With Amelia Cosgrove
It may be a long time since I left school, but September will always feel academic to me.
It’s for fresh stationery, pulling the odd autumnal jumper from the back of my wardrobe, and watching the surge of university freshers arrive in the city.
It’s also the great seasonal divide: those who insist September is still summer, determined to squeeze every last ray of sunshine from the day and those who romanticise autumn the moment September 1 arrives.
So, I’ve curated a list of what’s on in Lincoln to indulge both sides.
We’ve got one of the world’s most prestigious cycling events kicking things off, open-air theatre under the stars, darker and more intimate jazz nights, witchy folklore, and culinary experiences that ease us into the new season. September in Lincoln is romantic, indulgent, exciting and above all, eager to get the new season started.
Lloyds Tour of Britain Men – Wednesday, September 2
The Grand Départ of the Men’s Stage One Tour of Britain will take place in Castle Square at 10.30am, with team introductions beginning from 10am. The stage is expected to finish on Newport at around 3pm.
My advice? Get there early. I’d aim for 9am to soak up the pre-race excitement, grab a good spot and catch the team presentations at Castle Square before the peloton sets off.
The route will feature the legendary Michaelgate climb, which the riders will tackle five times.
If you’re making a day of it, head to the Tour Village at Lincoln Castle from 9am, where the race will be shown on the big screen alongside food and drink from local traders and free cycling-themed activities. There’ll be even more free cycling fun down at the Activity Zone in Cornhill, so you can keep the Tour atmosphere going long after the riders have passed.
Lincoln Live – Saturday & Sunday, September 5-6
The city's free two-day music festival returns to City Square, headlined this year by The Rills and The Publics. The BBC Music Introducing-curated Main Stage will keep things lively from noon–7pm on Saturday and noon–5pm on Sunday, while the Unplugged Stage at St Paul in the Bail offers a more laid-back soundtrack, complete with bean bags and market stalls. And, because no good festival day should be attempted on an empty stomach, Cornhill Market will be open throughout for food, drinks and those all-important loos between sets.
The Great Gatsby at Doddington Hall - September 3
“Can’t repeat the past? Why of course you can!” – Scott Fitzgerald
Old sport, you’re invited to an evening of Jazz Age glamour.
This Is My Theatre is bringing The Great Gatsby to Doddington Hall’s Croquet Lawn for an open-air performance beneath the evening sky.
Step into Gatsby’s glittering world of champagne, jazz, lavish parties and doomed yearning, as mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby throws open the doors to his extravagant world - with Nick Carraway drawn into the secrets and scandals lurking beneath all that sparkle.
With live music and a dynamic cast, Fitzgerald’s classic gets an open-air makeover, making for a rather glamorous evening of theatre. Bring a chair, pack a picnic and settle in for a little 1920s indulgence under the stars.
7pm | £20 adults, £14 children
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland at Doddington Hall - September 4
If glitter glamour and doomed romance aren't quite your thing - or you're looking for something the kids can actually come along to - this one's for you.
This Is My Theatre is swapping Gatsby's champagne and jazz for something considerably more curious, bringing Alice's Adventures in Wonderland to Doddington Hall's Croquet Lawn for an open-air adventure.
Follow Alice down the rabbit hole and into a topsy-turvy world of riddles, talking animals and wonderfully peculiar characters, from the grinning Cheshire Cat and frantic White Rabbit to the Mad Hatter and famously fearsome Queen of Hearts. Expect plenty of music, humour and just the right amount of madness as Lewis Carroll's beloved story is brought to life beneath the Lincolnshire sky.
Again, bring a blanket or chair, pack a picnic and let the little ones disappear down the rabbit hole with Alice.
6pm | £20 adults, £14 children
Marvellous Makers Market – Sunday, September 6
If a Sunday spent discovering brilliant independent finds sounds like your kind of thing, head to the Marvellous Makers Market at Lincolnshire Showground.
Returning for its third year, the market brings 100+ Lincolnshire makers together, from artists and designers to local food and drink producers. Expect plenty to browse, plus free creative workshops, live music, street food and even circus skills to try your hand at. The wholesome way to support local businesses.
10am–4pm | £3 entry, under-16s free | Exo Centre
The History of Witchcraft, Women, Magic & Rituals – Wednesday, September 23
September has a way of making us look backwards as much as forwards - and with the autumn equinox just around the corner, what better time to delve into a little history, folklore and witchcraft?
At The Country Assembly Rooms, Seed Talks welcomes Dr Deborah Moretti for an evening exploring the fascinating history of witchcraft, women, magic and rituals, and the ways in which the patriarchy has shaped the stories we tell about them.
Expect witches, rituals, old beliefs and plenty of questions about who got to hold power - and who was branded a witch for stepping outside the rules. It’s a chance to look beyond the pointy hats and broomsticks and understand the women, traditions and social forces behind one of history’s most enduring fascinations.
Perfect for anyone who likes their September evenings a little darker, stranger and more thought-provoking.
7pm
Tastes of Lincolnshire at The Old Bakery, Five-Course Tasting Experience – Friday, September 25
If you’re looking for a proper taste of the county as we head into the new season, The Old Bakery’s Taste of Lincolnshire is rather perfectly timed.
This five-course tasting experience puts Lincolnshire produce centre stage, taking much-loved regional flavours and giving them a modern twist. Each course celebrates local ingredients, producers and artisans, with an optional drink pairing from local suppliers if you fancy making an evening of it.
Tucked away in Lincoln’s Cathedral Quarter, The Old Bakery is the county’s only not-for-profit restaurant, with its profits reinvested into education and training at Lincoln College and Newark College. It also acts as a real-world training ground for the next generation of chefs and front-of-house talent through its Emerging Chefs evenings.
So, you’re not only tasting the best of Lincolnshire - you’re getting a glimpse of where its future food scene could be heading, too.
The Corn Exchange – Saturday, September 26
The Corn Exchange brings the county’s food, craft and independent spirit together under one roof at the Cornhill Market.
Expect stalls packed with fresh seasonal produce, homemade treats, local food and handmade goods, with a changing line-up of small businesses and producers to discover each month. It’s a lovely excuse to shop local, meet the people behind the products and pick up something you won’t find on the supermarket shelves.
10am–4pm | Free entry
Picture captions
1. This is My Theatre group will be bring to Alice in Wonderland to Doddington Hall.
2.The Marvellous Makers Market at Lincolnshire Showground will be full of talented crafters.
3. Prepare to be spellbound during night of witchery at Lincoln’s County Assembly Rooms
4. A changing line-up of small businesses and producers will be visiting the Cornhill Market each month.