What’s On

Peterborough is a city recognised for staging large scale national events that attract visitors from all over the world. You can expect to see day to fortnight-long festivals and tours across the historic city centre and rural areas.

Cathedral Square is home to established events like the Italian Festival, Diwali Festival, the Heritage Festival and our spectacular Christmas Lights Switch-on event.

Each year in August the River Nene Embankment hosts the Peterborough Beer Festival, which is the largest of its kind in Europe.

The festival showcases more than 400 beers from 120 different breweries across the UK. In addition, it features around 80 different ciders and perries and also hosts wine and gin bars.

Live entertainment is provided each evening with bands performing a huge range of music, and an open mic night, alongside the various fairground rides and entertainment on offer. Later in the year is Peterborough Oktoberfest, which first debuted in Peterborough in 2017.

The Embankment has also played host to McBusted, Olly Murs, JLS and in 2016. Bryan Adams played to 10,000 people.

Peterborough Arena is the region’s leading venue and home to some of the UK’s major national shows, exhibitions and concerts. The arena sees some 800,000 visitors a year and there’s always something for everyone to enjoy.

Also, the Abax Stadium - home to Peterborough United Football Club has previously hosted Sir Elton John and in 2019 welcomes Sir Tom Jones and Craig David.