Summer in Nottinghamshire

Enjoy Nottingham and Nottinghamshire this summer and discover one of the coolest cities in England and a vibrant county full of legend and beauty!

Take some time to relax in the serene setting of Sherwood Forest, The Dukeries or the Vale of Belvoir. Enjoy a truly spectacular range of exciting cultural summer events across the region and don't forget to browse our special offers to make the most of your visit to Nottinghamshire.

Sand In The City

The beloved Nottingham Beach is returning from Wednesday 15 July - Bank Holiday Monday 31 August, offering a summer filled with sun, sand, rides, and games right in the heart of the city centre at Old Market Square. Whether you’re looking to dig out your flip flops, pop on your shades, or simply enjoy some family fun, this urban beach promises a memorable experience.

Last year was an absolute scorcher of  success, packed with thrills, laughs, and sunshine galore! Whether you're a daredevil craving an adrenaline rush on the rides, ready to sip a cheeky drink in the sun, or just looking to soak up those summer vibes, we've got you covered.

This year will see Market Square transform into a seaside spectacle with funfair rides and games, beachside treats and drinks, family friendly acitivities complete with the most important thing needed for a seaside easpcape ... a sandy beach and cooling waves. There will also be entertainment scheduled in every night of the week including movie nights under the stars and vollyball tournements. It's a seaside holiday jam packed with fun in the heart of the city.

Discover Robin Hood This Summer! 
 

Aye, good folk of Nottinghamshire and beyond—gather ye round and mark your calendars! The Robin Hood Festival rides once more into the heart of Sherwood Forest for its glorious 40th year.

From the 1st – 31st August, the trees shall ring with laughter, cheer, and the clash of steel as the forest awakens with tales of lore. Across three thrilling weekends, you can behold daring jousting, rousing hand to hand combat, and authentic  that would make even Little John weep with pride!

Come one, come all—maidens, minstrels, rogues and rascals—for a legendary adventure where outlaws rule, the ale flows freely, and merriment is the law of the land. This summer, Sherwood is calling to you... will you answer?

For a full line up of the events taking place at Sherwood Forest this summer, click our link here and explore our What's On Page.

Family Favourites 

Nottingham and Nottinghamshire have some fantastic attractions and activities to keep all the family entertained this Summer holiday. Check out our family friendly attraction pages and also our Day's Out pages, where you will discover things to do on a budget and also what to do if the weather turns, it is Britain after all! Don't forget to keep an eye on our special offers pages too. 

For the little ones...

No school holiday is complete without a trip to Conkers or Sundown Adventureland. Enter a world of adventure and discovery at Conkers, offering a super range of family-friendly craft and ranger-led activities, all planned with an immersive experience theme! Included in your admission expect ranger led activities, daily crafts, 4D cinema and even the new Conkers Cove splashpark!

Sundown is a theme park that will enchant all who visit and designed for the littlest members of the family, focusing on the under 10's. From rides and attractions to indoor softplay, this is a magical park that will capture hearts and imaginations!

Whether you are a thrill-seeker looking for action or simply after some quality time with friends and family, Go Ape have you covered. rom ziplines and Tarzan Swings to trampoline nets and Forest Segways. Whether it's an action-packed day out in the summer, a unique thing to do on a Bank Holiday weekend or an action-packed Half Term - Go Ape is the place to be for you and the whole family.

For all the family...

Take on the climbing challenge at Clip n Climb this Summer. Suitable from 4 years old right through to adults, there is no better way of getting competitive, fit and having fun with each other! Or if you and your family like a challenge why not take a trip to Go Ape at Sherwood Pines, where you can take on Nets Kingdom and its jumbo netted trampolines, bridges and walkways, or the Tree Top Adventure with Trazan swings and epic zip wires!

If your kids like to get active - or you just want to ensure they fall asleep that night - get down to the National Water Sports Centre, at Holme Pierrepont Country Park for their daring Skytrail, climbing, kayaking, raft building and many more great outdoor activities. 

For some land and water-baded adventure, check out Adventure at Mill Waters. It’s the perfect spot to soak up the sunshine and jump into unforgettable experiences. Thrill seekers can enjoy high-flying attractions on land or get a whole new perspective from the reservoir, as you glide across the water solo, paddleboard or kayak with friends.

Adventure Playgrounds

The city and county have some fantastic Adventure Playgrounds to explore too. Nottingham Castle's fort is the place for a fun filled adventure in the shadow of the castle itself, whilst Belvoir Castle's woodland adventure park, featuring a giant timber castle, along with a ship and towers, is the perfect place for imaginations to run wild! 

