Things To Do This Spring Bank Holiday Weekend

Another Bank-holiday is on the horizon and there are some truly brilliant things happening across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire to enjoy. Including fun for the whole family, staycation ideas and date night plans, keep reading to see our top picks of things to do to from Friday 22nd - Monday 25th May 2026, which include spa days, something to keep the little ones entertaines and major music happenings.

If you’ll be using the long weekend to spend more time in the great outdoors we’ve got recommendations for perfect picnic spots below, or our website has loads of info on walking and cycling routes.

Browse our What’s On calendar for tons more events, check out our Things To Do section for Nottingham's top attractions, and remember we also have some suggested itineraries to help you see and do as much as possible.

Don’t forget - if you are out having a great time in the city or out in the county, you can use #LoveNotts to share the love, or tag us using @visitnotts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Spa Days

Unwind this Bank Holiday in the beautiful backdrop of Nottinghamshire. We boast some of the best Spas in the UK, including some based in the stunning scenery of Sherwood Forest. Spa Days are also the perfect treat to enjoy with a friend, relative or loved one, so why not spend a day in a calm, comfortable spa with that special someone and forget all the worries of the world!

Nottinghamshire offers a range of spas from the super modern and state of the art, to the more traditional and chic. Some of our top picks include Eden Hall Spa, set within the grounds of a beautiful listed mansion and the Urban Escape Spa (pictured), which is based in a convenient City Centre location in the 4 star Crowne Plaza Hotel and the Spa at Ye Olde Bell is located just off the A1! It has a thermal area that offers a collection of experiences like no other.

These experiences will invigorate, restore and liven your senses or simply help you relax and find your sense of place.

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Explore the Outdoors

It’s a beautiful time to get outside and explore Nottinghamshire’s natural surroundings, and the area is full of outdoor spaces to exercise and relax in. From rural walks out in the countryside to pretty city centre parks, you’ll find lots of places to enjoy spending time outdoors. If you’ll be exploring on two wheels there are plenty of cycle paths to choose from, from gentle canalside routes to challenging mountain bike paths through ancient woodland.

Or maybe you want to try a walking tour and see Nottingham on foot. We have a range of unique and fun tours, including free self-led trails or guided tours. We recommend the award winning Ezekial Bone's Robin Hood Tours of Nottingham. This is a fantastic way to learn about the history of Nottingham while getting active and enjoying the outdoors.

For more ideas and inspiration to enjoy Nottinghamshire’s great outdoors, click here.

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Best of British

Enjoy the best of British this Bank Holiday weekend and explore the unique history and culture of Nottinghamshire and the UK.

Starting with everyone’s favourite outlaw, why not walk in the footsteps of Robin Hood and pay a visit to Sherwood Forest (pictured) or wander around Edwinstowe? You can discover more about the legend here, or discover more rebels and pioneers of Nottinghamshire here.

We also have dedicated literary tours, trails and attractions for all of the bookworms out there. Explore the ancestral home of Lord Byron, the D.H. Lawrence birthplace museum and Nottingham Castle just to name a few. And finally, no trip to Nottingham would be complete without a tour of Bromley House Library - one of the few remaining subscription libraries in the country which houses nearly 50,000 books.

Of course, Nottinghamshire has some stunning and famous market towns. Explore Southwell and learn about its history (which includes the English Civil War and the Bramley Apple), visit the grave of Lord Byron and Ada Lovelace in Hucknall or take in the beautiful views of Eastwood, which has inspired countless visitors and residents such as D.H. Lawrence.

For more surprising UK destinations and attractions that you can visit around Nottinghamshire, see our hidden gems blog and see how many you already know about!

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Unmissable Events

Nottinghamshire is hosting some big events this Spring Bank Holiday weekend, which are perfect for planning a UK Staycation or holiday around. For our full events calendar, click here.

