A new event for 2024, Lincoln Festival of History will be a captivating journey of multi-period living history and exciting activities to celebrate the rich history of Lincoln.
Come and celebrate Lincoln’s history and heritage in an exciting, brand new, city-wide event from May 4th to 6th. This event has something for people of all ages including fun have-a-go activities, exciting living-history reenactment and displays, and educational lectures and tours.
The City of Lincoln Council are bringing public spaces to life in 3 spectacular zones:
The Colosseum Quarter, Castle Square and St Paul in the Bail –Immerse yourself in the Roman Market in Castle Square and excite the senses! Pay a visit to the Blacksmith, baker and carpenter, witness beautiful displays of tile making, painting, pottery and basket weaving, and play traditional Roman games. Travel back in time to watch thrilling Gladiator battles in the arena at St Paul in the Bail. More information will soon be available on timings of battles.
The Viking Mint, Cornhill Square – Join the workers in Cornhill Square by pressing your own Viking coin (for free!), imitating the real history of Lincoln’s own Coin Mint. Explore the incredible Viking living-history encampment with displays of armoury, jewellery, net making, games and more! There will also be shield colouring activities for children. Additionally, cheer on the Vikings as they battle throughout the day! More information will soon be available on timings of battles.
The Realm of Relics, City Square and St Mary Le Wigford Church – Experience what it’s like to be an archaeologist by excavating treasures in 3 archaeological dig pits in City Square. This is a free activity and children under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult. You can also have a go at medieval axe-throwing activities! Please note the axe throwing activities will have a small fee for participation.
Discover even more treasures in St Mary le Wigford Church where the Travelling Historical Market will be pitching up for the whole 3 days!
All of these zones will be open from 11am to 5pm each day of the event and are free to visit.
Where Lincoln's history and legacy come to life
In addition to all of the incredible content, partners, heritage sites, venues and businesses across the whole city are joining in and delivering their own fantastic offer:
- Drop in on the Maker’s and Antique’s Market in Castle Hill car park. 11am to 5pm each day of the event.
- Visit Lincoln Castle for an incredibly vast, immersive experience spanning several time periods including Medieval, Victorian, Roman and Viking! The Castle grounds are open from 10am to 5pm on all 3 days of the event and will cost the price of a Castle day ticket to enter.
- Take a trip to the Museum of Lincolnshire life on Saturday 4th May for Victorian living history including a Victorian classroom, cooking displays and a Victorian pharmacist! Open from 10am to 4pm. Tickets for the Saturday event cost £3 per adult, £1.50 per child, £2 concession, £6 family ticket (2 adults & up to 3 children). The museum is free to enter on Sunday 5th and Monday 6th May.
- Go to The Lincoln Museum to explore some of the many Roman treasures that have been unearthed across the city and county in the archaeology gallery. The Museum is open 10am to 4pm. Entry to the museum is free. A cost may occur for some activities.
- Visit Lincoln’s Long Wool sheep from Hall’s Farm at the Lincoln Cathedral and head inside the grand building for children’s historical crafts.
- Follow the ‘Living Literary Lincoln’ trail by Bishop’s Grosseteste University
- See the De Lorean from Back to the Future on display in The Waterside Shopping Centre on Monday 6th May.
- Grab a coffee in Stokes Highbridge Café to take in the beauty of the historic building and see exhibitions of historical items such as an old tabletop coffee roaster, and
- Head to the Lawn Stokes Café where there will be displays of tea and coffee related paraphernalia in the ‘mini museum’ – usually kept behind closed doors, but for scheduled periods during the festival will be open to the public.
- Attend the Time Travellers’ Ball at the County Assembly Rooms, date/time to be confirmed.
opening times
Full festival programme coming soon.