Summer of festivals in Nottingham

Festivals are a chance to really see a city shine, and luckily for us Nottinghamshire has them by the bucketful. Whether its feasting on fine food, fun days out with the family, tasting a plethora of ales, or dancing in the sunshine, there’s sure to be something to tickle your fancy in this rundown of festivals happening in 2025. This is the time to chill out, tune in and make some amazing memories.

For the kids, head down to Gloworm Festival, held at Holme Pierrpont Country Park between Friday 7th - Sunday 9th August 2026. This brilliant 2 day Festival is returning for its 10th year and has been especially created for grown-ups and their little people. Festival goers to come and play in a warm, welcoming and creative environment, loose their inhibitions, let their hair down and have some fun!

Foodies don't worry we havn't forgetton about you guys! The Nottingham Food Festival is coming to Victoria Embankment. From Saturday 11th – Sunday 12th July, expect live music, cookery theatre, top street food, artisan markets, family entertainment and more!

Wollaton Hall is truly the place to be this summer, with the return of Splendour . Attendees can enjoy music that spans all genres; from fast-rising stars to world-class performers, and musical icons, Splendour line-ups are always a wonderful mix of acts that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Alongside the music, you can expect comedy, a silent disco, an array of street food, a dedicated kids’ area, fringe activities and much more!

Pride is coming home to Nottingham! Get ready for the East Midlands’ biggest and most vibrant FREE Pride event, returning on Saturday 25th July — and this year, Hockley and the new Rainbow Quarter will be bursting with colour, music, and celebration! Honouring Nottingham’s rich history of inclusion, love, and LGBTQ+ rights, the day will be packed with a joyful parades, live entertainment, fringe events and activities for all ages.Whether you're dancing in the streets or waving your flag with pride, everyone’s welcome—because Pride in Nottingham is for all.

For a full list of Nottinghamshire festivals including food & drink, film and cultural festivals, please click here.

The Great Outdoors

Get out and about this half term and visit some of Nottinghamshire's beautiful country haunts. 

Rufford Abbey Country Park will be geared up for family visitors. Take a stroll around the beautiful grounds with an ice cream, row the family around the boating lake or let the kids run wild in the adventure playground. Their popular outdoor activities will all be available throughout the Summer also. 

Sherwood Pines is one of the largest forests in the midlands to explore providing a stunning setting for your next adventure. It's a firm favourite with it's beautiful woodland walks, many cycle paths, perfect for mountain biking and activities for all the family.

This summer, mix a little movie magic with the great outdoors as Nottingham rolls out an incredible line-up of open-air cinema and theatre experiences. From family favourites beneath the ancient trees of Sherwood Forest to a romantic date night under the stars at Norwood Park, there’s something enchanting for everyone. Grab your picnic blanket, settle in under the summer sky, and let the stories unfold. Check out the full listings and plan your perfect night out here.

There’s a host of family events happening throughout the summer months, click here to explore the full list.

Summer of sport in Nottinghamshire

If you're looking for sporting activities to get involved in, don't forget the ice skating lessons at the National Ice Centre (which are also available at various dates throughout the year) or simply pop-in for one of their public skating sessions - where under 5s skate for free!

You can also try your hand at some adventurous watersports at the National Water Sports Centre and try canoeing, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding and much more.

For more sporting events throughout the summer, please click here. Or for more ideas on how to get active in Notts, click here.

Budget Friendly

We love a bargain and to find some budget-friendly options, so we’ve put together some ideas for a Free Day Out in Notts. You can also find a huge list of Free Events including kids activities, festivals, galleries and live music.

We’ve also put together a list of Ten Things to do for Under £10, and an example itinerary for a Weekend on a Budget.

Discover Nottinghamshire

You don’t have to attend or take part in an event to do something new either. Discover charming scenery with a gentle stroll around beautiful towns and villages such as Southwell or Newark or learn more about the Nottingham’s famous rebel writer D.H. Lawrence in Eastwood.

If you like cycling, enjoy epic routes at Sherwood Pines and Clumber Park - once you’ve tried it you’ll soon be hooked and a great bike ride will be sure to make a memorable day out.

As well as lots of exciting events and activities taking place this summer, Nottingham is also simply an awesome city in which to hang out. There's loads of unique places to enjoy amazing food and drink, such as Iberico World Tapas and Ye Olde to Jerusalem - you're sure to find something to suit all tastes and budgets.

For more ideas about how to explore Nottinghamshire, click here.

If you haven’t found anything that tickled your fancy on this page, use the boxes below to find everythig you need for an amazing summer in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.