25 things to do in 2025 in and around Lincolnshire

With 2024 behind us, it’s time to start getting some dates in the diary for the new year ahead.

There is plenty going on across the coming 12 months in and around Lincolnshire, so let’s us help you fill up your schedule.

Here are 25 things to do in 2025.

February

Grantham Rotary Swimarathon - Friday, February 7 to Sunday, February 9, Meres Leisure Centre

The 36th Rotary Swimarathon, organised by the Rotary Club of Grantham, returns in February.

Swim teams from Grantham and the surrounding area compete in the two-day event to raise money for local charities and organisations.

Last year, the event not only celebrated its 35th year, but also it surpassed the £1 million mark of money raised since its launch in 1990.

Find out more at rotaryswimarathon.org/.

March

Shiiine On - Friday, March 28 to Sunday, March 30, Butlin’s Skegness

As part of the popular Butlin’s weekenders series, guests will get to dance the weekend away to indie and dance music hits as the Shiine On festival returns for its 10th anniversary.

The weekender will include the greatest hits of artists who have appeared at the festival over the last decade.

Headline acts include: The Wonder Stuff, Ash, Peter Hook & The Light, Inspiral Carpets, Neds Atomic Dustbin, 808 State, Glasvegas, Jim Bob and many more.

Alongside live bands, there will also be club nights, comedians, exhibitions, quizzes, film screenings and much more.
Find out more at https://www.butlins.com/bigweekenders/weekends/shiiine-on-weekender/skegness-280325.

April

Countryside Lincs - Sunday, April 6, Lincolnshire Showground

Head out to the Lincolnshire Showground for a fun-filled family day out with a range of indoor and outdoor activities to discover food, farming and the countryside.

Alongside entertainment for all the family, there will be workshops, animals and plenty of activities to try.

The event runs from 10am until 4pm. Find out more at lincolnshireshowground.co.uk/whats-on/event/countryside-lincs-2025-06-04-2025.

Easter Carnival Raceday - Sunday, April 20, Market Rasen Racecourse

Market Rasen Racecourse is Lincolnshire’s only racecourse and stages more than 20 jump racing fixtures each year.

As well as racing, families of all ages can enjoy a day of free entertainment at the Easter Carnival Raceday.

Find out more at www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/marketrasen/events-tickets/easter-sunday-raceday/.

May

Spalding Flower Parade - Saturday, May 10

Despite a fear it would not go ahead in 2025, the Spalding Flower Parade returns on May 10 with a new organising team.

The event sees crowds turn out to see the parade of floats, which feature the flower queen and her deputy and a number of eye-catching floats.

It’s a great free day out with a feelgood family atmosphere.

Lincolnshire Wolds Outdoor Festival - Saturday, May 17 to Sunday, June 1

Explore the great outdoors of the Lincolnshire Wolds in this two-week festival. There will be more than 100 events taking place across the fortnight.

These aim to encourage people to explore the scenery of the Wolds, as well as learn new skills, make new friends and find inner peace.

Events will include guided walks, horse riding, water sports, as well as navigation, dancing, art, gliding and more.

Find out more at woldsoutdoorfestival.com/.

Call Of The Wild - Thursday, May 29 to Sunday, June 1, Lincolnshire Showground

The Call Of The Wild rock festival returns to the Lincolnshire Showground, bringing fans of heavy metal and rock music to enjoy some of their favourite artists.

This year’s headline acts will be: Bonafide, fronted by Pontus Snibb, rising British Heavy Metal band Tailgunner, Lucifer Star Machine from Germany, Trench Dogs from Sweden, Australian rock band Sisters Doll, Big Iron from Scotland, Retsecrows and Lesbian Bed Death.

As well as music, there will be great food on offer and a family-friendly atmosphere.

Find out more at the festival website.

Boston May Fair - TBC

The Boston May Fair dates back to medieval times and is rated as one of the top five street fairs in the UK.

As well as traditional fairground rides, there are also many tasty food stalls throughout the town centre

Spalding Festival - TBC

The annual event, which runs at the end of May, provides visitors with a range of good beer to try and live music to enjoy.

In 2023, around 6,000 turned out for the event, drinking 200 barrels of beer, and last year attracted headline acts The Hoosiers, Liberty X, and Abz from Five.

The festival is run by the Spalding Round Table and helps to earn money to support good causes in the area.

June

Rutland County Show - Sunday, June 1, Rutland Showground

The 191st Rutland County Show aims to promote agriculture within the county.

The annual event includes live music, food and drink, vintage farm machinery, giant tortoises, craft demonstrations, climbing and archery.

The 2024 event was its largest yet, with more than 13,000 people turning out to the agricultural show.

Find out more at www.rutlandshowground.com.

Rasen Rocks 2025 - Friday, June 13, Market Rasecourse

Scouting for Girls will be headlining the open-air concert at Rasen Rocks in June.

The band, which has sold over two million albums, two million singles and had four Brit Award nominations, will perform before a programme of racing.

Throughout 2024, the concert series welcomed some of the UK’s favourite artists including Busted, James Arthur and Becky Hill.

The event is not to be missed.

Skegness SO Festival - Friday, June 13 and Saturday, June 14

The international festival of outdoors returns to Skegness in the summer. Friends, families and neighbours can enjoy a world-class programme of art and entertainment on the pavements, parks and promenades of the seaside town.

Local, national and international artists turn out for the event.

Find out more at www.sofestival.org/home-event/home.

