What’s on in Newark?

Wondering what’s on in Newark-on-Trent? The town has a lively year-round calendar of events, from theatre shows and food festivals to huge showground expos. Here’s a rundown of the top events in Newark-on-Trent for the rest of 2025 as well as a look at the best events you can enjoy in the wider Nottinghamshire area throughout the year. 

Image by Duncan Nelson from Pixabay

What's on in Newark-on-Trent

BrackenXcapes Summer Shakedown 

Date: Saturday 13^th September 5pm till late

Tickets: £20 for adults, £10 for kids over 15, buy tickets here. 

Enjoy an evening of live music, food, drinks and entertainment at BrackenXcapes glamping site, just a 10-minute drive from Newark. The annual end-of-summer festival will feature performances by three local bands: The Street Hawks, Soul Solution and Beggars Belief. Enjoy local food vendors, a bar run by the acclaimed Milestone Brewery and sausage-and-chilli-eating contests. 

The Street Hawks will be performing live at BrackenXcapes

Palace Theatre Newark 

This Art Deco theatre hosts a range of events in Newark throughout the year, from live music to plays, comedy shows and panto. Their autumn/winter 2025 schedule features gems such as the Royal Air Force in concert, music tribute acts like Genesis Connected, the Crown Ballet’s performance of Swan Lake and festive shows like Beauty and the Beast and A Christmas Carol. 

Newark Showground 

This famous showground features a diverse calendar of events throughout the year, including the National Motorhome Show and Newark Garden Show. Highlights for 2025 include the Stonedead Festival that attracts rock music fans from across the country, the Newark and Notts County Wedding Show in November and Truckfest for monster truck enthusiasts. 

Events like the Vegan Camp Out have taken place at Newark Showground

What’s on in Nottinghamshire? 

There’s plenty going on outside of Newark, here are some of the most popular annual events in Nottinghamshire to check out. 

Festival of Food and Drink 

This is one of the most popular festivals in Nottinghamshire, which takes place annually in Thoresby Park. The event returns on the 20^th and 21^st of September 2025, featuring over 150 traders and street food from all over the world, as well as live music, a cookery school and TV celebrity chefs like Rosemary Shrager, find out more here. 

Robin Hood Festival 

Head down to Sherwood Forest in July and August to celebrate all things Robin Hood. Try your hand at archery, watch historical re-enactments and jousting, follow activity trails through the woods and browse the trader village. There’s always plenty of food vendors, kids’ activities and even an outdoor cinema for evening screenings of Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves. 

The Major Oak in Sherwood Forest

Nottingham Comedy Festival 

2025 marks the 17^th year of the acclaimed Nottingham Comedy Festival, held from the 31^st October to the 9^th November. This 10-day festival features comedians from across the country, from brand-new acts to established names. Shows take place at various venues throughout the city, including the Theatre Royal and Canal House. 

Wassailing 

Date: Saturday 17^th January 2026

Enjoy a night of wassailing at BrackenXcapes near Newark. This ancient English tradition began as a pagan ritual to encourage a good apple harvest. Traditionally, the event takes place on the 12^th night after Christmas and involves gathering at an orchard to ward off evil spirits with singing, dancing and pot-banging. Join the Wassailing celebration at BrackenXcapes, where you can enjoy hot apple cider and party vibes. 

Wassailing night at BrackenXcapes

Splendour Festival

Splendour is Nottinghamshire’s biggest music festival, held every July at historic Wollaton Hall and Deer Park. Music acts spanning all genres perform over five stages; the 2025 line-up featured the Kaiser Chiefs and Travis, Natasha Bedingfield, Kate Nash and The Fratellis. You can also expect comedy, a funfair, silent disco, food vendors and market stalls.