Here’s a snapshot of regular attractions, venues and upcoming events in and around Newark-on-Trent. This page focuses on local events, shows, exhibitions and community activities to help both residents and visitors find things to do throughout the year.
🎭 Palace Theatre – Live Shows & Performance
The historic Palace Theatre hosts a variety of performances including musicals, tribute shows, music nights, comedy and theatre productions throughout the year. Upcoming highlights include: Palace Theatre Newark
- Vampires Rock Eternal Love – The Musical
- Think Floyd (Pink Floyd tribute)
- An Evening with Nottingham Forest Legends
- Punk Off – Sounds of Punk & New Wave
- ELO Experience
- Weekly Palace Playwrights sessions
👉 Check the Palace Theatre website for full listings and booking info. Palace Theatre Newark
🏛️ National Civil War Centre – Exhibitions & Events
Visit the National Civil War Centre for themed exhibits, talks, living history events and interactive tours that bring Newark’s key role in the English Civil War to life. The centre hosts a programme of historical events and family activities throughout the year. National Civil War Centre+1
Highlights include:
- Guided walking tours and historical talks
- Family-friendly displays and themed workshops
- Seasonal living history reenactments
👉 Visit the centre’s own events page for the latest calendar. National Civil War Centre
🎡 Newark Showground – Large-Scale Events
Newark Showground is one of the area’s biggest event venues, hosting fairs, exhibitions and special-interest shows across the year. Recent and upcoming events include: Newark Showground
- Specialist Toy & Train Collector’s Fair
- Classic Bike Guide Winter Classic
- Newark Quilt Show
- Farm Safety Event
- Antiques & Collectors Markets
- Nottinghamshire County Show (May 2026)
- Vintage Tractor & Heritage Show (Nov 2026)
- Midlands Machinery Show (Nov 2026)
👉 For a full and up-to-date list, see the Showground’s event calendar. Newark Showground
📍 Regular Markets & Seasonal Events
Newark Royal Market operates five days a week with specialist and general stalls, making it a lively weekly event in its own right: Newark Town Council
- Monday: Pre-loved & collectors market
- Wednesday: General retail market
- Thursday: Pre-loved & collectors market
- Friday & Saturday: General retail market
Special seasonal markets and fairs (e.g., Christmas Market) are held throughout the year. Newark Town Council
🌟 Annual & Community Events
While some events vary year-to-year, the Newark & Sherwood district regularly hosts a wide range of community and festival events including: Newark & Sherwood District Council
- Big Draw Festival (arts & creativity)
- Bramley Apple Festival
- East Midlands Chilli & Beer Festival
- Lowdham Book Festival
- Farnstock music festival
- Festival of Food & Drink (Thoresby Park)
For a full district-wide calendar you can link to the Newark & Sherwood “What’s On” site. Newark & Sherwood District Council
📌 Tips for Visitors
✅ Booking: Many theatre and showground events require advance booking — check organisers’ websites.
✅ Markets: Weekly markets are free to browse and great for local food, crafts and antiques.
✅ Seasonality: Summer and autumn tend to have the widest range of festivals and outdoor events.
🔗 Useful Links
- Palace Theatre – What’s On (bookable shows) Palace Theatre Newark
- Newark Showground – Events Calendar Newark Showground
- National Civil War Centre – Events National Civil War Centre
- District Events & Festivals (Newark & Sherwood) Newark & Sherwood District Council
- Weekly Markets Schedule (Royal Market) Newark Town Council
Event details can change — always check organisers’ websites for the latest information.