Robin Hood Festival 2026

Friend or foe?

It’s the big 4-0!

We’re celebrating the 40^th Robin Hood Festival in 2026, with another sensational summer of spectacular arena shows and performances and displays to delight visitors of all ages.

Since its beginnings in the early 1980s, the Festival has become established as the world’s premier celebration of the world’s favourite outlaw, Robin Hood, and the only one that can truly claim to be held in the home of the Legend – Sherwood Forest.

From Medieval jousting shows to combat displays, drama, comedy, storytelling and music of the age of Robin and his Merry Band, the Festival has become a must-see experience for thousands of visitors every year, many travelling from overseas to walk among the Ancient Oak trees of Sherwood at Festival time.

This year’s Festival dates are:

1^st & 2^nd August

Headlined once again by the Knights of Nottingham Medieval Jousting Display Team with their spectacular interpretation of the legend of Robin Hood.

The Knights of Nottingham. Photo by Mark Powell.

8^th & 9^th August

We are thrilled to host not only the fabulous Sherwood Outlaws, but also performers from Centre de l’Imaginaire Arthurien, in Brittany, who will present an arena show bringing together the legends of Robin Hood and King Arthur.

The Sherwood Outlaws at Le Centre de l’Imaginaire Arthurien. Photo by Rob James

Wizards, Witches and Wardrobes Costume Competition

After an amazing reception last year, our costume competition is back!

You can sign up for the costume competition at the Robin Hub on the Events Green from 10am each day. Entries are £3 per person with the chance to win a bundle of Festival goodies!

We have two age categories: 14 & Under, and 15+.

Costume Competition Entrants 2025. Photo by Rob James.

29^th – 31^st August

The Outlaws are back in the Festival arena for the Grand Finale weekend with their inimitable mix of storytelling and combat displays.

The Sherwood Outlaws at the Festival. Photo by Mark Powell.

Performers

We have plenty of returning favourites for our 40th year, and some new faces to join the celebrations. See below for the full line up of Festival performers (more to be announced!).

The Medieval Maniax

The ever-popular Maniax return with their classic show full of hilarity, chaos, charisma and some REALLY superb escapology.

The Medieval Maniax will visit the Festival 1st & 2nd August, and 29th – 31st August.

More the Merrier

More the Merrier will be providing us with a range of entertainment across all three weekends, from the Point Blank Danger Show, to the Castle Cleaning Crew!

Please note: the Point Blank Danger show will only show on 1st & 2nd August.

The Bubonic Players

The Bubonic Players will delight once more with their tuneful tales.

They will attend the Festival 1st & 2nd August, and 29th – 31st August.

Nathaniel Bagshot

Prepare to be amazed by Nathaniel’s terrific tricks and awe-inspiring illusions.

Nathaniel will attend all three weekends of Festival.

Bill Brookman

The musical storyteller returns with his tales of Robin Hood.

Bill Brookman will attend 1st & 2nd August, and 29th – 31st August.

Sloe Gin

Sloe Gin will perform 1st & 2nd August and 29th – 31st August.

Myal and Peg

Myal and Peg will perform 1st & 2nd August and 8th & 9th August.

GreenMatthews

GreenMatthews will perform 8th & 9th August.

Sir Robert of Wentbridge

Robert will attend the Festival 1st & 2nd August and 29th – 31st August.

Jim Munro and Paul Nicholas

Jim Munro storytelling at Festival. Image by Rob James.

Newcomer Paul Nicholas joins seasoned Festival storyteller, Jim Munro.

Jim and Paul will be storytelling 1st & 2nd August, and 29th – 31st August.

Past Imagined

Past Imagined will visit Festival 8th & 9th August.

Simple Tom

Simple Tom is back to entertain us with his outlandish tales!

Simple Tom will visit the Festival 1st & 2nd August, and 29th – 31st August.

Go Active Falconry

Go Active will walk the arena with their tethered displays all three weekends of the Festival.

Ferrer’s Household

The Ferrer’s Forge at Festival. Image by Rob James.

A staple of Festival, the Ferrer’s Household will be back with their living history camp 1st & 2nd August.

What a Palaver

Prepare to be wowed by his fire-spitting feats! What a Palaver will perform 8th & 9th August.

George Thorpington

Last year, we welcomed George Thorpington, fairy catcher, to Festival – he’ll be back on the hunt for fairies again this year. But will he find any?

George Thorpington will return to Festival on 8th & 9th August.

The Galactic Knights

The Galactic Knights will return with their Orc encampment and bootcamp on 8th & 9th August.

Dice and Balls

Dice and Balls will be providing their Have-a-Go Dungeons and Dragons sessions on 8th & 9th August. For more information and to book your slot, please visit our Events page.

Academy of the Wolf

Academy of the Wolf return to Fantasy in the Greenwood 8th & 9th August with their free workshops.

The Krampus

The Krampus return to Sherwood for an unseasonal Summer stint on 8th & 9th August.

Lutebox

New for 2026! Lutebox will serenade you with thematic music from films, TV and video games.

Forest Fae

New for 2026! The Forest Fae will be meeting and greeting and crafting wishes 8th & 9th August.

The Fairyland Trust

New for 2026! Pay them a visit to make your very own magic wand on 8th & 9th August.

The East Midlands Garrison

New for 2026! Join characters from a Galaxy from far, far away for photos and meet and greets on 8th & 9th August.

Centre de l’Imaginaire Arthurien

New for 2026! Bringing their Arthurian legends, storytelling and music, plus the opportunity to craft your very own dragon egg to Fantasy in the Greenwood for 8th & 9th August.

Historia Normannis North Mercia Division

New for 2026! Engage with history – seeing, feeling and hearing first-hand aspects of the lives and deaths of 12th-century people – Knights, freemen, craftsmen, ladies of the court and Barons of the realm. Historia Normannis will join us 29th – 31st August.

The Sherwood Outlaws

Familiar favourites returning with their legends of Robin Hood, The Sherwood Outlaws will perform 8th & 9th, and 29th – 31st August.

Celebrating Four Decades of Festival

And because it is a big birthday for the Festival, we’re calling on Festivalgoers to share pictures from previous events, all the way back to its roots.

We’ll be sharing those on our social media channels and web pages as we get closer to the event. If you have photos and memories you’d like to share, send them to sherwoodevents@rspb.org.uk

The Bunting of Sherwood

We are also marking this special Festival year with a public arts project – the Bunting of Sherwood.

We’re inviting you to design and create your own artwork inspired by Sherwood Forest, Robin Hood, and the rich tapestry of local wildlife and folklore. Your designs will be displayed on bunting which will extend along the Major Oak trail during the festival.

Download the Bunting of Sherwood Information pack here to start creating your design.