Robin Hood Festival 2026

About

August 2026
Sherwood Forest
Free Entry | Parking charge applies
Please note that some activities such as archery are chargeable

Friend or foe? It’s the big 4-0!

We’re celebrating the 40^th Robin Hood Festival in 2026, with another sensational summer of spectacular arena shows and performances and displays to delight visitors of all ages.

Since its beginnings in the early 1980s, the Festival has become established as the world’s premier celebration of the world’s favourite outlaw, Robin Hood, and the only one that can truly claim to be held in the home of the Legend – Sherwood Forest.

From Medieval jousting shows to combat displays, drama, comedy, storytelling and music of the age of Robin and his Merry Band, the Festival has become a must-see experience for thousands of visitors every year, many travelling from overseas to walk among the Ancient Oak trees of Sherwood at Festival time.

This year’s Festival dates are:

Saturday 1 & Sunday 2 August

Headlined once again by the Knights of Nottingham Medieval Jousting Display Team with their spectacular interpretation of the legend of Robin Hood.

Saturday 8 & Sunday 9 August

We are thrilled to host not only the fabulous Sherwood Outlaws, but also performers from Centre de l’Imaginaire Arthurien, in Brittany, who will present an arena show bringing together the legends of Robin Hood and King Arthur.

Saturday 29 – Bank Holiday Monday 31 August

The Outlaws are back in the Festival arena for the Grand Finale weekend with their inimitable mix of storytelling and combat displays.

Celebrating Four Decades of Festival

And because it is a big birthday for the Festival, we’re calling on Festivalgoers to share pictures from previous events, all the way back to its roots.

We’ll be sharing those on our social media channels and web pages as we get closer to the event. If you have photos and memories you’d like to share, send them to sherwoodevents@rspb.org.uk

The Bunting of Sherwood

We are also marking this special Festival year with a public arts project – the Bunting of Sherwood.

We’re inviting you to design and create your own artwork inspired by Sherwood Forest, Robin Hood, and the rich tapestry of local wildlife and folklore. Your designs will be displayed on bunting which will extend along the Major Oak trail during the festival.

Download the Bunting of Sherwood Information pack here to start creating your design.