Lincoln Events, Things to Do and Festivals 2014 / 2015

(Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England, UK)

Seasonal interest is plentiful in Lincoln, coming in the form of various festivals, events and activities, a number of which are staged at the university's Lincoln Performing Arts Centre at Brayford Pool. Many regular events and things to do take place throughout the year in Lincoln, such as performances at the Theatre Royal on Clasketgate, the exciting race days held at the nearby Market Rasen Racecourse, antiques fairs at Newark, and an increasing number of local handicraft and farmers' markets.

Festivals in Lincolnshire celebrate everything from sausages and pumpkins, to busking, chamber music, walking and agriculture. If you are in the city at the beginning of December, then there is a good chance that you are here to visit the renowned Lincoln Christmas Market extravaganza, which is typically German in character and lasts four days, attracting around 250,000 visitors each year.

Lincoln Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

January

• Great Australian Breakfast - late January, a charity event held on Australia Day to commemorate the city's twinning with Port Lincoln in Australia

February

• Valentine's Day - February 14th, a day of romance, when local restaurants pull out all the stops to create a romantic evening for couples

March

• Discover Lincolnshire Weekend - early March, with many attractions throughout the county opening their doors completely free of charge
• Easter Celebrations - late March / early April, with a large religious Sunday service held at Lincoln Cathedral

April

• Batemans Beer Festival - mid April, at Batemans Brewery in Wainfleet and lasting two days, with live music, hot food and plenty of real ale to sample

May

• Spalding Flower Parade - early May, held over a three-day period, at Springfields in Spalding, now more than 50 years old
• Lincoln Book Festival - mid-May, a five-day event featuring a strong literary theme, attracting many authors and writers who have become big names in the world of literature. Expect to find writing workshops, poetry competitions, comedy gigs, live music, story telling and various exhibitions
• Cycle Grand Prix - mid-May, an epic race passing through the city. The Cycle Grand Prix is 138 km / 86 miles long and has been taking place for over 50 years, being a reliable crowd-puller
• West Lindsey Churches Festival - mid-May, involving in excess of 80 churches from Lincolnshire county over two weekends
• Brigg Fiddle Fest - mid-May, an annual event based in the small market town of Brigg, attracting violinists from all across Lincolnshire and beyond
• Lincolnshire Wolds Walking Festival - late May, with many organised treks and routes, designed to suit all abilities and including pub walks, coastal hikes and countryside trails

June

• Stamford Shakespeare Company - June to August, an annual season of William Shakespeare plays, performed at the Rutland Open Air Theatre at Tolethorpe Hall
• Lincolnshire Show - late June, organised by the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society and taking place annually on the Lincolnshire Showground at Grange-de-Lings, attracting more than 2,000 exhibitors

July

• Arts Forum Festival - early July to early August, hosted by the North East Lincolnshire Arts Forum at Barton-Upon-Humber
• Waddington International Air Show - early July, regarded as one of England's most prestigious air shows and held each year since 1995
• Boston's Party in the Park - mid-July, a multicultural affair, with fairground rides, food and fun
• Bailgate Busking Festival - mid-July, a popular city event based in the uphill area and featuring a diverse selection of music
• Lincoln Waterfront Festival - mid-July, held over the weekend, with live entertainment, concerts, street performances and many daredevil stunts, completely free of charge and highly suitable for all the family

August

• Lincoln and Lincolnshire Chamber Music Festival - mid to late August, a musical event lasting two weeks, held at venues such as Stow Minster, the Nettleham All Saints Church, and the Knights Building at Lincoln College

September

• Burghley Horse Trials - early September, a firm highlight on any equestrian calendar, with many stands relating to country life
• Heritage Open Days - mid-September, a chance to enjoy some of Lincolnshire's rich heritage at no cost, when private manor houses and stately homes open their doors to the general public
• Festival of Running - mid-September, previously known as the Mablethorpe Marathon, starting at the Sherwood Field in Mablethorpe
• Black / North Seas Skegness International - late September to early October, a ten-day artisan event based along the coastline

October

• Spalding Pumpkin Parade - late October, a major Halloween event, hosted in the market town of Spalding, which is actually Europe's most significant pumpkin producer
• Halloween Ghost Trains - late October, at the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway
• Tastes of Lincolnshire Sausage Festival - late October, a huge culinary event in the city, with crowds both in and around the castle grounds, and lots of demonstrations. Expect to see a TV chef or two

November

• Bonfire Night - November 5th, with many fireworks displays held all over the county at this time of the year

December

• Lincoln Christmas Market - early December, a famous Yuletide market, with more than 300 stalls sited within the city's Cathedral Quarter. This is the perfect place to come for seasonal gift ideas