Dot to Dot Festival takes place on Sunday 24th May at various venues across Nottingham. Since starting in Nottingham in 2005 Dot To Dot Festival has established itself as the UK’s premier festival for unearthing the hottest new talent around, alongside established acts from all over the globe. The festival takes place in Manchester, Bristol, and Nottingham and has put acts such as The 1975, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Mumford & Sons, Florence + The Machine, Ed Sheeran and The XX on the map.

Catch the stunning Luminarium: Timisien at Lakeside Arts from Saturday 23rd – Sunday 31st May. Having created luminaria for over three decades, Architects of Air return with Timisien, their extraordinary luminarium of soaring domes and winding labyrinths. Flooded with radiant light, Timisien creates a sensory world far removed from the everyday – inviting visitors of all ages to pause, explore, and be amazed. Step inside a monumental world of colour and light: an immersive inflatable structure lit entirely by daylight glowing through its fabric. Rising high above, the sweeping canopies of the luminarium’s domes take inspiration from the intricate ceilings of Iranian mosques.

Get ready for Pianopalooza, the ultimate Amapiano day party taking over The Nest on Saturday 23rd May. This headline experience will bring together 1000+ Amapiano lovers for an unforgettable 8-hour journey of sound, culture, and energy. Set inside a transformed warehouse space designed to feel like an outdoor escape, Pianopalooza blends the raw edge of an indoor venue with the freedom and atmosphere of an open-air day party. Expect non-stop Amapiano from top DJs, food stalls serving incredible street eats, insane production, immersive vibes and feel-good energy from day into evening!

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Family Fun

There are tons of fun and family-friendly events to keep your little ones entertained this Spring Bank Holiday. 

Get ready to have a roaring good time at White Post Farm, as dinosaurs will be taking over the farm this Spring Bank Holiday. From Saturday 23rd May – Monday 25th May, you can join in on the dino fun with Raptors World. Meet the dinosaurs, learn about fascinating fossils, partake in a dino dig, or head to the Events Barn for some dino-based crafts and activities! All of this on top of their usual farm fun, with a full timetable of activities – it is going to be ROARSOME! Get ready for lots of dino selfies and a fully themed weekend with White Post Farm and Raptors World!

Running throughout the year, at both YMCA Newark and Sherwood Activity Centre, this all-new club will keep your little ones active, engaged and filled with fun. The YMCA Y- Kids offers unlimited access to fun-filled activities after school and on weekends –helping your child build confidence, resilience, and new skills every day. For the little ones, YMCA have created ‘Boulder Tots’, a playful, parent-and-child climbing session in the YMCA Village Climbing Centre. With a friendly climbing coach guiding simple games and movement on and off the wall, your little one can explore, move and try new things – with you right there beside them for every “look what I can do!” moment. Different memberships are available so families can find something that is best suited for their family.

Prepare to be dazzled as Belvoir Castle welcome the sensational Boom Circus as they pitch their spectacular Big Top at the Belvoir Retail Village on Saturday 23rd, Sunday 24th and Monday 25th May. Bringing their extraordinarily talented team of acrobats, jugglers and aerial athletes, Boom Circus promises to wow the crowds with astonishing routines in their brand-new Pirate-themed production. Expect high-seas adventure, theatrical flair, perfectly timed comedy, and breathtaking circus skill in a show that truly knows no bounds. Set against the vibrant atmosphere of the Belvoir Retail Village, this three-day circus event promises excitement, laughter and unforgettable moments for visitors of all ages. Set against the vibrant atmosphere of the Belvoir Retail Village, this three-day circus event promises excitement, laughter and unforgettable moments for visitors of all ages.

Defy Gravity at Nottingham’s Royal Concert Hall with the Sing-a-long-a-Wicked on Saturday 23rd May. This immersive interactive screening will have you stepping into the magical land of Oz and unleashing your inner Galinda or Elphaba… which side will you choose — green or pink? Cheer the goodies and BOO the baddies, sing your heart out with a live host who will teach you some dance moves and show you how to use your free props bag and judge the fancy dress competition – In this story, you’re the star!

For more family events and things to do, browse our What’s On calendar.