What’s On in Nottingham & the East Midlands 2026 & 2027: Live Music & Events
Posted on Tuesday 19th May 2026 at 15:00
Written by
Will Rabjohns
What's On in Nottingham & the East Midlands 2026 & 2027: Live Music, Concerts & Events
Updated May 2026. Looking for the best live events happening across Nottingham and the East Midlands in 2026 and early 2027? From major arena tours and city-centre gigs to festivals and one-off shows, this guide highlights the standout live experiences coming to the region and where to catch them.
Discover what’s on across Nottingham and the East Midlands, from huge arena concerts and outdoor festivals to grassroots gigs and unmissable live events.
In this guide, you’ll find:
- Major concerts and tours coming to Nottingham and the East Midlands
- Standout shows and limited-date runs to book early
- Regional highlights from Nottingham, Lincoln, Derby and Leicester
- A practical FAQ to help plan your live events calendar
Standout gigs & tours across Nottingham & the East Midlands
PRIMAL SCREAM
XTRMNTR
When: Wednesday 9th September 2026 (Rock City, Nottingham)
Primal Scream return to Rock City this September to celebrate their era-defining XTRMNTR, bringing a set packed with boundary-pushing classics and fierce live energy.
DONNY OSMOND
VIVA UK
When: Wednesday 27th January 2027 (Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham)
Global entertainment icon Donny Osmond heads to Nottingham with his brand-new Viva UK live show.
RICK WAKEMAN
THE WIZARD OF PROG - ULTIMATE HIGHLIGHTS CONCERT TOUR FEAT THE ENGLISH ROCK ENSEMBLE
When: Friday 12th March 2027 (De Montfort Hall, Leicester)
Prog-rock legend Rick Wakeman brings The Wizard Of Prog to Leicester, performing ultimate highlights with The English Rock Ensemble.
YARD ACT
YOU'RE GONNA NEED A LITTLE MUSIC TOUR
When: Monday 16th & Tuesday 17th November 2026 (O2 Academy Leicester & Rock City, Nottingham)
Leeds favourites Yard Act bring their sharp, smart and unpredictable live show to Leicester and Nottingham this November.
FAT DOG
When: Thursday 3rd December 2026 (Rock City, Nottingham)
Known for chaotic, high-octane live shows, Fat Dog bring their explosive sound to Rock City this December.
ASH
1977 30TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS
When: Sunday 6th December 2026 (Rock City, Nottingham)
Ash celebrate 30 years of their classic album 1977, bringing a set packed with indie-rock anthems to Nottingham.
COURTNEY BARNETT
CREATURE OF HABIT TOUR
When: Friday 16th October 2026 (Rock City, Nottingham)
Acclaimed songwriter Courtney Barnett heads to Nottingham this autumn with the Creature Of Habit Tour, promising an unmissable night of sharp hooks and offbeat brilliance.
THE WONDER STUFF & INSPIRAL CARPETS
40TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR
When: Saturday 17th & Thursday 29th October 2026 (O2 Academy Leicester & The Engine Shed, Lincoln)
The Wonder Stuff head out on tour this October with old friends Inspiral Carpets, celebrating the band’s 40th anniversary.
More gigs, festivals & events across the East Midlands
Beyond the headline tours, the East Midlands is packed with festivals, special events, comedy nights and grassroots gigs.
SIMON BRODKIN: UNLEASHED
STAND-UP TOUR 2026/27
When: Friday 18th September 2026 - Thursday 4th February 2027 (multiple locations)
DOT TO DOT FESTIVAL NOTTINGHAM 2027
EARLYBIRD TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW!
When: Sunday 30th May 2027 (various Nottingham venues)
SOUTH OF THE TRACKS FESTIVAL 2026
WITH THE FAITH ESTATE, HEALER, MAMA OH NO & MORE!
When: Saturday 6th June 2026 (Southside, Lincoln)
DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL 2026
WITH LIMP BIZKIT, GUNS N' ROSES, LINKIN PARK & MORE!
