.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
You are here > What's On > Things to do in Nottinghamshire in 2026
To provide you with the best experience, cookies are used on this site. Find out more here.
To provide you with the best experience, cookies are used on this site. Find out more here.
To build your own Itinerary, click 
to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
Already saved an Itinerary?
You are here > What's On > Things to do in Nottinghamshire in 2026
We’re looking ahead to all the fun to be had in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire in 2026! Keep reading to discover what you can enjoy in sport, find popular festivals, see what top seasonal campaigns you can expect from us and much more.
The spectacular immersive art experiences Beyond van Gogh and Beyond Monet are coming to Motorpoint Arena next summer from Saturday 18 July - Friday 7 August 2026. Immerse yourself in the fascinating worlds of two of the most infamous artists – you don’t want to miss this!
Splendour Festival eagerly returns to Wollaton Hall next summer on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July 2026. The two-day festival will be back with a brand-new line-up to appeal across the generations, from long-term regulars to families and youngsters – with headliners The Wombats and Snow Patrol to top the bill!
Don’t miss the fantastic line-up of events at Nottingham Castle this year, including the Nottingham Independents' Castle Beer Festival on Friday 24 & Saturday 25 April 2026.
Experience the iconic art of Andy Warhol at Lakeside Arts from Saturday 24 January – Sunday 19 April 2026. Andy Warhol: Pop Icon, an ARTIST ROOMS Partnership Exhibition with Tate and National Galleries of Scotland, showcases his extraordinary work, including rarely seen early drawings and illustrations, and paintings that have never been exhibited in his lifetime.
Nottinghamshire is jam packed full of amazing festivals throughout the year. From Nottingham City Centre takeovers to unmissable festivals out in the County, here are a few of our favourites.
If you love music, look no further than Dot to Dot Festival on Sunday 24 May 2026. They are super excited to once again bring a whole host of incredible emerging talent from around the globe, across some of the best stages in the UK.
For the foodies out there, we the unique Bramley Apple Festival which runs on Saturday 24 October 2026. Celebrating the Bramley Apple, which originated in Nottinghamshire, it is a must see!
Groovebox In The Park will be bringing house music to the legendary Wollaton Hall & Deer Park this May Bank Holiday on Sunday 3 May 2026. The festival is set to become the brand’s largest day festival to date, bringing an extraordinary lineup to one of the most breathtaking outdoor locations in the country.
The ultimate summer event for dance music fans is back with Clubland Live at the Abbey on Friday 3 July 2026. Experience non-stop Clubland anthems, top DJs, and the ultimate festival vibes, all set against the stunning backdrop of Nottingham’s historic Newstead Abbey.
More information about music, food & drink, family friendly and cultural festivals, visit our festivals page.
If you’re visiting us over a specific season or holiday, we always round-up some of the best things to do. We recommend heading over to our seasonal landing pages on our website in the run-up to these holidays, as we will be updating each page with things to do, offers to enjoy and more.
Our county’s sports offering has only grown since Visit England named Nottingham as England’s official Home of Sport in 2015.
Did you know that Nottingham is the home to two-time European Cup winners? This being Nottingham Forest F.C, of course! We are also home to Notts County F.C, who claim to be the oldest professional association football club in the world, after being formed in 1862. You can still see both of these teams play their heart out at home on your next visit to Notts.
Nearby to both football stadiums, you’ll find the world famous Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, which has seen Test Cricket being playing for over a century. In 2026, they are hosting some incredible events, including:
Nottinghamshire is also proud to be home of two thoroughbred horse-racing tracks: Nottingham Racecourse and Southwell Racecourse. The history books show racing taking place in Nottingham as far back as 1773.
The Nottingham Tennis Centre also has excellent facilities and has played host to many international tournaments. This includes the Rothesay Nottingham Open, which is an annual event held in June, just before the Wimbledon Open, and therefore regularly attracts some of the best tennis players in the world including Andy Murray in 2023.
