Phil Crow
Horncastle’s community arts and heritage celebration is back for the fourth year this August, with a range of activities and events taking place in the town centre, in the build up to the ‘Mane Event’ on Saturday 8th August 2026.
Read the full Horse Fair 2026 Programme.
The event takes its inspiration from the town’s ancient summer fair held since at least 1229 at the Feast of St Lawrence. Horncastle’s Horse Fair was said to be the largest fair for horses in the world, bringing buyers from across Europe and beyond.
Horncastle Horse Fair is produced by Sessions Arts in partnership with the us at Horncastle History & Heritage Society, the East Lindsey Place Team and a committee of amazing individuals from the local community.
This project is supported by: a National Lottery Arts Council Project Grant, an East Lindsey Investment Fund Grant and the Vital & Viable programme; SO Festival; and Horncastle Town Council. With thanks to St Mary’s Church, Horncastle Community Centre and the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust for hosting!
Fringe Programme
SATURDAY 1st AUGUST
- Join Lumo Workshop at Splisby’s Super Saturday to make your horse decorations for the Mane Event SPILSBY TOWN CENTRE 10am-3pm
- Horse Fair Community Window Decorating Workshop. Plus free horsey craft/story/pun/poem session HORNCASTLE LIBRARY 10am-12pm
WEDNESDAY S AUGUST
- Horse Themed Watercolour Event with Nikki Bennett. Book via email ho****************@*ll.org 10am-12pm HORNCASTLE LIBRARY
THURSDAY 6 & FRIDAY 7 AUGUST
- Lumo Workshop Drop-in Creative Sessions. Come along and get creative making horse-themed crafts and props ready for the Mane Event on Saturday 8th August. Suitable for all ages! 10am-12.30pm & 1.30-4pm COMMUNITY CENTRE
THURSDAY 6 AUGUST
- Free Outdoor Sketching Session with Horncastle Art Group. Bring your own art materials. MEET AT ST MARY’S CHURCH from 10am
- Hangman’s Horncastle Tour with Horncastle History & Heritage Society. Explore the life of one of Horncastle’s most infamous residents, the hangman William Marwood. MEET AT JOSEPH BANKS CENTRE 1pm
- Lincolnshire Folk Tales with Rory Waterman. An evening of Lincolnshire’s amazing (and bawdy!) folk tales. PEDAL & PAWS 7pm
FRIDAY 7 AUGUST
- Pedal & Paws Quiz, with an equine-themed round! PEDAL & PAWS 7-10pm
SATURDAY 8 AUGUST
- Special Horse Fair QEGS Park Run with a horsey theme and performers from Rhubarb Theatre QUEEN ELIZABETH’S GRAMMAR SCHOOL 9-10am
- Display of the artwork created on Sat 1 August HORNCASTLE LIBRARY 9am-1pm
- Bikers & Riders Breakfast METHODIST CHURCH HALL QUEEN STREET
9am-12.30pm