When: Friday 12th - Sunday 14th June 2026 (Donington Park, Castle Donington)
Ticket update: Only Saturday day tickets remain.
TK MAXX PRESENTS LIVE AT LINCOLN CASTLE
ALEX JAMES’ BRITPOP CLASSICAL, RICK ASTLEY, BOWLING FOR SOUP + FRANK TURNER & DAVID GRAY
When: Thursday 18th - Sunday 28th June 2026 (Lincoln Castle)
WONDERLAND FESTIVAL 2026
ANNIE MAC, SAM DIVINE, BARBARA TUCKER & MORE!
When: Saturday 4th July 2026 (Newstead Abbey, Ravenshead)
SUMMER NIGHTS AT NOTTINGHAM CASTLE
When: Friday 10th - Sunday 12th July 2026 (Nottingham Castle)
SPLENDOUR FESTIVAL 2026
WITH THE WOMBATS, SNOW PATROL, PRIMAL SCREAM, THE FLAMING LIPS & MORE!
When: Saturday 18th - Sunday 19th July 2026 (Wollaton Hall, Nottingham)
DAY FEVER FESTIVAL
WITH VICKY MCCLURE, PADDY MCGUINNESS, BANDARAMA BRASS BAND & MORE!
When: Saturday 29th August 2026 (Nottingham Arboretum Bandstand)
ROSESHIRE FESTIVAL 2026
THE CHARLATANS, EMBRACE, BOYZLIFE & MORE
When: Saturday 29th - Sunday 30th August 2026 (Chester House Estate, Wellingborough)
EYRE LLEW - BLOOM Album Launch Show
A ONE-NIGHT-ONLY SHOWING OF BLOOM LIVE FOR THE FIRST TIME
When: Saturday 19th September 2026 (The Nest, Nottingham)
See more events in Nottingham & the East Midlands
Festivals
- Sausage & Cider Festival — Saturday 30th May 2026 (Wollaton Hall, Nottingham)
- Summer in Nashville — Sunday 31st May 2026 (Wollaton Hall, Nottingham)
- Nottingham Craft Beer Festival 2026 — Friday 19th - Saturday 20th June 2026 (Sneinton Market, Nottingham)
- International Day of Yoga — Sunday 21st June 2026 (Wollaton Hall, Nottingham)
- Boiler Room: Overmono — Friday 26th June 2026 (Colwick Country Park, Nottingham)
- Rum & Reggae Festival — Saturday 27th June 2026 (Colwick Country Park, Nottingham)
- Clubland Live — Friday 3rd July 2026 (Newstead Abbey, Nottingham)
- Waterfront Festival 2026 — Saturday 4th July 2026 (Canalhouse, Nottingham)
- Could Be Real Tribute Festival — Sunday 5th July 2026 (Newstead Abbey, Nottingham)
- Gloworm Festival 2026 — Friday 7th - Sunday 9th August 2026 (Thoresby Park, Newark)
- Beach Life Festival 2026 — Saturday 8th August 2026 (Beachcomber Beach, Skegness)
- FAC51 The Haçienda — Saturday 22nd August 2026 (Wollaton Hall, Nottingham)
- The Long Road Festival of Country, Americana & Roots — Friday 28th - Sunday 30th August 2026 (Stanford Hall, Lutterworth)
- Foolhardy Folk Festival 2026 — Sunday 30th August 2026 (Nottingham Arboretum Bandstand)
- Mangata Festival 2026 — Saturday 5th September 2026 (Rescue Rooms, Nottingham)
- Crowded Festival 2026 — Saturday 3rd October 2026 (various Leicester venues)
- Hockley Hustle 2026 — Sunday 25th October 2026 (various Nottingham venues)
Live shows, tours & events
- Rebel City Sessions - Spangled, Youth Killed It, Half Happy & Riley Marsh — Friday 29th May 2026 (Over the Road at The Trent Navigation, Nottingham)
- Embrace — Sunday 7th June 2026 & Sunday 15th November 2026 (O2 Academy2 Leicester & Rock City, Nottingham)
- Big Shed - England World Cup 2026 Fanzone Group Stage Games — Wednesday 17th - Saturday 27th June 2026 (The Big Shed at The Trent Navigation, Nottingham)
- AC/DC UK — Friday 3rd July & Friday 11th September 2026 (Rescue Rooms, Nottingham & The Flowerpot, Derby)
- Butterfly Club — Wednesday 8th July - Wednesday 2nd December 2026 (The Drill, Lincoln)
- Heaven 17 — Friday 10th July 2026 (The Drill, Lincoln)
- Beyond Van Gogh — Saturday 18th July - Thursday 6th August 2026 (Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham)
- Beyond Monet — Sunday 19th July - Friday 7th August 2026 (Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham)
