24 things to do in and around Lincolnshire in 2024
Now that 2024 is upon us, it’s time to start getting some dates in your new diary for the coming 12 months.
So, shut out that dark January gloom and let us help you to plan some fun days to come with our guide to 24 things to do in - and around - Lincolnshire in 2024.
February
Rotary Swimarathon: February 2-4
You can make a splash for a good cause with the Grantham Rotary Swimarathon at the start of February. The event began back in 1990 and has become a popular annual fixture - raising almost £1 million for charities and good causes since then. More than 150 teams have already signed up to take part - but there’s still chance to enter or sign up as a sponsor for 2024 via the event’s website.
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March
Spring Into Spalding: March 30
Spalding town centre will be full of the joys of spring during this free Saturday event. It first ran in 2022 - and returns in 2024 after South Holland District Council’s Communities Team received £6,000 funding. Full details are yet to be announced, but the 2022 date included a popular petting farm and family-friendly entertainment.
May
Children’s Fund fun day: Date TBC
The Grantham Journal Children’s Fund fun day is set to return for 2024. The event is free to the families supported by the charity - which is under the umbrella of Journal, one of the newspapers to join forces and form the LincsOnline at the end of last year. Details are set to be revealed soon - and last year the event was held in Wyndham Park at the beginning of May, featuring a host of rides, attractions and displays.
Boston May Fair May 4-11
Rated one of the top five street fairs in the UK, Boston May Fair dates back to medieval times and has become a firm favourite that attracts crowds from far and wide. There are traditional fairground rides and tasty food stalls right through the town centre for the duration of the event, which brings a feelgood atmosphere for visitors to enjoy.
Spalding Flower Parade: May 11-12
The famous Spalding Flower Parade returned after a ten-year break in 2023 - with the revived showpiece event attracting big crowds to the town. Event organiser Steve Timewell is out to prove that last year’s was no flash in the pan - and this year’s movie-themed parade forms part of a two-day weekend of activities that aim to go bigger and better for 2024. Expect to see some old floral favourites among the 50-plus floats as well as music and colourful dance shows.
Lincolnshire Wolds Outdoor Festival: May 11-27
Lincolnshire’s reputation among outsiders might be for being flat - but we all know that that’s not strictly true. The Wolds offers variety to the county landscape - and this festival is a celebration of all it has to offer. There are events across across Alford, Caistor, Horncastle, Louth, Market Rasen, Spilsby and Wragby, with cycling, fishing, golf, water sports and more on an agenda that offers more than 150 things to try.
Spalding Festival: Date TBC
Expect a smorgasbord of good beer and live music galore at the Castle Sports Complex in Spalding for this annual event which runs at the end of May. Last year it attracted a crowd of about 6,000 people - drinking 200 barrels of beer and enjoying entertainment from 23 bands. If you’re lucky, you might even get some sunshine too. The festival is run by the Spalding Round Table and helps to earn money to support good causes in the area too. Check the event website for more details in the coming weeks.
June
Rutland County Show: June 2
Plenty of Lincolnshire folk enjoy the short trip to the Rutland Showground for this event - and it’s easy to see why. The combination of crafts, livestock and machinery make for a celebration of our rural life. Expect good food, excellent local ales and an action-packed programme of events to see while you’re at this year’s 190th Rutland Show.
Tolethorpe Hall summer theatre shows: June 4 onwards
Outdoor theatre doesn’t get more spectacular than this. Tolethorpe Hall’s grounds are the ideal backdrop for A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shakespeare’s spellbinding comedy that’s full or forests and fairies and moonlit enchantment. Shows begin on June 4 - but Stamford Shakespeare Company has more up its sleeve for the summer too with the 18th century classic The Recruiting Officer and Jane Austen’s much-loved Sense and Sensibility also on the cards for 2024. You can get a flavour of what’s to come by checking out our reviews of last year’s Measure for Measure and The Lady in the Van.
Bourne Festival: Date TBC
Expect live music from a host of genres and plenty of beers and ciders to try at the annual Bourne Festival. This event always draws a big crowd - with a fun fair, craft stalls and lots of food outlets too. It also acts as a showcase for fundraising groups in the town. The date and details have not yet been announced, but last year it ran at the beginning of June and was hailed as a ‘phenomenal’ success.
Skegness So Festival: June 14-16
Skegness and Mablethorpe comes alive with an action-packed agenda for the annual So Festival. Expect street theatre, puppetry, dance and more as a collection of creative artists descend on the coast for a feast of the arts. A perfect accompaniment to all that our seaside towns have to offer.
Lincolnshire Show: June 19-20
Lincolnshire Showground plays host to the best the county has to offer in this annual event. It’s a traditional country show with livestock and poultry competitions, equine events and falconry displays. You can sample some of the best food produced in Lincolnshire - and brush up on your cookery skills with a masterclass.
