We begin with Superfan: The Property of André Waszczyszyn (1-22 Oct), a first-of-its-kind exhibition celebrating the extraordinary collection of photographer and Bowie fan André Waszczyszyn. Featuring unique pop memorabilia displayed publicly for the first time, the exhibition offers a vivid portrait of fandom, identity and music history. 

Lincoln Book Festival returns (1-4 Oct), celebrating the National Year of Reading with a programme of authors, ideas and conversation inspired by this year’s theme, Go All In, alongside Demo (1 Oct), our popular platform for new work-in-progress performance. 

Returning by popular demand, Sh!t-Faced Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet (8 Oct) brings the company’s gloriously chaotic take on Shakespeare back to Lincoln. Our Creative Meet Up (16 Oct) returns with free pizza, conversation and the chance for local artists and creatives to connect. Alongside this, Some Other Mirror (16 Oct) showcases a fresh performance from a local artist exploring queer identities. 

Music and performance continue with DIVAS! (24 Oct), where OUTloud Lincoln’s LGBTQIA+ community choir celebrates iconic songs from iconic artists in an evening of pop anthems and collective joy. Later in the season, acclaimed cabaret revue Send In The Clowns: Unpopular!  (14 Nov), will be a riotous celebration of mega musicals, drag and musical theatre spectacle featuring Fatt Butcher (from The Voice UK and winner of Drag Idol UK) and a stellar line-up of Midlands cabaret artists. 

In November, Annabel McCourt premieres her landmark new commission Ad Astra (12 Nov – 3 Dec) in the gallery, developed through her associateship with Lincoln Arts Centre. Expanding on her earlier work Per Ardua, the project reflects on the experiences of LGBTQ+ RAF personnel affected by the historic ban on homosexuality in the armed forces. 

Referencing the RAF motto Per Ardua Ad Astra (“through adversity to the stars”), McCourt’s earlier work deliberately crossed out Ad Astra, reflecting how the historic “gay ban” denied LGBTQ+ personnel the chance to fully realise their potential. 

Working with communities through conversation and photography, McCourt will gather stories of adversity, injustice and resilience to create a new constellation of voices and images. The project is particularly timely as the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme for those affected by the armed forces ban closes for applications on 12 Dec 2026. 

Not forgetting the students who call our building home, you’ll be treated to three days of BA Music Showcases (30 Nov – 2 Dec), with genre-spanning music shaped by resistance. 

Finally, our much-loved Christmas show returns with a boop beep as Toad of Toad Hall takes to the stage in The Wind in the Willows (10-20 Dec), bringing festive chaos, adventure and family fun to close the season.