
A Pokémon Trading Card Game trail inspired by the Mega Evolution series opens this weekend at Belton House in Lincolnshire.
Starting from May 23rd and running until early September, you can rock up, grab a trail sheet, and head off on a self‑guided quest. No booking stress, no ticket panic — just turn up and get stuck in.
Each trail has ten stops, all themed around different Pokémon Energy types, so you’ll basically be wandering around the stately home and gardens pretending you’re on a quest.
And yes, it’s included in normal admission, or completely free if you’re one of those organised people with a National Trust membership.
This is all part of the National Trust’s annual “Summer of Play” programme — aka the thing where they try and convince kids to ditch screens and go outside by making it actually fun. This year though, they’ve clearly decided to go hard by bringing in one of the biggest franchises of all time.
No need to book and included within the ticket price
WHERE: Belton House, Grantham, Lincolnshire
WHEN: May 23 – early September
