Summer may be edging towards its final bank holiday stretch, but there’s still plenty happening across the East Midlands this weekend. From dancefloor nostalgia and live music to Nottinghamshire Day celebrations and family adventures, here’s our pick of what’s worth leaving the house for.
⭐ Editor’s Choice
Nottinghamshire Day Weekend
📍 Sherwood Forest Visitor Centre 📅 Saturday 22 – Sunday 23 August
Celebrate all things Nottinghamshire with a weekend of live history, storytelling, combat displays and family-friendly activities in the heart of Sherwood Forest. This year’s theme, Rebels, Regents and Rulers, promises plenty of Robin Hood-inspired fun and local heritage. [visit-nott…hire.co.uk]
🎉 Festivals & Big Events
Haçienda at Wollaton Hall
📍 Nottingham 📅 Saturday 22 August
The legendary Manchester club brand returns to Wollaton Hall with a huge outdoor dance music event featuring Faithless and a line-up of house and electronic music favourites. [Tickets]
The Darley Park Weekender 2026
📍 Darley Park, Derby 📅 August 21-22-23
Taking place from Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd August 2026 at Darley Park in Derby, this major summer event features live music across the weekend, including headline performances by Billy Ocean, Marti Pellow, and British boy band JLS. With star-studded entertainment and a vibrant festival atmosphere, it is Derby’s biggest summer celebration, promising an unforgettable weekend for all music lovers.
[Tickets]
Derby Fake Festival
📍 Markeaton Park, Derby 📅 Saturday 22 August
Get ready to be blown away by SIX jaw-dropping Fake Bands®, each unleashing sets of their most iconic anthems – LIVE! 😎 With killer sound and epic lighting, it’s a must-see for all live music lovers. 🤘 [Tickets]
Disco for Grown Ups Summer Party
📍 Binks Yard, Nottingham 📅 Friday 21 August
Dust off your dancing shoes for a night of 70s, 80s and 90s classics under the stars. Expect nostalgia, disco anthems and even a group dance lesson from Disco Dancing Derek. [Tickets]
👨👩👧 Family Days Out
Sherwood Forest Adventures
The Nottinghamshire Day celebrations make Sherwood Forest an excellent choice for families this weekend, combining live entertainment, hands-on activities and plenty of woodland exploring. [visit-nott…hire.co.uk]
Lincolnshire Summer Escapes
Lincolnshire continues to offer a packed programme of summer attractions including family markets, outdoor theatre, castle experiences, art exhibitions and children’s holiday activities across the county.[visitlinco…nshire.com]
Dinosaurs LIVE
📍 New Theatre Royal 📅 Saturday, August 22-23
For the first time since 1881, the home of dinosaurs, London’s Natural History Museum, is going on tour!
We’ll go on a pre-historic journey together to the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods and watch the life-like dinosaurs come alive right on stage! Not only that, but we’ll also find out more about fossils, time scales and how our planet has changed over hundreds of millions of years. [Tickets]
🎭 Theatre & Culture
The Railway Children – Outdoor Theatre Experience
📍 Abbey Pumping Station 📅 Saturday, August 22
Paperback Theatre returns to Leicester with a delightful new adaptation of The Railway Children, bringing E. Nesbit’s timeless story to life in the beautiful open-air setting of Abbey Pumping Station. [Tickets]
Looking Ahead: Loughborough Town Hall’s Autumn Season
Loughborough Town Hall has unveiled a bumper line-up featuring Russell Watson, former undercover detective Peter Bleksley, Leicester City legends Wes Morgan and Robert Huth, plus productions of Come From Away, We Will Rock You, The Sound of Music and Jesus Christ Superstar.
Why we’re excited: It’s one of the strongest regional theatre programmes we’ve seen this autumn.
🌳 Outdoors
Walks in Sherwood Forest
Whether you’re visiting Nottinghamshire Day or simply fancy some fresh air, Sherwood Forest remains one of the region’s best late-summer walks. Historic woodland, great café stops and plenty of wildlife spotting opportunities make it a perfect weekend choice. [stuckinthe…ddle.co.uk]
Clumber Park
Pack a picnic and make the most of the summer weather with lakeside walks and cycling routes in one of Nottinghamshire’s most beautiful National Trust properties. [stuckinthe…ddle.co.uk]
🎵 Live Music
Nik Kershaw
📍 Rock City, Nottingham 📅 Saturday 22 August
The 1980s chart favourite heads to Rock City with his full band for an evening of classic hits and fan favourites. [alttickets.com]
Scouting For Girls
📍 Engine Shed, Lincoln 📅 Sunday, August 23
The band behind the music you grew up with are taking to the stage at Lincoln’s Engine Shed this weekend.
[Tickets]
Dizzy All-Dayer Festival
📍 The Bodega, Nottingham 📅 Friday 21 August
A packed line-up of emerging acts gives music lovers the chance to discover their next favourite band. [alttickets.com]
The Soundhouse Summer Sessions
📍 The Soundhouse, Leicester 📅 Saturday, August 22
Enjoy sun, stage, and sounds with a plethora of amazing live Musicians. The vibes will be chilled, the beer will be cold … And cool cocktail jugs will be on offer. The venue is family friendly and dog friendly. Free entry. Begins 1pm.
🍔 Food & Drink
Make It a Nottingham Weekend
Start with street food and cocktails at Binks Yard before heading to the Disco for Grown Ups event, or combine a Sherwood Forest visit with lunch in one of the county’s charming market towns.