Lincoln Castle concert series: June 15-30
The historic castle plays host to a series of top class concerts in June. Crowded House kick things off on June 15, followed by Jess Glynne the night after. Paloma Faith takes to the stage on June 22, with the Kaiser Chiefs on June 28 and Madness on June 29. The series then comes to a close in a more relaxed fashion, with the jazz delights of Gregory Porter on June 30.
Castle Bytham Midsummer Festival: June 22-23
From a duck race to a dog show, an arts exhibition to a 5k run and real ale to crafts galore there’s something for everyone at this rich and varied event. Proceeds go to St James’ Church, Castle Bytham Village Hall, The Bythams Community Shop and other local causes too. Last year’s Midsummer event was one of the biggest yet - and set a hard act for 2024 to follow.
Swaton Vintage Day: June 30
How could you not love an event that includes the World Egg Throwing Championships? This eccentric event is a mainstay of the Swaton Vintage Day and well worth being seen to be believed - attracting international competitors to boot. The madcap action is complemented perfectly by a traditional vintage country show - with tractors, classic cars and motorcycles all invited.
July
Matthew Flinders returns: July 12-14
All eyes turn to Donington for a special homecoming event for Matthew Flinders, the man who mapped Australia. The explorer’s remains were unearthed during the HS2 construction work in London and are now set to be returned to his place of birth, with a series of special services planned to mark the moment. Visitors are expected from Australia to come to see him laid to rest in St Mary and the Holy Rood Church, close to his family. July 12 will be a day for children, July 13 will see Flinders reburied and July 14 will be a special service for the community.
Battle Proms Burghley House: July 13
The beautiful Burghley House grounds are the perfect backdrop for a glorious Battle Proms concert evening. Expect air shows, gun salutes, a feast of classical music and a firework finale on a colourful night that attracts a big crowd. Pack a picnic and a Union Flag and get ready to embrace the atmosphere.
Classic Ibiza Burghley House: July 27
The end of the month sees the focus fall on classics of a very different kind. The Classic Ibiza night sees vocalists, DJs and an orchestra serve up what’s billed as ‘an open-air celebration of White Isle-inspired house music’. Begin the night with a chill-out vibe and end in full-on party mode after dark. More than 9,000 people attended in 2023, with another big crowd expected this year.
August
Holbeach Beer and Music Festival: August 1-4
The 10th Holbeach Beer and Music Festival returns at the start of August - and the event continues to grow from strength to strength. The move to a new home (and the wet weather!) last year did not knock it off its stride - and visitors can enjoy camping and glamping alongside a packed programme headlined by leading tribute acts for 2024.
James Arthur and an evening of horse racing, Market Rasen: August 17
Singer songwriter James Arthur will perform on the Rasen Rocks stage - with a concert to cap off an action-packed evening of racing at Market Rasen Racecourse. Arthur shot to fame after winning the ninth series of the X Factor - and topped the charts with singles Impossible and Say You Won’t Let Go. His concert begins at 8.30pm, following a race night that begins at 5.30pm.
September
Defender Burghley Horse Trials: September 5-8
This elite event is one of the top three in the world of its kind. Horses and riders compete in three disciplines - dressage, cross country and showjumping. The high quality sporting action is supplemented with a festival feel, complete with great food, top class shopping and other attractions. Tickets go on sale in the spring.
October
Spalding Pumpkin Festival: Date TBC
With Europe’s biggest pumpkin growers in the area, it’s only fitting that the seasonal squash gets its own celebration. Spalding’s Pumpkin Festival typically takes place at the start of October and features a free day of family-friendly activities, craft stalls and entertainment. It’s guaranteed to be a ‘gourd’ atmosphere (apologies!) and supplements the many ‘pick your own’ patches now on offer in the autumn too.
St Wulfram’s Beer Festival: Date TBC
Head to St Wulfram’s Church in Grantham to enjoy one of the county’s best beer festivals - with ales and ciders galore for you to sample. The 12th century church is a magnificent venue - and local bands help to build a feelgood atmosphere for the occasion. The date has not yet been confirmed - but last year it ran from October 19 to 23 and attracted more than 2,000 visitors.
November
Burghley Christmas Fair: November 28 – December 1
Search out special gifts for your loved ones at Burghley’s magical Christmas fair - where its large selection of stalls are bound to have perfect present ideas. You’ll be humming along to the music, marvelling at the decorations and spoiled for choice among the food and drink options. There’s also a large - and beautifully lit - Victorian carousel to add to the occasion. It attracted 20,000 visitors in 2023 and is sure to be a hit again this year.
Have you got an event to tell us about? Send the details to news@lincsonline.co.uk