- Stiff Little Fingers — Friday 7th August 2026 (Rock City, Nottingham)
- Hayseed Dixie — Friday 14th August 2026 (The Devil’s Arse at Peak Cavern, Castleton)
- Nik Kershaw — Saturday 22nd August 2026 (Rock City, Nottingham)
- Newton Faulkner — Friday 28th August 2026 (The Devil’s Arse at Peak Cavern, Castleton)
- Anna Von Hausswolff — Tuesday 1st September 2026 (Rescue Rooms, Nottingham)
- Altered Images — Monday 7th September 2026 (Rescue Rooms, Nottingham)
- Spiritbox — Monday 14th September 2026 (Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham)
- The Dualers — Saturday 19th September 2026 (Athena, Leicester)
- Toby Lee — Saturday 19th September 2026 (Rescue Rooms, Nottingham)
- The Five Hundred — Friday 25th September 2026 (Saltbox, Nottingham)
- Don Broco — Monday 28th September 2026 (The Engine Shed, Lincoln)
- Fear Factory — Friday 2nd October 2026 (Rock City, Nottingham)
- Robert Jon & The Wreck — Saturday 3rd October 2026 (Rock City, Nottingham)
- (HED) PE & COLD — Tuesday 6th October 2026 (Rescue Rooms, Nottingham)
- Ferocious Dog — Thursday 8th October 2026 (The Drill, Lincoln)
- Goldie Lookin Chain — Thursday 8th & Friday 9th October 2026 (The Nest, Nottingham & The Engine Shed, Lincoln)
- YONAKA — Thursday 8th October 2026 (Rock City, Nottingham)
- Red Rum Club — Friday 9th October 2026 (Rock City, Nottingham)
- John Bramwell (I Am Kloot) — Sunday 11th & Thursday 29th October 2026 (The International, Leicester & The Flowerpot, Derby)
- The Lemonheads — Sunday 11th October 2026 (Rock City, Nottingham)
- The Amity Affliction — Monday 12th October 2026 (Rock City, Nottingham)
- Steve Hackett - Best of Genesis & Solo Gems — Tuesday 13th & Friday 16th October 2026 (De Montfort Hall, Leicester & Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham)
- Jon Gomm — Sunday 18th October 2026 (The Drill, Lincoln)
- Adult DVD — Thursday 22nd October 2026 (Rescue Rooms, Nottingham)
- Panchiko — Thursday 22nd October 2026 (Rock City, Nottingham)
- Reef — Thursday 22nd & Friday 23rd October 2026 (The Engine Shed, Lincoln & Roadmender Northampton)
- Skindred — Saturday 24th October 2026 (Rock City, Nottingham)
- Cassia — Friday 6th November 2026 (Rescue Rooms, Nottingham)
- Deco — Saturday 7th November 2026 (Rock City, Nottingham)
- Bellowhead - 20th Anniversary of Burlesque — Tuesday 10th November 2026 (De Montfort Hall, Leicester)
- OK Go — Wednesday 11th November 2026 (Rock City, Nottingham)
- Kid Kapichi — Wednesday 18th November 2026 (Rock City, Nottingham)
- This Is Lorelei — Tuesday 24th November 2026 (The Bodega, Nottingham)
- Tony Hadley — Monday 30th November 2026 (Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham)
- UB40 Feat. Ali Campbell — Monday 30th November 2026 (Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham)
- Sweet — Thursday 17th December 2026 (Rock City, Nottingham)
- Theory Of A Deadman — Friday 5th February 2027 (Rock City, Nottingham)
- Let's Pop! — Thursday 18th February 2027 (Athena, Leicester)
- Steve ’n’ Seagulls — Sunday 28th February 2027 (The Drill, Lincoln)
- The Dead Daisies — Wednesday 10th March 2027 (Rock City, Nottingham)
- The Dubliners Encore — Thursday 18th & Wednesday 31st March 2027 (Derby Arena & Royal and Derngate, Northampton)
- Kim Wilde - The Singles Tour — Friday 26th March 2027 (Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham)
Regional highlights — Where to go in the East Midlands
Nottingham
Arena-scale shows at Motorpoint Arena, alongside a thriving mid-sized and grassroots scene across venues like Rock City, Royal Concert Hall and The Bodega.