National Ice Centre is home to the GB Short Track Speed Skating squad. Public skating sessions and amazing seasonal events take place daily and families are welcome, with Under 5s skating for free.
The National Ice Centre & Motorpoint Arena Nottingham are also home to local legends The Nottingham Panthers. The only professional ice hockey team in the East Midlands, you can catch Panthers' home fixtures at The National Ice Centre & Motorpoint Arena Nottingham during the Elite League season, usually running September - April each year.
And speaking of ice hockey, you may not know that the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham will host the EIHL Playoff Finals Weekend 2026 on Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th April. The fantastic final four showdown will determine who ends the season as Playoff Champions!
Having the National Water Sports Centre based in Nottingham, you’ll never be short of something to try out. Whether it’s Canoeing & Kayaking, Sailing, Power Boating, Rafting or Water Skiing – you’ll be sure to have a ‘splashing’ time. The Centre has an excellent white-water course that operates on 700m of adrenaline pumping action. Used by the British Slalom, Freestyle Kayak and White-Water Rafting Teams for training and competitions the course truly is world class.
Some of the other amazing sporting events you can expect in 2026 include:
Outlaw, visionary and bane of the establishment, the tale of Nottingham's hero Robin Hood, who stole from the rich to give to the poor, is known the world over. Uniting universal themes of adventure, altruism and rebellion, his adventures have been retold down the generations, from medieval ballads to Hollywood blockbusters.
Robin Hood is one of the world’s best loved folk heroes and Nottinghamshire is proud to be the home of this spirited outlaw. There is no better place to learn more about the man and legend.
Our County celebrates Robin Hood Day every 29th October, which is the perfect time to explore some of the landmarks from the legends of Robin Hood and his Merry Men, from the dungeons of the Old County Gaol where he was held captive by the Sheriff of Nottingham to the church where he wed his beloved Maid Marian. We highly recommend the Robin Hood Town Tour in Nottingham and a stop at the Major Oak in Sherwood Forest! And, of course, no visit to Notts would be complete without a picture with the Robin Hood statue.
To learn more about Robin Hood, click here.
It’s hard to beat a countryside getaway sometimes! Nottinghamshire has a fantastic rural offering, full of history and charm. From Newark Castle to Sherwood Forest, there is a fantastic mix of attractions and relaxation.
Explore our Market Towns and Rural Nottinghamshire to find some hidden gems. Walk down the beautiful Southwell high street and find your next favourite café, or pop over to Ruddington on the first Saturday on the month and catch their popular market!
Other notable attractions include The National Holocaust Centre and Museum, which is the first and only place of its kind in the UK. We also recommend a stop at The Workhouse and Infirmary in Southwell, the Museum of Timekeeping in Newark and the Newark Air Museum.
You can even soar among the trees of Sherwood Forest at Go Ape!, make it your playground at Sherwood Pines, or enjoy the Visitor Centre run by the RSPB. The Visitor Centre run a fun calendar of events throughout the year, so check ahead to see if there is anything going on before your visit!
You can even stay in some beautiful and unique locations out in the county including Forest Holidays, The Sherwood Hideaway and the Gardener's Cottage at Newstead Abbey!
Visit our Notts Bucket List page for some amazing things to do in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire in 2026 including some iconic experiences like having a pint in the oldest inn in England and a visit to Wayne Manor (yes, Batman’s house!).
You can also browse our What’s On Calendar, which is the biggest events calendar in the County. There you will find tons of events in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, and you can even filter by date or category, including free things to do!
Our Things to Do pages also have fantastic suggestions for things to do in 2026 based on topic or interest. Including attractions, tours and suggestions for some great days out in Notts (like Ten Things Under £10) have a browse to discover some hidden gems.
For more Ideas & Inspiration, click here to learn about Robin Hood, the English Civil War, the Nottinghamshire Caves and Itineraries.
© Visit Nottinghamshire 2025. All Rights Reserved