The Lincolnshire Show - Wednesday, June 18 and Thursday, June 19, Lincolnshire Showground

For over 155 years, the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society has set out to promote food, farming and the Lincolnshire countryside with this annual show.

Lincolnshire Showground plays host to the event, which showcases the best of what the county has to offer.

There are also livestock and poultry competitions, equine events and falconry displays, as well as some of Lincolnshire’s best food products on offer.

Find out more at lincolnshireshow.co.uk.

Castle Bytham Midsummer Festival - Saturday, June 21 and Sunday, June 22

From live music all weekend to real ale, a duck race and dog show, to children’s entertainment and vehicle displays, there is much on offer for all ages at the festival.

The Castle Bytham Midsummer Festival is an event organised by the community for the community.

It is organised and run by volunteers, with all proceeds going to St James’ Church, Castle Bytham Village Hall, The Bythams Community Shop and other local causes.

Find out more at midsummerfestival.co.uk.

Live at Lincoln Castle concert series - Friday, June 13 to Saturday, June 28

The Live at Lincoln Castle concert series provides another year of music from some of the nation's favourite acts.

Kicking it off on June 13 is English rock band Stranglers, followed by Indie band James on June 14 and Scottish rock icon Texas on June 15.

A few days later on June 19 will see Rag N’Bone Man perform, followed by UB40 and Ali Campbell on June 21 and Olly Murs, with special guest Lemar on June 25.

The final two days will see 80s group Human League perform on June 27 and Simple Minds on June 28.

It’s a Knockout - Sunday, June 29, Sleaford Town FC

A fun action-packed day will be held at Sleaford Town FC to raise money for the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity.

The day sees teams of 10 take part in team building exercises on inflatables, having loads of fun while raising money for charity.

To find out more, email Gary Burr at gary.burr@ulh.nhs.uk.

Tolethorpe summer shows - June until August

Once again, Tolethorpe Hall’s scenic setting provides the background to several summer shows.

Kicking off the Stamford Shakespeare Company series will be the season off will be The Taming of the Shrew on June 3, and this runs until July 26.

Next at the Rutland Open Air Theatre is Agatha Christie’s The Mirror Crack’d, which begins on June 10 and runs until August 16.

Shakespeare’s Macbeth begins on July 1, running until July 23, and Wuthering Heights runs from July 7 until July 9.

Find out more at tolethorpe.co.uk.

July

Battle Proms Concert - Saturday, July 12, Burghley House, near Stamford

The 20th annual Battle Proms Picnic Concert returns to Burghley House in July.

The concert is held in the parkland, overlooking the Elizabethan house. The two-hour orchestral concert is performed by the New English Concert Orchestra, led by Douglas Coombes MBE and compered by much-loved BBC presenter Pam Rhodes.

There will be modern pieces such as The Dam Busters March, the Downton Abbey theme and Gerswhin's Summertime, as well as a host of classical pieces.

Find out more at burghley.co.uk/events/battle-proms-concert-at-burghley.

Classic Ibiza - Saturday, July 26, Burghley House, near Stamford

2025 marks the 10th year of Classic Ibiza at Burghley House. The event celebrates White Isle-inspired house music, performed by a 32-piece urban soul orchestra, DJs and live singers.

Visitors can expect a feel-good atmosphere as they dance to iconic music in a scenic setting.

Find out more at www.classicibiza.co.uk/burghley.

August

Equifest - Wednesday, August 6 to Saturday, August 9, Arena UK, Allington

Equifest is one of the largest competing events in the UK equestrian calendar. Founded by show director Betsy Branya in 2008, the event has grown to attract over 10,000 riders and visitors each year.

Originally held at the former East of England Showground in Peterborough, it is now held annually in Arena UK in Allington.

Find out more at equifest.org.uk.

Holbeach Festival 2025 - Friday, August 8 to Sunday, August 10

The event returns for its 11th year in August with music including an Eminem tribute act, Noasis, Stereotypes, a tribute to Becky Hill, Typically Tina and much more.

As well as the music, guests can sample a range of different gifts.

Visitors can also enjoy camping and glamping alongside the packed programme on entertainment.

Find out more at holbeachfestival.co.uk.

September

Defender Burghley Horse Trials - Thursday, September 4 to Sunday, September 7, Burghley House, near Stamford

Horse lovers turn out to Burghley House to enjoy this elite event, which is considered one of the top three of its kind in the world.

Horses and riders compete in dressage, cross country and showjumping.

It is also accompanied with great food, shopping and other attractions.

Find out more at burghley-horse.co.uk.

Lincolnshire Heritage Days - date TBC

Every year, people discover the history of the county in the Heritage Open Days Festival.

The festival celebrates heritage, community and history, while providing the opportunity to get free access to events and experiences in Lincolnshire.

Although the dates have not been confirmed, the festival is usually held in September. Find out more here.

October

St Wulfram’s Beer Festival - TBC, Grantham

Fans of real ale and cider can head to St Wulfram’s Church in Grantham towards the end of the year for the beer festival.

Set in the 12th century church, there is a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks on offer.

As well as drink, local bands also perform along the weekend, providing plenty of entertainment for guests.

November

Burghley Christmas Fair - TBC

The fair provides visitors the opportunity to buy some special gifts at Burghley House in time for the festive season.

To get into the Christmas spirit, there will also be a range of food and drink stalls with festival-inspired treats to enjoy.

Have you got an event to tell us about? Send the details to news@lincsonline.co.uk