Lincoln
Historic Lincoln offers a mix of distinctive venues, from former church space Southside and community arts hub The Drill to major summer events at the stunning Lincoln Castle.
Derby
Derby’s live scene ranges from larger touring productions at Derby Arena to more intimate shows and tribute nights at established local venues such as The Flowerpot.
Leicester
Leicester combines grassroots venues such as The Soundhouse and The Black Horse with larger headline spaces, including O2 Academy Leicester.
Venue spotlight: Metronome, Nottingham
Metronome hosts breakthrough BBC Introducing artists, established touring acts and standout comedy nights. Our venue guide covers everything you need to plan your visit, from transport tips and FAQs to upcoming gigs.
Explore the Metronome venue guideVenue spotlight: The Nest, Nottingham
From live music and street food festivals to sports fan zones and corporate events, The Nest’s modular layout adapts to every occasion. Our venue guide covers everything you need to plan your visit, from transport tips and FAQs to upcoming gigs.
Explore The Nest venue guideVenue spotlight: The Flowerpot, Derby
The Flowerpot in Derby is a nationally recognised live music venue and real ale pub, widely regarded as one of the best places to catch gigs in the city — particularly for fans of grassroots music and close-up performances.
Explore The Flowerpot venue guideVenue spotlight: The Grove, Nottingham
The Grove is one of the newest additions to Nottingham’s grassroots venue scene — a fresh events space already making its mark as a champion of the city’s independent music community. Regularly platforming rising local talent alongside emerging touring artists, The Grove is quickly becoming a key launchpad for Nottingham and the UK’s next wave of artists.
Explore the Grove venue guideVenue spotlight: Billy Bootleggers, Nottingham
Known for its intimate atmosphere and passionate crowds, Billy Bootleggers has built a reputation as a go-to destination for gigs in Nottingham, regularly showcasing local talent alongside emerging touring artists and unforgettable club nights.
Explore the Billy Bootleggers venue guide
Browse events by town or city:
NOTTINGHAM | LINCOLN | DERBY | LEICESTER | NORTHAMPTON | SKEGNESS | BUXTON | CASTLETON | MANSFIELD | CHESTERFIELD | NEWARK-ON-TRENT
Need to know — Nottingham & the East Midlands events
When do tickets usually go on sale?
Most tickets go on sale shortly after an announcement, often on Friday mornings. Popular shows can sell out quickly, especially in smaller venues.
Which venues should I keep an eye on?
Motorpoint Arena for major tours, Rock City and O2 Academy2 Leicester for headline shows, plus a wide range of theatres and clubs across the region.
Are there festivals in the East Midlands this year?
Yes, the region hosts a mix of city-based festivals and outdoor summer events featuring both touring and emerging artists.
Ready to explore more live events in the East Midlands?
Find all upcoming gigs, tours and festivals across Nottingham, Lincoln, and beyond.